9 Underrated 90s Sport Coupes That Aged Better Than Expected

As 1990s automotive nostalgia hits an all-time peak, collectors are beginning to rediscover the largely forgotten sports cars that have spent decades living in the shadows of highly popular icons like the Toyota Supra and Chevrolet Corvette. While prices of those halo models have soared to eye-watering levels, a group of overlooked but equally compelling alternatives is coming to light, and for now, they are surprisingly attainable.

9

Mazda MX-3 GS

Average used price: $3,844

Read Also 1 day ago The Forgotten Ducati Race Single That Fathered Every Modern Panigale 8 autotech Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain	Read Also 2 day ago The Futuristic Subaru That Was Supposed To Bury The Toyota Supra 4 autotech Power	Torque
1.8L V6	5-speed manual	FWD	130 HP	115 LB-FT

Mazda planned to take the compact coupe market by storm with the tiny MX-3 GS, which was positioned as a slightly higher-end option that favored engineering prowess over efficiency. Under the hood, the GS packed one of the smallest production V6s ever, with its 1.8-liter unit pushing out 130 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels exclusively. Compared to four-cylinder rivals from Honda and Toyota, the MX-3 GS’s extra two cylinders gave it a remarkably smooth, refined character, and it also revved up to 7,000 rpm to make up for the V6’s small displacement. The result was an impressive balance between a grand tourer and a lively sports coupe.

However, the MX-3 was overshadowed by none other than the MX-5 Miata. The MX-3 was already struggling with an identity crisis, as its peculiar V6 drove pricing upward, but the engine’s output failed to live up to the higher cost. When the Miata arrived, it was slotted into the same compact sports car segment as the MX-3, and it completely dominated with its lower price point, less complex four-cylinder engine, and lightweight build. Today, the MX-3 GS serves as a remnant of fascinating engineering, and with enthusiasts still flocking to new Miatas decades later, the MX-3’s bubbly styling now stands out. It remains highly undervalued, with prices averaging around $3,000, according to The Classic Valuer.

8

Ford Probe GT

Average used price: $6,049

Bring a Trailer

The second-generation Ford Probe was a follow-up to the highly controversial coupe that threatened to replace the iconic Mustang. While the backlash towards the original was strong, Ford had no choice but to relaunch the Probe in pursuit of profitability, as it was tied up in a high-stakes partnership with Mazda. The redesigned Probe moved its focus away from Mustang territory, and instead leaned into its aerodynamic styling and Mazda-based front-wheel-drive platform, aiming squarely at competition from Japan. Power came from Mazda’s highly respected K-Series 2.5-liter V6, and journalists noted that the Probe was an impressively capable driver’s car, with responsive inputs and sharp handling.

The Probe’s revised identity was successful enough for it to outsell its own platform mate, the Mazda MX-6. Buyers favored the Ford’s space age styling and familiar badge, and pricing undercut Japanese rivals by thousands despite their similar packages. An astonishing 119,769 units were sold in its first model year, but the debut of a fully redesigned Mustang the next year quickly drained Probe sales as buyers flocked over to the fresh V8-powered icon. Only 32,505 Probes left dealers in 1996, and when Mazda opted to discontinue its languishing MX-6 in 1997, its Ford counterpart followed suit. Used values for the Probe are currently on the rise, as collectors are revisiting its rock-solid Mazda internals, remarkable handling characteristics, and distinctive aerodynamic design.

7

Subaru SVX

Average used price: $8,716

Bring a Trailer

What happens when you take Giorgetto Giugiaro, the designer behind high-dollar works of art like the Lotus Esprit and BMW M1, and task him with designing a Subaru? The result is the SVX. At the time of its debut, it promised to give Acura and Lexus a run for their money, blending distinctive Italian design cues with the driving charisma of a grand tourer. Under the hood sat a 3.3-liter flat-six, delivering a rather potent 230 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque in a silky smooth fashion. It was a dramatic departure from Subaru’s existing lineup of utilitarian sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

However, the SVX was deemed too expensive for its own good, and while it was far more powerful than any other Subaru of its time, it was heavier and slower than its premium rivals. Subaru lost money on each one sold, but with current values averaging around $8,000, your wallet won’t be losing nearly as much. Depreciation has turned the SVX into your cheapest path to owning a Giugiaro masterpiece, with its stunning “window-within-a-window” glass design and signature wedge shape.

6

Lincoln Mark VIII LSC

Average used price: $9,900

Bring A Trailer

Upon its debut in 1992, the Lincoln Mark VIII stood out with its sleek, aerodynamic design, which was bold for a time when your average daily driver was still rather boxy. Under the hood, the performance-focused LSC model featured a 4.6-liter V8 sending 290 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels only, and its interior was a quintessential showcase of budding ’90s technology, with digital gauges, a groundbreaking electronic information system, and a sweeping wraparound dashboard design. This Lincoln land yacht also featured an air suspension, and the LSC in particular boasted aggressive exhaust tuning and shorter gearing in the rear.

However, as striking and tech-packed as it was, the Mark VIII arrived at the wrong time. Buyers’ tastes were shifting away from colossal two-doors during the 1990s, moving instead towards four-door sedans and early iterations of today’s massively popular SUVs. While it failed to capture market share when new, the LSC is currently admired for its combination of 90s futurism and classic American V8 power.

5

Toyota MR2 Turbo

Average used price: $10,815

Cars and Bids

The second-generation Toyota MR2 was cherished by enthusiasts for packing an exotic mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout into a compact, budget-friendly package. As if that weren’t already a frugal driver’s dream, the Turbo models packed a 2.0-liter 3S-GTE inline-four that ultimately proved to be very solid, turning it into one very reliable go-kart. The second-generation MR2 was available in the United States for a five-year run, but it was ultimately discontinued after sales failed to match those of its highly successful predecessor.

The MR2’s sharp drop in popularity was mainly attributed to unfavorable exchange rates between Japan and the United States, catapulting pricing for later model years into BMW 3-Series territory and making it unprofitable for Toyota to import. With the affordability factor gone, buyers quickly turned their backs on the MR2. But with values sitting around an attainable $10,000 today, the MR2 Turbo is enjoying a resurgence in popularity mainly thanks to its lightweight structure and charmingly mechanical driving experience, both of which cannot be found in modern sports cars.

4

Volkswagen Corrado VR6

Average used price: $10,891

Bring a Trailer

Just before the 1990s, Volkswagen decided to extend its presence to a higher tax bracket. The result was the premium, high-performance coupe known as the Corrado, and it was essentially a commercial failure. While it packed a sonorous 2.8-liter VR6 producing a healthy 178 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, along with a 2+2 seating layout and a trick active rear spoiler, it was hard to convince buyers to drop Porsche 944 money for a car that shared its badge with the likes of the Golf and Polo. While Volkswagen expected to sell 10,000 units per year in the United States, a measly 2,900 units managed to leave dealers each year on average. But with depreciation removing the price barrier that hindered the Corrado’s initial popularity, buyers now have access to a sprightly, balanced VR6 powerhouse for just around $10,000.

3

Lexus SC400

Average used price: $12,206

Lexus

The Lexus SC400 was created to build on the meteoric success of the LS400 sedan’s debut, adapting the famously durable 4.0-liter V8 to a two-door, driver-focused rival to the Mercedes CL and BMW 8-Series. The fledgling automaker was especially interested in capturing the attention of American buyers, so the coupe’s sleek profile and clean lines were sculpted at Toyota’s design facility in California. The SC400 was highly over-engineered in typical Lexus fashion, making for an impressively smooth idle and a whisper-quiet ride, thanks to the grand tourer’s cushy, leather-wrapped cabin. The SC400 did not disappoint from a design and engineering perspective, and pricing significantly undercut German rivals. However, sales were not as high as the ambitious Lexus had hoped.

Today, the Lexus SC400 offers the bulletproof ownership experience that one would expect from a Lexus, and its meticulous build quality can still outshine more modern alternatives. Values are steadily rising, and The Classic Valuer indicates that the average sale price is now reaching above $10,000.

2

Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

Average used price: $17,850

Bring a Trailer

With the 300ZX, Nissan was looking to hark back to the Z car’s sporty roots after the previous generation’s pivot to grand touring refinement. The Twin Turbo model in particular was the brand’s answer to performance cars from Europe and the United States, delivering an innovative four-wheel steering system, a potent twin-turbocharged V6 engine, and a cabin design that revolved around the driver.

This twin-turbocharged Nissan has managed to maintain its popularity decades later, as it makes respectable power even in the modern age, and its exterior design has stood the test of time. Values for the 300ZX are currently averaging around $17,850, but exceedingly clean, low-mileage examples can easily rise above the $30,000 mark.

1

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4

Average used price: $22,339

Bring a Trailer

The 3000GT VR-4 was Mitsubishi’s entry into the pool of golden-era Japanese sports cars. It served as a showcase of the brand’s engineering capabilities, flexing impressive technology ranging from four-wheel steering to active aerodynamics. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 managed to deliver a whopping 300 hp and 307 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels, allowing the sports car to launch from 0-60 mph in around 5 seconds. Its all-wheel drive system provided class-leading levels of traction, particularly at high speeds. The VR-4 was pitted directly against cult classics like the A80 Toyota Supra and FD Mazda RX-7, and it managed to outsell them.

While the 3000GT was highly successful when new, it initially struggled with standing the test of time. Collectors feared demanding maintenance due to its various forms of high-tech trickery, and values plateaued while Supra and RX-7 prices reached exorbitant levels. However, the 3000GT is currently rebounding, and collectors are clamoring for low-mileage examples and rare late-production models. Values are averaging just above $20,000, but this number is steadily increasing as even the earlier models regain their popularity.

Sources: Ford, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, The Classic Valuer, Toyota, Volkswagen