6 Forgotten High-Performance Sports Cars That Will Become Future Classics

Even in the age where SUVs dominate all and hot hatchbacks mix practicality with performance, sports cars are still sought after by enthusiasts. The combination of sleek looks, seductive engine note, and powerful engines is alluring to all who are infatuated with fast cars.

As someone who belongs to this camp and someone who is always on the lookout for the best possible deals on the market, I decided to revisit some iconic sports cars that are somewhat forgotten or overshadowed by other variants or their competitors. That doesn't mean they lack performance, however. On top of that, these six sports cars have the potential to become future classics and might be a good investment. Just beware of the maintenance costs on some of these models. 

Mercedes SLK 55 AMG 

The smallest Mercedes sports car packs a serious punch, courtesy of the tried-and-tested M113, 5.4-liter V-8 – a normally-aspirated version of the SLR McLaren engine. The newer R172 generation features a newer version of the engine, called the M154, with up to 421 horsepower. But I think the R171 design (2003-2011) will age much better as it's inspired by the SLR McLaren supercar. 

Compared to the regular SLK, the AMG version features bigger brakes with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston in the rear, lower and stiffer suspension, an additional oil cooler, Nappa leather interior, and chrome trim around the fog lights. Models produced 2008 and later feature a revised seven-speed DCT transmission, which shifts 10 percent faster. These German pocket rockets are still largely slept on, and you can get an older example for under $10,000. Good examples are around $25,000. 

Mercedes SLK 55 AMG (R171) performance specifications 

• Engine: 5.4-liter, SOHC, normally aspirated, V-8 
• Power: 360 horsepower at 5,750 RPM 
• Torque: 376 pound-feet at 4,000 RPM 
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT automatic 
• Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive 
• Curb weight: 3,307 pounds 
• 0-60 mph: 4.7 seconds (official), 4.3 seconds (Car & Driver) 
• Top speed: 155 mph (limited) 

BMW M3 GTS E92 

A limited-edition BMW M3 with one of the most unique engines sounds as alluring as it is. The E92 generation will go down in history as the only M3 to feature a V-8 engine. The S65 unit is, essentially, an S85 V-10 with two cylinders less. The same engine is also based on a Formula 1 block, but has been adapted for road use. The E92 M3 GTS was produced between 2009 and 2010 and was limited to 135 cars.  

Compared to the standard M3, the GTS was 300 pounds lighter, featured a fixed rear spoiler, race-inspired interior with a roll-cage and rear-seat delete, and most importantly, a bigger engine. The main purpose of the BMW M3 E92 GTS was to rival the Porsche 997 GT3 RS – a tall order, indeed.

Given the current prices as well as the MSRP when the E92 GTS was new, you'd probably be better off with a Porsche 911 GT3. Most people would go for that, and rightfully so, but if you want a very rare, track-focused Bavarian, the E92 M3 GTS is not a bad choice. Just make sure you are ready to part with at least $170,000, and they are not getting cheaper. 

BMW M3 GTS (E92) performance specifications 

• Engine: 4.4-liter, DOHC, normally aspirated, V-8 
• Power: 444 horsepower at 8,300 RPM 
• Torque: 324 pound-feet at 3,750 RPM 
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT automatic 
• Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive 
• Curb weight: 3,373 pounds 
• 0-60 mph: 4.2 seconds 
• Top speed: 189 mph 

Audi R8 V-8 Manual 

Audi R8 will continue to live on, despite what the initial reports suggested. With the next generation of the mid-engine sports car ditching the iconic V-10, I decided to revisit a forgotten variant of the original R8. More specifically, the R8 V-8, which shared an engine with the RS4 B7. The model was short-lived due to the V-10 getting so much recognition, making the V-8 base model much rarer.  

Early models could be had with a gated manual. The smaller engine could be had between 2008 and 2015. By far, the most charming feature of the mid-engine sports car is the gated shifter. Tiptronic variants are less-sought-after. The biggest surprise is the price, since you can get the R8 V-8 for as little as $26,000, according to Classic.com, but a good example will set you back around $55,000. 

Audi R8 V-8 performance specifications 

• Engine: 4.2-liter, DOHC, normally aspirated, V-8 
• Power: 420 horsepower at 7,800 RPM/ 430 horsepower at 7,900 RPM (2010-2015) 
• Torque: 317 pound-feet at 4,500-5,500 RPM/ at 4,500-6,000 RPM (2010-2015) 
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic/ 6-speed manual 
• Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive 
• Curb weight: 3,439 pounds 
• 0-60 mph: 4.4 seconds 
• Top speed: 187mph 

Chevrolet Corvette C6 GranSport 

The C6 is widely considered to be the best-generation Chevrolet Corvette. This is especially true when we talk about the C6 Corvette ZR-1, which packs supercar-rivalling performance. In true American fashion, the C6 Corvette's clean and elegant lines are the definitive silhouette for a sports car. More importantly, this is the last Corvette to feature the iconic LS-series engines. The GranSport is the sweet spot in the C6 lineup. Think of it as the equivalent of the Carrera GTS in the Porsche 911 lineup.  

You get a slightly tweaked LS-3 V-8 engine and the C6 Z06 chassis, making for a very well-balanced package. The C6 has always been a great value for money in the world of sports cars. These can be found for around $22,000, but if you want a well-sorted example, $40,000 should be your starting budget for this mid-range C6 Corvette. 

Chevrolet Corvette C6 GranSport performance specifications 

• Engine: 6.2-liter, OHV, normally aspirated, V-8 
• Power: 437 horsepower at 5,900 RPM 
• Torque: 431 pound-feet at 4,600 
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic/ 6-speed manual 
• Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive 
• Curb weight: 3,324 pounds 
• 0-60 mph: 4.2 seconds 
• Top speed: 190 mph 

BMW M6 E63 

If you are into Bavarian luxury sports cars with unique (and somewhat controversial) design, the BMW M6 E63 is a strong candidate. Largely living in the shadow of the more practical BMW M5 E60, the M6 is a sleeker two-door alternative, powered by the same S85 engine, with motorsport roots. By now, everyone is familiar with the maintenance the V-10 engine requires, but it is a small price to pay for one of the most unique-sounding mills you can buy.  

Moreover, this is the only V-10-powered BMW coupe and bound to go up in value. The only weak point for me is the SMG transmission, which may be a dealbreaker for some. Manual conversions are available, though. Some examples can be had for under $10,000 but beware because you might have to spend at least $20,000 on top of that for maintenance and repairs. Classic.com shows average prices around $28,000, and the trend shows that the value of these Bavarian coupes is in a state of a plateau. 

BMW M6 E63 performance specifications 

• Engine: 5.0-liter, DOHC, normally aspirated, V-10 
• Power: 507 horsepower at 7,750 RPM 
• Torque: 383 pound-feet at 6,100 
• Transmission: 7-speed SMG automatic 
• Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive 
• Curb weight: 3,770 pounds 
• 0-60 mph: 4.4 seconds 
• Top speed: 155 mph (limited)/ 207 mph without limiter 

Nissan GT-R V-Spec R35 

The Nissan GT-R has long been the budget-friendly supercar slayer from Japan. The iconic nameplate will continue to live on, but in what form, Nissan doesn't say just yet. The R35 carried the torch for 18 years and throughout its production run, there have been plenty of special editions. Whie most enthusiasts rave on about the track-focused NISMO, Nissan made a much more basic performance variant in the early years.  

The R35 V-Spec was the most lightweight GT-R you could buy from the factory, weighing over 130 pounds less than the standard R35 GT-R. This was achieved through removing the rear seat and using more carbon fiber. According to the market, the current price range for the R35 V-Spec is between $59,400 - $151,119. 

Nissan GT-R R35 V-Spec performance specifications 

• Engine: 53.8-liter, DOHC, twin-turbo, V-6 
• Power: 485 horsepower at 6,400 RPM 
• Torque: 466 pound-feet at 2,500-5,600 RPM 
• Transmission: 6-speed DCT automatic transaxle 
• Drivetrain: Front-engine, all-wheel drive 
• Curb weight: 3,704 pounds 
• 0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds 
• Top speed: 193 mph 

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.