4 Less Expensive Alternatives To Iconic Cars
Don’t have the cash to buy your dream car? Don't lose faith - there are other options and they aren't exactly terrible
A80 Supra Alternative: 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX
The Supra’s final generation was a hit when it came out, then grew to become a legend due in no small part to the Fast and Furious franchise. The 2JZ is a wicked engine capable of monster power, and there’s no denying the A80’s sexy styling and jet-fighter interior. But if you want a proper twin-turbo Supra, you’re looking at a minimum of $30,000 for something halfway decent, and prices quickly go up from there.
Meanwhile, Nissan 300ZX fans are like “hey, this car is fast, has two turbos and it turns corners.” The Z32 didn’t necessarily go under the radar; most people know about its twin-turbo 300bhp V6, exceptional suspension tuning with rear steering, and its drop-dead gorgeous ‘90’s aero styling. It’s just that the Supra got more glory, never mind the 300’s own stable-mate, the god-like Skyline GT-R. That’s why you can buy a very nice Z32 300ZX twin-turbo in the United States for just $15,000.
BMW M3 Alternative: BMW 3-Series
Ironically enough, in my recent piece on Focus RS alternatives I listed the E92 M3 as a viable option. Now, I’m presenting an alternative to the, ah, alternative. Sometimes the best alternative is to just step down a notch. And in this case, it’s not like you’re stepping down to a stripped-out base model with all the power of a busted vacuum.
The 335i coupe equipped with the M sport package is among the best non-M Bimmers ever built. It still has all the poise and balance enthusiasts expect from a German brand. It still has the luxury and understated styling. It’s available with a proper manual transmission. And it’s not exactly slow - the turbocharged inline-six makes 302bhp and sends the 335i to 60mph in under five seconds. For this, you’ll spend roughly $20,000 in America, almost half the going rate of the E92 M3. And yes, to satisfy all the BMW purists, I’ll also bring light to the fact that an E46 M3 with 333bhp from its inline-six is even cheaper yet.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
