The Ford Mustang and 19 Other Sports Cars That Are Worth Every Dollar

Cameron Eittreim December 20, 2021

7: Acura Integra

While not officially marketed as a sports car, there is no denying that the Integra was one of the best. The Integra rose to fame in the 1990s for its high revving motor and sporty driving dynamics that made the car different. The Type-R was one of the most popular sports cars ever, and still commands a high price. The innovative design of the Acura, coupled with the precision engineering, made it an instant classic (via Edmunds).

The Integra has since become a collector’s item over the years, and these cars are highly sought after. There are many enthusiasts who specialize in customizing these cars, and there are many upgrades that you can do. The only downside to the Integra is that it is a heavily stolen vehicle.

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6: Nissan 240SX

The Nissan 240SX is a marvel of engineering that didn’t require a lot to get it going. There was no fancy turbocharged engine or even a lot of horsepower. But this honest rear wheel drive rig was a popular sports car. The styling of the 240SX was distinctly modern for the time. While many cars were still stuck in the past, Nissan decided to bring the 240SX into the future (via Car & Driver).

The car had beautiful styling, and there were a few body styles to choose from. Whether you had the hatchback or the notchback, the 240SX was a stellar sports car. The platform has become a popular choice for the drift car community to modify. These cars have maintained their value, but are not exceptionally difficult to get a hold of.

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5: Lexus IS250

The Lexus automotive division of Toyota had a few hits in the 1990s. One of the breakout hits for the brand was the IS250. This was an interesting sport sedan imported from overseas. The styling was ahead of its time, and the small stature of the car made it a great track car. Its driving characteristics were different than other Lexus models at the time, and the styling was attractive (via Cars Guide).

For a short period, there was also a wagon version of the Lexus. The IS250 is still a popular choice among enthusiasts today. The car offers a lot of bang for the buck, and you can still find them for a reasonable price. Lexus has had many unique offerings over the years, but the original IS250 has held the test of time.

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4: Audi TT

The original Audi TT needs no introduction as a car released in the latter part of 1998. But the TT offered a design that was ahead of its time in every sense of the word. There were no other cars that looked like the TT at the time it was released. Under the sheet metal was Porsche engineering, and this continued to its road manners (via Road & Track).

The TT has always been an understated and fun-to-drive sports car. The styling is iconic and still looks beautiful today. The great thing about the TT is that it has stayed in production for two decades, and even an early model still looks very modern. There are few cars that deliver the type of smiles the Audi TT does.

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3: Mercedes SL-Class

Here’s another sports car that you can get from the 1990s that will put a smile on your face. No matter what generation of the SL you get, the car was well appointed for the time period. There was an optional V-12 power plant, but even the standard V8 is still an impressive engine considering what you get with it. The SL-Class was one of the most expensive sports cars of the time (via Edmunds).

Many of the luxury that comes in the SL-Class is still top notch for the price. The later models were increasingly modern, and the price has depreciated quite a bit. For what you pay, the SL is one of the best bargains in the sports car market. The car offered a lot of tech and features for the price while still offering great value.

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2: Subaru Impreza 2.5RS

The Impreza of the 1990s is one of the most highly regarded sports cars of all-time. The amount of performance you got for the price was legendary. The mid-1990s Subaru Impreza isn’t just a special car because of its reputation in the rally scene, it’s also one of the most iconic models. The Subaru Impreza 2.5RS has been featured in hundreds of video games over the years (via Grass Roots Motors).

There’s a good chance that you grew up around this car in one way or another, and the styling and performance is iconic. The 2.5RS was later overshadowed by the “bugeye” Impreza models. But if you are looking for a stellar car that will perform well, the 2.5RS is about the best deal you can get. The signature Subaru engineering and the Boxer engine have made the 2.5RS one of the best sports cars from this era.

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1: Dodge Neon SRT-4

The Neon SRT-4 was a surprise to many in the automotive community. The sheer quality and performance of the car was surprisingly good. The price tag was also affordable enough that anyone could afford one of these. The Neon was never known as a performance car, but the SRT-4 switched things up. The styling of the SRT-4 could compete with the best coming out of Japan. While you could spend thousands more on a Mitsubishi Evo, the SRT-4 was an excellent bargain option (via Car & Driver).

The interior of the Neon SRT-4 was dramatically upgraded over the standard model. There were a few colors available that you couldn’t get on the standard Neon. Performance cars from this era were becoming more advanced in just about every way. From a quality perspective, the Neon SRT-4 was an excellent bargain for a performance car. The styling of the SRT-4 wasn’t bad, and the car has maintained a solid following in the performance community.

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