Modern Classic Era

1980-1995

The cars that defined Generation X. Boxy, reliable, and increasingly collectible.

Historical Context

After the malaise era's dark days, manufacturers figured out how to make power while meeting emissions standards. Japanese imports proved that performance and reliability weren't mutually exclusive. These are the cars millennials grew up wanting.

Defining Characteristics

  • •Fuel injection replacing carburetors
  • •Angular, geometric styling
  • •Japanese reliability entering the conversation
  • •The rise of the turbo
  • •Driver-focused sports cars

Vehicles from the Modern Classic Era (24)

1981 Datsun 280ZX Turbo

1981 Datsun 280ZX Turbo

1979-1983 · Datsun

$15,000-45,000
1982 Honda CX500 Turbo

1982 Honda CX500 Turbo

1982-1983 · Honda

$5,000-12,000
1983 Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

1983 Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

1982-2000 · Suzuki

$5,000-15,000
1984 Ferrari Testarossa

1984 Ferrari Testarossa

1984-1996 · Ferrari

$125,000-300,000+
1984 Harley-Davidson Softail

1984 Harley-Davidson Softail

1984-1999 · Harley-Davidson

$6,000-15,000
1984 Kawasaki GPz900R Ninja

1984 Kawasaki GPz900R Ninja

1984-2003 · Kawasaki

$4,000-10,000
1986 Saab 900 Turbo

1986 Saab 900 Turbo

1978-1993 · Saab

$10,000-30,000
1987 Buick Grand National

1987 Buick Grand National

1984-1987 · Buick

$40,000-100,000+
1973-1987 Chevy C/K Square Body

1973-1987 Chevy C/K Square Body

1973-1987 · Chevy

$15,000-80,000+
1987 Suzuki Samurai

1987 Suzuki Samurai

1985-1995 · Suzuki

$5,000-15,000
1989 Ford Mustang 5.0

1989 Ford Mustang 5.0

1987-1993 · Ford

$15,000-45,000
1990 Honda CRX Si

1990 Honda CRX Si

1988-1991 · Honda

$8,000-25,000
1990 Suzuki Carry Kei Truck

1990 Suzuki Carry Kei Truck

1979-1998 · Suzuki

$5,000-12,000
1991 Acura NSX

1991 Acura NSX

1991-2001 · Acura

$60,000-225,000
1992 Dodge Viper RT/10

1992 Dodge Viper RT/10

1992-1995 · Dodge

$40,000-65,000
1992 Ford Festiva

1992 Ford Festiva

1988-1993 · Ford

$1,500-6,000
1993 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat

1993 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat

1987-1996 · Ford

$5,000-20,000
1993 Mazda RX-7 FD

1993 Mazda RX-7 FD

1993-2002 · Mazda

$35,000-80,000
1994 Toyota 4x4 Pickup

1994 Toyota 4x4 Pickup

1989-1995 · Toyota

$10,000-30,000
1994 Toyota Supra Turbo

1994 Toyota Supra Turbo

1993-1998 · Toyota

$70,000-150,000
1995 BMW E36 328i

1995 BMW E36 328i

1992-1999 · BMW

$5,000-20,000
1995 Land Rover Defender 90

1995 Land Rover Defender 90

1983-2016 · Land Rover

$40,000-100,000+
1996 Dodge Viper GTS

1996 Dodge Viper GTS

1996-2002 · Dodge

$45,000-90,000
1999 Ford Crown Victoria

1999 Ford Crown Victoria

1992-2011 · Ford

$3,000-12,000