The Nineties were a golden age for cars. These are some of the best cars to emerge from that era.
Though it may look like a standard 964, the Carrera RS of the Nineties is far from normal. It’s hundreds of pounds lighter than than the standard car, and more powerful. Porsche made very few examples, meaning prices are now through the roof.
With 12 cylinders, four turbos, and some supremely strange looks, it’s hard to forget about the Bugatti EB110. Produced in significantly limited numbers, it’s now a full-fledged collector’s item among the Bugatti faithful.
The Z1 isn’t a particularly quick or capable car, but its iconic design earns it a spot on this list. A wedge shape and a set of trick disappearing doors means it’s already a high-dollar classic collectors would kill for.
The M3 Lightweight weighs about 200 pounds less than the standard E36-generation M3, making use of aluminum panels and the removal of many interior features. It also has a set of sweet M-colored checkered flag decals.
The Tommi Mäkinen Edition Evolution VI has one of the longest (and coolest) names on this list. It’s named after the Finnish rally driver of the same name to pay tribute to his four WRC titles behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi.
While it’ll always be overshadowed by the legendary F40, the Ferrari F50 remains a legend in its own right. A naturally aspirated V-12 bolted directly to the chassis makes a wonderful sound, and it’s connected to a real manual transmission. The best part? The top comes off.
Built to homologate Mercedes’s Le Mans racing cars of the late Nineties, the CLK GTR looks almost nothing like a normal CLK. It’s a full racing machine underneath, with a 6.0-liter V-12 and a sequential gearbox.
Like the CLK, the Escort RS Cosworth is a homologation special, built so Ford could take the car racing in Group A rally. A high-strung Cosworth-built turbo inline-four sends power to four wheels. And who could forget that iconic rear wing?
Many people will tell you Mazda perfected its RX-7 formula in the early Nineties with the third-gen FD. Sporting a twin-turbo rotary engine, some fantastic looks, and expertly tuned handling, it remains one of Mazda’s most desirable cars out there.
The new Civic Type R may be what everyone’s talking about right now, but love for the Type R brand in America didn’t start there. The Integra was the first Type R-badged car here in the States, and it’s become an investment-level classic.
The 550 Maranello was the last front-engined V-12 Ferrari to come exclusively with a gated manual transmission. That, plus great looks and an intoxicating soundtrack make it one of the company’s all-time greats.
The 8-Series is a cool car on its own, but the top-level 850CSi is where it’s really at. It uses a 375-horsepower version of the 850i’s V-12, along with stiffer springs and dampers. Best of all? You could only get it with a manual transmission.
Though the XJ220 didn’t end up getting a V-12, it’s still arguably the coolest production Jaguar ever built. Supercar styling, simplistic turbocharging, and pop-up headlights make it a true Nineties classic.
The SW20 MR2 wasn’t the first or the last MR2 to come from Toyota, but many say it’s the best out of the three. It’s more livable than the first-gen car, and better-looking than the Spyder-only car that followed it.
The 22B was the very best car Subaru offered in the Nineties, possibly ever. It featured a widebody kit, massive brakes, gold wheels, and 275 horsepower. The ultimate street-legal rally machine.
Porsche’s first GT2 was produced in tiny numbers, meaning values have shot through the roof. A Riviera Blue example sold for a staggering $2.4 million. For a 20-year old 911.
A pickup truck that could beat a Ferrari to 60 mph? The GMC Syclone was a legend as soon as it hit the streets. Sure, it couldn’t do much truck stuff, but does that really matter?
Replacing the outgoing Countach was no easy feat, but the Diablo managed to pull it off. Exotic looks and swing-up doors meant every kid of the Nineties had a poster of one of these on these on their wall.
We’re pretty fond of the new NSX, but we still remember the original. A lightweight, simple mid-engine car combined with Honda reliability are why the first NSX will always rank among the best cars from the Nineties.
While the run-of-the-mill C4-generation Corvette has fallen out of favor for enthusiasts, the top-spec ZR-1 remains a high-priced collector’s item, mainly thanks to its rarity and legendary LT5 engine. Also, it’s still really fun to drive.
Prices for clean 300ZXs are starting to skyrocket, and it’s easy to see why. The sweet looks and advanced tech make it a must-have for nostalgic Nineties collectors. Snap one up before it’s too late.
While there might be a bunch of hype around the new Supra, let’s take a minute to appreciate the last one. Legendary for its indestructible 2JZ straight-six and rounded off looks, the Mk IV Supra will forever be known as one of the best cars to come out of Japan.
The Foxbody Mustang holds a dear place in people’s hearts, that’s why it was built for 15 years, finally going out of production in 1994. But those boxy looks and fastback profile (along with a 5.0-liter V-8) are why muscle car lovers will keep coming back, and it may have been at its best in the Nineties.
The first Viper was basically a concept car that Dodge decided to put into production. It had no real roof, no traction control, side pipes, and an 8.0-liter V-10 under the hood. Eventually it got a roof and door windows, but remained equally unhinged.
What best Nineties car list would be complete without the original Miata? It’s a favorite among the R&T staff, and for good reason. It’s reliable, cheap, good-looking, and most importantly, fun to drive.
Some people consider the sound of the F355’s 3.5-liter V-8 to be the best of all time. Once heard, that screaming wail is something you won’t soon forget. Oh, and also, you can get it with a gated manual transmission.
Americans have a unique appreciation of the Skyline GT-r because while it may be one of the greatest cars of the Nineties, we didn’t get them when they first came out. We can import the R32- and R33-generation cars now. But the R34, a fantastic machine, is still a couple of years away. We can’t wait until 2024.
Even if you dropped “Nineties” from the title of this list, the McLaren F1 would still be on it. It’s arguably one of the greatest road cars ever made, with a screaming BMW V-12 and a wild center-seating position. Thanks to its low production numbers, it’s quickly becoming one of the most valuable cars of all time.
Keyword: The Greatest Cars of the 1990s