The cool vintage charm of ‘90s sports cars that stands the test of time.

We all have the tendency to yearn for the past. This feeling of nostalgia is something most of us have, to varying degrees, experienced at one point or another. One common example would be childhood nostalgia—how many times do we wish that we could go back in time to relive those carefree days? Today, nostalgia can be found in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. Listening to music via online streaming may have become a norm, but at the same time, there are those who still prefer to listen to cassettes or vinyl.

The same goes for automobiles. It can’t be denied that car technology and advancements in 2020 have far exceeded our childhood imagination. It’s hard to even fathom that electric cars, which could have easily been an upgrade of those battery-operated toy cars we once loved, would one day become a reality. Looking back at the era just before the turn of the millennium, even though there was an influx of technological advances, the hankering for all things retro, including ‘90s sports cars, remains strong. For over three decades, the allure of these bad boys has never subsided. In fact, a fair number of car connoisseurs have chosen to embrace the past and do whatever it takes to own at least one. This results in the increase in price of these vintage sports cars—some of them now costing even more than they did when they came out. How can that be?

Technology changes through time, but legends take time. Despite having once fallen out of fashion, ‘90s sports cars are having a well-deserved comeback. Like fine whiskey, they age gorgeously and are full of old-school intrigue. Their ‘aura’ has attracted car connoisseurs of all ages. Speaking of “aura,” there’s no denying the fact that these ‘90s sports cars exude a certain prestige that sometimes exceed that of their newer, more modern counterparts. These cars, particularly the ones that are well preserved and maintained, never fail to turn heads wherever they go. 

Another factor that contributes to their enduring popularity is an eye-catching design. Although some models may be as old as 30 years, they come with a unique design that’s more appealing than what’s available on the market today. Of course, the question of taste and preferences are highly subjective. However, judging from their rising popularity, there’s something to be said about the charismatic design that rings true to their era. Mention any of these sports cars series Skyline GT-R, Supra, RX-7, Porsche 911 or even Honda NSX, and the first model people think of would most likely be one from the ‘90s.

Honda NSX Sports Midship, a Honda legend

Apart from the iconic design, people are also nostalgic about the rousing engine power of these beauties. While it’s true that today’s automotive technology has given us some of the most advanced cars we’ve ever seen, the engine power of ‘90s sports cars still reign supreme in terms of efficiency. This could be due to the fact that, since there were fewer limitations back in those days, it was easier to focus on building a powerful engine. It’s no wonder why we see cars made in the ‘90s still out on the roads today, or even on racing tracks where the pure power of end results counts more than technological developments.

Mazda RX-7 with its unrivalled rotary power’s raw potential

Everything has its own value and its own time. And it’s time for these ‘90s sports cars to be in the spotlight once again. From this point on, the legacy of these superb automobiles will deservedly be told to the future generations. Congratulations are in order for those who managed to acquire this piece of history. The sweet ‘90s nostalgia is now yours.

Toyota Supra (JZA80) comes with Toyota's flagship engine