Top 10 Sports Cars 1987 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

Looking back at 1987, the Best Overall sports car was the Buick GNX at a 1987 MSRP of $29,290 — a black, turbocharged V-6 super-coupe that humbled Ferraris in a straight line and became one of the most worshipped American machines ever built. The Best Value pick was the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 at a 1987 MSRP of $12,106, a 225-horsepower V-8 that delivered most of the GNX thrill for less than half the money. 1987 was a watershed year: it brought the legendary one-year-only Buick GNX and the A70 Toyota Supra Turbo with its distributor-less 7M-GTE inline-six.

What follows is a past-tense retrospective ranking, with real period prices, real engines, and what these cars are worth to collectors now.

How We Ranked the Top 10

Every car was scored against the same weighted formula, judged both as a 1987 new-car purchase and as a classic today. The sources behind these picks include period road tests from Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Road & Track, plus modern Hagerty valuation tools, Bring a Trailer auction results, and Wikipedia for production figures.

• Driving fun and handling — 30%: the single most important measure of a true sports car.
• Performance — 15%: horsepower, 0-60, quarter-mile, and top speed in period.
• Value in period — 15%: how much car the 1987 MSRP actually bought.
• Reliability — 15%: how well the car held together then and survives now.
• Style and legacy — 15%: how the design and reputation aged.
• Collectibility now — 10%: current appreciation and desirability.

1. Buick GNX 🏆 BEST OVERALL

1987 MSRP: $29,290 | Best for: the muscle-car loyalist who wanted to embarrass exotics

The GNX was the sledgehammer that ended 1987 with a bang. Built with help from ASC/McLaren and limited to just 547 black examples, it ran a 3.8-liter turbocharged and intercooled V-6 rated at a deliberately underrated 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque — independent tests showed closer to 300 hp and 400 lb-ft.

That was enough for a 0-60 of 4.7 seconds and a 13.5-second quarter mile, quicker to 60 than a contemporary Ferrari Testarossa. Power went to the rear wheels through a beefed-up automatic, and the understated black bodywork hid the meanest American machine of its decade. Collector values have exploded: average sales now sit near $196,000, with standout cars topping $242,000 and even $308,000 at auction.

Pros:

• Genuinely supercar-quick with a sub-5-second 0-60 from a humble V-6.
• One-year-only rarity with documented ASC/McLaren provenance.
• Massive appreciation from $29,290 to nearly $200,000 average.
• Sinister, timeless all-black look that still turns heads.

Cons:

• Prices now put authentic GNXs out of reach for most buyers.
• Crude chassis and brakes that never matched the straight-line punch.

Verdict: The most legendary American performance car of the 1980s and the clear Best Overall of 1987.

2. Chevrolet Corvette C4

1987 MSRP: $27,999 | Best for: the all-American buyer who wanted a real sports car for the money

In 1987 the L98 5.7-liter V-8 gained roller hydraulic lifters, lifting output to 240 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque. Motor Trend clocked a manual roadster from 0-60 in 6.3 seconds, and the C4's flat cornering and digital dash felt genuinely modern. Rear-wheel drive, a removable roof panel, and that big small-block gave it real all-rounder credibility.

The C4 remains one of the most attainable classic Corvettes today — a lot of performance heritage for the outlay.

Pros:

• Big torquey V-8 with plenty of upgrade potential.
• Strong handling that embarrassed pricier European rivals.
• Still genuinely affordable as a usable classic.
• Removable-roof open-air feel with everyday usability.

Cons:

• Interior plastics and that digital dash aged poorly.
• Build quality was inconsistent from car to car.

Verdict: The smartest way to buy V-8 sports-car performance in 1987 — and still a bargain classic.

3. Porsche 944 Turbo

1987 MSRP: $29,000 | Best for: the driver who valued balance over brute force

The 944 Turbo, internally the 951, was the handling benchmark of the field. Its 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four made 220 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, good for 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, but the magic was the near-perfect front-engine, rear-transaxle weight distribution.

It cornered with a precision no American muscle car could touch. Long undervalued, the 951 has climbed steadily on Hagerty and Bring a Trailer as enthusiasts rediscovered how complete it was.

Pros:

• Sublime chassis balance thanks to the rear transaxle.
• Turbocharged four with strong, useable mid-range.
• Climbing collector values after years of being overlooked.
• Built like a vault by Porsche standards.

Cons:

• Expensive maintenance with belts and turbo plumbing to mind.
• Four-cylinder soundtrack lacked drama versus the six-cylinder rivals.

Verdict: The driver's choice of 1987 and a 911 alternative that finally gets respect.

4. Toyota Supra Turbo (A70)

1987 MSRP: $22,570 (base, turbo over that) | Best for: the tech enthusiast who wanted Japanese muscle

The A70 Supra Turbo announced Toyota's serious performance intentions. Its 3.0-liter turbocharged 7M-GTE inline-six produced around 230 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque through a heavy-duty five-speed manual, and it was one of the first distributor-less mass-production engines sold in the United States.

The 0-60 came in around 6.7 seconds, with an oil cooler and an integrated rear spoiler. It was a grand-tourer-flavored sports car that pointed straight at the MkIV legend to come. Clean turbo cars have appreciated sharply on Hagerty.

Pros:

• Smooth, torquey turbo six with real refinement.
• Advanced distributor-less ignition ahead of its time.
• Strong rising values for unmolested turbo cars.
• Comfortable GT manners for long drives.

Cons:

• The 7M-GTE was prone to head-gasket trouble if neglected.
• Heavier and less nimble than the lighter Japanese rivals.

Verdict: A landmark Japanese performance car and a foundation for the Supra legend.

5. Mazda RX-7 Turbo II (FC)

1987 MSRP: $18,000 (approx.) | Best for: the rotary purist chasing a featherweight thrill

The FC RX-7 Turbo II was the rotary screamer of the bunch. Its 1.3-liter twin-rotor 13B turbocharged engine made 182 horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque, spinning to a high redline in a way no piston engine could match. At roughly 2,778 pounds it darted to 0-60 in about 6.4 seconds and cornered like a go-kart.

The Turbo II has become one of the most coveted Japanese classics of the era, with clean FC examples climbing fast as rotary cars grow scarce.

Pros:

• Exotic, high-revving rotary engine unlike anything else.
• Featherweight chassis with brilliant balance.
• Surging collector demand for clean rotaries.
• Distinctive turbocharged whoosh and spin that fans adore.

Cons:

• Rotor apex seals wear and rebuilds are costly.
• Thirsty and fussy compared with piston rivals.

Verdict: The most charismatic Japanese sports car of 1987 and a rising rotary blue-chip.

6. Ferrari 328 GTS

1987 MSRP: $73,800 | Best for: the buyer who could afford a genuine exotic

The 328 GTS was the exotic of the group and arguably the prettiest. Its 3.2-liter naturally aspirated V-8 made 260 to 270 horsepower in U.S. Trim, revving to 7,000 rpm behind the seats in a true mid-engine layout.

It cracked 0-60 in just over 5 seconds and topped out north of 160 mph, wrapped in the targa-roofed body that defined 1980s Ferrari style. One of the most reliable vintage Ferraris, pristine examples now fetch over $100,000.

Pros:

• Genuine mid-engine Ferrari V-8 with a glorious soundtrack.
• Beautiful, enduring Pininfarina styling.
• Among the most dependable classic Ferraris to own.
• Strong, steady appreciation for clean cars.

Cons:

• High purchase and service costs versus every rival here.
• Performance was outgunned in a straight line by the GNX.

Verdict: The exotic benchmark of 1987 and a usable Ferrari that still rewards owners.

7. Nissan 300ZX (Z31) Turbo

1987 MSRP: $21,399 | Best for: the buyer who wanted a comfortable, fast tech-laden GT

The Z31 300ZX Turbo blended performance with gadgetry. Its 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 made about 200 horsepower and 227 lb-ft of torque, pushing the 3,160-pound coupe to 0-60 in roughly 7.2 seconds. It leaned more grand tourer than corner-carver, with a smooth, torque-rich powerband.

The Z31 remains the most affordable entry into 1980s turbocharged Japanese coupes, and clean survivors are slowly gaining a following.

Pros:

• Torquey turbo V-6 with relaxed, refined delivery.
• Loaded with period technology and comfort features.
• Very affordable as a classic entry point.
• Comfortable long-distance GT demeanor.

Cons:

• Softer and heavier than the sharper rivals here.
• Era-specific electronics can be troublesome to repair.

Verdict: The value-minded turbo GT of 1987 and a still-cheap way into the turbo-Z club.

8. Ford Mustang GT 5.0 💎 BEST VALUE

1987 MSRP: $12,106 | Best for: the buyer who wanted maximum thrills per dollar

The Fox-body Mustang GT 5.0 was the people's hot rod. Its 5.0-liter EFI V-8 produced 225 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque through a five-speed manual, launching to 0-60 in 6.3 seconds — pace that shamed cars costing far more. The 1987 restyle sharpened the looks with aero headlamps and louvered tail panels, and the rear-drive chassis became the backbone of an entire tuning culture.

For barely over twelve thousand dollars, nothing else delivered this much straight-line fun, which is exactly why it earns Best Value.

Pros:

• Brawny V-8 punch for an unbeatable price.
• Endless aftermarket and tuning support.
• Affordable parts and simple mechanicals.
• Huge enthusiast community keeping them alive.

Cons:

• Crude live-axle handling versus the European cars.
• Interior and brakes were built to a budget.

Verdict: The most performance per dollar in all of 1987 and the runaway Best Value.

9. Toyota MR2 Supercharged

1987 MSRP: $13,500 (approx.) | Best for: the buyer who wanted mid-engine handling on a budget

The AW11 MR2 Supercharged brought exotic-car layout to the masses. Its 1.6-liter supercharged 4A-GZE inline-four made 145 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque, mounted amidships for genuine mid-engine balance, and it hit a top speed around 130 mph through a five-speed manual.

Light, tossable, and reliable in true Toyota fashion, it taught a generation what mid-engine handling felt like. Clean supercharged AW11s have become genuinely collectible.

Pros:

• True mid-engine balance at a budget price.
• Supercharged four with instant, lag-free response.
• Bulletproof Toyota reliability.
• Light, agile, endlessly fun to thread through corners.

Cons:

• Modest power means it was no straight-line hero.
• Tiny cabin and cargo space limited practicality.

Verdict: The mid-engine bargain of 1987 and a deserving rising classic.

10. Pontiac Fiero GT

1987 MSRP: $13,000 (approx.) | Best for: the buyer chasing exotic looks for everyday money

The Fiero GT closed out the ten with bold mid-engine styling. Its 2.8-liter V-6 made 135 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque behind the seats, sending the coupe to 0-60 in about 8.1 seconds through a five-speed manual. By 1987 the chassis had improved markedly, and the fastback GT body looked like a baby exotic for Camaro money.

Always more show than go, the Fiero has nonetheless built a loyal cult following, and clean GTs remain an inexpensive entry into mid-engine ownership.

Pros:

• Striking mid-engine fastback styling.
• Affordable then and now for the look.
• Composite body panels that resist rust.
• Dedicated enthusiast community and parts support.

Cons:

• Modest performance that never matched the looks.
• Early-model fire reputation dogged its image.

Verdict: The budget mid-engine dreamer of 1987 — more style than speed, but lovable for it.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 1987 Sports Car (Then and as a Classic Now)

• GNX authentication: with only 547 built, verify the build number, ASC/McLaren documentation, and matching VIN — fakes and tribute cars are common and worth a fraction of the real thing.
• Turbo wear: on the 944 Turbo, Supra Turbo, and 300ZX, check for oil-starved turbo shaft play, smoke on startup, and a service history showing belt and intercooler care.
• Rotary seals: the RX-7 Turbo II's 13B can hide worn apex seals — confirm strong, even compression and watch for hard cold starts or excessive oil consumption.
• Head-gasket history: the Supra's 7M-GTE is famous for blown head gaskets if the bolts were never re-torqued; documented gasket work is a green flag.
• Matters less than nostalgia implies: a few thousand extra miles or original-paint imperfection often matters far less than buyers think — mechanical health, documentation, and originality of the drivetrain outweigh a perfect odometer reading or showroom shine.

FAQ

What was the best sports car of 1987? The Buick GNX took Best Overall. Its underrated turbo V-6, sub-5-second 0-60, one-year-only rarity, and enormous appreciation make it the standout machine of the year.

Which 1987 sports car was the best value? The Ford Mustang GT 5.0 at roughly $12,106. Its 225-horsepower V-8 and 6.3-second 0-60 delivered more fun per dollar than anything else on the list.

Which 1987 sports cars have appreciated the most? The Buick GNX leads by a mile, now averaging near $196,000. The Mazda RX-7 Turbo II, Toyota Supra Turbo, and Porsche 944 Turbo have all soared from their period prices as well.

Was the GNX really faster than a Ferrari in 1987? Yes. With a 4.7-second 0-60 and a 13.5-second quarter mile, the GNX was quicker to 60 than the contemporary Ferrari Testarossa, despite costing a fraction of the price.

Which 1987 sports car handled the best? The Porsche 944 Turbo. Its front-engine, rear-transaxle layout gave near-perfect weight distribution and cornering precision no rival could match.

Is a 1987 Corvette a good classic to buy today? Yes. The C4 with its 240-horsepower L98 V-8 remains one of the most affordable and usable American classics, offering strong performance heritage for modest money.

Bottom Line

1987 was a peak year for the affordable performance car, and the Buick GNX stands at the summit as Best Overall — a black turbo legend that out-ran exotics and now commands six figures. The Ford Mustang GT 5.0 earns Best Value for delivering V-8 muscle at a working-class price. Between those poles sat a remarkable spread: the balletic Porsche 944 Turbo, the high-tech Supra Turbo, the rotary-screaming RX-7 Turbo II, the beautiful Ferrari 328 GTS, and a trio of mid-engine dreamers.

Whether you chased straight-line muscle, European precision, or exotic looks on a budget, 1987 had a sports car built for you — and most are only more beloved now.

Sources

• Hagerty Valuation — 1987 Buick Regal GNX
• HotCars — The Buick Grand National: Specs, History, GNX, and Buying Advice
• American Cars And Racing — $242,000 1987 Buick GNX sale
• Hagerty Valuation — 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo
• Hagerty Valuation — 1987 Toyota Supra Mk III Turbo
• Hagerty Valuation — 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS
• CorvSport — 1987 C4 Corvette Specifications
• Wikipedia — Chevrolet Corvette (C4))
• Automobile Catalog — 1987 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II
• FastestLaps — Nissan 300ZX Turbo (Z31)
• MustangSpecs — 1987 Ford Mustang Guide
• Wikipedia — Pontiac Fiero

*Sports car review — 1987 sports car reviews, rating, best sports car 1987, and a retrospective review of the top vintage sports car picks for buyers and collectors.*