1990s Cars We Wanted To Own That Are Now Dirt Cheap
The used car market can be an amazing place to purchase your dream car from years past. We're not talking about Lamborghini and Porsche, but rather, mid-level and slightly higher-end vehicles from the 1990s that have been well-maintained over the decades.
A classic BMW E30 that would have cost you a year's salary can be found for less than $10,000 today. Keep reading to find out what other rides from years past can be found for surprisingly reasonable prices today!
Lexus LS400 - $5,000 Today
Lexus was created in 1987 as the luxury vehicle arm of Toyota. That alone tells you how reliable and well-made they were made. One of the best '90s models was the LS400, which also holds the title as the first model the company ever produced.
A brand new LS400 would have set you back $40,000, or more than $80,000 today with inflation calculated into the equation. Why spend that when you can find a used LS4000 for less than $5,000 right now?
Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am - $10,000 Today
A more affordable, but still high-end, car from the '90s was the Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am. This speedy-looking car started with a base price of $25,000 and is considered a collector's item today.
Just because the vehicle is in high demand doesn't mean it will cost you an arm and a leg. If you're willing to put a little work underneath the hood you can find a Trans-Am for $10,000. And if you can put more than a little work in you can find them even cheaper.
Porsche 944 Turbo - $15,000 Today
This high-end '90s vehicle is a must-buy for Porsche lovers looking for a more affordable ride. The Porsche 944 Turbo wasn't cheap to drive off the lot in the '90s, and now that it has achieved classic status, its price-tag is slowly starting to creep back up.
Right now, a 944 Turbo on the secondary market can be found for around $15,000 in good condition. As demand for this roadster increases, though, so too will the cost to buy.
Cadillac Allanté - $10,000
The Allanté is a Cadillac with a more niche fan base than other vehicles you will see on this list. It was produced between 1987 and 1993 and was a quality sports car that never found its footing in the market.
Lost in the shuffle in the late '80s and early '90s, interest in the Allanté has been revived recently, making it a popular vehicle on the used market. Hunt wisely, and you can find one for less than $10,000.
Bentley Brooklands - $30,000 Today
The Bentley Brooklands first came out in 1992. It was produced by the luxury brand to replace the Mulsanne S and was given a hefty price tag of $156,000. Oddly enough, this made it one of the cheaper Bentley models at the time.
The original production run of the Brooklands ended in 1998. Because of how expensive it was back then, you won't find one in good condition under $10,000 today, but you can for around $30,000.
BMW M5 - $15,000 Today
There's nothing quite like getting behind the wheel of a BMW and hitting the freeway. The German luxury brand has long been known for its reliability and attractive looks. But few models have been as pretty as the M5 from the '90s.
Originally released in 1985, the M5 series is still available today and will cost you $100,000 brand new. Why do that when you can get a used model for $15,000, though?
Mercedes-Benz SL500 - $12,000 Today
A brand new Mercedes-Benz SL500 would have cost you $80,000 in 1990. Today, that's the same as $160,000. The high-end Mercedes was a part of the brand's SL class of Grand Tourer sports cars that date all the way back to the '50s.
As pricey as the SL500 was 30 years ago, it can be found for a surprisingly reasonable $12,000 used today. If this is the auto you've been lusting after since it first came out, there has never been a better time to buy one!
Ford Mustang SVT Cobra - $15,000 Today
Produced between 1993 and 2004, the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra was another stellar generation for the iconic muscle car. It was also a costly era. A brand new Cobra came with a hefty price tag of $60,000.
If that cost was too much for you in the '90s but you're getting nostalgic thinking about this beast right now, look to the secondary market. Mustang SVT Cobras in good condition can be found as cheap as $15,000 today.
Porsche Boxster - $10,000 Today
Never in your life will you be able to buy a brand new Porsche for $10,000. That's why the secondary market exists, where you can find a classic Boxster from the '90s for just that price.
Originally released in 1997, the Boxster has become iconic. The first generation of the roadster still looks like it could be brand new today, so our only question is this -- why buy new in the first place?
Dodge Viper GTS - $50,000 Today
A high-end Dodge Viper GTS from 1996 cost $100,000 brand new. With inflation, that is the same as $165,000 today. So even though the $50,000 used price seems like a lot, it's actually quite reasonable for the legendary sports car.
With Dodge's plans to revive the Viper, there is a chance that the secondary market cost could go down even further as demand decreases. If you know how to fix up a car, you can likely find a "fixer-upper" for a cheaper price as well.
Aston Martin DB7 - $40,000 Today
You can't tell us you were expecting the car of choice of James Bond for anything less than $40,000. The superior high-end luxury vehicle is always one of the classiest rides on the road, regardless of the year.
The bottom line is this -- brand new, an Aston Martin can cost more than $300,000. If you find one of the secondary markets, especially an older DB7, for $40,000, you take it.
Chevy Corvette ZR1 - $20,000 Today
If you don't mind driving without all the bells and whistles of modern sports cars, then we recommend looking toward the secondary market. For pure driving experience, the Corvette ZR1 from the '90s is unbeatable.
And because it doesn't have the new lines of the newest model, or the newest tech features that come with it, you can find one for around $20,000. That's about one-third of its original listed price.
Mitsubishi 3000GT - $5,000 Today
Even in the '90s, this awesome sports car was on the more affordable side. Brand new, a Mitsubishi GTO would only cost around $20,000, or around $40,000 in today's monetary terms.
The GT was produced between 1990 and 1996 but wasn't known as a Mitsubishi in the United States. Here it was sold as the Dodge Stealth, which was a way to help try and entice more buyers to drive one off the lot. As of 2020, you can drive one off the used lot for around $5,000.
Audi A8 - $15,000 Today
One of the most sophisticated high-end cars of the '90s was the Audi A8. The German brand has always been known for its next-level looks, and the A8 took it to the next, next level. It wasn't cheap though.
As the years passed, the price of the A8 fell. Instead of buying a brand new one today, take a look at the secondary market. You might be surprised just how affordable this auto now is!
Nissan 300ZX - $10,000 Today
Not many auto manufacturers made coolers sports cars in the '90s than Nissan. The 300ZX was one of the brand's most popular models and is still remembered fondly by car collectors today.
First built in 1989, the 300ZX was produced for 11 years. With so many model years available, it's no surprise this '90s classic doesn't have a ridiculous price tag. A used Nissan 300ZX should only set you back around $10,000.
Lotus Esprit - $20,000 Today
While not as well known in the United States, around the world Lotus is one of the top high-end luxury vehicle manufacturers, and the Esprit is one of their most sought after models. If you were "hip" to the brand in 1990, a new Esprit would have cost you $60,000.
If you're just discovering the brand today, you can buy one on the secondary market for $20,000. Because the vehicle is rarer in the United States, you might just need to have some patience while you search for the right deal.
Mercedes-Benz S500 - $10,000 Today
Similar to the Mercedes-Benz SL500, the S500 is born from the same manufacturer but is still its own unique beast. A high-end car that's as reliable as they come, it's honestly a smarter decision to buy a Benz used instead of new.
The S500 can be found for around $10,000 in decent to good condition. If you're willing to spend a little extra cash, you can even get one that's basically brand new for a fraction of the price.
Nissan Skyline GT-R - $20,000 Today
This one is a little more pricey than other vehicles on this list, but for good reason. When it was first introduced more than 25 years ago, the Nissan Skyline GT-R was banned in the United States for not meeting safety standards.
Today, you can have a Skyline GT-R imported without having to worry. Because you're importing it, however, the used classes will cost you around $20,000, which is still more affordable than its original price tag.
Acura NSX - $40,000 Today
With a price tag of $80,000 in the '90s, the Acura NSX was one of the more expensive sports cars of the era. By today's standards, it would cost $140,000. Like other autos on this list, a quick look at the used market will reveal much more affordable options.
Currently, you can find the NSX in good condition for around $40,000. With a new model on the horizon, the demand for older models might decrease, lowering the asking price, too.
BMW E30 - $10,000 Today
We now arrive at one of the most iconic cars of not only the '90s, but the '80s as well. The BMW E30 was produced for 12 years, from 1982 until 1994, and would cost around $30,000 brand new. By today's standards, that is equal to $60,000.
As we've said before, why buy a new BMW, when you can find this model, in good condition, for $10,000 on the secondary market? It's a classic look for a perfect price!
1994 Jaguar XJS - $6,500 Today
The Jaguar XJS is comparable to I Dream of Jeannie. Though it wasn’t a hit in the 60s when it arrived, over the years, it’s become a classic in its reruns. The XJS was in production for a long span of 20 years. It never became very popular, missing the mark each time a new generation was released.
However today at just $6,500, the Jaguar XJS Convertible is a pretty hot car. They just don’t make them like they used to, as seen in the two-seater, sporty design.
1992 Saab 900 Convertible - $5,000 Today
From 1978 to 1994, Saab produced a line of the mid-sized 900 models that are considered classics today. The car's fuel-injected, turbocharged engines included Full Pressure Turbo, and its stylish looks made it popular around the world.
Surprisingly, you can occasionally find one of these Swedish beauties for around $5,000 today. These babies are built to last since they were designed to plow through the freezing landscapes of Scandinavia. Opt for the convertible for maximum fun on nice days.
1994 Toyota Land Cruiser - $6,000 Today
Starting at just $6,000, the 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser is still a desirable vehicle today. The Land Cruiser has the offroading capabilities, reliability and power you want in a SUV. Toyota didn’t design the interior with luxury in mind, like the higher-sticker prices of comparable Range Rover and R-Wagon models.
Still, the interior and comfortable ride has good ratings from buyers. Toyota made the Land Cruiser from 1990 until 1997, and can still be found all around the world, a true testament to their reliability!
Mazda MX-5 - $4,000 Today
The Mazda MX-5 provides the sportscar-luxury style without the added cost. Starting at just $4,000, this convertible was affordably built by a Japanese manufacturer, yet the body style was inspired by the 1960s British roadsters.
This lightweight two-passenger sports car has 110 horsepower under the hood and has excellent handling for winding roads with a front mid-engine and rear-wheel-drive layout. First made in 1989, the MX-5 is still in production today.
Subaru Alcyone SVX - $5,000 Today
Do you recall this sports coupe manufactured by Subaru in the 90s? Made from 1991 through 1996, the Subaru Alcyone SVX (known as Subaru SVX in the states) featured a front-engine and front-wheel drive with the option of all-wheel drive. The SVX was Subaru’s first attempt at designing a performance vehicle that also falls in the luxury category.
Moving forward, Subaru stuck with their roots in its designs, making the SVX even rarer. Its acceleration isn’t great, but this model is reliable and a good buy for $5,000.
1999 Cadillac Escalade - $3,000-$5,000 Today
The luxurious '99 Cadillac Escalade is an absolute tank and one of the most popular SUVs of all time, with its stylish body preferable to the Hummer by many consumers. The full-size SUV was originally based on the GMC Yukon Denali, but was later redesigned to look more like a Cadillac.
Considering that they cost around $46,000 new, if you can find one between $3,000-$5,000 today you might want to scoop it up.
1994 Alfa Romeo 164 - $5,000 Today
The Italian-made Alfa Romeo 164 first appeared in 1987 and was made through 1998. The four-door exterior is quite boxy and angular, common for vehicles in the 90s. On the interior, Alfa Romeo went for modern luxury in the 164, which features that were advanced for its time, like automatic climate control.
Improvements were throughout its production, with the 1994 version of the Alfa Romeo 164 being a good choice for buyers, starting at $5,000 today.
BMW E36 M3
The second-generation BMW M3, the E36, may be the most under-appreciated M3. The lack of love shown to the Bavarian racer is like due to the tough act it had to follow, the original E30 M3. Where the E30 M3's are highly collectible with prices bordering on "insane," the E36’s are still extremely affordable and were some of the best handling sports cars of their era.
The M3 comes with an incredibly sonorous straight six-cylinder engine with 240-horsepower. That may not sound like a lot, but remember, the M3 isn’t about quarter-mile runs, its purpose is to slay lap times. During the mid-to-late-1990s, the E36 M3 was a dominant sports and touring car racer.
BMW Z3
BMW's Z3 was introduced in 1996 and stayed in production until 2002. It’s famous for being James Bond’s mode of transport in the film GoldenEye and is a great two-seat roadster that is both handsome and quick. The Z3 was available with an economical four-cylinder engine, but no one ever bought a sports car for the economy, the ones you want have BMW’s great straight six-cylinder engines. Torque-y and full of character, they’re powerful enough to have a ton of fun with.
Shrewd car shoppers will be on the lookout for the Z3M. Fitted with the engine from the M3, and with the suspension and brakes shared as well, it’s a seriously fast little car that can be found for under ten-thousand dollars.
Porsche Boxster
You can't talk about sports and performance cars without mentioning Porsche. And within Porsche’s vast catalog of great vehicles, the mid-engine Boxster stands out as one of the best. At the sub-ten-thousand dollar mark, we’re talking about the first-generation Boxster (1997 – 2004). Don’t despair, the early cars are just as much fun, with a torquey flat six-cylinder engine and a nearly perfectly balanced chassis, as the newer cars.
And if you opt for the "S" version (2000 to 2004), you’ll be treated to 250-horsepower, bigger brakes and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The car’s styling has been criticized for being plain, but there’s nothing plain about the performance and handling.
Porsche 944
The Porsche 944 is another one of those great, underappreciated sports cars from the not-to-distant past. While the values of Porsche 911s and other models have steadily risen, the 944's values have remained relatively steady and are extremely affordable, except for the 944 Turbo and Turbo S.
What you get with the 944 is a handsome coupe design with a proper Porsche designed four-cylinder engine in the front and an innovative transaxle assembly in the back. That set-up, with the transmission and differential at the rear, gives the 944 a 50:50 weight distribution with handling and grip for days.
Chevrolet Camaro SS And Z/28 4th Generation
If you're into "pony cars" and dig Chevrolets, then you are looking for a Camaro. The natural rival to the Ford Mustang, the Camaro has been doling out big horsepower and burnouts since 1966. The fourth-generation cars, made from 1993 through 2002, are full of character, full of horsepower and are shockingly affordable.
It’s possible to find a low-mileage Z/28 with 310-horsepower for well under ten-thousand dollars. That will free up some extra cash for mods and the extra tires you’ll need after all those burnouts. If you can deal with the tragic ’90s GM interior components, the fourth generation Camaro is great pony car for not a lot of money.
