Top 10 Sports Cars 1999 — Best Overall + Best Value

*Published June 15, 2026 | Updated June 15, 2026*

Direct Answer

The best sports car of 1999 was the Chevrolet Corvette C5, our 🏆 BEST OVERALL pick at a 1999 MSRP of $38,777. It paired a 345-horsepower LS1 V8 with a genuine 4.8-second 0-60 run, a usable hatchback, and supercar pace for German-sedan money — a combination nothing else on the market matched dollar-for-dollar.

The smartest buy of the year, and our 💎 BEST VALUE of 1999, was the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which started at a 1999 MSRP of $19,770 and delivered more pure driving joy per dollar than anything else built. Looking back from 2026, 1999 was a hinge year: Honda launched the screaming S2000 and Porsche shipped its first water-cooled 911 (996), while the air-cooled era and the E36 BMW M3 quietly took their final bows.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We re-drove the period in our heads and weighted each car the way an enthusiast actually experiences it, not the way a spec sheet reads. Our weighting:

• Driving fun and handling — 30%: steering feel, balance, the grin factor at legal speeds.
• Performance — 20%: horsepower, 0-60, real-world pace.
• Value in period — 15%: what a 1999 buyer paid versus what they got.
• Reliability — 15%: how the car held up over 25-plus years of ownership.
• Legacy — 10%: cultural weight and influence on what came after.
• Collectibility now — 10%: where 2026 market values are heading.

Sources drawn on for this retrospective include period road tests from *Car and Driver* and *MotorTrend*, current valuations from the Hagerty Valuation Tools and Bring a Trailer sales records, manufacturer specifications, and the model-history pages on Wikipedia and Edmunds. Period MSRPs are stated in 1999 dollars.

1. Chevrolet Corvette C5 🏆 BEST OVERALL

1999 MSRP: $38,777 | Best for: the buyer who wanted supercar pace with a warranty and a hatch.

The C5 was the car that dragged the Corvette into the modern era, and 1999 was a sweet spot in its run. Its all-aluminum 345-horsepower 5.7-liter LS1 V8 drove the rear wheels through a rear-mounted transaxle that balanced the chassis beautifully, and a manual hardtop could hit 60 mph in roughly 4.8 seconds on the way to a 13-second quarter mile.

It was known for embarrassing cars costing twice as much while returning genuinely civil highway manners. Clean, well-kept manual coupes now trade in the mid-teens to low-$20,000s, making it arguably the most performance per dollar in the entire collector market today. Nothing else in 1999 combined this much speed, comfort, and affordability.

Pros:

• Genuine supercar acceleration for the price of a loaded family sedan.
• The LS1 V8 is robust and easy to live with, with parts everywhere.
• Transaxle balance gives it real handling poise, not just straight-line punch.
• Still cheap to buy and own relative to its pace.

Cons:

• Interior plastics felt cheap even in 1999.
• Early-build quirks (column-lock and electronics) require a careful pre-purchase check.

Verdict: The most complete, most attainable performance car of 1999 — our Best Overall without much argument.

2. Porsche 911 Carrera (996)

1999 MSRP: $65,030 | Best for: the purist ready to accept water-cooling for daily usability.

This was the most controversial 911 ever, and history has been kinder to it than 1999 buyers were. The 996 introduced Porsche's first water-cooled flat-six, a 296-horsepower 3.4-liter unit that pushed the coupe to 60 mph in about 4.9 seconds. It steered with the hydraulic clarity that later electric 911s lost, and it remains the cheapest way into a modern 911 today, with sorted cars in the $25,000 to $40,000 range.

It was known for ending the air-cooled era and for the "fried-egg" headlights enthusiasts argued about for two decades. The infamous IMS bearing issue keeps prices honest, so buy one that has been addressed.

Pros:

• The last 911 with truly communicative hydraulic steering at this price.
• Everyday usable in a way few sports cars of the era were.
• Still the bargain entry to 911 ownership in 2026.
• A genuine piece of Porsche history as the water-cooled turning point.

Cons:

• IMS bearing and rear-main-seal worries demand documentation.
• Purists still grumble about the shared 986 Boxster front end.

Verdict: A misunderstood future classic — the smart money is buying sorted 996s now.

3. Mazda MX-5 Miata 💎 BEST VALUE

1999 MSRP: $19,770 | Best for: anyone who believes joy beats horsepower.

The second-generation (NB) Miata arrived for 1999 with a stiffer body, a glass rear window, and a 140-horsepower 1.8-liter four driving the rear wheels through one of the greatest manual gearboxes ever fitted to a car. It was never about speed — 0-60 took about 7.9 seconds — but the steering, the balance, and the top-down immediacy made every trip to the grocery store feel like an event.

It was known then, as now, as the definitive cheap-thrills roadster, and tidy NBs still change hands in the $8,000 to $15,000 range. No car of 1999 returned more smiles per dollar, which is exactly why it earns Best Value.

Pros:

• Sublime steering and gearshift that taught a generation to drive.
• Bulletproof reliability and cheap, plentiful parts.
• The single best value in the entire 1999 field.
• Lightweight balance makes legal speeds genuinely fun.

Cons:

• Modest power leaves it outgunned on a straight road.

Verdict: The purest distillation of affordable fun ever sold — our Best Value of 1999.

4. Honda S2000

1999 MSRP: $32,440 | Best for: the driver chasing a redline and a screaming engine.

Launched in 1999 to mark Honda's 50th anniversary, the S2000 (AP1) was an event. Its 2.0-liter F20C four made 240 horsepower at a stratospheric 8,300 rpm, the highest specific output of any naturally aspirated production car of its time, and a 6-speed snicked it to 60 mph in about 5.8 seconds.

The rear-drive roadster was known for demanding commitment — you had to wring it out past 6,000 rpm to find the magic — and that purity has made early cars beloved. Clean, low-mile AP1s now command $25,000 to $40,000-plus, with the best examples climbing fast.

Pros:

• One of the greatest naturally aspirated engines ever built.
• Honda reliability wrapped around a true sports car.
• Rapidly appreciating with collector demand strong.
• A short-throw 6-speed that rivals anything at any price.

Cons:

• Snappy early-AP1 limit handling punishes the careless.
• Stiff ride and high-rpm power band aren't for everyone.

Verdict: A future blue-chip classic that announced itself loudly in 1999.

5. BMW M3 (E36)

1999 MSRP: $39,842 | Best for: the buyer wanting one car for the track and the commute.

Nineteen ninety-nine was the final year of the E36 M3 in North America, and it remains the everyman's M3. The US-spec 3.2-liter S52 inline-six made 240 horsepower, enough to reach 60 mph in about 6.0 seconds, and it did so with a balance and steering feel that made it the benchmark sport coupe of the decade.

It was known as the M3 you could actually afford and use every day. Values that once sat near $15,000 have firmed up, with clean coupes now generally $25,000 to $35,000.

Pros:

• Near-perfect chassis balance and a sublime inline-six.
• Practical enough to be a genuine daily driver.
• Strong, appreciating values as the cheap-M3 era ends.
• The benchmark handling of its class in period.

Cons:

• US-spec S52 made less power than the European S50B32.
• Cooling-system and suspension-bushing maintenance adds up.

Verdict: The last affordable analog M3 — buy a clean one before they climb further.

6. Dodge Viper GTS

1999 MSRP: $66,900 | Best for: the thrill-seeker who wanted raw, unfiltered American muscle.

The second-generation (SR II) Viper GTS was the most extreme car America sold in 1999. Its 8.0-liter V10 made 450 horsepower, slingshotting the fixed-roof coupe to 60 mph in about 4.0 seconds flat with a top speed near 185 mph and over 1.0g of grip. It had no traction control, no anti-lock brakes on early cars, and side-exit pipes that would singe your leg — it was known as a car that demanded respect or bit back.

GTS coupes have become serious collector pieces, with good examples now well into the $50,000s and up.

Pros:

• Brutal, unforgettable V10 thrust unlike anything else.
• Genuine supercar pace in a no-nonsense package.
• Strong collector appreciation as a 1990s icon.
• Pure analog driving with zero electronic nannies.

Cons:

• Crude ergonomics and a hot, loud cabin.
• Unforgiving at the limit for inexperienced drivers.

Verdict: The wildest car of 1999, and now a blue-chip 90s collectible.

7. Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

1999 MSRP: $31,470 | Best for: the pony-car fan who wanted handling to match the noise.

For 1999 the SVT Cobra finally gave the Mustang an independent rear suspension, a major leap over the live axle in lesser Mustangs. A 4.6-liter DOHC V8 rated at 320 horsepower drove the rear wheels, though SVT famously recalled early 1999 cars to fix an exhaust-and-intake shortfall that left them slower than advertised.

Once corrected, it was known as the best-handling factory Mustang of its era. Values remain reasonable, with sorted cars trading in the $15,000 to $25,000 range.

Pros:

• First Mustang with independent rear suspension for real handling.
• A strong, characterful DOHC V8 when running right.
• Still affordable relative to its capability.
• SVT pedigree and limited production add appeal.

Cons:

• The 1999 power-shortfall recall is a must-verify history item.
• Build quality varies more than the C5's.

Verdict: A landmark handling Mustang once the recall fix is confirmed.

8. BMW Z3 M Coupe

1999 MSRP: $42,070 | Best for: the contrarian who wanted the weirdest, most loved shape of the year.

Introduced for 1999, the Z3 M Coupe — the "clownshoe" — took the M Roadster's running gear and bolted a stiff shooting-brake roof on top. Its 3.2-liter S52 six made 240 horsepower, good for 60 mph in about 5.4 seconds, and the closed body added the rigidity the roadster lacked.

It was known as a quirky, polarizing oddball in period and is now one of the most coveted modern BMWs, with only about 2,180 S52 cars built. That rarity has pushed clean examples into the $40,000 to $70,000-plus stratosphere.

Pros:

• Cult-icon styling that has only grown more beloved.
• Genuine rarity with strong, rising values.
• Stiff coupe body sharpens the M Roadster formula.
• A true driver's car with an excellent inline-six.

Cons:

• Tail-happy at the limit and unforgiving in the wet.
• Cramped, period-plastic cabin.

Verdict: The cult collectible of the 1999 field, and values prove it.

9. Chevrolet Camaro Z28/SS

1999 MSRP: $21,140 | Best for: the buyer chasing Corvette pace on a budget.

The fourth-generation Camaro Z28 quietly delivered some of the best speed-per-dollar of the decade in 1999. It shared the Corvette's LS1 V8, rated at 305 horsepower in the Z28 and 320 horsepower in the SS, and a 6-speed manual cracked 60 mph in about 5.2 seconds.

It was known as the working man's muscle car, devastatingly quick for the money even if the interior was an afterthought. Long undervalued, clean low-mile cars are finally appreciating, now generally $15,000 to $30,000 depending on trim and miles.

Pros:

• Corvette-derived LS1 power at a fraction of the price.
• Genuinely quick — sub-5.5-second 0-60 capability.
• A long-overlooked value finally being recognized.
• Cheap, easy V8 maintenance with huge aftermarket support.

Cons:

• Low-rent interior and poor outward visibility.
• Build quality and ergonomics trail the imports.

Verdict: The budget muscle bargain of 1999, now waking up in the market.

10. Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX

1999 MSRP: $25,000 | Best for: the all-weather enthusiast who wanted turbo all-wheel-drive grip.

Closing out the original DSM era, the 1999 Eclipse GSX was the affordable turbo-AWD hero of the import scene. Its legendary 2.0-liter 4G63 turbo four made 210 horsepower (205 with the automatic) and sent it to all four wheels for 60 mph in about 6.6 seconds with traction that humbled rear-drive rivals in the rain.

It was known as a tuner's dream, capable of absorbing huge power with the right work. Unmolested, stock GSX examples are now genuinely scarce and creeping up in value into the $15,000 to $25,000-plus range when clean.

Pros:

• The bulletproof, tunable 4G63 turbo legend.
• All-wheel-drive grip in any weather.
• Strong scarcity for unmodified survivors.
• Affordable entry into 1990s turbo culture.

Cons:

• Most surviving cars were heavily modified or abused.
• Timing-belt and turbo upkeep is non-negotiable.

Verdict: The all-weather turbo sleeper of 1999 — find a clean one and hold it.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 1999 Sports Car (Then and as a Classic Now)

Buying any of these a quarter-century on means shifting your priorities from showroom shine to survival:

• Documented maintenance history matters more than mileage on every car here.
• Model-specific weak points: the 996's IMS bearing, the Eclipse and S2000 timing service, the C5's column-lock module, and the Cobra's 1999 power-recall fix.
• Originality and unmodified condition now command a premium, especially on the GSX and S2000.
• Rust in the usual places (sills, subframes, convertible-top channels) can quietly total an otherwise clean car.
• A pre-purchase inspection by a marque specialist pays for itself many times over.

One honest note: outright horsepower matters less than nostalgia implies. The slowest car on this list, the Miata, is also the one owners grin about most, and the fastest, the Viper, asks the most of you to enjoy. Buy the experience, not the number.

FAQ

What was the best sports car of 1999 overall? The Chevrolet Corvette C5. Its 345-horsepower LS1, sub-5-second 0-60, and roughly $38,777 MSRP made it the most complete performance car of the year, and it remains a tremendous value today.

Which 1999 sports car was the best value? The Mazda MX-5 Miata. At a $19,770 MSRP it delivered more pure driving joy per dollar than anything else, and clean examples are still affordable in 2026.

Was the Honda S2000 really a 1999 car? Yes. Honda launched the S2000 in 1999 to mark its 50th anniversary, with the first cars reaching the market that year — one of the milestone debuts of the period.

Why was the 1999 Porsche 911 996 controversial? It was the first water-cooled 911, ending the air-cooled era, and it shared its front-end styling with the cheaper Boxster. Time has vindicated it as a usable, appreciating modern classic.

Which 1999 sports car is the smartest collector buy now? Several are climbing, but the Corvette C5 offers the most performance per dollar, while the S2000, Z3 M Coupe, and Viper GTS show the strongest appreciation curves.

Did the 1999 Mustang SVT Cobra really get recalled for power? Yes. Ford and SVT recalled 1999 Cobras to correct an intake-and-exhaust shortfall that left them slower than their 320-horsepower rating suggested, so verify the fix on any car you consider.

Bottom Line

Nineteen ninety-nine was a pivotal year for the sports car. The water-cooled Porsche 911 and the high-revving Honda S2000 pointed toward the future, while the E36 BMW M3 and the air-cooled ethos took their final bows. Above it all stood the Chevrolet Corvette C5, our Best Overall — a genuine performance bargain then and now.

For the buyer who measured fun in smiles rather than horsepower, the Mazda MX-5 Miata was, and remains, the Best Value. Whichever you chose, 1999 gave enthusiasts a remarkable spread of machines that have aged into some of the most rewarding classics on the market today.

Sources

• Hagerty Valuation Tools — 1999 Chevrolet Corvette, Miata, M3, Z3/M Roadster, and Viper GTS pages (hagerty.com)
• *Car and Driver* and *MotorTrend* period road tests (1998–1999 model coverage)
• Wikipedia — Chevrolet Corvette (C5), Porsche 911 (996), Honda S2000, Dodge Viper (SR II), and BMW M Coupe and Roadster model pages
• Edmunds — 1999 Corvette, Mustang SVT Cobra, Camaro Z28, and Eclipse GSX specifications and reviews
• Corvsport — 1999 C5 Corvette specifications, VIN, and options
• Automobile-catalog.com — 1999 performance data for the Mustang SVT Cobra, Camaro Z28/SS, Eclipse GSX, and Viper GTS
• FastestLaps.com and AccelerationTimes.com — 0-60 and quarter-mile figures for the S2000, 996, M3, and Z3 M Coupe
• StuttCars and Excellence Magazine — 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera (996) specifications
• MotorWeek — 1999 BMW M Coupe and Pontiac Firebird Trans Am road tests
• Bring a Trailer — recent auction results across the 1999 sports-car field (bringatrailer.com)

*Sports car review — 1999 sports car reviews, rating, best sports car 1999, and a retrospective review of the top vintage sports car picks for buyers and collectors.*