Sports Cars Nobody Seemed to Care About, But We Should Now

Sports Cars Nobody Seemed to Care About, But We Should Now

Olivia Richman

Tue, January 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC

2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe (3.8 R-Spec) — Image Credit: Hyundai.

The automotive world has a funny way of ignoring brilliant machines when they're new, only to rediscover them years later with a collective "wait, what were we thinking?" Some sports cars arrive at the wrong time, get overshadowed by flashier competitors, or simply fly under the radar despite offering genuine driving thrills.

These overlooked performers often delivered everything enthusiasts claimed they wanted: engaging handling, distinctive styling, or accessible performance. Yet showroom traffic remained disappointingly light, and many disappeared from dealerships faster than they deserved.

Today's collectors and driving enthusiasts are starting to recognize what the original market missed, and values are beginning to reflect that belated appreciation.

2008–2009 Honda S2000 CR (Club Racer)

2006-2011 Honda S2000 CR (Club Racer) — Image Credit: Honda.

While the standard S2000 earned its legendary status, the CR variant arrived too late to capture much attention from a market already moving toward turbocharged everything.

This wasn't just a regular S2000 with a few stickers, Honda stripped out 99 pounds (with the removable hardtop removed), added stiffer suspension, and fitted a more aggressive front lip and rear wing. The 2.2-liter four-cylinder still screamed to 8,000 rpm, producing 237 horsepower that demanded you explore every inch of the rev range. Total CR production over 2008–2009 was 699 units, and many buyers simply couldn't see why they'd pay more for less sound deadening.

These days, the CR commands significant premiums over standard S2000s, with collectors finally recognizing that Honda's farewell gift to the roadster was something special.

2000-2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder

Toyota's third-generation MR2 committed the cardinal sin of arriving without a turbo option, which meant enthusiasts dismissed it before ever driving one.

Stripping away the SW20's forced induction and swoopy bodywork left a lightweight roadster that weighed just 2,195 pounds and prioritized handling balance over straight-line heroics. The 1.8-liter engine's 138 horsepower sounds modest until you experience how the mid-engine layout and responsive chassis turn backroads into a momentum-driving masterclass. Critics complained about the styling and the lack of a factory hardtop option in the U.S. (Toyota offered an OEM hardtop mainly in Japan/Europe), while buyers stayed away in droves, leaving Toyota to discontinue it after modest sales.

Fast forward to today, and clean examples are appreciating as drivers rediscover that power-to-weight ratios tell only part of the performance story.

1993-2002 Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)

Yes, the third-generation RX-7 is famous now, but let's not forget that Mazda sold roughly ~14,000 (often cited around 13,879) FD RX-7s in the U.S. across the 1993–1995 model years before pulling the plug in 1995 due to abysmal sales.

American buyers in the early '90s couldn't justify spending nearly $38,000 on a rotary-powered Mazda when a Corvette cost less and a Supra offered more tuning potential. The sequential twin-turbo 1.3-liter rotary produced 255 horsepower and an unforgettable delivery, wrapped in bodywork that still looks contemporary three decades later. Reliability concerns and rotary-engine maintenance scared away mainstream buyers who wanted something they could ignore between oil changes.

The FD now represents the poster child for "overlooked when new, astronomically expensive now," with pristine examples commanding six-figure prices.

2013–2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec

Hyundai's entry into the affordable sports coupe segment suffered from badge snobbery that prevented many enthusiasts from even test-driving it.

The R-Spec focused on performance hardware (suspension/LSD tuning) over luxury features, pairing a 348-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 with a limited-slip differential and track-focused suspension. This rear-wheel-drive platform offered legitimate driving dynamics at a price point that undercut established competitors by thousands, yet dealership foot traffic remained sparse. Many potential buyers simply couldn't get past the Hyundai nameplate on a car competing against Mustangs and Camaros, despite the Genesis delivering comparable performance.

The enthusiast community is warming to these Korean coupes as they recognize that driving enjoyment doesn't require a premium badge.

2007–2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP / 2007–2010 Saturn Sky Red Line

2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP — Image Credit: MercurySable99 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

General Motors built a genuinely excellent roadster platform just in time to watch both brands disappear in bankruptcy, dooming these Kappa-platform siblings to obscurity.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder pumped out 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, numbers that gave these American roadsters legitimate punch to match their sharp handling. Dealers struggled to move them partly because Pontiac and Saturn were already circling the drain, and partly because the Miata had a stranglehold on the affordable roadster market. The cramped interior and limited trunk space gave practical-minded buyers easy excuses to walk away, while the controversial styling polarized opinion.

Clean examples are finally getting respect as people recognize that GM's last hurrah in the roadster segment was better than its sales figures suggested.

2005-2006 Pontiac GTO (LS2 Model)

Pontiac's decision to rebadge a Holden Monaro and sell it as the legendary GTO revival resulted in collective shrugs from a market that expected retro styling to match the nameplate's heritage.

The 2005-2006 models packed a 400-horsepower LS2 V8 into understated sheetmetal that looked more executive sedan than muscle car icon. Performance was undeniable, 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds and a chassis that could actually handle corners, but the subtle styling meant these GTOs attracted no attention in parking lots. Sales never met expectations, with Pontiac moving only about 22,858 units total (11,590 in 2005 and 11,268 in 2006) in the LS2's two model years before discontinuing the car entirely.

Today's LS-swapping enthusiasts and muscle car collectors have rediscovered that sometimes the best performance cars are the ones that don't scream for attention.

2013–2016 Scion FR-S / 2013–2020 Subaru BRZ (first generation)

Subaru BRZ (2013) — Image Credit: Charles01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

The Toyota-Subaru collaboration delivered exactly what enthusiasts claimed they wanted, an affordable, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive coupe, then those same enthusiasts complained it needed more power.

With just 200 horsepower from the 2.0-liter flat-four, the twins prioritized handling balance and driving engagement over drag strip dominance. The low center of gravity, responsive steering, and playful chassis dynamics created a car that rewarded driver skill more than throttle applications. Internet forums filled with people demanding a turbo version while sales remained modest, proving that enthusiasts' stated preferences don't always match their purchasing behavior.

The second-generation GR86/BRZ added power and refinement, but first-gen cars are aging into affordable enthusiast territory where their original mission finally makes perfect sense.

2001–2003 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S

Honda's upscale brand built a front-wheel-drive sports coupe with a 260-hp V6; a 6-speed manual was offered (most notably for 2003) alongside the automatic, then watched it get lost between luxury and performance markets.

The Type-S variant added sportier suspension, bigger brakes, and exterior enhancements that differentiated it from the base model, creating something that drove better than its FWD platform suggested. Torque steer was present but manageable, and the engine's willingness to rev brought genuine excitement to the experience. Buyers seeking luxury went for the TL sedan, while performance enthusiasts headed straight for rear-wheel-drive alternatives, leaving the CL in an awkward middle ground.

Clean manual-transmission Type-S models are becoming surprisingly hard to find as people realize Honda built them with the same quality that makes Integras and Preludes collectible.

2001–2004 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06

Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 Commemorative Edition — Image Credit: Chrishw89 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/WikiCommons.

Sandwiched between the controversial C4 and the celebrated C6, the C5 Z06 delivered supercar-fighting performance that somehow felt underwhelming to a market spoiled by Corvette excellence.

The LS6 V8's 385 hp / 385 lb-ft (2001), then 405 hp / 400 lb-ft (2002–2004) pushed the lightweight coupe to 60 mph in under 4 seconds. Chevy engineered genuine track capability into this package, with larger brakes, revised suspension, and weight-saving measures that made it the most focused Corvette in decades. Sales were solid compared to specialty sports cars but modest in Corvette terms, and the C5 Z06 spent years being the affordable alternative nobody particularly celebrated.

Values remained flat for years while C6 Z06s commanded premiums, though collectors are finally recognizing the C5's combination of analog driving character and modern performance.

2000-2005 Audi TT Quattro (Mk1 with 225hp)

Audi's design-forward coupe arrived with such distinctive styling that was widely praised as an industrial-design icon, though it is not listed as a car in MoMA’s permanent collection, yet American buyers stayed away in surprising numbers.

The turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder's 225 horsepower might not sound impressive today, but paired with Quattro all-wheel-drive and Audi's excellent build quality, it created a compelling package. Early cars faced recall-inducing stability issues at high speeds, a problem Audi fixed but that permanently damaged the model's reputation in some circles. The TT's curvy styling and perceived status as a "design object" led some to dismiss its legitimate performance credentials.

Twenty years on, the first-generation TT represents an accessible entry into the modern classic market, offering timeless design and engaging dynamics that have aged remarkably well.

Conclusion

These dozen sports cars share a common thread beyond their initial market struggles, they all delivered genuine driving pleasure that buyers took too long to recognize. Some suffered from bad timing, others from badge prejudice or styling controversies, but all offered more than their sales numbers suggested.

The automotive landscape has shifted dramatically since these cars were new, with electrification and autonomous features reshaping what sports cars mean to modern buyers. That transformation makes these overlooked performers even more appealing, as they represent an era when manufacturers still prioritized driving engagement above all else.

Whether you're hunting for your next project, an undervalued investment, or simply a great car to drive, these forgotten sports machines deserve a second look before the market fully catches on to what made them special all along.

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