The 1980s were all about fast cars, bold designs, and over-the-top style, and no show captured that era better than Miami Vice. From sleek Ferraris to turbocharged exotics, these sports cars looked like they were made for high-speed chases through neon-lit streets. Buckle up as we dive into the most iconic, flashy, and unforgettable ‘80s sports cars that could have been straight out of Miami Vice!
1984 Lamborghini Jalpa – The Baby Lambo with Big Attitude
The 1984 Lamborghini Jalpa was a sleek, wedge-shaped exotic that fit right into the flashy Miami Vice era. With a 3.5L V8 producing 255 horsepower, it wasn’t as fast as the Countach, but it offered a more affordable entry into the Lamborghini world. Its Targa top and aggressive styling made it a head-turner on any neon-lit street.
1982 DeLorean – A Futuristic Icon of the ‘80s
The 1982 DeLorean DMC-12 looked like it was built for Miami Vice with its stainless steel body, gullwing doors, and sci-fi styling. While its underpowered V6 engine didn’t match its exotic looks, the car became legendary thanks to Back to the Future. Even if it wasn’t the fastest, it was pure ‘80s cool.
Zimmer Golden Spirit – The Ultimate ‘80s Flash
The Zimmer Golden Spirit was the definition of over-the-top ‘80s luxury. With its extra-long hood, massive chrome grille, and vintage-inspired styling, it looked like something a Miami Vice villain would drive. Built on a Ford Mustang chassis, it had V8 power, but this car was more about making a statement than speed.
Lamborghini LM002 – The Ultimate ‘80s Power SUV
The Lamborghini LM002, also known as the “Rambo Lambo,” was an outrageous, high-performance SUV that fit perfectly into the excess of the Miami Vice era. With a 5.2L V12 from the Countach, massive off-road tires, and a military-style design, it was built for both speed and luxury. Whether on city streets or sandy beaches, this beast turned heads everywhere.
1982 Aston Martin Lagonda Stretched Limousine MkII – The Ultimate ‘80s Excess
The 1982 Aston Martin Lagonda Stretched Limousine MkII was pure luxury and excess, perfect for the Miami Vice era. With its futuristic digital dashboard, sharp wedge design, and stretched body, it looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Powered by a 5.3L V8, it was more about making a statement than speed.
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL – A Mafia-Style Luxury Cruiser
The 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL had the classy yet intimidating look that fit right into the Miami Vice scene. With a 4.5L V8, plush interior, and smooth ride, it was a favorite among the rich and powerful. Whether cruising through the city or making a dramatic getaway, this Benz exuded ‘80s crime boss energy.
1974 BMW 2002 – A Compact Rebel with Style
The 1974 BMW 2002 may have been small, but it packed serious attitude and driving fun. With its lightweight design, nimble handling, and punchy 2.0L engine, it was perfect for weaving through the streets of Miami Vice. A favorite among enthusiasts, this sporty little BMW brought European flair to the ‘80s scene.
1976 Pontiac Grand Prix – A Bold Cruiser with Muscle
The 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix was a big, flashy coupe that fit right into the excess of the ‘80s. With a long hood, sharp body lines, and a powerful V8, it had both luxury and muscle. Whether rolling up to a Miami club or racing down Ocean Drive, this Pontiac had serious street presence.
Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL – The Ultimate ‘80s Power Sedan
The Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL was the luxury sedan of choice for the rich and powerful in the Miami Vice era. With a 5.6L V8, plush leather interior, and bulletproof build quality, it combined speed, comfort, and prestige. Whether driven by a crime boss or a businessman, this Benz meant serious business.
1982 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Limousine – The Definition of ‘80s Excess
The 1982 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine was long, bold, and built for VIPs. With its massive chrome grille, plush interior, and smooth V8 power, it was perfect for celebrities, crime bosses, or high rollers cruising through Miami. Nothing screamed rich and untouchable quite like this oversized Caddy.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300d – Classic Elegance with a Powerful Presence
The 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300d was a luxury sedan fit for royalty, diplomats, and high-profile figures. With its timeless design, smooth straight-six engine, and spacious interior, it carried an air of prestige. While older than the Miami Vice era, its stately presence made it a car that still turned heads in the ‘80s.
Lotus Esprit Turbo – A Sharp-Edged ‘80s Supercar
The Lotus Esprit Turbo looked straight out of an action movie with its wedge-shaped design, pop-up headlights, and mid-engine layout. Powered by a turbocharged 2.2L engine, it was fast, agile, and perfect for high-speed chases. Sleek and exotic, this car would have fit right into the Miami Vice scene.
1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 – Understated Luxury with a Classic Touch
The 1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 blended European sophistication with smooth performance. Its sleek design, comfortable ride, and reliable inline-six engine made it a favorite among professionals and elite circles. While not flashy, its timeless style and prestige made it the perfect car for someone who wanted to move through Miami with quiet confidence.
Pontiac Fiero – A Miami Dream That Fell Short
The Pontiac Fiero had the looks of an exotic sports car, perfect for the flashy Miami Vice era. With its mid-engine layout and sleek design, it seemed like a budget Ferrari. But poor reliability, overheating issues, and lackluster performance kept it from being the true sports car it wanted to be.
Mazda RX-7 – A High-Revving ‘80s Icon
The Mazda RX-7 was a lightweight, high-revving sports car that fit perfectly into the Miami Vice era. With its rotary engine, sleek design, and nimble handling, it was built for speed and style. Whether cruising through neon-lit streets or taking on sharp corners, this car was pure ‘80s performance.
Porsche 944 – The Underrated ‘80s Performer
The Porsche 944 blended sharp handling, a balanced chassis, and classic ‘80s styling, making it a perfect fit for the Miami Vice era. With its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and a punchy four-cylinder, it wasn’t the fastest Porsche, but it delivered precise control and a smooth ride, ideal for high-speed city cruising.
Porsche 964 – A Classic 911 with Modern Upgrades
The Porsche 964 brought the iconic 911 shape into the ‘90s, but its roots were pure ‘80s performance. With a redesigned chassis, improved aerodynamics, and an all-wheel-drive option, it handled better than ever. Its timeless design and powerful flat-six engine made it a perfect fit for the Miami Vice era.
Porsche 959 – The Supercar That Redefined the ‘80s
The Porsche 959 was one of the fastest and most advanced cars of its time. With a twin-turbo engine, all-wheel drive, and a sleek design, it could reach 200 mph. It looked futuristic and had amazing speed, making it perfect for the flashy world of Miami Vice.
Ferrari Mondial – A Ferrari That Missed the Mark
The Ferrari Mondial had the classic Ferrari look, but it wasn’t as exciting as other models. Its V8 engine was underpowered, and its heavy body hurt performance. While it had style and luxury, it wasn’t the fast, thrilling ride people expected from a Ferrari, making it one of the brand’s less-loved cars.
Ferrari 308 GTSi – The Ultimate ‘80s Dream Car
The Ferrari 308 GTSi was sleek, stylish, and instantly recognizable, thanks to its role in Magnum, P.I.. With a mid-engine V8, Targa top, and classic wedge shape, it was made for cruising under neon lights. While not Ferrari’s fastest, its timeless design and exotic appeal made it an ‘80s icon.
Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole – The Perfect ‘80s Exotic
The Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole was a sleek, open-top sports car with classic Ferrari styling. Its mid-engine V8, improved four-valve-per-cylinder design, and sharp handling made it a favorite of the era. Whether parked outside a Miami nightclub or racing down the highway, this Ferrari was pure ‘80s luxury and speed.
Maserati Biturbo – An Exotic That Didn’t Deliver
The Maserati Biturbo had the looks of a luxury sports car, but it was full of problems. Its twin-turbo V6 had reliability issues, the interior felt cheap, and electrical failures were common. While it had the style for the Miami Vice era, it didn’t have the performance or quality to match.
Ferrari GTS Turbo – A Ferrari with More Style Than Speed
The Ferrari GTS Turbo had the sleek looks of a true exotic, but its small turbocharged V8 didn’t deliver the raw power Ferrari was known for. Built for the European market, it lacked the excitement of its bigger-engine siblings. While stylish, it wasn’t the high-performance thrill many expected.
RUF Yellowbird – The ‘80s Supercar Slayer
The RUF Yellowbird looked like a classic Porsche 911, but it was a twin-turbo beast. With 469 horsepower and a top speed of 211 mph, it was faster than most Ferraris and Lamborghinis of its time. Built for pure performance, it was the perfect high-speed machine for the Miami Vice era.
Toyota MR2 – The Budget-Friendly Exotic
The Toyota MR2 had the looks of a supercar but came at a fraction of the price. With its mid-engine layout, lightweight body, and sharp handling, it was fun to drive. While it didn’t have the power of a Ferrari, its affordable thrills made it a perfect ‘80s sports car.
Chevrolet Camaro – The All-American ‘80s Muscle Car
The Chevrolet Camaro was a bold, aggressive coupe that fit right into the Miami Vice era. With V8 power, sharp styling, and a loud attitude, it was built for speed and street presence. Whether racing down the highway or parked outside a nightclub, the Camaro was pure ‘80s muscle.
Lamborghini Countach – The Ultimate ‘80s Dream Car
The Lamborghini Countach was flashy, loud, and impossible to ignore. With its scissor doors, wedge-shaped design, and roaring V12, it defined exotic cars of the Miami Vice era. While not the easiest car to drive, its raw power and outrageous looks made it the ultimate symbol of ‘80s luxury and speed.
Mitsubishi Starion – The Underrated Turbo Rocket
The Mitsubishi Starion had bold, boxy styling, rear-wheel drive, and a turbocharged engine, making it a true hidden gem of the Miami Vice era. With strong performance and sharp handling, it could hold its own against bigger-name sports cars. Sleek, fast, and underrated, it was built for high-speed ‘80s action.
Buick GNX – The Dark Horse of the ‘80s
The Buick GNX was a turbocharged muscle car that could outrun exotics. With a 3.8L V6, rear-wheel drive, and aggressive blacked-out styling, it became a legend. Faster than most V8s of its time, this sleeper hit was perfect for high-speed chases and Miami Vice-style action.
Toyota Supra – A Fast and Stylish ‘80s Car
The Toyota Supra had a cool design, strong engine, and rear-wheel drive, making it fun to drive. It was fast, reliable, and handled well, making it a great choice for car lovers. While later Supras became legends, the ‘80s model was still a stylish and exciting sports car.
AMG Hammer – The Ultimate ‘80s Sleeper
The AMG Hammer looked like a luxury sedan but packed supercar-level power. With a V8 engine pushing over 360 horsepower, it could outrun Ferraris while keeping a classy appearance. Fast, rare, and intimidating, this German beast was perfect for high-speed getaways in the Miami Vice era.
AMG Hammer – The Ultimate ‘80s Sleeper
The AMG Hammer looked like a luxury sedan but packed supercar-level power. With a V8 engine pushing over 360 horsepower, it could outrun Ferraris while keeping a classy appearance. Fast, rare, and intimidating, this German beast was perfect for high-speed getaways in the Miami Vice era.