What are the greatest affordable sports cars of the 1980's?
I think the Miata gets in, it went on sale in '89, right? No more needs to be said.
MR2: heavier than the Miata, struts all-around, but a more rigid body and there was the supercharged version.
CRX: Light, rigid, double wishbones all around, but FWD is kind of a drag and they are impossible to find in unmolested condition.
Those are my votes, on a side note, which are going to be valuable classics?
FB or FC? I've heard the FC got big and heavy. They sure do look good though.
Ian F
SuperDork
12/27/11 7:33 p.m.
ShadowSix wrote:
CRX: Light, rigid, double wishbones all around, but FWD is kind of a drag and they are impossible to find in unmolested condition.
Not always true. I drive by one on the way to work every day. Looks totally original. Bit of typical Honda-rust at the back of the rear arches. From the looks of the driver (he makes a daily run from his house to the local Wawa and I see him once in awhile), it looks like a one-owner car.
My favorite affordable sports car from the 80's... Hmm... 944?
oldtin
Dork
12/27/11 7:34 p.m.
Affordable is relative...
It's weird that the MGB and Miata were sold in the same decade. I will take one of each please.
J308
New Reader
12/27/11 7:49 p.m.
It's time to check your versions of "affordable" at the door. Let's assume the OP's "affordable", means "reasonably attainable by the masses".
1989 Mustang LX 5.0, $12k.
1989 BMW 325I E30, $27K.
Let your conscience be your guide.
I don't know what MX-5's were new (think it debuted as a '90 model so henceforth would be dq'ed.) but the only person I know that had one at launch was my 911-owning cousin, who cares about affordability about as much as I care about rich people (nil).
DrBoost
SuperDork
12/27/11 7:59 p.m.
The original Miata was released with a base of about $14K. Most were "adjusted" to near $20K though.
heh.. several of the most well known roadsters were sold in the 80s...
Miata
MGB
Fiat 124
Triumph Spitfire
Triumph TR8
Alfa Spider
The Miata and Alfa overlapped.. the Fiat almost overlapped
J308
New Reader
12/27/11 8:09 p.m.
In reply to DrBoost:
And supposedly in 1989 as well.
My cousin said "you can't buy these yet" when he had his, and he was right. My R&T sub hadn't even mentioned them when I saw my first one in real life.
I have to admit, I've never seen an '80's Spitfire. I am looking on craigslist now! As for the Fiat and Alfa, I don't know... I'm not feeling the '80's versions of those cars.
spitfire production ended right at 1980.. so they barely make the cut
Pontiac Fiero. 1988 Formula for the Win. 1989 G92 Camaro/Firebird was no slouch either. 1989 Corvette ZR-1 if we're gonna be silly.
Chrysler GLH-S (and the other Turbo Dodges)
GTI
Starion
300zx
Oh! the GTI! We should all be embarrassed that it took us this long to mention that great car! There is a reason they are so well represented in amateur road racing.
mndsm
SuperDork
12/27/11 8:59 p.m.
That first one looks familiar for some reason.... Also happened to be the first car that popped on images when i googled that car.
Also, the GTI will DEFINITELY be considered a true classic. Hell, it probably is now by a lot of people.
In reply to mndsm:
I forgot how good the early MX-6 looked.
mndsm
SuperDork
12/27/11 9:11 p.m.
Yeah.... they're fun to drive too. And they likes the boost (The first car is actually 92celicawhatevertrac's car, and he persuaded me to buy one, and I know there's a couple more around here.)
In reply to mndsm:
I drive a blue turbo once, nice car. They are pretty rare on the ground here in OH these days. I think the one I drove was an auto, but there was a manual turbo, right?