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300,000-Mile Club: The Acura NSX and Sports Cars That Never Say Quit

Cameron Eittreim September 5, 2023

Sports cars understandably excite the automotive community. However, very few sports cars turn out to be a cheap endeavor. Maintenance and repair costs often add up, which is why not everyone can own one. But there is a selection of sports cars that are beyond reliable. Acura is one automaker that has perfected the sports car, offering a blend of reliability and performance with the NSX and the Integra. Toyota is another automaker that has done the same.

Not everyone wants to spend an arm and a leg to keep something on the road. So we looked at the most reliable sports cars for the money that can potentially surpass 300,000 miles with no problems whatsoever. Vehicle maintenance aside, these are some of the most fun to drive cars on the road because of several reasons. The great thing about a sports car is that it’s a driving experience. Buckle up as we take a look at the NSX and the rest of these reliable sports cars.

Lexus SC400

The SC400 is the cream of the crop when it comes to beautiful sports cars but it was also one of the most reliable. The SC400 was developed from scratch for the new Lexus brand. The originality of the car helped it stand out from just about everything else on the road in 1992 as a result. The 32-valve 4.0-liter V-8 was one of the best engines that Toyota ever developed and was also extremely reliable (via Car & Driver).

It’s not uncommon to see an early model SC400 on the market today with over 300,000 miles on the odometer and still going strong due to its sheer reliability. These cars were extremely well-built and packed with performance and sFew sports cars changedhanged the game like the SC400 did when it hit the market. It left a mark on the sports car world and helped solidify Lexus’s reputation for quality.

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Lexus SC300

You aren’t looking at a duplicate paragraph as there was another Lexus sports coupe in the 1990s. The Lexus SC300 was the V6 variant of the SC400 and it has something special underneath the hood. The SC300 shared the 3.0 L inline 6 2JZ-GE with the Toyota Supra. Nowadays, this power plant has become the holy grail of sports car engines (via Cars).

The SC300 wasn’t any less of a sports car than the SC400; the only difference was the displacement of the engine. But even without V8 power under the hood, the SC300 was still a very fun-to-drive car. There was a lot to like with the luxurious interior, the quiet ride, and its bulletproof reliability. There are still several of these cars on the road with hundreds of thousands of miles on the odometers.

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Scion TC

When Toyota started the Scion brand in 2004 it was created to appeal to a younger generation of car shoppers. The Scion models were unique in their styling, price point, and what they offered. The TC was technically the replacement for the Toyota Celica, albeit with different branding. The TC had a stellar 2.5L engine that you’d find under the hood of the Camry (via Consumer Reports).

With that engine under the hood, the TC had some of the best reliability ratings of any sports car on the market. Not to mention the fact that this car had a practical design with a hatchback and lots of interior space. Scion was created to appeal to millennials, but anyone who wants a fun sports car that will last a long time can’t go wrong with the TC.

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Dodge Stealth

What happens when a domestic automaker needs new models on a budget? They rebrand, and that’s what happened with Chrysler and Mitsubishi in the 1990s. The cars were called “captive imports” and the Stealth was one of these models. But the Stealth packed something very special under the hood, a 3-liter, 24-valve V6 engine (via Auto Blog).

The Stealth had smoother styling than the Mitsubishi 3000GT that it shared a platform with. The V6 engine was one of the most reliable power plants at the time and it helped the car to compete with the Supra. With the excellent performance and the noteworthy styling of the car, the Stealth has continued to stand the test of time.

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Toyota Celica

The Celica has been sold across several different generations. But the 1990s model redefined what a sports car is and it won quite a few WRC championships during its production run. The Celica was availabseveralber of different configurations, including the All-Trac option. These cars are known to hit 200,000 miles on the odometer with ease (via Road & Track).

It was one of the most well-known sports cars of the 1980s and ’90s. The car had a lot of style for the time and the 1990s model was quite popular. Reliability is important for any sports car owner and the Celica was as reliable as they came. Toyota pulled out all the stops on the 1990s version to make sure that it was up to par.

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Porsche 911 (993)

It’s not uncommon for a Porsche to be on the most reliable cars list. For decades, these cars have been a true testament to sports car design and engineering. The 911 (993) was one of the last air-cooled Porsche models on the market and it did the job well. A sleek, timeless design is one of the things that people remember the most about this car (via Hot Cars).

The slant-nosed design of the car made it extremely stylish, even though the body style stayed on the market for two decades. The driving characteristics of this Porsche made it extremely fun to drive. Most enthusiasts who got one of these were Porsche fans for life and its reliability cannot be understated. Very few sports cars have ever been as reliable or as popular as the 911.

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Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Miata was one of the most popular sports cars of the 1990s. Its compact design completely changed the way that we looked at convertibles even though it wasn’t the most powerful car on the road. The compact styling and extremely well-designed driving characteristics made the car handle like a dream, even without serious power under the hood (via KBB).

The Miata had a lot of things that consumers liked at the time and the first thing was its modern styling. Mazda wanted to create a car that was fun to drive and affordable. Even though it had competition from the RX-7 and other sports cars, it did quite well and continues to be popular today.

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Ford Mustang (Fourth Generation)

The fourth-generation Mustang was the pinnacle of the 1990s. The sleek styling made the ite unique compared to the outgoing models. It was stiff competition for the Camaro and the Firebird at the time even though it was completely different. The Mustang was one of the most reliable models from the 1990s with a potent engine and powertrain (via KBB).

The fourth generation Mustang was one of the most memorable models on the road. It survived a time when sports cars were being replaced with a new generation of large SUVs. If you wanted a reliable sports car, the fourth generation model is perhaps one of the best-designed models in the car’s heritage. It had modern styling and new technology that made it drive extremely well at the time.

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BMW M3 (E36)

The 1990s M3 was one of the most popular models in the 3-Series line. It even cultivated a new segment for BMW. The E36 was a compact sports car that offered a decent amount of luxury for the price. The engine was one of the most well-designed engines that BMW ever put into a production vehicle and it still stands the test of time (via BMW).

The M3 redefined an entire segment, which is why the car has exploded in popularity. These cars were the pinnacle of engineering, and even 30 years later, the E36 is a precision-built car. Focused on quality and performance, the E36 was one of the cars that redefined the BMW. Its beautiful styling and unique performance were excellent attributes of a historic sports car.

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Toyota MR2

Known as the “poor mans Ferrari,” the ’90s Toyota MR2 was a unique sports car that incorporated a new mid-engined design. The car had some of the best performance of the decade and was vastly underrated. The reliability of the MR2 was one of the strongest selling points of the car, as many of these models are still on the road in excellent condition (via Cars).

The MR2 had naturally aspirated performance, excellent styling, and a knack for handling. Although the MR2 wasn’t the most popular model in the Toyota lineup, it cultivated a unique niche in the market. The MR2 is still one of the most popular sports cars on the used market, and the reliability is among the best of any used sports car thanks to superior engineering.

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Acura NSX

When the NSX first hit the market, it was one of the most talked about cars around. Because Honda hadn’t tried to peddle a supbeforeior to the NSX, and it broke all kinds of speed records. The sheer styling of the car was unlike anything else on the road at the time, and it was also one of the most expensive Honda models that you could buy (via Motor 1).

The NSX had the kind of styling and performance that most enthusiasts can only dream of. The car was well-designed in every way, and it went to show what Honda could do. There were very few supercars that tangled with the NSX when it first hit the market. The reliability of the car is unmatched and continues to be a strong selling point today.

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Nissan GT-R R33

The Nissan GT-R is one of the most well-known cars in the world. And it was just because of its excellent performance numbers, it’s also due to the reliability. The R33 broke a lot of speed records at the time and the car has a massive following. There are almost endless combinations of aftermarket parts that can be had for this car (via Car & Driver).

The R33 just became eligible for importation into the United States. That means that there are going to be a whole lot more of these on the road. The R33 has a unique style to it and a feel that is all its own. Nissan has built and sold a lot of sports cars but nothing quite comes close to the R33. The GT-R name is unlike anything else in sports car history.

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Acura Integra Type-R

The Integra completely changed the game when it hit the market. It was sold as a compact luxury car but ended up resonating with an entire generation of enthusiasts. Its unique styling and rev-happy engine made the Integra was a lot of fun to drive. It had the pep and the reliability to make it a reasonable deal for just about anyone (via Jd Power).

The Integra won a whole lot of awards when it was on the market. Between its bulletproof reliability and the noteworthy performance, there was a lot to like about the car. It just covered every aspect of the sports car with grace and great design, which is why so many people fell in love with it. The Integra will long be one of the most popular and most reliable sports cars ever sold.

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Toyota Supra MK4

The 1990s Supra is one of the most popular sports cars that was ever built. It’s the car that’s been featured in dozens of movies, auto shows, and even magazines. The MK4 had the styling and the twin-turbo performance of a legendary sports car. Few cars have made the kind of a splash that the Supra MK4 did because it had all the right things (via Top Speed).

1997 Toyota Supra - 1992 Toyota Supra — Photo Credit: Toyota

The MK4 had features that very few other sports cars did. Although the market changed in the 1990s and the Supra was discontinued, it still provides a well-known nameplate. The reliability of the engine is bulletproof and is one of the best engines designed by Toyota. With enthusiast clubs and a high resale value, the MK4 is the best investment in a used sports car.

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Corvette C5

The C5 Corvette brought the Chevy hot rod into the modern era. Everything about the car was updated to suit the 1990s, including the engine. The LS1 engine that was under the hood is highly regarded for its reliability. In fact, the LS1 was largely considered one of the best engines that GM ever built. The fiberglass design of the C5 Corvette helped it achieve some excellent track numbers (via Corvette Forum).

The C5 Corvette had a lot to like about it, which is why it remains one of the most popular Corvette models ever built. The car had a beautiful and timeless style that still looks good today, and much like the Acura NSX, it had a great deal of engineering. GM went all out and the Corvette C5 is one of the most reliable Corvette examples on the road.

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Corvette C6

The Corvette C6 was the natural progression of the Corvette lineage in the modern era. The car kept a lot of the styling cues from the C5 and modernized them a bit. The performance was vastly improved over the outgoing model as well. The C6 had a lot of technological advancements that made it a much more well-rounded sports car. The car also had a great deal of success in the racing world, which was something new to the Corvette brand (via Autolist).

The C6 Corvette changed the way that drivers enjoyed the storied sports car and was one of the most reliable models ever built. The excellent build quality of the car made it a stellar choice for consumers who wanted more bang for their buck. These cars are largely considered some of the most reliable Chevy models of all time. With bulletproof reliability and stellar exterior styling, the C6 Corvette was a historic part of the Chevy lineup.

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Porsche Boxster

When the Boxster hit the market in the 1990s, it was a game changer. The affordable Porsche utilized a modern design, excellent performance, and a great price point. The styling of the Boxster had a completely modern look to it, something that differentiated from the traditional Porsche models. The car instantly became a hit and happened to be one of the most reliable Porsche models of all time (via Edmunds).

Even today, the Boxster has timeless styling that still resonates with enthusiasts. Much like the C5 and C6 Corvettes, the Boxster was a testament to the new design trends of the ’90s. The design trends that the Boxster innovated with are still being used on Porsche models today, which is why it was such a popular ride.

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Audi TT

Much like the Porsche Boxster it was based on, the Audi TT was also a reliable sports car. Even today the TT is one of the most highly sought-after sports cars on the used market. Although there were other cars from this era that had better performance, the TT boasted superior build quality and reliability (via Hot Cars).

The TT had a lot of innovative features, and in the Quattro trim package, it’s quite the sports car. Slick styling and a beautiful interior are attributes that even a used TT boasts today. There was a lot about the car that was far ahead of its time, which is why its popularity was there from the start. The TT doesn’t always get the credit that it deserves, but it was a game-changer in 1999.

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Dodge Viper

Believe it or not, the Dodge Viper changed the sports car world. Because it was the first mass-produced sports car by a domestic automaker that absolutely broke every horsepower record around. It’s because of this car that you got to see cars like the Corvette Z06, which had one of the most powerful setups of the mid-2000s (via Motor Trend).

The Viper boasts one of the most reliable engines that Dodge ever built. The technology that went into the Viper was at the top of its class; in fact, it innovated the class. The later models of the Viper were just as important and reliable and the car still commands a hefty price tag. But with the kind of reliability and performance that you got for the price, few complained.

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1999 Lexus IS200

Lexus wasn’t the first company to come to the table with a compact sports sedan, that’s BMW. But when they did, they brought a quality ride that revolutionized the segment in many ways. The “Altezza”-style tail lights that became a fixture of 2000s tuner cars were originated by this lovely Lexus right here. Coupled with the bulletproof reliability of the 2.0-liter, in-line-six, the IS200 was a force to be reckoned with (via Cars Guide).

The IS200 wasn’t your father’s Lexus and it had a great deal of success in the racing world as well. The car had a well-designed interior and exterior that proved to be quite popular for the Japanese automotive brand. These days the first generation IS200 is still a popular ride with plenty of enthusiasts looking for the lowest mileage examples.

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BMW Z3

This compact BMW model from the late 1990s was as reliable as it was popular. This is why you’ll still see the Z3 on the used car market commanding a hefty price tag. The first thing that made the car unique was the styling and the short wheelbase. It was like a Mazda Miata but with far more luxury features as well as a more buttoned-up interior (via KBB).

The BMW Z3 was one of the most notable sports cars from the 1990s. It showed the world that BMW was ready to produce a fun-to-drive and compact sports car that didn’t sacrifice performance. While the Z3 wasn’t the fastest car on the block, it more than made up for it with stellar performance and a quality design that was stylish and comfortable.

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Subaru SVX

The Subaru brand is one of the most well-known automotive brands in the world. In the 1990s they were in a transition period. The SVX was a last-ditch effort by Subaru to offer some kind of a sports car. The design was polarizing and it just didn’t sell very well and the model was discontinued shortly thereafter (via Hot Cars).

Nevertheless, the SVX was quite a reliable model. With the bulletproof performance it offered, the SVX was a great enthusiast’s car that you can keep on the road fairly easily. The superior Subaru engineering was more than evident in the SVX, which is why the car continues to dominate the used market. There is just something about the piece of unique Subaru history that enthusiasts are flocking toward.

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Lotus Elan M100

The Lotus brand has always been equated with luxury and performance. The Elan M100 was an approachable sports car that proved to be quite popular. But it was the stellar reliability that set the bar higher for the car, and it’s the reason why enthusiasts still like it today (via Auto Express).

The Elan was a pivotal sports car for Lotus, and the reliability was bulletproof. The car was so well designed that it actually provided the platform for the original Tesla Roadster. The Elan is still a very popular sports car on the used market as well, and you’ll seldom see one that still isn’t running and driving exceptionally well.

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Porsche 968

The Porsche 968 was a well-designed sports car that utilized a V8 engine and a fairly sleek design. The reliability of this model was unquestioned in the ’80s and ’90s and you still see a lot of them on the road as a result. There were some unique attributes to this car such as the passenger seating and the roomy cargo area. Both of these things were not very common on other sports cars from the speriodriod (via Hagerty).

The Porsche 968 carved a niche for itself and kept the company afloat during a very roperiodtime due to its many positive attributes. The car had all of the makings of a classic Porsche and brought them into the new era. Enthusiasts loved this car because of its reliability and power.

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Mazda MX-6

The Mazda MX-6 was one of the most revolutionary sports cars of the ’90s. It was one of the first mainstream models that moved away from the boxy styling of the 1980s and into the modern era of design. The MX-6 gave consumers RX-7 comparable styling on a budget and it still performed well on the track and in real life (via MX-6).

The MX-6 is an extremely popular niche sports car that was developed in partnership with Ford. With the type of engineering and styling that went into it, the car will definitely attract enthusiasts way into the future. There aren’t a lot of these cars that are still on the road, although the prices for one aren’t that bad.

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Honda Prelude

The Prelude was one of the last sports cars built by Honda. It had a unique look and niche that was all its own, competing with a few other select cars on the market at the time. The unique thing about the Prelude was the fact that it had a V-Tech engine under the hood and it only came in a two-door configuration (via Motor Trend).

The Prelude was one of the most reliable sports cars of periodriod. It offered a fair amount of performance for the price and the reliability was great as well. The Prelude had a lot of the same engineering and reliability that went into the NSX. Both cars were successes for Honda and the Prelude is still a highly sought-after collector’s car.

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Honda S2000

The S2000 was the first dedicated Honda roadster ever built. Originally appearing as a concept car in the ’90s, the reaction was so positive that Honda put the car into production. The S2000 didn’t utilize things like a turbo or special design, instead focusing solely on a naturally aspirated coupe that was lightweight and fun to drive (via Car & Driver).

Therefore, the S2000 will definitely go down as one of the most popular Honda sports cars of all time. It was and is very reliable and has one of the most well-designed engines that ever went into a Honda sports car. The unique styling and the one-of-a-kind engineering made the S2000 a piece of automotive history that Honda still embraces today as a result.

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300,000-Mile Club: The Acura NSX and Sports Cars That Never Say Quit

Lexus SC400

Lexus SC300

Scion TC

Dodge Stealth

Toyota Celica

Porsche 911 (993)

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Ford Mustang (Fourth Generation)

BMW M3 (E36)

Toyota MR2

Acura NSX

Nissan GT-R R33

Acura Integra Type-R

Toyota Supra MK4

Corvette C5

Corvette C6

Porsche Boxster

Audi TT

Dodge Viper

1999 Lexus IS200

BMW Z3

Subaru SVX

Lotus Elan M100

Porsche 968

Mazda MX-6

Honda Prelude

Honda S2000

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