On The Rise: '90s Collector Cars

Some of the decade’s most well-known (and under-the-radar) collector cars

- ALEX KIERSTEIN

The ’90s can conjure thoughts of an automotive dark age full of unsatisfying niche vehicles and evolutionary dead ends. It’s the decade that gave us the Suzuki X-90, after all. But it was also studded with gems, some of which have become bona fide collectibles and some that still await a star turn.

1991–1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

The Z32 Z marked a triumphant return to sports car greatness, especially in twin-turbo guise. It looked sleek, and it packed 300 hp and 283 lb-ft of torque, wild numbers for the time. Nissan also included HICAS active rear steering for world-beating handling that helped it snap up our 1990 Import Car of the Year award. While the best examples have slipped slightly, an excellent 300ZX turbo is a $40,000 car as of this writing.

1992–1999 Chevrolet Tahoe/ GMC Yukon 2-Door 

These have gotten difficult to find in good condition, and nostalgia and their upright, honest, and handsome styling has folks reevaluating them as collectibles. They’re also very usable, with available 4WD and enough power to tow toys. Good ones command between $20,000 and $40,000 depending on spec—the clean details and subtle menace of the Yukon GT is a particular favorite of ours.

1990–1993 Porsche 911 (964) 

The 964 is finally coming into its own. Despite a short model run, there are many variants, available AWD (a first in a production 911), and even a Tiptronic automatic for those who want one. Excellent ’90s colors also give it a flair its predecessors lack. Prices have jumped of late; prime examples of the base model are into six figures, while rare models like the Turbo S Lightweights approach the million-dollar barrier.