10 Fast Cars From The 1990s That Are Dirt Cheap Today

Hunting for a performance car that won’t drain your savings account? The golden era of 1990s sports cars has quietly become one of the best hunting grounds for affordable thrills — and the models below prove that cheap doesn’t have to mean boring. The best kind of sports car is one that doesn’t break the bank and won’t cost a fortune to keep on the road. With maybe a couple of exceptions, these iconic machines will make you proud as a weekend warrior with the occasional toy, or if you’re feeling brave — a daily.

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While cheaper examples exist on classifieds and online auction sites, we chose to stick with trusted resource Hagerty for consistent and reliable values. If you can find the same model cheaper elsewhere, don’t hold back and join the affordable sports car club. The only thing you need is a local mechanic who knows their way around a ’90s car. Let’s face it: ’90s cars are quite reliable and generally far simpler to work on than brand-new models today.

1997 Eagle Talon TSi: $4,000 – $12,000

1997 Eagle Talon TSi
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Power	210 hp
Torque	205 lb-ft
Drivetrain	Front-engine, FWD

Diamond Star Motors — a joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi that began in 1985 — produced this: the Eagle Talon. Based on the Mitsubishi Eclipse, the lightly restyled Talon is another great ’90s sports car you can pick up for very little money. The desirable TSi model added a turbocharger to the 4G63 engine, resulting in 195 horsepower, which was raised to 210 horsepower for the second-generation Talon. All-wheel drive was also available, turning the Eagle Talon into a proper junior performance car, but the more affordable models are the front-wheel-drive variants like this one. Today, the Eagle Talon is very much of its era, but it still holds its own in the budget sports car arena.

1990 Chevrolet Camaro RS: $4,000 – $16,000

Mecum

It’s no secret that the third-generation Chevy Camaro is an American sports car you can find cheaply. Like any car, the year, trim, and configuration all affect value. This generation ran from the 1982 to 1992 model years, and the angular Camaro makes for a fun and nostalgic toy. IROC-Z models are valued higher, but Hagerty’s lower average value belongs to the ‘RS’ (Rally Sport) model, which came standard with an entry-level V6 engine, not a V8. Luckily, a couple of V8 options were available and these are also valued lower than other trims. One was a 210-horsepower V8 from the IROC-Z and one was the 170-horsepower version, which is helped along thanks to 255 pound-feet of torque.

1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata: $4,900 – $16,100

Mazda

The Miata is likely to appear on any list of affordable sports cars, since that is its defining quality. A fun, wonderfully balanced, rear-wheel-drive sports car doesn’t have to be expensive to buy, and since this is a Mazda MX-5, running costs and repairs should also be palatable. The subsequent ‘NB’ generation is also valued at under $10,000 by Hagerty, and with 140 horsepower on tap the 1999 Miata should be even more entertaining. But the original MX-5 delivers genuine thrills from just 116 horsepower, which is precisely what makes the first generation still one of those iconic models everyone should try at least once.

1991 Dodge Stealth R/T: $7,000 – $18,000

Bring-a-Trailer

Dodge’s Stealth was a short-lived, badge-engineered model based on the Mitsubishi 3000GT (called the GTO in Japan) as you can probably tell. Familiar to Gran Turismo players, the ’90s Japanese performance car had a range-topping ‘VR4’ twin-turbo engine and all-wheel drive, just like the Stealth’s ‘R/T Turbo’ trim. When it comes to the cheapest entry point, the naturally aspirated versions — the ‘ES’ and ‘R/T’ — are the ones to seek out.

The 3.0-liter V6 in this model made 222 horsepower compared to the twin-turbo’s 300 horsepower, and it also sent power to the front wheels rather than all four. From 1994, the cars were facelifted with fixed headlamp units. The Dodge Stealth was dropped after 1996, while the 3000GT soldiered on for a few more years.

1990 Ford Mustang 5.0 LX Convertible: $8,000 – $12,000

Mecum

Ford’s Mustang was in its third generation when the Fox Body replaced the somewhat lukewarm second-gen pony car in 1979. This is the ‘5.0’ that Vanilla Ice name-dropped in ‘Ice Ice Baby,’ and the Mustang’s V8 pumped out a beefy 300 pound-feet of torque. Hagerty’s most affordable value for this model year is the convertible in LX trim rather than the GT; a hatchback and coupe were also available. An affordable sports car that will take you straight back to the ’90s — if you were there to see it. The next generation — the SN95 — began in 1994 and is also within budget reach.

1991 Suzuki Cappuccino: $8,000 – $14,000

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Frequently compared to the Honda Beat, the front-engined Cappuccino shouldn’t be compared to much else, since it is unlike most other cars you’ve experienced — unless you live in Japan, where the Kei car class is a way of life, or you can picture a Mazda MX-5 shrunk down to its essentials. Kei-class engine displacement and dimensions didn’t stop Suzuki from building a genuine sports car, and like the Miata, it proved you don’t need much power to have fun. The engine is turbocharged, power goes to the rear wheels, and a manual transmission is standard (an automatic was optional). Much of its charm came from its featherweight 1,600-pound curb weight, with the rest supplied by its endearing looks and peppy acceleration.

1992 Chevrolet Corvette: $8,000 – $16,000

Mecum

In 1984, the L83 5.7-liter V8 engine in the C4 Corvette produced a modest 205 horsepower, but by 1985 the L98 bumped that to 230 horsepower. Power output climbed steadily until the mighty LT1 engine joined the lineup in 1992, bringing 300 horsepower and substantial torque to the American sports car.

This generation of Corvette is still affordable if you avoid the costly ZR1 model (produced from the 1990 to 1995 model years). We like the C4 for its styling, mechanical simplicity, and the effortless LT1 under the hood. Convertible models cost a little more, but at this price point, the C4 Corvette is arguably a steal.​​​​​​​

1991 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350: $10,000 – $16,000

Mecum

Yet another ’90s American hero — the Pontiac Firebird. These were once a dime a dozen, but as time goes on, like all older cars, supply dwindles, and clean examples become harder to find. Although not a Trans Am, the Formula here sports a 5.7-liter engine, confirmed by the ‘350’ badge on the flank. There was also a ‘305’ 5.0-liter variant. Hagerty lists the 170-horsepower 305 at around $8,800 and the 225-horsepower 305 at around $11,600, but the 5.7-liter V8 in this Formula is our pick. These old American sports cars may be modest by today’s standards across most metrics, but the iconic styling and 340 pound-feet of torque more than make up for it.

1994 Nissan 300ZX Convertible: $11,000 – $19,500

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As part of the Nissan ‘Z Car’ lineage, the 300ZX was a bold stylistic departure. It debuted in 1984 and spanned two generations: the Z31 and the Z32, the latter arriving for 1990. With it came modern, supercar-inspired styling and the VG30DETT — a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing around 300 horsepower. The most affordable entry point, per Hagerty’s valuation, is the naturally aspirated version, which still delivers respectable power and the same rear-wheel-drive layout. With a dependable Nissan engine, head-turning looks, and a drop-top roof, this could be the unlikely hero of the bunch.

1992 Toyota Supra Mk III: $12,000 – $18,000

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The fourth-gen Toyota Supra gets all the glory, but the third-gen Supra — built from the 1986 to 1993 model years — is a compelling buy that often flies under the radar. Built around a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and offering a selection of powertrains that includes a five-speed manual transmission and potent turbocharged engines, the Supra Mk III makes for a capable performance car without the Mk IV’s legendary status — though we’d argue pop-up headlamps are a feature, not a compromise. As usual, the more affordable examples are the naturally aspirated ones, but even those deliver plenty of ’90s character.

Sources: OEMs, Bring-a-Trailer, Mecum, Edmunds, Classic.com