Idk if we've become the boomers. I truly believe it's a case of wolves in enthusiast clothing. Plenty of people now buy these 90s cars only to hold them for value in the future, not really caring about ownership. And then you have the clout kids that overpay for these cars specifically for the aesthetic. If those two groups weren't here I believe there would have been a larger supply of vehicles at lower prices. In the past people would get clowned for trying to sell their shit boxes for high dollar but now because of this climate the opposite effect is happening, where owners are encouraging other owners into selling for higher amounts. They'll say things like increasing the value of the cars will bring better enthusiasts with money to do proper builds, not realizing that the opposite happens and nobody wants to invest in that cars aftermarket after spending high amounts of money to get the car. It's like they forget the whole point of why these cars were great was because of how much you could do to them for a low entry fee. I'm not sure if the boomers had these same kind of people larping around during the 90s.
As a person that is 25 (born in 97’). It sucks that now that I’ve finally gotten a career to get the cars I wanted as a kid, they’ve skyrocketed in value. 😢
I feel this. No one wants to talk about how ICE cars are going to be banned in 10-15 years in some states. I personally think it makes the most sense to look out for hybrid sports cars and wait for a drop in price. Honda CRZ, the new NSX, etc... the cars people hate now are going to be the ones that people want later.
No kidding, I'm 22 and just starting to really get into the trades at entry levels and it's crazy at how much these cars skyrocketed in price and hard to find availability which around 6 years ago in 2017 were being sold for as cheap as a bag of candy! Sad times man but weird times where at least you can pick up a 996 Porsche Carrera 3.4L hardtop or a BMW 4 series Coupe 6 speed twin turbo 6 cylinder for cheaper than an Evo 8 today lol. So I guess it's a win considering we can finance a Porsche before a used Cifero or Skyline lmao
@@JimV90And every generation of cars will one day be classics. 90's cars don't have "soul", all cars have soul. They are just older and important to an older, trend setting audience, that's it. It's okay to like current popular cars, but they don't have more soul than any other era's. They just speak to the people with the money and nostalgia required to buy them today. If you want a car with soul, you buy one and drive it.
Thank you for calling out people only buying these cars for the aesthetic and not the performance. I've been saying for years that the Ecoboost mustang, ecotec Camaro, and brz/gr86 are the new s chassis. Quite a lot of 2000s-2020s cars are just 90s cars in better chassis and faster engines. Edit: This is only directed to those who buy 90s cars solely for rose tinted performance. If you're buying as a daily or because you genuinely like a 90s car then purchase as you please.
So what? It's not like there aren't people who buy Mustangs and Camaros because they like their designs... TBH performance numbers are just on one side of the coin. If that was the end all be all people would just drive cages with engines mounted on them. 100% Weight savings!! I agree with the video in if you are specifically looking for PERFORMANCE x MONEY than yeah, there are lots of 2000-2010s stuff worth looking at, specially euro and japanese stuff... but aesthetics matters too. The 80s/90s birthed cars for every taste and made us love them due to (among other things) simpler times, the world was prosperous, designers had more freedom and much much less regulations were in place... now its been over a decade where affordable cars all look the same
@@kiwd-dynamic but at the end of the day this isn't a who has the better aesthetics video. This is aimed at people who flock to 90s cars for performance while being cognitively dissonant to newer better options. Yes you can buy a car for it's shape design if you're going for a show car/daily but once you start looking at a build for track, drift, drag, street, rally, autocross, there are just far better options across the board than sinking money into something for the sake of nostalgia and looks, unless it's cheap 👍🏾.
Kinda weak to think there is something wrong with buying a car because it looks how you like. Performance isn't everyone's priority, if they like a car, they like it. And if they properly take care of it then that's a good thing.
This is actually a very very very well thought out and factual video. I usually hear RUclipsrs make up stuff or forget things to make their argument seem more legit, but this is basically a collector guide. Nothing but facts.
I've been saying this about the Supra for a while. Its never been affordable. Maybe they hit a low point in the early 2010s, but they've almost always been $20K out of reach for the average fanboy like me. Now they're $50K out of reach for an average one.
I bought my first one for 9500 in 08 passed on a twin turbo for 10k in 09 and yeah, they were easy to find in Texas under 25k but clean ones were always 20k + unless they were na auto and high mileage and even those still didn't dip below 10k often
@@aaronbryant7615 this ain't the UK. And we only got 10-11k supras total. The JDM/UK and grey market Australia got a good 44k RHD supras. So yeah your cars were not nearly as rare. Plus you had options, skylines, laurels, Cedric's, crowns, Cresta. We didn't get any of that shit
@@headshotmaster138 when? 1998-2000? Because in post-Fast and the Furious world they were never affordable. I was a teenager during that period and I remember it like it was yesterday. Maybe you could pick up an N.A. model for cheapish, but that’s it.
God bless the MR2-S mention, you can still pretty easily get new parts for it from the dealership and is easy to work on. Manual top is key as well, no stupid electronics to break like many other convertibles.
I had a 91 MR2 Turbo, fully built and tuned at sound performance by Ivan before he drove the fastest GTRs, loved that car, wish I kept it, sold it and bought my second house
2000’s cars (for the most part) have now become the cheap, undesirable, “ugly”, cars for enthusiasts entering into a cool car. Not much nostalgia yet, but they have many of the qualities of 90’s cars
@@CollectorCarFeed I can’t see 2000s cars being super desirable outside of rare or very weird cars. Idk who would be lining up to throw money at a RX-8 or a 3rd gen eclipse
@@CollectorCarFeed Even if you wanted to go domestic, lots of options there. Cobalt SS, Neon SRT4, Caliber SRT4, Charger/Challenger SRT8 To be honest, the 90s was meh for the muscle car crowd, but the 2000s-2010s, was their revival
I'm going to provide a bit of a counterpoint, and probably one of the reasons why the cars of the '80s and '90s are quite beloved: The feel. Cars of the '90s had creature comforts such as A/C, power steering, fuel injection, so on and so forth; they were more dependable and easier to live with than the carburetor-equipped beasts of the '60s and '70s which were relatively simple but required significantly more fiddling and tinkering. At the same time the things I don't particularly like about modern cars are mostly absent: electric power steering, rev hang, poor rearward visibility, the overreliance on technocrap versus driving dynamics and overall quality, and the disappearing manual transmission for godawful CVTs. Don't even get me started on EVs, which I flat out despise. That's why I gravitate towards these older cars. It's partly nostalgia, but it's also a dislike for modern cars. While I own one(a 2021 Corolla, thankfully with a manual gearbox), the driving experience is still somewhat numb and sterile. It lacks that rawness; that edge has been dulled by the technocrap and the need to milk every drop out of efficiency and emissions. On paper, a car with these specs would have been absolutely awesome in the late '90s and early '00s, yet it lacks the rawness and the edge that made the cars of the '80s and '90s so great. There's elements of that engineering still there, but they're buried underneath the surface; sometimes you get a hint of 4AGE from the engine note or a bit of playfulness from that chassis before the technocrap holds you back. In a way, it's sad. While I have some older cars, something tells me I need to get more of that into my life before it's too late.
@@carfriendsimulator9981 : I think I understood just fine. Perhaps it's your reading comprehension that needs a bit of work. Either that or you can't have a legitimate debate or discussion without acting like a generic edgelord. Go bother someone on Twitter.
@@carfriendsimulator9981 except almost all of the counter cars on this list are listed for their “stock for stock” power when that’s honestly pointless past the first 2 years of ownership. These alternative cars aren’t that great and most aren’t super mod friendly like an sr, RB, JZ etc. the c5 was the best cat on this list but at the same time if you want a Japanese car it doesn’t fit the bill. The Zs are the closest thing in that regard and are a good substitute to the 240 hatch (nothing can replace a brick, coupe s13 sorry) since they’re both ugly as hell stock but itll still never stack up in most people eyes. This is all coming from a gen z that did what I could financially to make sure I could have the credit to get my 32 gtr one day. One flipped 280z later I’ve got the 90s Car that is supposedly “unobtainable”. Not saying I hate any of these cars but if they were better substitutes for the money people would be buying them more. One thing I will say is people buying them for clout is annoying as hell. Please drive your cars people.
What I miss about 90s cars, especially Hondas, is that go-cart feel you got because they were so much lower to the ground and had sloped hoods. Nowadays, cars (even the sporty ones) feel like you are driving an SUV or a truck.
I am so glad that I have experienced peak JDM when they were affordable having been driving for over 20 years. From a JZX90 1JZ Cresta, Evo 6 TME, R33 GTR and 02 Sti. In terms of value for money they are significantly overpriced - strictly for nostalgia purposes if you are very well off financially.
@@Aglai76 Yeah your best bet is to find a clean shell and build the driveline up from there. I am in Australia and the NA models are selling for close to what the turbo models used to sell for. It is truly insane. Then you look at the prices of 1JZ/2JZ engines and it is really only viable if you can do all of the work yourself.
I remember a few years back I bought a 95 civic hatch for $700 off a used car lot only thing wrong with it was some cosmetic damage other than that it drove like a dream I missed that little pocket rocket everyday I regret selling it everyday
The lunchtable commitee seems to judge car value based on straight line performance, when there is so much more to it. Just like everything from the 90s outperformed everything from the 60s, nearly every modern car can outperform nearly every 90s car. But modern cars lack one thing that keeps 90s prices high and increasing: they aren't 90s cars. Great video, if I wanted bang for buck performance, I'd have left the 90s years ago.
@@LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS the same thing that makes a 60s car not a 90s car. Cars are much more than their measurable performance metrics. They are rolling pieces of art. They are testaments to the achievements of man and technology for their time period, harkening back to better times. They are memories you can touch, feel, admire, and hold on to.
And because of that GT500 being such a menace, Dodge created the hellcat as a response. Then so on and so fourth and now we have the Dodge Demon holding the record for fastest production car in a quarter mile for 3 years, Chevy making a mid engine supercar corvette Z06 with 670HP, a hybrid mid engine corvette with 655hp, and Ford not only making a Code Red GT500 with 1300hp, but also giving the new Mustang GT coming in 2024 GT500 internals and 486-500HP. The American horsepower race is wild af lol
Since boomers overpriced all the muscle cars, Millennials overpriced the tuners, and Gen X helped both, I wonder what the Gen Z equivalent will be. In 40 years will there really be stuck up zoomers driving mint GT86s and GR Corollas?
Modern 2020’s cars will be extremely difficult to keep running 40 years from now, because everything under the engine bay is made of plastic, has a computer chip in it, and needs a scan tool and software license to fix/replace. I have a 1983 Mercedes 300D Turbo with half a million miles on original powertrain. Why? Because it’s analogue - no electric pumps, no computer chips, everything is made of metal and operates mechanically. That’s the flaw of long-term modern car ownership.
FACTS. My 240sx just got broken into AGAIN this past weekend. Makes me consider if I should sell it before it gets stolen again… as fun as it is to drive, and looks are on point, they are getting to a point where everything is starting to break, parts are expensive and hard to come by, they are by no means fast unless you spend a few grand to turbo it while also spending a ton to replace all the old dry rotten parts so it can not fall apart on the highway
I actually own a 1993 nissan 240sx with an sr20det, hks exhaust, bodykit, paint, coilovers and Toyo r888r's. I paid less than $1000 for her bone stock, 20 years ago, literally took me 20 years to finish her. When you pull up to a meet and there's a sea of Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers it stands out and it's built not bought. Worth all the time and money I've invested without a doubt
I will say that doing a full restoration on a 70s car (240z) taught me a lot about cars and made me appreciate the hobby a lot more but what it hasn't done is given me a lot of seat time lol. Putting sticky tires on my 06 XB on the other hand really has.
I wanted a 90s JDM manual, RWD car as a future project, but the "drift tax" on them is too insane. After doing some research, the 99-04 Mustang GT coupe is what I'm going fo now. They're cheap (for now), super easy to find, tons of aftermarket support, dope V8 sound, possible to swap an IRS (from the Cobras), 5x114.3 bolt pattern to run virtually any wheels. Need to get me one soon before everyone jumps off the JDM train.
Good for you but not everyone will jump ship, it’s not all about performance per dollar. Pricing for performance cars and especially USDM and JDM is very different in Europe compared to the States
@@pirtl_turtl I bought an S13 lol, I lived in Chicago from 2018-2022 and drove a lot of fun USDM cars while there but prices in Europe are crazy for those cars so settled with my turbo japanese hatch ;)
If it becomes hard for you to find a 99-04 New Edge GT in your budget.You could also consider an SN95 96-98 GT.Stock its not as powerful or slick looking as the New Edge,but because of that they're usually cheaper. With the right mods and maybe even a head swap it can be an even more fun car to drive.
@@thrustinthrottle652 Oh nice! Thanks for the tip! SN95s and New Edges seem like they share quite a bit in common with each other too, so I'll keep that in mind 😁
I will stand by the statement that the best bang for buck is American v8s, specifically the corvette. A c5 had the ls and minimum 345/350, and they’re under 10k now. If you’re willing to buy a c4 you can get 245hp and 350 torque for like 4-6k if you’re ok with some bad cosmetics. And the parts are cheap and labor is easy so diy everything.
I strongly have to agree with you on your statement much as I like JDM sports I still have to give Corvette the first place respect because that V8 engine has always been hard to beat no matter what generation even in the 90s when the supra with 2jz engine was around it still would have a fight to deal with if going up against a c4 Corvette stock vs stock. And to be honest I'd still like to see a c4 Grand sport go against a factory supra from the 90s!!!!! Fast forward 20 some years later and the new Supra is still no match against a c8 Corvette either
About 6 months ago I got myself a 93 R32 GTST 60th anniversary of Nissan model with only 22k original body/chassis miles 🙌🏽 absolutely in love with it and glad I got it when I did, will only go up in value
I’m very lucky to have a dad that loves cars (maybe not as much anymore) cause he’s kept all of his “rare” things hiding in case I would have a interest in them which of course I was intrigued! When I look todays car market I see a lot of new things I like but of course being a young enthusiast I’m drawn to those 90s cars I used to see as a young kid and get to ride along in the mid to late 2000’s going for prices of a brand new Mercedes today. It’s kind of heartbreaking but so ironic that history is basically repeating itself in the car world. Our parents buy the car they dreamed of or had as a young adult and will of course pay a hefty price for that iconic nostalgic look that I so crave too.
It sucks because as a kid I loved cars, old racing games really imprinted some of those cars into our hearts... but with the high prices and the mostly toxic car community, it completely ruined everything. As an adult you just realize cars are just dick waving money contests now...
Nice video, lots of good points well made, and great wit. As an owner of an SW20 as well as ZZW30 I find the SW20 was built of higher quality materials, and engineered in an era when Toyota was over-building their products for durability. The ZZW30 is fine but definitely has a cheaper feel inside and out, if that matters to a potential buyer. One reason 90s cars are special to me, and I'm sure many people, is that they exist in an intersection between reliability / modern features (like fuel injection, turbocharging, ABS and so on) and a more authentically connected feel between driver, vehicle, and road. Roof pillars were narrow, offering great visibility. Beltlines were low. Throttle pedals had ultimate precision being cable-operated instead an ECU "interpreting" your "torque request". Steering assist, if there was any, was always hydraulic and weighted up beautifully. Many cars were lighter back then, adding to their nimble and responsive feel. Yet the tires had tall sidewalls, giving the cars a smooth ride. Stability control systems either didn't exist or were super easy to turn off. Signed, - Self-indulgent weiner P.S. - The 350Z is indeed a great 2000s car that offers much of the simplistic joy of many 90s cars. I should have kept my HR.
I remember asking myself when buying my first car, why do I want this AE86? And then realized it's JUST A COROLLA I still want and will look for, an NA SW20/2nd gen Eclipse because of nostalgia reasons. Sure if I want to buy a good, fun, reliable car that's fast? I can get a V6 Accord or Camry which I am still eyeing, or like you said an Ecoboost Mustang. I see the appeal of owning "that" cool car, but I always think of what is going to break my bank less for when something breaks.
I own a few halo honda vehicles, i don't think I'd ever plan on selling because i know I would prob never replace them once they were gone. Not to mention it is just getting cooler and cooler owning "classic hondas" and they don't get boring to me. These new overly expensive vehicles just don't interest me at all.
Also for fwd consider a Dodge neon srt4 or chevy cobalt ss for American cars If u want Japanese honda fit or toyota matrix xrs and if u dont mind the xts trim get a pontiac vibe same exact car as the matrix (i own a base matrix and its an amazing little comuter with suv space inside. Im 6ft and can sit in the back with the seat infront all the way back) For more rwd u also have the pontiac solstice/Saturn sky the American miata same engine as the cobalt ss also
I remember my dad was about to buy one of those modern MR2's once, a "egg yolk yellow" one and he was close to buy it and everything until my sister told him "if you're going to buy it, where are you going to put the groceries in?" I guess that thought changed his mind and settled for a Mustang 40 Anniversary which still has to this day. Not gonna lie, but those versions of MR2's are quite underrated and they're cool looking cars.
Man it HAS A TRUNK, i literally used mine to get groceries all the time ....wait unless you mean the ZZW30 then yeah, it's extremely impractical but just fill up the passenger footwell
@@CollectorCarFeed yeah i think it was ZZW30 because she used to complain that the trunk comparment was too small to put groceries too. But oh well, what can you do?
BRUH it has a trunk! I did grocery runs in my S2000 for years for my family of 4, it's not that big of a deal. Worst case you have a passenger and the passenger will have to deal with a few bags on the passenger seat floor, big deal lol
The problem with the auto industry today is that the car manufactures are always trying to revolutionize their cars, but that keeps them on a ridiculous high price and makes them more and more complicated to mess with. If you are a 20 year old and you want a car to start your life, go to the meets, speed with your friends, drift it or modify it, you'll most likely get an old shitbox from the 90s. Cause you're young, and you don't have 50 grand to buy an A90 Supra for example.
ooo I had a 2011 NC Turbo Fab9 kit. 300WHP I blew the doors off of all the cars next to me. In search of more power I sold it and found a great deal on a IS300. Defiantly have the whole cost of the mx5 into the IS already. So youre spitting nothing but facts. Love the channel, found it recently and I couldnt agree more haha. Keep it up!
Yeah, there’s a reason I’ll never get rid of my 99 EK DX. Stock and been in the family for a while that and you guessed it: will be K20 swapped eventually. Despite all the rising value, the things I plan to do with it Yata yata. It’s just honestly the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever driven even at 205,000 miles. When everyone complained about gas prices I hardly felt the bite.
I love mustangs cuz so far they stay consistent to the original idea: a motor with wheels The new edges I would only recommend v8 since they are so cheap The s197 I would recommend also only the v8 until 2011 were they added the 5.0 v8 and 3.7 v6 engines that good power and are both fun. S550 early models still come with the 3.7,ecoboost, and the 5.0, and I recommend either the 3.7 or ecoboost
@16:00 Note about the base RSX and EP3 Civic SI. The K series in those is the K20A3 (the econobox K20). It lacks any "real" VTEC, generally has weaker internals, has ~160 hp and revs only to 7k stock. That said, the EU 5door 2.0i Sport Civic with that engine is still pretty fun thanks to being light and N/A, before all the emissions fuckery ruined engine responsiveness.
Cover picture is kinda motivational.. I never imagined owning a Mk4 supra but it was always a dream to own one in highschool (2013-2017) Well I was 23 and was able to buy one last year in 2022.. If you want one bad enough dont let anyone say you cant afford one. Get out there and get one.
My dream as a kid was to buy a 240sx shell and swap a sr20 or rb20 into it……. Spent many a night window shopping on Enjuku racing looking at blast pipes, BN Sports body kits, as well as on forums researching wiring harness conversion kits, etc etc. Thankfully, I grew up and got a 97 Mustang GT 😂😂😂 saved my finances and mental health
i own a nc, its one of the cheaper 2wd cars. but if you want cheap speed thats awd id suggest the volvo s80 v8 awd, you can find them for under 10k and volvo aftermarket is getting stronger by the week. also if you can find a 80s isuzu impluse for under 15k they are a fun 2wd car, that can keep up with the miata nc in the corners. also suzuki imports from jp are cheap like the alto works awd which you can find for under 10k shipped to port and the jimmy/ jdm geo tracker are pretty cheap to if you want a off roader for under 9k shipped to port.
I was blessed by the hand of providence and found a 92’ 3000gt vr4 for 3400$ because the guy had no time to fix it and already had quicker and more reliable cars. Still thankful for that guy
I personally gravitate towards '90's cars because I prefer the styling of both the body and the interiors that they did back then,as well as just the way they feel to drive. Don't go for older cars like that if you want cheap speed, go for older cars because of the cars themselves. My '90's car guilty pleasure is a '92 Eagle Talon TSi AWD and I am searching for a Mitsubishi Galant VR4.
I personally always cared about looks and feel never about specs. we got a 96 z3 and a 91 convertible reatta which are a lot of fun to drive. the reatta def feels like a boat but hey its a special experience
Great stuff, you’re spot on! See through the fads, that’s where I’m at. I love my delinquent Focus ST. I’m way too old for the stereotype, but it’s paid for, it’s modified, and I’m putting crazy money into my retirement!
*Cries in 92 Talon base model* For real they're getting hard to find stuff since Mitsubishi has all but banished it's performance legacy. Still it's a fun oddball from the era of confusing automaker collabs.
Sadly newer cars arent better with pricing because of dealership mark up. Also availability isnt up there either. I want a Yaris GR or Supra or Failady Z. Guess what all of them sold. Dealers who have them put the price up 40%
I’m so happy that I got my 1997 240sx when I was 21, I’m 30 now , I paid 7k with sr20det s14 blacktop. I blown the head gasket parked the car and threw out the years I collected SR20det parts ended up building one built sr and the blown one is still in the car. This was before the price jump on the parts. I also have C5 lol This video is on point 🔥
I have collected cars over the years as well. I have 8 MR2s, an AE86 hatch, a MK3 Supra and 2 240sx hatch’s. I just sold an SW20 as well, and it really hurt. But I cannot believe the price increase on all these shit boxes.
I think we're going through a cycle. Our parents that were teenagers in the 70s wanted 50s and 60s vehicles. In the 90s we went after the 60s and 70s cars/trucks. I only wish I have is that demand wouldn't drive up the price of these beauties.
Glad i bought my 240 and put an rb25 in it when i did lol. also glad i grabbed an sc300 for cheap, they are still slept on and support for turboing a 2jzge is continuing to grow. Poor mans supra!
I'm happy that I have a manual 1995 R33 GTS25T, series 1.5, where it has the original 1993 design but with 1996 improvements. I bought it more than 10 years ago where it had 105k kilometers, totaling $5k out of our shipping port. It's been my forever car from the very beginning, and it's still my forever car. Now at 165k kilometers, it's currently waiting on new timing belt, water pump, and seals for its cam and valve gaskets. With that said, I agree that 90s Japanese cars are becoming less attractive nowadays and are only worth it if you already have a decent and popular/relevant model at hand. Prices for R33 Skylines and their parts are skyrocketing as less and less as they and their parts are becoming less in the market. But honestly, none of the newer and more advanced cars will ever match an all stock 90s Japanese sports car, it's something that has to be experienced. Cheers from the tiny Pacific Islands of Palau!
You hit the nail on the head with Hondas. Civics and Acuras are supposed to be easy to work on and modify, and in a way they are, but I’ve owned one of each and they were both clapped out shitboxes. These cars have been abused my builders and wannabe mechanics. My Integra that I bought for a thousand bucks only lasted 3 weeks/1,000 miles until something went terribly wrong that I could never figure out. The shop I took it to to get the straight piped exhaust quieted down said the cars pretty cobbled together lol. Sold it for 500 after replacing many minor parts under the hood and swapping the head and gasket, I couldn’t get it back on the road and cut my losses. Learned a lot though! Which is what I bought it for in the first place. Bought my 97 Civic a while after for 1400. Tried to replace the crank position sensor myself and discovered that someone didn’t put the woodruff key in for the crank position sensor! So who knows how long it’s been running off time, but needless to say that issue got resolved immediately. Then when I took it to a buddy’s shop they said I did the crank position sensor wrong lol. But on top of that the wiring harness was screwed up, it’s on at least it’s second motor, it had the wrong ECU in it (my buddy discovered that), and no speakers or stereo. I’m surprised the AC still worked! But I myself am gonna be a hypocrite and also do some amateur mechanic stuff and try to swap a VTEC head on it and replace the piston rings, maybe even bore the cylinders. I already have the VTEC ECU that it came with lol. But I’m trying to save this one. Then I found an 07 Cadillac CTS-V, which I’m surprised wasn’t mentioned as a platform in this video. It had 167,000 miles on it and the transmission completely went out one month and 1,000 miles later. Got a remac put in at a legit transmission shop, and the thing has been a beauty since. I find it hilarious that people are shelling out 80k for Integra Type Rs when there’s plenty of LS cars making 400 horsepower stock for 10-20k. And there’s plenty of modified ones going for not much more that seem to be pretty reliable. Hell I’m thinking of slapping an LSA supercharger on mine, or maybe camming it. But it’s already a good time stock. But when I first saw the CTS-V in midnight club 3, I never thought in a million years I’d own one and love it. I guess the ad for it had me at “400 horsepower 6.0 liter V8 LS2” and I thought for a four door, that sounds like a badass sleeper. The second gens are even crazier, especially when modded, but those are around 30-50k, then the third gens and blackwings are Type R money, but far worth the value when it comes to performance, horsepower, sound, everything all around really. Our childhood dreams are dead, but try to find something in the modern era that appeals to you. Your wallet will thank you and it’ll be more fast and fun. Good video man!
I’m so glad I managed to afford one in my late 20s and now I could fully enjoy it in my mid 30s by modding my JDM. I promise to keep the mods era correct.
I recently got a 987 Boxster with 43K miles as a 2nd car, threw an exhaust on it, and been loving it as a weekend/nice weather car. People think it's expensive as hell and I'm like yeah sure. lol.
@@ironbloodedmyth1204 I prefer the 240Z at least the owners, of these take care of them, and some daily drive them, and put tasteful modifications (well done) the 240SX it's just a nostalgic rustbucket, with a cracked dashboard that kids are obsessed with it.
I have owned 93 z32TT since 2009, tastefully modded over the yrs. My dream car was an r35 GTR... until I got my Tesla Model Y Performance and I no longer want a gas car as daily. 12 sec 1/4 mi all day long, nothing to break, no stupid emissions BS. I can change to lighter rims to go even faster. You can get 11 second 1/4 mi car. I will go with big build on z32 when engine goes out but at 177k miles it's been reliable even ac works. Of course nothing beats hearing that woosh from my twin turbos, shifting gears, and it's an attention magnet!
Probably a hot take he 500 Abarth should be on this list too in regards to the hot hatches You can pick up a used one with under 100k miles between 8 - 15k depending on the year
Personally I feel that every enthusiast has nostalgia for era when cars 1st catch your attention. Unfortunately for me that Smoky and the Bandit. I picked a ‘79 Z28 for the body shape. Talking about crap performance but it at least was decent GT car. If performance is important you always go for newest possible. I’m in a 22 BRZ when my heart wanted late 2000’s Cayman. I’m happy with performance & warranty.
This was a great piece on 90s cars making that transition to classics. The one thing you missed though was forgetting about everything euro apart from the 987. There's fun attainable cars for young enthusiasts people don't even think about like the 128/135i, both generations of E55 AMG, E9Xs, I even think the R and Polestar Volvos of the 00s and 10s deserve recognition. If you want a deal, look where people aren't looking. This last part may be tough for some to swallow, but if you want to save money, sacrificing big horsepower can go a long way, think more about power to weight or getting a light car in general if you want to have a fun time on the road!
Im 18 and drive and r56 Mini base model and i love the thing. It made 118hp stock and with a full exhaust system, (catless, resonator, then into a catback) K&N intake, and better ignition parts (JCW injectors and spark plug coil packs) i'm keeping pace with an f56 S in my daily. people always question why i chose the base model. Im making 158 to the wheel and Im significantly lighter than any F chassis model and the non turbo N14/18 engine runs into way less problems than the turbo model. Putting impressing people aside can get you equal to more power and a car more unique to your taste for less money.
NOOO! DONT TELL PEOPLE THE ZZW30! Also for y'all zzw30 owners, how hard is to put a 3sge? Or is the 2zz best bang for buck in terms of price/performance?
2ZZ will make it rip and it's a drop in (well, jack up) install. I never really felt the need for more power in mine, but if I did, I'd absolutely go that route (probably on a high mileage beater off Facebook)
In the 2.0T sphere the Cobalt, GTI(ideally MK7) and ST are extremely plausible choices if FWD isn’t a big deal to you. The MK7 GTI especially is a crazy value proposition, with the stock internals handling 450wtq and so much aftermarket shared with the S3 and Golf R.
Right now I’m torn between a c5 and a c6. I’m deff grabbing one in the next year. Tough choice. I’ll never agree with just getting what’s best stock. Both are about equal once I drop 10-15k straight into the engine. So it really comes down to minor stuff like the c6 has better rear end but the c5 has a better front end (imo) c6 has a better interior but I plan to swap out the main parts of either anyway like new steering wheel etc
Oh my god that Tucker Carlson intro was so funny. But yes, prices now are stupid because kids that had zero money back then, now have jobs that provide them with more money than they need so they have to spend it on things that make them feel young again. These cars aren't appraised at what they sell for, they're valued at it because of the precident set by idiots who couldn't go on vaccation during covid who realized they suddenly had a lot of disposible income, so they want on bring a trailer and bought up every shitbox they could find. This, plus the current state of our econmy means money is devalued so it just takes more money to buy things. I used to buy two bags of groceries for $60, now it's $140. Also, if anyone wants a honda that drives well - Honda fits. Fits are sick.
I think the part of all of this that the video is overlooking is that nothing on the road today LOOKS like those older cars. So, yeah, you could buy a newer turbo 4 'Stang or Camaro, 350Z or what have you, but you don't get the look of those cars from the 90's or late 80's. The 300ZXTT has a fairly sleek look to it compared to the 350Z's lumpy look. There's nothing right now that compares to the 1st or 2nd Gen DSM cars (Laser/Talon/Eclipse and Stealth/3000GT), nothing out like the S13 or S14 (or S12 for that matter), nothing like any of the cars from the 90's so there's the attraction right there. I've personally been giving serious thought to a 86 or 87 Fiero GT with a 3800SC swap plus upgrades, and looking around town it's doable for $10K-$15K and for that money I get a 2 seat, mid-engine car that launches like crazy, will easily hit 12 second 1320's, and would be a ton of fun. Plus, nothing made today looks like it. Same for the 2nd Gen MR2, there's literally nothing on the market today that looks like it. So if you were a teenager or young adult when those things were new (as I was), and you look at the cars of the last 20 years, yeah, investing in a car from back then makes perfect sense because you get something that's fairly unique compared to the cars on the road today. I wholeheartedly agree with the C5 'Vette as a future tuner classic because that's also one I've been considering. $10k and you get a pretty fast car with a proper sports car suspension and plenty of tuning potential.
I think it was 1993 when I acquired my 1991 240SX LE hatchback. That car was loaded and the build quality was top notch. I Must have been about 23yrs old. I liked the car a lot but something was missing…….it was way down on power. There wasn’t a whole lot of modding going on back then so I didn’t keep the car long. I test drove a 1991 Mustang GT hatchback and I was hooked. Traded the 240 in for the Mustang. The Mustang didn’t have the build quality of the 240 but the power and sound made up for that. I kept that Mustang for over 8 years. Did the usual mods later but eventually sold it.
The heart wants what it wants. If I wanted a Mustang, I'd own one. I don't want a Mustang; I want a 240SX. They are not the same car at all. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May made a 30-year career doing exactly what you just did - comparing two cars that look similar on paper, but when the rubber meets the road, they're two completely different machines and experiences. I wonder if you make similar arguments with your wife. ;)
The hard truth is it’s not money, power, or any of that people just don’t like they way new cars look anymore they try so hard to make it look futuristic that they mess up the simple but clean old cars that we love 😢 Also most new cars have weird electrical problems and cars that where previously rwd are now fwd or awd now.
A camaro lt1 comes with a v8, 8spd auto or 6spd manual with 400 horsepower and a warranty for ~35k (before dealer markups, haven’t looked at prices recently but that’s msrp). You can finance it, and it’s gonna run for years. 30k like you said gets you a rusted out supra roller. If i wanted a car with plenty of power that’d be my choice, specially since it’s getting discontinued soon.
Did the boomers ruin the standard of classic car ownership or have we become the boomers?
We absolutely have become the boomers
We have become the boomers
I am Boomer
Get off my lawn!
Idk if we've become the boomers. I truly believe it's a case of wolves in enthusiast clothing. Plenty of people now buy these 90s cars only to hold them for value in the future, not really caring about ownership. And then you have the clout kids that overpay for these cars specifically for the aesthetic. If those two groups weren't here I believe there would have been a larger supply of vehicles at lower prices. In the past people would get clowned for trying to sell their shit boxes for high dollar but now because of this climate the opposite effect is happening, where owners are encouraging other owners into selling for higher amounts. They'll say things like increasing the value of the cars will bring better enthusiasts with money to do proper builds, not realizing that the opposite happens and nobody wants to invest in that cars aftermarket after spending high amounts of money to get the car. It's like they forget the whole point of why these cars were great was because of how much you could do to them for a low entry fee. I'm not sure if the boomers had these same kind of people larping around during the 90s.
As a person that is 25 (born in 97’). It sucks that now that I’ve finally gotten a career to get the cars I wanted as a kid, they’ve skyrocketed in value. 😢
Same here man… I got through college, got my $100k job just in time for supras and NSX to become unattainable
I feel this. No one wants to talk about how ICE cars are going to be banned in 10-15 years in some states. I personally think it makes the most sense to look out for hybrid sports cars and wait for a drop in price. Honda CRZ, the new NSX, etc... the cars people hate now are going to be the ones that people want later.
@@4m4z1n-grace8 new nsx will probably retain its value simply because of how few of them were made
No kidding, I'm 22 and just starting to really get into the trades at entry levels and it's crazy at how much these cars skyrocketed in price and hard to find availability which around 6 years ago in 2017 were being sold for as cheap as a bag of candy! Sad times man but weird times where at least you can pick up a 996 Porsche Carrera 3.4L hardtop or a BMW 4 series Coupe 6 speed twin turbo 6 cylinder for cheaper than an Evo 8 today lol. So I guess it's a win considering we can finance a Porsche before a used Cifero or Skyline lmao
@@yota8325 Good point. I found some luxury hybrids that fit the bill a bit better.
The main reason people choose the lower horsepower 90s car over their modern counterparts can be summed up in one word. SOUL.
100% Nothing beats the feel of driving an 'analog' manual 90's JDM classic.
and being left 10 car lengths behind.
@@rw_yr1352 Every generation of car is going to be substantially quicker than the last. Nothing new there.
@@JimV90And every generation of cars will one day be classics. 90's cars don't have "soul", all cars have soul. They are just older and important to an older, trend setting audience, that's it. It's okay to like current popular cars, but they don't have more soul than any other era's. They just speak to the people with the money and nostalgia required to buy them today.
If you want a car with soul, you buy one and drive it.
debatable. Early 2000's cars have soul. Or maybe it's just that I was in diapers for part of the 90's.
Thank you for calling out people only buying these cars for the aesthetic and not the performance. I've been saying for years that the Ecoboost mustang, ecotec Camaro, and brz/gr86 are the new s chassis.
Quite a lot of 2000s-2020s cars are just 90s cars in better chassis and faster engines.
Edit: This is only directed to those who buy 90s cars solely for rose tinted performance. If you're buying as a daily or because you genuinely like a 90s car then purchase as you please.
So what? It's not like there aren't people who buy Mustangs and Camaros because they like their designs... TBH performance numbers are just on one side of the coin. If that was the end all be all people would just drive cages with engines mounted on them. 100% Weight savings!!
I agree with the video in if you are specifically looking for PERFORMANCE x MONEY than yeah, there are lots of 2000-2010s stuff worth looking at, specially euro and japanese stuff... but aesthetics matters too. The 80s/90s birthed cars for every taste and made us love them due to (among other things) simpler times, the world was prosperous, designers had more freedom and much much less regulations were in place... now its been over a decade where affordable cars all look the same
@@kiwd-dynamic but at the end of the day this isn't a who has the better aesthetics video. This is aimed at people who flock to 90s cars for performance while being cognitively dissonant to newer better options.
Yes you can buy a car for it's shape design if you're going for a show car/daily but once you start looking at a build for track, drift, drag, street, rally, autocross, there are just far better options across the board than sinking money into something for the sake of nostalgia and looks, unless it's cheap 👍🏾.
@@LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS I agree. And as motorsports can get very expensive its much better to go for stuff you can actually find parts
This video really makes me feel like my dad loving his 60's cars for the look and the power.
Kinda weak to think there is something wrong with buying a car because it looks how you like. Performance isn't everyone's priority, if they like a car, they like it. And if they properly take care of it then that's a good thing.
Damn, I’ll never be able to afford a 90s Geo Metro now
...next Wednesday's video may have something in there for you
How about a turbo Swift or Firefly? 😂
Ford Festiva is luxury
Get a tracker (Suzuki vitara)
Especially the rare Geo that came with the upgraded four lug wheels
This is actually a very very very well thought out and factual video. I usually hear RUclipsrs make up stuff or forget things to make their argument seem more legit, but this is basically a collector guide. Nothing but facts.
Thank you! Sometimes we try
I've been saying this about the Supra for a while. Its never been affordable. Maybe they hit a low point in the early 2010s, but they've almost always been $20K out of reach for the average fanboy like me. Now they're $50K out of reach for an average one.
Wrong down here in Australia where we have jdm cars galore. Turbo supra were less then 10kusd 5 years ago. So was pretty much every other "jdm legend"
I bought my first one for 9500 in 08 passed on a twin turbo for 10k in 09 and yeah, they were easy to find in Texas under 25k but clean ones were always 20k + unless they were na auto and high mileage and even those still didn't dip below 10k often
@@aaronbryant7615 this ain't the UK. And we only got 10-11k supras total. The JDM/UK and grey market Australia got a good 44k RHD supras. So yeah your cars were not nearly as rare. Plus you had options, skylines, laurels, Cedric's, crowns, Cresta. We didn't get any of that shit
The Supra never affordable? You can check internet forums back in the 2000s to see how cheap they were.
@@headshotmaster138 when? 1998-2000? Because in post-Fast and the Furious world they were never affordable. I was a teenager during that period and I remember it like it was yesterday. Maybe you could pick up an N.A. model for cheapish, but that’s it.
God bless the MR2-S mention, you can still pretty easily get new parts for it from the dealership and is easy to work on. Manual top is key as well, no stupid electronics to break like many other convertibles.
Also keeps the weight down, same deal in the Miata. Seriously I loved that Spyder and will own another one, criminally underrated car
do they get spooky oversteer in the wet? And can you slide it round corners lol
@@CollectorCarFeed do either of you guys know what lip is on thebred sw20 in this vid???
I had a 91 MR2 Turbo, fully built and tuned at sound performance by Ivan before he drove the fastest GTRs, loved that car, wish I kept it, sold it and bought my second house
@@1234eeras yes they do wet is crazy in that car it’s to fun to slide around
2000’s cars (for the most part) have now become the cheap, undesirable, “ugly”, cars for enthusiasts entering into a cool car. Not much nostalgia yet, but they have many of the qualities of 90’s cars
Yup exactly. This dance routine goes on forever (or at least until the 2030s when ICE cars cease production)
@@CollectorCarFeed I can’t see 2000s cars being super desirable outside of rare or very weird cars. Idk who would be lining up to throw money at a RX-8 or a 3rd gen eclipse
@@ynyfoodservice4456 Third gen Eclipse I cannot see, but 350Z/370Z, ZZW30, every Subaru, Evo, etc are or will be cash money
@@CollectorCarFeed that’s true. I didn’t think about that
@@CollectorCarFeed Even if you wanted to go domestic, lots of options there.
Cobalt SS, Neon SRT4, Caliber SRT4, Charger/Challenger SRT8
To be honest, the 90s was meh for the muscle car crowd, but the 2000s-2010s, was their revival
I'm going to provide a bit of a counterpoint, and probably one of the reasons why the cars of the '80s and '90s are quite beloved: The feel. Cars of the '90s had creature comforts such as A/C, power steering, fuel injection, so on and so forth; they were more dependable and easier to live with than the carburetor-equipped beasts of the '60s and '70s which were relatively simple but required significantly more fiddling and tinkering. At the same time the things I don't particularly like about modern cars are mostly absent: electric power steering, rev hang, poor rearward visibility, the overreliance on technocrap versus driving dynamics and overall quality, and the disappearing manual transmission for godawful CVTs. Don't even get me started on EVs, which I flat out despise.
That's why I gravitate towards these older cars. It's partly nostalgia, but it's also a dislike for modern cars. While I own one(a 2021 Corolla, thankfully with a manual gearbox), the driving experience is still somewhat numb and sterile. It lacks that rawness; that edge has been dulled by the technocrap and the need to milk every drop out of efficiency and emissions. On paper, a car with these specs would have been absolutely awesome in the late '90s and early '00s, yet it lacks the rawness and the edge that made the cars of the '80s and '90s so great. There's elements of that engineering still there, but they're buried underneath the surface; sometimes you get a hint of 4AGE from the engine note or a bit of playfulness from that chassis before the technocrap holds you back. In a way, it's sad.
While I have some older cars, something tells me I need to get more of that into my life before it's too late.
Dude typed a novel when nobody said 90s cars were bad, just not feasible for cheap power lol
@@carfriendsimulator9981 : So? Do you want a cookie, or can you not digest comments that don't fit in a Twitter post? :P
@@Alltracavenger no just making fun of your ability to ingest and understand information is all lmao
@@carfriendsimulator9981 : I think I understood just fine. Perhaps it's your reading comprehension that needs a bit of work. Either that or you can't have a legitimate debate or discussion without acting like a generic edgelord. Go bother someone on Twitter.
@@carfriendsimulator9981 except almost all of the counter cars on this list are listed for their “stock for stock” power when that’s honestly pointless past the first 2 years of ownership. These alternative cars aren’t that great and most aren’t super mod friendly like an sr, RB, JZ etc. the c5 was the best cat on this list but at the same time if you want a Japanese car it doesn’t fit the bill. The Zs are the closest thing in that regard and are a good substitute to the 240 hatch (nothing can replace a brick, coupe s13 sorry) since they’re both ugly as hell stock but itll still never stack up in most people eyes. This is all coming from a gen z that did what I could financially to make sure I could have the credit to get my 32 gtr one day. One flipped 280z later I’ve got the 90s Car that is supposedly “unobtainable”. Not saying I hate any of these cars but if they were better substitutes for the money people would be buying them more. One thing I will say is people buying them for clout is annoying as hell. Please drive your cars people.
I remember 1994. Wearing a t-shirt over a long sleeve wasn't even a thing in my high school, but I totally ate it up. Still love that trend.
What I miss about 90s cars, especially Hondas, is that go-cart feel you got because they were so much lower to the ground and had sloped hoods. Nowadays, cars (even the sporty ones) feel like you are driving an SUV or a truck.
bro woke up and decided to speak nothing but facts
I am so glad that I have experienced peak JDM when they were affordable having been driving for over 20 years. From a JZX90 1JZ Cresta, Evo 6 TME, R33 GTR and 02 Sti. In terms of value for money they are significantly overpriced - strictly for nostalgia purposes if you are very well off financially.
The JZX90 Mark II is my dream car & it kills me to see the prices on them
@@Aglai76 Yeah your best bet is to find a clean shell and build the driveline up from there. I am in Australia and the NA models are selling for close to what the turbo models used to sell for. It is truly insane. Then you look at the prices of 1JZ/2JZ engines and it is really only viable if you can do all of the work yourself.
@@gavinr9107 the 1JZ-GTE is like $5k alone
I remember a few years back I bought a 95 civic hatch for $700 off a used car lot only thing wrong with it was some cosmetic damage other than that it drove like a dream I missed that little pocket rocket everyday I regret selling it everyday
Eventually I'm gonna hopefully get my hands on a Gs300 the cheapest and easiest way to get a 2jz not a turbo 2j but it's a 2j all the same lol
good luck with the chase bruh
@@CollectorCarFeed I'll need it homie 🌚
It's a hidden joke that the video was basically talking about getting the newer version of those old 90s cars, but never mentioned the NSX.
Tbh there never was nor will be an affordable NSX (first gen got down to around $25k for an absolute beater at one point)
The lunchtable commitee seems to judge car value based on straight line performance, when there is so much more to it. Just like everything from the 90s outperformed everything from the 60s, nearly every modern car can outperform nearly every 90s car. But modern cars lack one thing that keeps 90s prices high and increasing: they aren't 90s cars. Great video, if I wanted bang for buck performance, I'd have left the 90s years ago.
Then the question would be what makes a 90s car a 90s car, that a 2020 car couldn't be without giving a copout.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
If I wanted a Mustang, I'd own one. I don't want a Mustang; I want a 240SX.
They are not the same car at all.
@@LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS the same thing that makes a 60s car not a 90s car. Cars are much more than their measurable performance metrics. They are rolling pieces of art. They are testaments to the achievements of man and technology for their time period, harkening back to better times. They are memories you can touch, feel, admire, and hold on to.
@@carfriendsimulator9981 (true but this entire video is literally about performance metrics not intrinsic value)
@@CollectorCarFeed shut up idiot your channel sucks
A lot of these newer cars have Android Auto and Apple Car Play from the factory too
Man I forgot to go over the only performance metric that actually matters.
American horsepower race is genuinely insane, the fact that ford making a supercharged gt500 caused LS7 Z06 is a superhero level back story
And because of that GT500 being such a menace, Dodge created the hellcat as a response. Then so on and so fourth and now we have the Dodge Demon holding the record for fastest production car in a quarter mile for 3 years, Chevy making a mid engine supercar corvette Z06 with 670HP, a hybrid mid engine corvette with 655hp, and Ford not only making a Code Red GT500 with 1300hp, but also giving the new Mustang GT coming in 2024 GT500 internals and 486-500HP. The American horsepower race is wild af lol
Since boomers overpriced all the muscle cars, Millennials overpriced the tuners, and Gen X helped both, I wonder what the Gen Z equivalent will be. In 40 years will there really be stuck up zoomers driving mint GT86s and GR Corollas?
Stuck up zoomers driving first gen Model 3s
I'm gen z and drive a 91 civic hatch that's b swapped
Mid 2010 Hondas. My gen z coworker has modding his base model Honda Fit.
Modern 2020’s cars will be extremely difficult to keep running 40 years from now, because everything under the engine bay is made of plastic, has a computer chip in it, and needs a scan tool and software license to fix/replace. I have a 1983 Mercedes 300D Turbo with half a million miles on original powertrain. Why? Because it’s analogue - no electric pumps, no computer chips, everything is made of metal and operates mechanically. That’s the flaw of long-term modern car ownership.
This is why I just bought a 94 bmw e36. It’s condition I bought for 1,500 I could never find in a 90s Japanese car today
The close i could find is a mitsubishi fto. 3500£
As newer project, my C4 vette could be on the list as a budget friendly 90s car
Also the productions value is amazing, seriously great work!
Thanks bruh this took forever 🙏
FACTS. My 240sx just got broken into AGAIN this past weekend. Makes me consider if I should sell it before it gets stolen again… as fun as it is to drive, and looks are on point, they are getting to a point where everything is starting to break, parts are expensive and hard to come by, they are by no means fast unless you spend a few grand to turbo it while also spending a ton to replace all the old dry rotten parts so it can not fall apart on the highway
why not install a kill switch ?
@@llxeoxll yea kill switch.. quick release wheel and battery kill is what I do for my s14.. but the body looks pretty ratty lol
I actually own a 1993 nissan 240sx with an sr20det, hks exhaust, bodykit, paint, coilovers and Toyo r888r's. I paid less than $1000 for her bone stock, 20 years ago, literally took me 20 years to finish her. When you pull up to a meet and there's a sea of Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers it stands out and it's built not bought. Worth all the time and money I've invested without a doubt
I will say that doing a full restoration on a 70s car (240z) taught me a lot about cars and made me appreciate the hobby a lot more but what it hasn't done is given me a lot of seat time lol.
Putting sticky tires on my 06 XB on the other hand really has.
I wanted a 90s JDM manual, RWD car as a future project, but the "drift tax" on them is too insane. After doing some research, the 99-04 Mustang GT coupe is what I'm going fo now.
They're cheap (for now), super easy to find, tons of aftermarket support, dope V8 sound, possible to swap an IRS (from the Cobras), 5x114.3 bolt pattern to run virtually any wheels. Need to get me one soon before everyone jumps off the JDM train.
Good for you but not everyone will jump ship, it’s not all about performance per dollar. Pricing for performance cars and especially USDM and JDM is very different in Europe compared to the States
@@Sebbe40 That's true, I'm not sure what alternatives you guys have in Europe 😢 This works for me since I'm in the US.
@@pirtl_turtl I bought an S13 lol, I lived in Chicago from 2018-2022 and drove a lot of fun USDM cars while there but prices in Europe are crazy for those cars so settled with my turbo japanese hatch ;)
If it becomes hard for you to find a 99-04 New Edge GT in your budget.You could also consider an SN95 96-98 GT.Stock its not as powerful or slick looking as the New Edge,but because of that they're usually cheaper.
With the right mods and maybe even a head swap it can be an even more fun car to drive.
@@thrustinthrottle652 Oh nice! Thanks for the tip! SN95s and New Edges seem like they share quite a bit in common with each other too, so I'll keep that in mind 😁
I will stand by the statement that the best bang for buck is American v8s, specifically the corvette. A c5 had the ls and minimum 345/350, and they’re under 10k now. If you’re willing to buy a c4 you can get 245hp and 350 torque for like 4-6k if you’re ok with some bad cosmetics. And the parts are cheap and labor is easy so diy everything.
I strongly have to agree with you on your statement much as I like JDM sports I still have to give Corvette the first place respect because that V8 engine has always been hard to beat no matter what generation even in the 90s when the supra with 2jz engine was around it still would have a fight to deal with if going up against a c4 Corvette stock vs stock. And to be honest I'd still like to see a c4 Grand sport go against a factory supra from the 90s!!!!! Fast forward 20 some years later and the new Supra is still no match against a c8 Corvette either
Currently own a Mustang EB for the past 5 years. Over 122k miles. It is the first car I wrenched on. It has a decent aftermarket support too.
About 6 months ago I got myself a 93 R32 GTST 60th anniversary of Nissan model with only 22k original body/chassis miles 🙌🏽 absolutely in love with it and glad I got it when I did, will only go up in value
Very nice!
Nice bro congrats 🎊 I have my r33 gtr at 18🙏 keep doing work and someday you will reach your goals
How much credit did you take to buy this car? :)
@@xXxUrbanNinjaxXx bruh are you a millionaire or what
@@Aceuchiha. you mean what was my credit score? Shit was like 730-760. If you’re asking if it’s financed , yessir 😂
I’m very lucky to have a dad that loves cars (maybe not as much anymore) cause he’s kept all of his “rare” things hiding in case I would have a interest in them which of course I was intrigued! When I look todays car market I see a lot of new things I like but of course being a young enthusiast I’m drawn to those 90s cars I used to see as a young kid and get to ride along in the mid to late 2000’s going for prices of a brand new Mercedes today. It’s kind of heartbreaking but so ironic that history is basically repeating itself in the car world. Our parents buy the car they dreamed of or had as a young adult and will of course pay a hefty price for that iconic nostalgic look that I so crave too.
It sucks because as a kid I loved cars, old racing games really imprinted some of those cars into our hearts... but with the high prices and the mostly toxic car community, it completely ruined everything. As an adult you just realize cars are just dick waving money contests now...
I blame social media. The tik tok car scene kinda ruined it.
Instagram was a bad start, TikTok is the 90s car firing squad
@@CollectorCarFeed yessir, tiktok was the icing on the cake.
Nice video, lots of good points well made, and great wit.
As an owner of an SW20 as well as ZZW30 I find the SW20 was built of higher quality materials, and engineered in an era when Toyota was over-building their products for durability. The ZZW30 is fine but definitely has a cheaper feel inside and out, if that matters to a potential buyer.
One reason 90s cars are special to me, and I'm sure many people, is that they exist in an intersection between reliability / modern features (like fuel injection, turbocharging, ABS and so on) and a more authentically connected feel between driver, vehicle, and road. Roof pillars were narrow, offering great visibility. Beltlines were low. Throttle pedals had ultimate precision being cable-operated instead an ECU "interpreting" your "torque request". Steering assist, if there was any, was always hydraulic and weighted up beautifully. Many cars were lighter back then, adding to their nimble and responsive feel. Yet the tires had tall sidewalls, giving the cars a smooth ride. Stability control systems either didn't exist or were super easy to turn off.
Signed,
- Self-indulgent weiner
P.S. - The 350Z is indeed a great 2000s car that offers much of the simplistic joy of many 90s cars. I should have kept my HR.
I agree with everything you say, I’m just sad you didn’t mention 5k e90’s at all. Manual swaps are easy too.
I really don't know BMWs at all unfortunately 😔
I remember asking myself when buying my first car, why do I want this AE86? And then realized it's JUST A COROLLA
I still want and will look for, an NA SW20/2nd gen Eclipse because of nostalgia reasons. Sure if I want to buy a good, fun, reliable car that's fast? I can get a V6 Accord or Camry which I am still eyeing, or like you said an Ecoboost Mustang.
I see the appeal of owning "that" cool car, but I always think of what is going to break my bank less for when something breaks.
Showing the Integra getting its lock picked is hilariously accurate.
Feed it was tasteful of you to leave the phonk music in those video clips. Really warms my heart.
This is a incredibly well produced video, feed. I recognize.
🙏thanks bruh, i'm really happy with how it came out
This video and you guys ain’t kidding because to some people these are 90s rust boxes but to us car guys they are special
Its too bad cars will never look like they did in the 90s or 00s ever again.
I own a few halo honda vehicles, i don't think I'd ever plan on selling because i know I would prob never replace them once they were gone. Not to mention it is just getting cooler and cooler owning "classic hondas" and they don't get boring to me. These new overly expensive vehicles just don't interest me at all.
Also for fwd consider a Dodge neon srt4 or chevy cobalt ss for American cars
If u want Japanese honda fit or toyota matrix xrs and if u dont mind the xts trim get a pontiac vibe same exact car as the matrix (i own a base matrix and its an amazing little comuter with suv space inside. Im 6ft and can sit in the back with the seat infront all the way back)
For more rwd u also have the pontiac solstice/Saturn sky the American miata same engine as the cobalt ss also
That Tucker impersonation got me dying!🤣
I remember my dad was about to buy one of those modern MR2's once, a "egg yolk yellow" one and he was close to buy it and everything until my sister told him "if you're going to buy it, where are you going to put the groceries in?" I guess that thought changed his mind and settled for a Mustang 40 Anniversary which still has to this day.
Not gonna lie, but those versions of MR2's are quite underrated and they're cool looking cars.
Man it HAS A TRUNK, i literally used mine to get groceries all the time
....wait unless you mean the ZZW30 then yeah, it's extremely impractical but just fill up the passenger footwell
@@CollectorCarFeed yeah i think it was ZZW30 because she used to complain that the trunk comparment was too small to put groceries too. But oh well, what can you do?
BRUH it has a trunk! I did grocery runs in my S2000 for years for my family of 4, it's not that big of a deal. Worst case you have a passenger and the passenger will have to deal with a few bags on the passenger seat floor, big deal lol
The problem with the auto industry today is that the car manufactures are always trying to revolutionize their cars, but that keeps them on a ridiculous high price and makes them more and more complicated to mess with.
If you are a 20 year old and you want a car to start your life, go to the meets, speed with your friends, drift it or modify it, you'll most likely get an old shitbox from the 90s. Cause you're young, and you don't have 50 grand to buy an A90 Supra for example.
ooo I had a 2011 NC Turbo Fab9 kit. 300WHP I blew the doors off of all the cars next to me. In search of more power I sold it and found a great deal on a IS300. Defiantly have the whole cost of the mx5 into the IS already. So youre spitting nothing but facts. Love the channel, found it recently and I couldnt agree more haha. Keep it up!
What's good with that IS tho
Welcome man glad you found us
Yeah, there’s a reason I’ll never get rid of my 99 EK DX. Stock and been in the family for a while that and you guessed it: will be K20 swapped eventually. Despite all the rising value, the things I plan to do with it Yata yata. It’s just honestly the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever driven even at 205,000 miles. When everyone complained about gas prices I hardly felt the bite.
C5 prices are already going insane...
I love mustangs cuz so far they stay consistent to the original idea: a motor with wheels
The new edges I would only recommend v8 since they are so cheap
The s197 I would recommend also only the v8 until 2011 were they added the 5.0 v8 and 3.7 v6 engines that good power and are both fun.
S550 early models still come with the 3.7,ecoboost, and the 5.0, and I recommend either the 3.7 or ecoboost
@16:00 Note about the base RSX and EP3 Civic SI. The K series in those is the K20A3 (the econobox K20). It lacks any "real" VTEC, generally has weaker internals, has ~160 hp and revs only to 7k stock. That said, the EU 5door 2.0i Sport Civic with that engine is still pretty fun thanks to being light and N/A, before all the emissions fuckery ruined engine responsiveness.
Cover picture is kinda motivational.. I never imagined owning a Mk4 supra but it was always a dream to own one in highschool (2013-2017) Well I was 23 and was able to buy one last year in 2022.. If you want one bad enough dont let anyone say you cant afford one. Get out there and get one.
Based and congratulations dude. Hit subscribe so I can get one too 🙏
I mean, for me it's totally bonkers to pay 40k for an old Toyota, not that I'll have that kind of money anyways
My dream as a kid was to buy a 240sx shell and swap a sr20 or rb20 into it……. Spent many a night window shopping on Enjuku racing looking at blast pipes, BN Sports body kits, as well as on forums researching wiring harness conversion kits, etc etc. Thankfully, I grew up and got a 97 Mustang GT 😂😂😂 saved my finances and mental health
i own a nc, its one of the cheaper 2wd cars. but if you want cheap speed thats awd id suggest the volvo s80 v8 awd, you can find them for under 10k and volvo aftermarket is getting stronger by the week. also if you can find a 80s isuzu impluse for under 15k they are a fun 2wd car, that can keep up with the miata nc in the corners. also suzuki imports from jp are cheap like the alto works awd which you can find for under 10k shipped to port and the jimmy/ jdm geo tracker are pretty cheap to if you want a off roader for under 9k shipped to port.
Glad I got my 85 third gen gm f-body before the prices started going up
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Almost wish I had some extra money to buy a really clean SN95 and weekend it.
'magine a white hardtop Cobra in the garage 😩
I was blessed by the hand of providence and found a 92’ 3000gt vr4 for 3400$ because the guy had no time to fix it and already had quicker and more reliable cars. Still thankful for that guy
Me with my $15k S13 👁️👄👁️
I personally gravitate towards '90's cars because I prefer the styling of both the body and the interiors that they did back then,as well as just the way they feel to drive. Don't go for older cars like that if you want cheap speed, go for older cars because of the cars themselves. My '90's car guilty pleasure is a '92 Eagle Talon TSi AWD and I am searching for a Mitsubishi Galant VR4.
I personally always cared about looks and feel never about specs. we got a 96 z3 and a 91 convertible reatta which are a lot of fun to drive. the reatta def feels like a boat but hey its a special experience
That Reatta is an acquired taste but if it's what you want, I'm glad you have it
Great stuff, you’re spot on! See through the fads, that’s where I’m at. I love my delinquent Focus ST. I’m way too old for the stereotype, but it’s paid for, it’s modified, and I’m putting crazy money into my retirement!
*Cries in 92 Talon base model*
For real they're getting hard to find stuff since Mitsubishi has all but banished it's performance legacy. Still it's a fun oddball from the era of confusing automaker collabs.
Sadly newer cars arent better with pricing because of dealership mark up. Also availability isnt up there either. I want a Yaris GR or Supra or Failady Z. Guess what all of them sold. Dealers who have them put the price up 40%
i got my 240 in 2017 for 3700 and even at that time I thought that was kind of pricey for the car
Everything said about the MR2 Spyder is spot on. Car is very much overlooked.
I’m so happy that I got my 1997 240sx when I was 21, I’m 30 now , I paid 7k with sr20det s14 blacktop.
I blown the head gasket parked the car and threw out the years I collected SR20det parts ended up building one built sr and the blown one is still in the car.
This was before the price jump on the parts.
I also have C5 lol
This video is on point 🔥
Honest question which one do you enjoy driving more
I have collected cars over the years as well. I have 8 MR2s, an AE86 hatch, a MK3 Supra and 2 240sx hatch’s.
I just sold an SW20 as well, and it really hurt. But I cannot believe the price increase on all these shit boxes.
I think we're going through a cycle. Our parents that were teenagers in the 70s wanted 50s and 60s vehicles. In the 90s we went after the 60s and 70s cars/trucks. I only wish I have is that demand wouldn't drive up the price of these beauties.
Loved this video dude. One hell of a reality check
Glad i bought my 240 and put an rb25 in it when i did lol. also glad i grabbed an sc300 for cheap, they are still slept on and support for turboing a 2jzge is continuing to grow. Poor mans supra!
I'm happy that I have a manual 1995 R33 GTS25T, series 1.5, where it has the original 1993 design but with 1996 improvements. I bought it more than 10 years ago where it had 105k kilometers, totaling $5k out of our shipping port. It's been my forever car from the very beginning, and it's still my forever car. Now at 165k kilometers, it's currently waiting on new timing belt, water pump, and seals for its cam and valve gaskets.
With that said, I agree that 90s Japanese cars are becoming less attractive nowadays and are only worth it if you already have a decent and popular/relevant model at hand. Prices for R33 Skylines and their parts are skyrocketing as less and less as they and their parts are becoming less in the market.
But honestly, none of the newer and more advanced cars will ever match an all stock 90s Japanese sports car, it's something that has to be experienced.
Cheers from the tiny Pacific Islands of Palau!
You hit the nail on the head with Hondas. Civics and Acuras are supposed to be easy to work on and modify, and in a way they are, but I’ve owned one of each and they were both clapped out shitboxes. These cars have been abused my builders and wannabe mechanics. My Integra that I bought for a thousand bucks only lasted 3 weeks/1,000 miles until something went terribly wrong that I could never figure out. The shop I took it to to get the straight piped exhaust quieted down said the cars pretty cobbled together lol. Sold it for 500 after replacing many minor parts under the hood and swapping the head and gasket, I couldn’t get it back on the road and cut my losses. Learned a lot though! Which is what I bought it for in the first place. Bought my 97 Civic a while after for 1400. Tried to replace the crank position sensor myself and discovered that someone didn’t put the woodruff key in for the crank position sensor! So who knows how long it’s been running off time, but needless to say that issue got resolved immediately. Then when I took it to a buddy’s shop they said I did the crank position sensor wrong lol. But on top of that the wiring harness was screwed up, it’s on at least it’s second motor, it had the wrong ECU in it (my buddy discovered that), and no speakers or stereo. I’m surprised the AC still worked! But I myself am gonna be a hypocrite and also do some amateur mechanic stuff and try to swap a VTEC head on it and replace the piston rings, maybe even bore the cylinders. I already have the VTEC ECU that it came with lol. But I’m trying to save this one.
Then I found an 07 Cadillac CTS-V, which I’m surprised wasn’t mentioned as a platform in this video. It had 167,000 miles on it and the transmission completely went out one month and 1,000 miles later. Got a remac put in at a legit transmission shop, and the thing has been a beauty since. I find it hilarious that people are shelling out 80k for Integra Type Rs when there’s plenty of LS cars making 400 horsepower stock for 10-20k. And there’s plenty of modified ones going for not much more that seem to be pretty reliable. Hell I’m thinking of slapping an LSA supercharger on mine, or maybe camming it. But it’s already a good time stock. But when I first saw the CTS-V in midnight club 3, I never thought in a million years I’d own one and love it. I guess the ad for it had me at “400 horsepower 6.0 liter V8 LS2” and I thought for a four door, that sounds like a badass sleeper. The second gens are even crazier, especially when modded, but those are around 30-50k, then the third gens and blackwings are Type R money, but far worth the value when it comes to performance, horsepower, sound, everything all around really.
Our childhood dreams are dead, but try to find something in the modern era that appeals to you. Your wallet will thank you and it’ll be more fast and fun. Good video man!
🤨 Focus RS are pretty much unobtainable and hella expensive
I’m so glad I managed to afford one in my late 20s and now I could fully enjoy it in my mid 30s by modding my JDM. I promise to keep the mods era correct.
I recently got a 987 Boxster with 43K miles as a 2nd car, threw an exhaust on it, and been loving it as a weekend/nice weather car. People think it's expensive as hell and I'm like yeah sure. lol.
Hot take: I don’t like 240s, even if they were affordable
They're alright but overrated, never really caught my attention.
@@ironbloodedmyth1204 I prefer the 240Z at least the owners, of these take care of them, and some daily drive them, and put tasteful modifications (well done) the 240SX it's just a nostalgic rustbucket, with a cracked dashboard that kids are obsessed with it.
@@giancarlolugo9586 I love the Z31 300zx not many around also. Have seen a few done up nicely.
@@ironbloodedmyth1204 the 300ZX Z31 specially the Turbo 50th anniversary in grey it's an 80s gem.
I have owned 93 z32TT since 2009, tastefully modded over the yrs. My dream car was an r35 GTR... until I got my Tesla Model Y Performance and I no longer want a gas car as daily. 12 sec 1/4 mi all day long, nothing to break, no stupid emissions BS. I can change to lighter rims to go even faster. You can get 11 second 1/4 mi car. I will go with big build on z32 when engine goes out but at 177k miles it's been reliable even ac works. Of course nothing beats hearing that woosh from my twin turbos, shifting gears, and it's an attention magnet!
Probably a hot take he 500 Abarth should be on this list too in regards to the hot hatches
You can pick up a used one with under 100k miles between 8 - 15k depending on the year
I wish I knew more about them because they look like a lot of fun.
I miss my little Abarth. So much attitude! Just the way it attacked the daily commute.
Personally I feel that every enthusiast has nostalgia for era when cars 1st catch your attention. Unfortunately for me that Smoky and the Bandit. I picked a ‘79 Z28 for the body shape. Talking about crap performance but it at least was decent GT car.
If performance is important you always go for newest possible. I’m in a 22 BRZ when my heart wanted late 2000’s Cayman. I’m happy with performance & warranty.
This was a great piece on 90s cars making that transition to classics. The one thing you missed though was forgetting about everything euro apart from the 987. There's fun attainable cars for young enthusiasts people don't even think about like the 128/135i, both generations of E55 AMG, E9Xs, I even think the R and Polestar Volvos of the 00s and 10s deserve recognition. If you want a deal, look where people aren't looking. This last part may be tough for some to swallow, but if you want to save money, sacrificing big horsepower can go a long way, think more about power to weight or getting a light car in general if you want to have a fun time on the road!
Insane quality
Thanks man! I steal only the finest footage
Im 18 and drive and r56 Mini base model and i love the thing. It made 118hp stock and with a full exhaust system, (catless, resonator, then into a catback) K&N intake, and better ignition parts (JCW injectors and spark plug coil packs) i'm keeping pace with an f56 S in my daily. people always question why i chose the base model. Im making 158 to the wheel and Im significantly lighter than any F chassis model and the non turbo N14/18 engine runs into way less problems than the turbo model. Putting impressing people aside can get you equal to more power and a car more unique to your taste for less money.
NOOO! DONT TELL PEOPLE THE ZZW30! Also for y'all zzw30 owners, how hard is to put a 3sge? Or is the 2zz best bang for buck in terms of price/performance?
2ZZ will make it rip and it's a drop in (well, jack up) install. I never really felt the need for more power in mine, but if I did, I'd absolutely go that route (probably on a high mileage beater off Facebook)
3sge is a terrible swap, far more weight than a 2zz
In the 2.0T sphere the Cobalt, GTI(ideally MK7) and ST are extremely plausible choices if FWD isn’t a big deal to you. The MK7 GTI especially is a crazy value proposition, with the stock internals handling 450wtq and so much aftermarket shared with the S3 and Golf R.
We out here
Man what a fantastic video. Spot on with everything. Good work as always.
Thank you!
MRS and 2zz celicas are gems
Finally, a man of culture
Right now I’m torn between a c5 and a c6. I’m deff grabbing one in the next year. Tough choice. I’ll never agree with just getting what’s best stock. Both are about equal once I drop 10-15k straight into the engine. So it really comes down to minor stuff like the c6 has better rear end but the c5 has a better front end (imo) c6 has a better interior but I plan to swap out the main parts of either anyway like new steering wheel etc
Holy Mother of Based Take.
Thanks bruh
That "cash for clunkers" program that started in 2009'ish took *all* sorts of great cars off the road. All those cars were destroyed.
(it will stop me) 😞
no DON'T LET IT
@@CollectorCarFeed just gotta lower the standards fr
so happy that i bought my soarer before they go up in price even more lol
Really good video, I enjoyed it, took me back to that golden age of street racing
Oh my god that Tucker Carlson intro was so funny. But yes, prices now are stupid because kids that had zero money back then, now have jobs that provide them with more money than they need so they have to spend it on things that make them feel young again. These cars aren't appraised at what they sell for, they're valued at it because of the precident set by idiots who couldn't go on vaccation during covid who realized they suddenly had a lot of disposible income, so they want on bring a trailer and bought up every shitbox they could find. This, plus the current state of our econmy means money is devalued so it just takes more money to buy things. I used to buy two bags of groceries for $60, now it's $140.
Also, if anyone wants a honda that drives well - Honda fits. Fits are sick.
I think the part of all of this that the video is overlooking is that nothing on the road today LOOKS like those older cars. So, yeah, you could buy a newer turbo 4 'Stang or Camaro, 350Z or what have you, but you don't get the look of those cars from the 90's or late 80's. The 300ZXTT has a fairly sleek look to it compared to the 350Z's lumpy look. There's nothing right now that compares to the 1st or 2nd Gen DSM cars (Laser/Talon/Eclipse and Stealth/3000GT), nothing out like the S13 or S14 (or S12 for that matter), nothing like any of the cars from the 90's so there's the attraction right there. I've personally been giving serious thought to a 86 or 87 Fiero GT with a 3800SC swap plus upgrades, and looking around town it's doable for $10K-$15K and for that money I get a 2 seat, mid-engine car that launches like crazy, will easily hit 12 second 1320's, and would be a ton of fun. Plus, nothing made today looks like it. Same for the 2nd Gen MR2, there's literally nothing on the market today that looks like it. So if you were a teenager or young adult when those things were new (as I was), and you look at the cars of the last 20 years, yeah, investing in a car from back then makes perfect sense because you get something that's fairly unique compared to the cars on the road today. I wholeheartedly agree with the C5 'Vette as a future tuner classic because that's also one I've been considering. $10k and you get a pretty fast car with a proper sports car suspension and plenty of tuning potential.
This comment is for the algorithm
Thank you for feeding it, it will be pleased
I think it was 1993 when I acquired my 1991 240SX LE hatchback. That car was loaded and the build quality was top notch. I Must have been about 23yrs old. I liked the car a lot but something was missing…….it was way down on power. There wasn’t a whole lot of modding going on back then so I didn’t keep the car long. I test drove a 1991 Mustang GT hatchback and I was hooked. Traded the 240 in for the Mustang. The Mustang didn’t have the build quality of the 240 but the power and sound made up for that. I kept that Mustang for over 8 years. Did the usual mods later but eventually sold it.
The heart wants what it wants.
If I wanted a Mustang, I'd own one. I don't want a Mustang; I want a 240SX.
They are not the same car at all.
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May made a 30-year career doing exactly what you just did - comparing two cars that look similar on paper, but when the rubber meets the road, they're two completely different machines and experiences.
I wonder if you make similar arguments with your wife. ;)
You're right, the Mustang is better in every performance metric. Thanks for comparing me to Top Gear though!
@@CollectorCarFeed You're more like Top Gear US than OG.
I agree with your sentiment however the last bit about the wife wasn't necessary.
@@TomatoFettuccinihe got a brain not to overpay for overrated junk
this is why i bought a na miata and am turning it into a showcar. i bought it because of the looks. if i wanted some performance id have got a 2.0 nc.
First!
👏👏👏
The hard truth is it’s not money, power, or any of that people just don’t like they way new cars look anymore they try so hard to make it look futuristic that they mess up the simple but clean old cars that we love 😢
Also most new cars have weird electrical problems and cars that where previously rwd are now fwd or awd now.
The c5 and lotus esprit from 2004 were the last cars with pop ups
A camaro lt1 comes with a v8, 8spd auto or 6spd manual with 400 horsepower and a warranty for ~35k (before dealer markups, haven’t looked at prices recently but that’s msrp). You can finance it, and it’s gonna run for years. 30k like you said gets you a rusted out supra roller. If i wanted a car with plenty of power that’d be my choice, specially since it’s getting discontinued soon.