10 Sports Cars That Make Great Investments For Long-Term Ownership

Let’s clarify something from the very beginning… buying sports cars as an investment is a dubious pursuit. That is if you drive the “investment” vehicles you own, and they aren’t solely existing as garage queens.

No matter what the vehicle, the simple fact is, there will be wear and tear, especially the older the vehicle. Yet, there is a certain group of sports cars that you could enjoy weekly, and they will still hold their value if you ever decide to sell.

The fact is, every vehicle on this list is a timeless classic. A decade in the future, you’ll wish you had bought at least one of these cars. Just don’t say we didn’t tell you so.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Classic.com, and Bring-A-Trailer. Our list ranks the vehicles in descending order from the least expensive to the most expensive.

10 Honda S2000 (AP1)

Average Market Price: $28,006

The most affordable option on our list comes in the form of one of the greatest roadsters to ever touch pavement. The Honda S2000 is an oversized go-kart with a 9,000 RPM redline. What more could you want out of a sports car?

Performance Specifications

With every passing year, another unsuspecting young driver with a bit too much charisma crashes another S2000. This means their prices will increase as supply diminishes every year. Honda will never make a car or engine like this again. You either buy one now or forever hold your peace.

Pros

• 9,000 RPM begging to be revved out
• One of the coolest instrument clusters of all time
• Oversized go-kart (Miata, but better)

Cons

• Special engine means special costs
• The price of hardtops
• AP1 to AP2 conversion cost

9 BMW Z4 M Coupe (E86)

Average Market Price: $33,017

A true “if you know, you know” vehicle is the BMW Z4 M Coupe. This sleek sports coupe is very rare and very desirable for its combination of one of BMW’s best-ever hydraulic steering racks and the iconic S54 inline-six engine.

Performance Specifications

While there is also an M Roadster variant, the M Coupe is by far the collector’s item of the two. Toyota probably sold more Prius in the last hour than there are M Coupes Stateside. If you ever hope to own one, know that prices are not coming down… ever. Better start making a game plan quickly.

Pros

• Legendary hydraulic steering feel
• Legendary S54 engine
• Timeless style and body proportions

Cons

• Only 1,815 M Coupes for North America
• Special engine means special costs
• Sub-20 average MPG is disappointing

8 BMW M3 (E90/E92)

Average Market Price: $33,293

The E90-generation M3 is one of the best overall driver’s cars ever made. For many BMW purists, the E90/92 M3 is the absolute peak of the legendary M3 namesake. The reasons are simple: the perfect combo of a howling 8,400 rpm V-8, hydraulic steering, and an amazing playful chassis.

Performance Specifications

We believe the E90 M3 is massively undervalued even in today’s inflated sports car market. The hype around this specific chassis hasn’t quite hit yet. People haven’t realized that BMW will never put a naturally aspirated high-revving V-8 in an M3 again. Expect the prices of this perfect German sports car to increase over the next decade.

Pros

• The S65 V-8 engine is a symphony of joy
• Exceptional hydraulic steering feel
• Perfect balance between analog and modern

Cons

• Special engine means special costs
• BMW tax is real
• M tax is even realer

7 Lotus Elise S2 111R

Average Market Price: $41,152

Back in the day, the Lotus Elise was known as “the sports car that is always 30K”. Its price was stable in that range for well over a decade, even after its discontinuation in 2011. My friends, we are here to tell you this is no longer the case, and we dread this reality.

Performance Specifications

Miata owners want S2000s and S2000 owners want Elises. Yet, at a certain point, the Elise will be priced out due to its overall rarity. That process has already begun.

Pros

• 2ZZ-GE engine is a high-revving dream
• Insane sub-2000-pound weight
• What a Miata wishes it could be

Cons

• Body panel damage can result in total loss
• On track oil/fuel starvation issues
• Rarity is a double-edged sword

6 Acura Integra Type R

Average Market Price: $42,947

Our only FWD model on this list is perhaps the greatest FWD vehicle ever. The Acura Integra Type R was a perfect blend of everything that made Honda great in its “golden era”.

Performance Specifications

The high-revving B18C engine is one of Honda’s greatest achievements. The way it dances in unison with the tuned lightweight chassis of the Type R brings a tear to our eye. These have been rare since the end of their model run over two decades ago and prices can only go higher.

Pros

• High-revving B18C engine is one of Honda’s best engines
• Honda’s best FWD chassis ever?
• Being a “real” ITR in a sea of modified Integras

Cons

• Less than 4,000 Integra Type R were produced in the U.S.
• One of the most stolen vehicles in America for decades
• Paying collector’s tax for what can be built in the aftermarket

5 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe (C6)

Average Market Price: $48,162

Of all the amazing Corvette models through the decades, this one may be one of the most special. The C6 Z06 Coupe is one of the greatest American sports cars ever.

Performance Specifications

You have a 500 horsepower 7.0-liter V-8 ready for attack with the slightest blip of the throttle in a lightweight driver-focused chassis. If that isn’t your definition of fun, you are in the wrong place!

Pros

• LS7 engine will have you obsessed with driving
• Stock widebody, weight reduction, and every performance upgrade you could want
• ZR1 model prices will always be higher, making this undervalued

Cons

• Non-existent gas mileage
• Interior leaves to be desired
• Replacing 335 section width tires too often

4 Acura NSX (NA1)

Average Market Price: $71,034

The first generation Honda NSX is everything you could ever dream of a supercar being. Yet, somehow, despite its continued appreciation and scary low production numbers, this icon can be found under six-figures.

Performance Specifications

Yes, this is a timeless supercar somehow within sports car prices. The best part about it is that the NA1 NSX is a special vehicle from how it drives to how it looks. You feel it and everybody else can too.

Pros

• Ferrari experience for Honda money
• Ayrton Senna approved
• Drives as good as it looks

Cons

• Special V-6 means special costs come up (they will)
• Less than 7,000 North American models
• Almost 10% of those are automatic transmission

3 Lexus LC500

MSRP: $98,450 (2024)

The Lexus LC500 is the only car on our list that is still available as a new model on the market today. A decade from now, when there are no more sexy Toyota GT cars with naturally aspirated V-8 engines, you’ll wish you had bought an LC500.

Performance Specifications

Lexus took everything that was amazing about the LFA supercar and made it even better. Sure, the V-8, despite the fact it sounds amazing, can’t replicate the howl of the V-10. Yet, the driving experience is so magical you couldn’t care less.

Pros

• A modern classic that will be “the end of an era”
• One of the most gorgeous cars ever designed
• A museum-worthy interior design that drips elegance and luxury

Cons

• Not having one in the garage already
• Not have a spare to drive when the other needs maintenance
• Realizing this may be the peak of automotive engineering

2 Audi R8 V10 Coupe (Type 42)

Average Market Price: $112,893

Another vehicle that was an instant classic on release is the Audi R8 with the V-10 engine and the gated 6-speed manual. All the good a supercar can provide without all the complications an Italian counterpart might give you.

Performance Specifications

The fact is, this particular model is one of the most badass Audis ever made. People are only now realizing how amazing the driving experience of a V-10 powered R8 can provide. Their prices have increased over the last five years and we can expect that trend to continue.

Pros

• V-10 engine + gated 6-speed manual = wet dream material
• Undeniable sexy design
• Underrated supercar with amazing growth potential

Cons

• Understated attention compared to other exotics can be good or bad
• Shockingly low production numbers for the 6-speed V-10 model (717 produced)
• “Should I have got the Gallarado?”

1 Porsche 911 Carrera S (993)

Average Market Price: $141,727

If there is any sports car whose value is increasing on a minute by minute basis, it’s the 993 generation Porsche 911. The 911 is well recognized for holding value very well. Yet, the 993 really is the golden child of all 911 generations.

Performance Specifications

The Carrera S model is really just a widebody Carrera, and that’s all we really need. A Turbo S would be splendid, but at a certain point, the cost is not justifiable. No matter what universe we may be in ten or twenty years from now, just know that the 993s will be appreciating in value.

Pros

• Last of the air-cooled Porsches
• The “perfect” 911 generation
• Carrera S widebody is a must

Cons

• Only 1,752 North American models were produced
• Realizing there are still even rarer 993 variants
• Porsche tax is real