As Generation X and older Millennials hit their peak earning years, they’re finally in a position to chase the dream cars they once drooled over in magazines, on posters, and in the high school parking lot. While ’60s muscle and European exotics still get plenty of love, the hottest action in the collector market today is in youngtimers—modern classics from the mid-’80s to the turn of the millennium.
These are cars built before the full takeover of electronics, when driving feel still mattered, but with enough modern refinement to enjoy every weekend. Prices are climbing fast, so if one of these catches your eye, now’s the time to make your move.
1. 1993–1998 Toyota Supra Turbo (A80 / MkIV)
Is the Toyota Supra MK4 the Generation X answer to the Plymouth Superbird? Both rock an over-the-top rear wing and an aerodynamic nose, but the comparison mostly ends there. The fourth-generation Supra was already a standout among 1990s Japanese sports cars, but it took a starring role in The Fast and the Furious to cement its legend—and send collector car prices sky-high.
Today, you can expect to pay new Porsche money for a clean example, and top-tier Ferrari pricing for a pristine, low-mileage car. And frankly? It’s worth every penny. Built to bulletproof Toyota standards of the era, the MK4 Supra’s 2JZ-GTE engine can handle 800+ horsepower without major internal mods. It’s fast, it’s tough, and it turns heads at every stoplight. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, this is one investment-grade classic that’s only going one way, up.
2. 1989–1995 BMW M5 (E34)
The V8-powered E39 M5 might grab the headlines, but BMW purists know the E34 M5 is the real connoisseur’s choice. With clean, timeless lines and an interior that echoes the brand’s 1980s glory days, it’s a bridge between classic BMW elegance and modern performance. Under the hood, the hand-built S38 straight-six delivers a soundtrack that’s pure mechanical music, razor-sharp, high-revving, and utterly addictive. Seen at its best in Ronin, the E34 M5 proved it could run with the fastest sedans of its day. Rare when new and even rarer now, a well-kept example is a blue-chip investment for any serious BMW collector.
3. 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
When GM launched the sleek, new LT1-powered Camaro and Firebird, Ford countered with something different, the ultimate evolution of the Fox-body Mustang. The 1993 SVT Cobra wasn’t about flash, it was about refinement. With subtle styling tweaks, a balanced chassis, and a 5.0-liter V8 tuned for real-world punch, it became the perfect send-off for the Fox platform. The ultra-rare Cobra R steals auction headlines, but the standard SVT Cobra is just as rewarding, and far easier to live with. For Mustang lovers, this is the collectible Fox-body to own.
4. 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S
By 1988, Porsche had nearly perfected the front-engine formula. The 944 Turbo S took the already potent Turbo and gave it more power, sharper handling, and track-ready brakes. Despite riding on a platform with roots in the 1970s, its performance rivaled (and sometimes embarrassed) Ferraris and Corvettes of the day. Build quality was classic Porsche—solid, precise, and built to last. Limited production keeps demand high, and once you drive one, you’ll understand why these cars have never truly fallen out of favor with enthusiasts.
5. 1997–2001 Honda Prelude Type SH
The early Honda Preludes were charming but tame, earning the unfortunate “Quaalude” nickname. By the time the fifth-generation arrived, Honda had transformed it into a serious driver’s car. In Type SH trim, the Prelude gained ATTS (Active Torque Transfer System), a clever front differential that gave it uncanny agility on winding roads. Add in a high-revving VTEC four-cylinder and crisp, communicative steering, and you’ve got one of the best-handling front-drive cars ever made. Survivors are rare thanks to theft, abuse, and engine swaps, but clean examples are climbing fast in the modern classic market.
6. 1986–1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC
Few cars combine elegance and muscle like the Mercedes 560SEC. This pillarless coupe was the autobahn king of its era and able to devour miles at triple-digit speeds in comfort and style. The 5.6-liter V8 gave it effortless power, while its bank-vault build quality ensured many went the distance (some well past a million miles). It’s a piece of rolling sculpture that still turns heads today. Parts support remains strong, but this is no budget beater—owning one means maintaining it to the standard it deserves.
7. 1992–2002 Dodge Viper R/T & GTS
The early Dodge Viper was raw, unapologetic, and unlike anything else on the road. With an 8.0-liter V10, no traction control, and side pipes that could roast your calves, it demanded respect from its driver. The coupe-bodied GTS added a bit more refinement without losing the thrill. Once dismissed as too extreme, the market now recognizes these cars as irreplaceable icons of ’90s American performance. Few modern cars can match the Viper’s visceral connection between driver, engine, and pavement.
8. 1988–1989 Mazda 323 GTX
Mazda’s 323 GTX is one of the great forgotten homologation specials. Built to conquer rally stages, it packed a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, all-wheel drive, and a chassis tuned for dirt, snow, or tarmac. Just 1,243 made it to U.S. shores, making it rarer here than many supercars. Back in the late ’80s, few knew what to make of it—now collectors recognize it for what it is: a compact, rally-bred missile that delivers huge fun per mile.
9. 1993–1994 Lotus Esprit S4
The Lotus Esprit S4 was proof that a great design can transcend decades. While its bones dated back to the ’70s, Giugiaro’s wedge styling—refined by Peter Stevens—still looked exotic and modern in the ’90s. Light weight, sharp handling, and turbocharged thrust made it a genuine rival to much pricier Italian exotics. It may have been overshadowed on paper by Ferraris and Porsches, but in the real world, the Esprit S4 delivers its own uniquely addictive driving experience.
10. 1990 Chevrolet Beretta GTZ
Before front-wheel-drive coupes faded from the market, Chevrolet gave us the Beretta GTZ—a high-revving, Quad 4-powered sport coupe with real personality. Its monochrome bodywork, deep-dish wheels, and aerodynamic lines made it stand out, while the 180-hp engine pulled hard to redline with a distinctive growl. Affordable, quick, and built in big numbers, it was once a common sight in small-town America. Today, finding a clean GTZ is a challenge—but behind the wheel, it’s every bit as fun as you remember.
