We point our fingers at the Skyline and Supra and say: some of the best sports cars ever were born at the end of the last century. But the ’90s also gave us many other machines built for pure driving joy.
10. BMW M5 (E39)
From its first generation to today, the BMW M5 has always been a car with two sides. On one hand, it’s a comfortable family sedan. On the other, it’s a rocket with a 4.9-liter V8 engine making 400 horsepower — enough to go from 0 to 100 km/h in under five seconds.
9. Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R (Fox Body)
People joke about American sports cars, but the 1993 Mustang Cobra R was a serious machine. It had no radio, sound insulation, or back seats — all to save weight. Its 5.0-liter V8 made 235 horsepower, and only 107 were made, available only to licensed racers.
8. Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (C4)
GM wanted to make the fastest production car using the Corvette’s platform, so they asked Lotus to help with the engine, brakes, steering, and suspension. They didn’t quite get there, but a 0–100 km/h time of 4.2 seconds was better than Ferrari’s Testarossa (6.2 seconds), showing great progress.
7. Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
The 1990s saw Japanese sports cars rise in popularity, and the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) became one of the most loved and respected models from that time.
6. Mazda RX-7 (FD)
The rotary engine may be coming back soon, and the car most people associate with it is the Mazda RX-7. With its twin-turbo rotary engine, lightweight chassis, and amazing handling, it’s often called one of the best affordable sports cars ever made.
5. Nissan 300ZX (Z32)
The 300ZX was one of the first cars designed with the help of CAD (computer-aided design). It also had an advanced four-wheel steering system. Like many on this list, its design is still beautiful today.
4. Porsche 911 (993) Turbo
The 993-generation Porsche 911 is a fan favorite because it was the last one with an air-cooled engine. Even 15+ years later, many fans miss that type of engine and struggle to accept today’s turbocharged versions.
3. Honda NSX
The Honda NSX changed how people viewed supercars. It went head-to-head with the Ferrari 348 but cost much less — and outperformed it in many ways. It’s remembered as one of the greatest cars ever made. The new NSX took a very different direction.
2. Dodge Viper
Next to the NSX and other refined cars, the Dodge Viper may look out of place. But its wild and raw nature can’t be ignored. Powered by a huge 8.0-liter V10 engine making 400 horsepower, it offers no electronic help — you’re on your own behind the wheel.
1. Toyota Supra (A80)
The Toyota Supra is winning hearts all over again thanks to car social media. It’s loved by tuners and powered by the legendary 2JZ-GTE turbo inline-six engine with 320 horsepower.
