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When an automaker updates a sports car model, they take a lot into account—ratings and opinions of the previous model, new technologies, regulatory changes, and evolving customer preferences are some of the factors they might consider. In a perfect world, new versions of the old sports car should be better than their predecessors. Take the new Honda Civic Type-R for example. Many believe it’s the best version ever, and ideally, that’s what every new model should always look like.
Unfortunately, our world isn’t perfect, and sometimes automakers produce updated models that disappoint gearboxes for one reason or another. Sometimes the newer version is uglier than its predecessor, less reliable, less fun to drive or doesn’t evoke the same emotions as its predecessor. In this article we look at ten used cars Models that most gearheads would prefer to their 2023 versions.
10 Toyota Supra MK4
way: with me
way: with me Don’t get us wrong – the 2023 Supra is a fantastic sports car. It’s sleek, affordable, available with a manual transmission, and being a Toyota, it’s one of the most reliable sports cars you can buy today.
However, the 2023 Supra isn’t nearly as iconic as the ’90s Supra Mk4. The Supra Mk4 is a legend in the auto industry, largely thanks to its recognizable design, iconic 2JZ engine that could be tuned to over 1,000hp and its famous role in the Fast and Furious franchise.
9 1963-1977 Alpine A110
The A110 is an iconic sports car built from 1963 to 1977 by the little-known French automaker Alpine. The A110 is certainly one of the most iconic French sports cars of all time, having a beautiful design penned by the famous Giovanni Michelotti, an excellent driving experience, and many victories in the rally world.
Four decades after the original A110 was withdrawn from production, Alpine decided to revive it to generate more sales. While Alpine did a great job of creating a modern take on the design of the old A110, the modern A110 hasn’t really sparked as much interest in Alpine as the company had hoped. Part of the reason the modern A110 has largely failed is that it makes less than 300 horsepower despite costing nearly $100,000.
8th Porsche 911 993
The legendary Porsche 911 has been around since the ’60s and it’s still, according to many gearheads, the best sports car money can buy. The latest 911 still has the recognizable design that gearheads love, advanced Porsche engineering and technology, and plenty of power coming from its naturally aspirated or twin-turbo boxer engines.
However, if you ask 911 fans which generation is the greatest, most will say the 993 of the 90s. The main reason for this is that the 993 was the last 911 to use an air-cooled engine before the automaker switched to water-cooled engines.
7 Datsun 240Z
In the late ’60s, Nissan – then known as the Datsun – built one of its best cars of all time – the 240Z. The 240Z wowed everyone with its stylish design that made Italians envious, its bulletproof V6 engine and its affordable price. Compared to the European sports cars of the time, the 240Z was a no-brainer for anyone looking for affordable and reliable sports cars.
The 240Z was so successful that it launched the Nissan Z series, which has been in production ever since. The newest car in the series – the 400Z – debuted in 2022 but was a little disappointing. The fact that it uses the same platform and some parts from its predecessors is a major concern for many gearheads, but the biggest disappointment lies in the design department. The 400Z is ugly compared to the 240Z, especially the front fascia. According to Edmunds, the 400Z’s performance also lags behind that of its competitors.
6 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5
The Miata has been the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car since 1989 and is still going strong today. The most beautiful of all generations, the latest Miata has stuck to the same formula that has kept the Japanese icon at the forefront.
However, purists love the Miata for its driving feel, and the 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5 was built to deliver the best possible driving experience. This fantastic MX-5, built by Mazda’s in-house tuning department, had upgrades such as a turbocharged 175 hp four-cylinder engine, upgraded Bilstein shock absorbers, an upgraded six-speed gearbox and wider tyres. According to experts, the Mazdaspeed MX-5 stood out from the crowd with its undriveable character, exciting acceleration, excellent steering and handling, and excellent build quality.
5 BMW 8 Series E31
In 2018, BMW decided to re-enter the grand tourer market by reviving the 8 Series after a two-decade hiatus. The modern 8 Series has been quite a success for BMW over the past five years, but it’s easy to forget as there’s nothing really special about its looks or performance.
We’d rather have its legendary predecessor – the E31. The E31 was revolutionary when it debuted in 1990. Its sleek design was one of the first to be created using CAD tools, and it featured advanced technologies like drive-by-wire electronic throttle and a multi-link rear suspension. The E31 was also the first road car with a V12 engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. If you’re in the market for cheap used sports cars, the E31 is an excellent choice.
4 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
The latest Nissan GT-R generation may have dropped the ‘Skyline’ name, but it still offers the incredible performance and excellent value for money that its predecessors are known for. With a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 that sends 565 horsepower to all four wheels, the 2023 GT-R is super fun to drive.
However, if given a choice between the latest GT-R and the ’90s R34, most gearheads would pick the R34 in an instant. The R34 is one of the main reasons why the Skyline GT-R and Nissan in general achieved iconic status around the world. Its attractive looks, legendary RB26 engine and tuning potential have made it a highly sought-after collector’s item. The R34 is also a pop culture icon following its role in the Fast and Furious films, which is why collectors are willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase the R34.
3 Mercedes Benz SL500 R129
The Mercedes-Benz SL is one of the longest-running car models in history and was introduced back in the 1950s. The latest SL generation was introduced in 2022 and praised for its elegant design and powerful engine options.
The latest SL is great but is always eclipsed by the legendary R129 generation in terms of its importance to the reputation of the German marque. For one, the R129’s boxy design exudes elegance and will always turn heads. The R129 was also among the most technologically advanced cars of its time and had cool features like seat belts integrated into the seat, HID headlights with a projector lens, an automatic roll bar and more. The fact that there was the option of a V12 engine makes the R129 one of the best sporty used cars out there.
2 1992 Honda NSX-R
In 2016, Honda finally listened to its fans and built a second generation of what is arguably its greatest model – the NSX. The second generation NSX turned out to be great as it had a lot of power and a lot of advanced technologies. However, it’s not nearly as impactful for the industry as the first-gen NSX.
When the first generation of the NSX debuted in the early ’90s, it shocked the entire auto industry for its Ferrari-rival design and advanced technologies, and for having been helped in its development by F1 racing legend Ayrton Senna it incredibly fun drive. The old NSX was also among the most reliable sports cars, which is rare for cars in its class.
1 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
The C8 Corvette has been around for three years now and for many gearheads it’s the best Corvette ever. It has a neat design that rivals the best from Europe, a powerful V8 engine to match its looks and, for the first time ever, a mid-engine. The C8 also shows that Chevy still cares about sports car reliability.
But despite all the upgrades and cool features, the C8 would still be wiped out by the 2019 Corvette ZR-1. The ZR-1 was based on the C7 Z06 but had upgrades such as a new 755hp supercharged V8 engine and a race-inspired aerodynamics package. With a top speed of 340 km/h, the 2019 ZR-1 is still the fastest Corvette ever.