Some cars just have you smitten at first sight. Others hold exciting secrets under the hood. We’ve rounded up 10 modern classic cars that you can still get your hands on without going to a fancy auction.
1. Audi TT RS
Talk about drool-worthy! Audi’s sleek, high-performance TT coupe was already a worldwide hit. But the introduction of the 360-horsepower TT RS garnered so much admiration an online petition signed by 11,000 people convinced Audi to make it available in the United States in 2011. Audi still makes the TT RS, but if you don’t want to drop over $70k, you can find great deals on used models.
2. Chevrolet SS is Classic Cars
Admittedly, it doesn’t look much different from any other Chevy sedan, and the consumer shift to SUVs likely doomed it. But this unpretentious family sedan—essentially a rebadged Australian Holden—was equipped with a 6.2L V8 power plant that banged out 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. And to make those daily drives more entertaining, it came with an optional six-speed manual. We were sad to see the Chevy SS go, but if you follow the rainbow to your Chevrolet dealer, you might find a used one waiting to go home with you.
3. Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
We’ve admired many a ‘stang over the past six decades, but the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350? That one holds a special place in our hearts. The sexy fastback design gets the pulse racing before you even get behind the wheel. But when that V8 roars to life? Whooooo! Best of all, it came with a six-speed manual transmission making it even more exhilarating to run with those 526 horses under the hood. Production ended with the 2020 model in favor of the GT500. And even if the GT500 has more power, we’ll miss the excitement of throwing the Mustang Shelby GT350 into gear and launching off the line.
4. Mazda MX-5 Miata is Retro Classic Cars
The classic British-style roadster was fading from showrooms in the 80s until a team from Mazda gave us the MX-5 Miata. This sigh-inducing droptop perfectly executed the basics of classic roadster design and performance. Inspired by the Japanese Noh mask, designer Shunji Tanaka gave the MX-5 Miata its unique personality. Tanaka passed away last December; his last words reportedly were, “I have no regret in my life.” If any car embodies the ideal of a life well-lived, it’s the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
5. Porsche Cayman R
This mouthwatering mid-engine Cayman R was a game-changer when Porsche released it into the wild. It took its place among the elite sports car athletes. Its 330 horses galloped from 0-60 in around 4.2 seconds and bonded driver and car so closely that it almost felt like it anticipated the driver’s next move.
6. Saab 9-5
While Saab is a Swedish brand, newer models of the “Nine Five” have a mixed heritage. Developed by General Motors and sharing its underpinnings with the Buick LaCrosse, the executive sedan was nearly lost to history before the Dutch automaker Spyker revived the Saab 9-5. It was released with a beefy 300-horsepower 3.8L V6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that drove all four wheels. The Saab 9-5 was classy, comfortable, and capable.
7. Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible is Fun to Drive Classic Cars
Taking its name from the 427 cubic-inch, 505-horsepower V8 power plant, the 2013 Corvette 427 convertible marked the sports coupe’s 60th anniversary. Although technically not a Z06, it shared much of its design and engineering with its sibling. The 427 rocketed from 0-60 in under 4 seconds and, with a top speed of 182 mph, made short work of the quarter-mile. Although they’re gaining popularity with collectors, one finds its way to a Chevrolet dealer’s showroom every now and again.
8. Dodge SRT Viper
When you search for the Dodge SRT Viper, one of the Questions People Ask is, “Are Dodge Vipers Illegal?” That should give you an indication of just how bonkers this V10 muscle machine was. This bad boy pumped 600 lb-ft of torque and 640 horsepower and screamed from standstill to sixty in about 3.5 seconds. But was it legal? Well, it took the addition of stability control to keep it on the market in 2012. Alas, engineers weren’t able to fit the federally-mandated larger side-curtain airbag, so the Dodge SRT Viper left the market come 2017.
9. Volvo C70 Cabriolet Convertible
Long known for its classic boxy sedans and wagons, the Swedish automaker introduced the sleek C70 coupe and cabriolet in the late 1990s. The C70 not only broke Volvo’s boxy mold but it introduced innovations like the Roll Over Protection System (ROPS). Its classic cabriolet design made it a hit with young up-and-comers and families alike.
10. BMW 1 Series M is one of the Original Classic Cars
If you blinked, you probably missed it. The BMW 1 Series M was only made for the 2011 model year, but it’s made quite an impression with fans of the German automaker. It is truly a driver’s car with a perfect 50/50 weight distribution, unparalleled handling, a six-speed manual with a short-throw, and a fast 3.0L twin-turbo six with 335 horsepower cranking 332 lb-ft of torque. Only 1,000 of them made it to U.S. shores, making this one of the most collectible BMWs ever produced.
Just Take Our Money!
So, there we have it. Ten modern classic cars that are keeping us drooling in 2022. While you can find good deals on many of them, a couple of them might require Powerball money. Which modern classics are on your wish list?
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