Top 10 Sports Cars 1997 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The best sports car of 1997 was the all-new Chevrolet Corvette C5, our Best Overall pick at a 1997 MSRP of $37,495 for the coupe — a clean-sheet redesign with the new LS1 V8, a rear transaxle, and genuine 4.6-second pace that humbled cars costing twice as much. Our Best Value of 1997 was the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a featherweight roadster at a 1997 MSRP of $19,195 that delivered more pure driving joy per dollar than anything else on the road. 1997 was a landmark model year: it brought the reinvented C5 Corvette, the brand-new Porsche Boxster, and the new Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster all to market at once, making it one of the deepest sports car vintages of the decade.

This retrospective looks back at how those ten cars stacked up then, and how they have aged into collector pieces now.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each 1997 contender across six categories, blending what these cars were like when new with how they are remembered today:

• Driving fun and handling — 30%: steering feel, chassis balance, and the grin factor that defines a real sports car.
• Performance — 20%: period horsepower, 0-60 mph times, and how quick each car felt against rivals in 1997.
• Value in period — 15%: the 1997 MSRP measured against the performance and prestige delivered.
• Reliability — 15%: how dependable each car proved over the long haul.
• Legacy — 10%: the lasting cultural and engineering importance of the car.
• Collectibility now — 10%: what each model commands today on Bring a Trailer and in Hagerty valuations.

Sources include period road tests from *Car and Driver*, *Road & Track*, and *Motor Trend*, plus Hagerty valuation tools, Bring a Trailer auction results, and manufacturer archives. Where 1997 prices are quoted they are real period MSRP figures in 1997 dollars.

1. Chevrolet Corvette C5 🏆 BEST OVERALL

1997 MSRP: $37,495 | Best for: the driver who wanted supercar pace at a real-world price

The C5 was an all-new car for 1997, and it changed everything. Under the long hood sat the new aluminum 5.7-liter LS1 V8 making 345 horsepower, paired with a rear-mounted transaxle that gave near-perfect weight balance. With the six-speed manual it ran 0-60 mph in about 4.6 seconds through the rear wheels, numbers that embarrassed exotics costing far more.

It was known for combining brutal straight-line speed with newfound refinement, a usable trunk, and a hydroformed frame that finally made the Corvette feel modern. Clean low-mileage early C5s now trade in the mid-teens to mid-$20,000s on Bring a Trailer, making it one of the great performance bargains of the era even today.

Pros:

• Genuine supercar acceleration for under $40,000 in 1997
• All-new LS1 V8 with huge tuning potential
• Transaxle layout delivers near 50/50 balance
• Cheap, plentiful, and easy to live with today

Cons:

• Interior plastics felt cut-price next to European rivals
• Early-build cars can have electrical and column-lock quirks

Verdict: The most car for the money in 1997, and still the smartest performance buy of its generation.

2. Porsche 911 (993) Turbo

1997 MSRP: $105,000 | Best for: the enthusiast chasing the last air-cooled Porsche legend

The 993 Turbo was the final air-cooled 911 Turbo, and it went out as an all-time great. Its twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six produced 408 horsepower, and for the first time the Turbo sent power to all four wheels. That all-wheel-drive grip launched it from 0-60 mph in roughly 3.7 seconds, supercar territory in 1997.

It was celebrated for combining savage boost with everyday usability and the unmistakable air-cooled character that fans still revere. Values have soared: clean 993 Turbos now command well over $200,000, and the rare Turbo S trades far higher, making this one of the blue-chip collector cars of the modern Porsche world.

Pros:

• Last and best of the air-cooled 911 Turbos
• 408 hp twin-turbo flat-six with all-wheel-drive traction
• Hand-built quality and bulletproof reputation
• Among the strongest appreciating Porsches of the era

Cons:

• Six-figure price even in 1997 put it out of reach for most
• Today's values make it a museum piece, not a daily driver

Verdict: The connoisseur's choice of 1997 and a certified blue-chip collectible now.

3. Acura NSX-T

1997 MSRP: $84,000 | Best for: the buyer who wanted exotic looks with everyday reliability

The NSX-T was the everyday supercar, the car that proved exotics did not have to break down. For 1997 the mid-mounted 3.2-liter VTEC V6 made 290 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual. It hit 0-60 mph in about 4.7 seconds while remaining as docile and dependable as a Honda in traffic.

It was famous for its aluminum body, telepathic handling honed with input from Ayrton Senna, and a reliability record no Ferrari could match. Long undervalued, the NSX has since become a genuine collector darling, with good examples now trading comfortably into six figures as the world caught up to how special it always was.

Pros:

• Mid-engine handling with daily-driver reliability
• All-aluminum chassis and 290 hp VTEC V6
• Senna-developed dynamics and timeless design
• Strong, steady appreciation over the past decade

Cons:

• Down on outright power versus turbo rivals of 1997
• Original MSRP was firmly exotic-car money

Verdict: The thinking enthusiast's supercar in 1997, and a rock-solid collectible today.

4. Dodge Viper GTS

1997 MSRP: $66,700 | Best for: the driver who wanted raw, undiluted American muscle

The Viper GTS coupe was a beast with no apologies. Its 8.0-liter V10 punched out 450 horsepower and a tidal wave of torque, sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual with no traction control to soften the blow. That brute force delivered 0-60 mph in about 4.2 seconds and a soundtrack like no other.

The GTS coupe, with its double-bubble roof and blue-with-white-stripes paint, became the iconic Viper shape and a poster car for a generation. Today clean GTS coupes trade in the $60,000 to $90,000 range and climbing, validating their status as a true American classic.

Pros:

• 8.0-liter V10 with 450 hp and monster torque
• Iconic double-bubble GTS coupe styling
• Pure, analog, unfiltered driving experience
• Rising collector values for the early GTS

Cons:

• No traction control or driver aids made it a handful
• Hot cockpit and side pipes hurt everyday comfort

Verdict: The most ferociously American sports car of 1997, raw in the best way.

5. Toyota Supra Turbo (A80)

1997 MSRP: $40,000 | Best for: the tuner who wanted the most legendary inline-six ever built

The fourth-generation Supra Turbo became a legend, and 1997 cars sit deep in that legend. Its sequential-twin-turbo 3.0-liter 2JZ-GTE inline-six was rated at 320 horsepower but was famously built to handle far more, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed Getrag manual.

It ran 0-60 mph in about 4.6 seconds stock and could be pushed into supercar territory with simple modifications. The 2JZ engine's near-indestructible bottom end made the Supra the darling of the tuning world and a movie star to boot. Prices have exploded: clean six-speed turbo cars now routinely bring $80,000 to well over $150,000 at auction.

Pros:

• Legendary 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo with huge headroom
• Bulletproof six-speed manual and drivetrain
• Massive cultural following and tuning support
• Among the strongest-appreciating Japanese cars ever

Cons:

• Soaring values now eclipse the original 1997 price many times over
• Heavy curb weight blunted its agility versus lighter rivals

Verdict: The tuner icon of 1997 that became a blue-chip Japanese collectible.

6. Porsche Boxster (986)

1997 MSRP: $39,980 | Best for: the buyer who wanted real Porsche balance at an attainable price

Brand new for 1997, the Boxster reinvented the affordable Porsche roadster and arguably saved the company. Its mid-mounted 2.5-liter flat-six made 201 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual, with a chassis balance that flattered every driver. It managed 0-60 mph in about 6.7 seconds, but the numbers missed the point: the Boxster was about feel, steering, and an open-top mid-engine poise no rival could match at the price.

First-year 2.5-liter cars remain affordable today, often trading in the $8,000 to $15,000 range, though buyers must mind the engine's IMS bearing.

Pros:

• Mid-engine balance and steering feel at a real-world price
• Genuine Porsche build quality and badge
• One of the best-handling roadsters of its day
• Still an attainable entry into Porsche ownership

Cons:

• Early 2.5-liter cars carry the well-known IMS bearing risk
• Modest power left it feeling slow against muscle rivals

Verdict: The car that saved Porsche, and a brilliant balance-first roadster in 1997.

7. BMW M3 (E36)

1997 MSRP: $38,200 | Best for: the driver who wanted one car to do everything well

The E36 M3 was the do-it-all sports coupe, equally at home commuting or carving a back road. The US version's 3.2-liter S52 inline-six made 240 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual. It ran 0-60 mph in just over six seconds while seating four in comfort.

It was loved for its sweet straight-six, supple chassis, and the way it blended practicality with real driver engagement. US-spec cars were detuned versus Europe's screaming version, which is why values stay reasonable: clean coupes and sedans trade in the $15,000 to $30,000 range, with desirable examples climbing.

Pros:

• Silky 240 hp inline-six and slick five-speed
• Everyday practicality with genuine sporting chops
• Handsome, timeless coupe and sedan styling
• Affordable entry into M-car ownership

Cons:

• US engine made far less power than the Euro version
• Cooling-system and trim parts age and need attention

Verdict: The most well-rounded sports car of 1997 and a smart modern buy.

8. Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

1997 MSRP: $25,800 | Best for: the buyer chasing the most horsepower per dollar

The SVT Cobra was the performance bargain of 1997, full stop. Its hand-assembled 4.6-liter DOHC V8 produced 305 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual. That was good for 0-60 mph in about 5.9 seconds for well under $26,000, undercutting nearly everything with comparable pace.

It was known for its independent rear suspension, snarling four-cam V8, and the SVT badge that marked it as the serious Mustang. Clean low-mileage SN95 Cobras now trade in the $15,000 to $30,000 range, making them an affordable slice of late-90s American muscle.

Pros:

• 305 hp four-cam V8 for well under $26,000
• Independent rear suspension over the base Mustang
• Hand-built SVT engine and exclusivity
• Affordable, appreciating modern-classic muscle

Cons:

• Interior and ride quality lagged premium rivals
• Build quality varied across early SN95 cars

Verdict: The horsepower-per-dollar champion of 1997 and a rising muscle classic.

9. Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor

1997 MSRP: $39,700 | Best for: the buyer who wanted a folding hardtop and German polish

New for 1997, the SLK introduced the retractable folding hardtop to the masses and made roadster motoring feel grown-up. Its supercharged 2.3-liter Kompressor four-cylinder made 190 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual or automatic. It reached 0-60 mph in about 6.4 seconds, brisk rather than ferocious, with the headline act being the power-folding steel roof that turned it from coupe to convertible in seconds.

It prioritized comfort and security over outright thrills. SLK 230s remain inexpensive today, trading in the $6,000 to $12,000 range, a lot of German engineering for the money.

Pros:

• Innovative power-folding steel hardtop
• Supercharged engine with solid midrange punch
• Mercedes build quality and refinement
• Very affordable on the used market today

Cons:

• More boulevard cruiser than back-road sports car
• Modest steering feel versus the best roadsters here

Verdict: The clever, comfortable roadster innovation of 1997, if not the sharpest driver.

10. Mazda MX-5 Miata 💎 BEST VALUE

1997 MSRP: $19,195 | Best for: the purist who wanted maximum joy for minimum money

The first-generation Miata was near the end of its NA run in 1997, and it remains the value benchmark for an entire genre. Its 1.8-liter four-cylinder made a modest 133 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through one of the best five-speed manuals ever fitted to a car.

It ran 0-60 mph in about 8.5 seconds, slow on paper, but its low weight, sublime balance, and snappy shifter made every drive an event. It was beloved for proving that a sports car did not need big power to deliver big smiles. Clean NA Miatas now trade anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000-plus for the best examples, and they remain the smartest fun-per-dollar buy in the hobby.

Pros:

• The best fun-per-dollar of any car here
• Sublime balance and one of the all-time-great manuals
• Cheap to buy, run, and maintain
• Bulletproof reliability and a huge enthusiast community

Cons:

• Only 133 hp left it outgunned in a straight line
• Tight cabin and small trunk limit practicality

Verdict: The purest, most affordable joy of 1997, and our runaway Best Value pick.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 1997 Sports Car (Then and as a Classic Now)

If you are shopping these cars as classics today, a few model-specific items matter more than the rest:

• Corvette C5 early-build quirks: the very first 1997 cars can have electrical gremlins, column-lock failures, and steering-column issues; verify a clean fix history.
• Porsche Boxster IMS bearing: the early 2.5-liter flat-six carries the well-documented intermediate-shaft bearing risk; a documented replacement or inspection is worth a premium.
• Timing belts and service records: the Acura NSX uses a timing belt with a defined replacement interval, and a fresh belt-and-water-pump job protects a very expensive engine.
• Supra and Viper modification history: these were heavily tuned cars, so prize stock, documented, unmolested examples and walk away from sketchy boost.
• Rust and convertible-top wear: check Miata and SLK floors, sills, and tops carefully, as roadsters lead hard lives.
• A note on what matters less than nostalgia implies: outright horsepower mattered far less to the long-term appeal of these cars than balance, condition, and originality. The 133-hp Miata and the 408-hp 993 Turbo both became beloved classics, which tells you that documentation and driving character age far better than a peak power figure ever did.

FAQ

What was the best sports car of 1997 overall? The all-new Chevrolet Corvette C5 took our top spot. Its new LS1 V8, rear transaxle, and 4.6-second 0-60 pace delivered supercar performance for a 1997 MSRP of $37,495, a value no rival could match.

What was the best value sports car of 1997? The Mazda MX-5 Miata at $19,195. It made only 133 horsepower, but its featherweight balance and superb manual gearbox delivered more driving joy per dollar than anything else that year.

Which 1997 sports cars are worth the most money today? The Porsche 993 Turbo leads, often trading well over $200,000, followed by clean six-speed Toyota Supra Turbos, which can bring $80,000 to over $150,000. The Acura NSX-T and Viper GTS have also appreciated strongly.

Was 1997 a special year for sports cars? Yes. It brought the all-new C5 Corvette, the brand-new Porsche Boxster, and the new Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster all at once, making it one of the deepest and most important sports car vintages of the 1990s.

Which 1997 sports car is the most reliable? The Acura NSX-T and Mazda MX-5 Miata are the dependability champions, both built to Honda and Mazda standards and capable of huge mileage with basic maintenance.

Is a 1997 Corvette C5 still a good buy today? Absolutely. Clean early C5s trade in the mid-teens to mid-$20,000s, offering 345 hp, modern usability, and a strong parts supply, which keeps it one of the best performance bargains of any era.

Bottom Line

1997 was a golden year for sports cars, and the field rewarded buyers at every budget. The Chevrolet Corvette C5 earned Best Overall by delivering near-supercar speed, a clean-sheet design, and everyday usability for under $40,000, a feat nothing else could equal. The Mazda MX-5 Miata took Best Value by proving that joy, not horsepower, is what makes a sports car great.

Around them sat genuine legends, from the air-cooled 993 Turbo to the 2JZ Supra, the V10 Viper, and the everyday-exotic NSX, plus the newcomer Boxster and SLK roadsters. Looking back, the cars that prioritized balance, originality, and character have aged into the most cherished collectibles, and many of them still represent some of the smartest buys in the hobby.

Sources

• Chevrolet Corvette C5 1997 specs — Corvsport
• 1997 Chevrolet Corvette specs and price — Cars.com
• 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo (993) full range specs — Automobile Catalog
• Porsche Boxster (986) — Wikipedia)
• 1997 Acura NSX-T specs — Supercars.net
• Dodge Viper (SR II) — Wikipedia)
• 1997 Toyota Supra Mk IV Limited Ed. Turbo — Hagerty Valuation Tools
• 1997 BMW M3 — Hagerty Valuation Tool
• 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra specs — Automobile Catalog
• Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor specs — Auto-Data.net
• 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata specs and price — Cars.com

*Sports car review — 1997 sports car reviews, rating, best sports car 1997, and a retrospective review of the top vintage sports car picks for buyers and collectors.*