9 sports cars destined to become modern classics

Most new cars settle into steady depreciation the moment they leave a dealership lot, but a handful of sports cars buck that pattern entirely. Limited production runs, enthusiast loyalty, and genuinely distinctive engineering keep demand for these models strong long after the newness wears off. These 9 sports cars are already being treated like future classics.

1. Porsche 911: Steady demand keeps used 911s stubbornly expensive

The Porsche 911 has held its value better than almost any sports car on sale, a pattern that stretches back across generations of the model. Its rear-engine layout and continuous evolution rather than reinvention give each generation a lasting identity that collectors and daily drivers both chase long after production ends.

Even entry-level Carrera variants tend to depreciate slowly compared with rivals, while limited GT models often appreciate outright within a few years of leaving the factory. A full model rundown is available at Car and Driver’s 911 hub, which documents the lineup’s remarkably consistent demand curve.

2. Porsche 718 Cayman: A mid-engine coupe that resists depreciation

The Porsche 718 Cayman borrows much of its chassis engineering from the pricier 911 while undercutting it substantially on sticker price, a combination that keeps demand for used examples unusually strong. Its mid-engine balance gives it a sharper, more communicative feel than many rivals costing considerably more.

Enthusiast buyers frequently cite the Cayman as the purest expression of Porsche’s handling philosophy, which has helped keep resale values firm even as production numbers grow. Details on the current model appear at Car and Driver’s 718 Cayman page, which outlines its enduring enthusiast following.

3. Toyota GR Supra: Modern collectible status props up resale

The Toyota GR Supra revived a nameplate with decades of enthusiast goodwill behind it, and that history has translated into strong demand for the modern version almost immediately. Its turbocharged inline-six, shared with a European partner brand, delivers the kind of straight-line performance that collectors associate with the nameplate’s earlier eras.

Limited production runs and special editions have further tightened supply, pushing used prices higher than many owners initially expected. A full specification breakdown is available at Car and Driver’s Supra hub, which tracks the model’s fast-growing collector interest.

4. Chevrolet Corvette: The mid-engine C8 holds value far better than most

The Chevrolet Corvette’s move to a mid-engine layout with its current generation reset expectations for what an American sports car could deliver, and demand has stayed strong ever since. Its supercar-rivaling performance at a fraction of the price has drawn buyers who might otherwise have looked to European brands.

Waitlists for desirable trims have kept used prices firm, occasionally above original sticker for the most sought-after configurations. A full rundown of the current lineup sits at Car and Driver’s Corvette page, which documents just how quickly the newest generation built its collector following.

5. Mazda MX-5 Miata: Cult loyalty keeps used Miatas in high demand

The Mazda MX-5 Miata has earned a devoted following built on lightweight simplicity rather than raw power, a formula that has proven remarkably durable across more than three decades of production. Its low curb weight and balanced chassis make it a favorite for both weekend driving and grassroots racing.

That crossover appeal between casual owners and dedicated racers has kept demand steady even as newer sports cars chase bigger horsepower numbers. Fuel economy figures for the current generation are listed at the EPA’s official ratings page, a reminder of how efficiently the formula still works.

6. Toyota GR86: A cheap rear-drive coupe that barely depreciates

The Toyota GR86 offers old-school rear-wheel-drive fun at a price point that has become increasingly rare in the new-car market, and that scarcity has helped it hold value unusually well. Its naturally aspirated flat-four and lightweight construction prioritize driver feel over outright speed.

Because the car shares its bones with a well-regarded predecessor, buyers already trust its long-term durability, which further supports resale prices. A full overview of the current model is available at Car and Driver’s GR86 page, which highlights its affordable path into sports car ownership.

7. Subaru BRZ: The GR86's twin, equally strong on the used market

The Subaru BRZ shares its platform, engine, and driving character with its Toyota counterpart, giving buyers a nearly identical experience with Subaru’s own styling and dealer network. Its boxer engine layout keeps the center of gravity low, a trait enthusiasts consistently praise in reviews.

Because both twins draw from the same small, enthusiast-focused buyer pool, used BRZ values have tracked closely with its Toyota counterpart. Full specifications for the current model appear at Car and Driver’s BRZ page, which documents the shared platform’s lasting appeal among driving purists.

8. Ford Mustang GT: V8 muscle demand keeps resale surprisingly firm

The Ford Mustang GT continues to offer naturally aspirated V8 power at a time when many rivals have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, and that distinction has kept demand for the model unusually resilient. Its aggressive styling and drag-strip-friendly power delivery appeal directly to muscle car loyalists.

As emissions regulations tighten around large-displacement engines, buyers increasingly view the current GT as one of the last of its kind, further supporting resale values. A full model breakdown is available at Car and Driver’s Mustang hub, which tracks the V8’s uncertain long-term future.

9. Nissan Z: Limited supply keeps the retro Z pricey secondhand

The Nissan Z revived a retro-inspired silhouette paired with a twin-turbocharged V6 borrowed from the brand’s performance flagship, a combination that generated strong early demand relative to limited production numbers. Its blend of nostalgic styling and modern power has resonated with both longtime enthusiasts and new buyers.

Tight allocations at launch pushed some dealers to charge above sticker price, a dynamic that has continued to support values on the used market. Background on the current generation is detailed at the model’s Wikipedia entry, which outlines its short but already collectible production run.