Vehicles tend to be expensive, especially when they are significant, rare, or high-performance, which is why most of us spend an inconceivable, for a normal person, amount of time, scouting for great offers on our dream cars. With that said, the market is currently in turmoil, and vehicle prices continue going up. The following 10 cars (plus one) are currently appreciating in value, but are still relatively attainable, so if you are thinking of buying one, now may be as good a time as any.

Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06

The Chevy Corvette has always been a bargain performance car. How many sports cars offer V-8 power for under $70,000? Exactly! Initially, the C5 Z06 was supposed to be on the list, but prices are getting dangerously close to the C6 Z06, and let’s face it, that’s a much better car. For around $30,000, you still get an LS7, 7.0-liter pushrod V-8 with 505 horsepower and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm). Mated to a Tremec six-speed manual, the “Vette” hits 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, on its way to 199 mph (320 km/h).

Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 specifications

Read our full review on the Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06

BMW M5 E39

Many consider the E39 M5 to be the last pure BMW M5. Coming from the early 200s, the E39 M5 boasts BMW’s subtle, yet distinctive design, before Chris Bangle’s questionable styling came. In addition to being a blast to drive, the BMW E39 M5 is said to be the most reliable M-car ever made. Its 4.9-liter S62 V-8 is one of the most desirable, European V-8 engines ever made.

It also packs 400 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm), which are sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual. This allows for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 5.1 seconds. While you can still find a (maybe) drivable one for cheap, good examples are already approaching $30,000 with immaculate examples going for way more.

BMW M5 E39 specifications

Read our full review on the BMW M5 E39

Honda S2000

The S2000 is featured on many of our lists and for good reason. It’s one of the last pure sports cars that are also relatively attainable, for now. The front-mid-engine roadster packs a high-revving 2.0-liter (2.2 in later models) engine that makes 240 horsepower and between 153 and 162 pound-feet (208-220 Nm). With a six-speed manual sending power to the rear, the 2,822-pound (1,280 kg) S2000 could reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.4 seconds. Depending on the mileage, you can find good examples for anywhere between $16,000 and $29,000.

Honda S2000 specifications

Read our full review on the Honda S2000

Porsche 911 (997)

The controversial 996-generation Porsche 911 has already sky-rocketed in value, with some examples closing in on the $35,000 mark. This puts the 996 in a difficult position because, for a bit more, you can have what many see as the last pure 911 – the 997. Of course, you can forget about the Turbo or GT3 models, but even the Carrera models are great fun.

With anywhere from 325 to 385 horsepower and 273 to 306 pound-feet (370-415 Nm) from either a 3.6 or a 3.8 flat-six, the Porsche 997 can sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in as little as 3.9 seconds. Moreover, you have a good chance of finding a manual. If you want a PDK, however, look for a facelift model (from 2009). Good examples can still be had for $42,000.

Porsche 911 (997) specifications

Read our full review on the Porsche 911 (997)

Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

The SN95-generation Ford Mustang may not be the most loved one, but when Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) took it, it did something spectacular with it. While the interior was still very much 1990s Ford, which meant cheap, the car packed so much performance that it, effectively, killed the competition, earning it one of the coolest nicknames - Terminator. More recently, the Mustang SVT Cobra is also referred to as Ford’s Hellcat.

The 4.6-liter supercharged V-8 officially made 385 horsepower and 390 pound-feet (529 Nm), but dyno tests revealed the actual horsepower to be 440 at the crankshaft. The V-8 was mated to a five-speed manual, allowing for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.4 seconds with a quarter-mile time of 12.7 seconds. Good examples can currently be had for about $16,000, but immaculate and tastefully modified examples can cost over $30,000.

Ford Mustang SVT Cobra specifications

Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R may have started to show its age, but it’s still a very solid platform. Whether it’s stock or modified, the GT-R still gives more expensive performance cars a run for their money, often shaming them. Unfortunately, this, combined with the car’s cult status, has reflected the prices and even a 2009 Nissan GT-R isn’t that far off its original sticker price of $78,000.

That said, if you don’t mind a few more miles on the clock, you can still find a 2014 GT-R with about 65,000 miles (104,607 km) for about $75,000. Granted, it is a lot of money for an eight-year-old coupe, but you do get the bonkers VR38DETT, 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine, which in this case puts out 550 horsepower and 466 pound-feet (632 Nm). This is enough for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint in 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph (315 km/h).

Nissan GT-R specifications

Read our full review on the Nissan GT-R

Dodge Viper

Things are interesting with the Dodge Viper. Even after five generations, the venomous snake is not exactly a common sight on the road. It is believed that just over 30,000 units in total were produced between 1992 and 2017. The most desirable are the second, fourth, and fifth generations, which has reflected the prices. The second generation, in particular, appreciated by nearly 50 percent, compared to 2016. Things aren’t much better with the fourth and fifth generations, which nowadays, sell for their original sticker price.

This leaves you with the first generation and third generation. The latter is the more usable as well as the more powerful of the two. Its 8.3-liter V-10 makes 510 horsepower and 525 pound-feet (712 Nm). If you manage to tame the power, 60 mph (97 km/h) can be reached in just 3.8 seconds, on to a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h). Keep in mind that you’ll probably have to settle for the roadster. Currently, prices are in the ballpark of $50,000 and will only go up.

Dodge Viper specifications

Read our full review on the Dodge Viper

Mercedes C63 AMG (W204 & C204)

The W204/C204 generation of the C-Class is a good all-rounder, but what makes it special is that it’s one of the last AMG models to feature the 6.2-liter, normally-aspirated M156 V-8. Depending on the version, the AMG V-8 puts down anywhere from 456 to 517 horsepower. That said, if you are looking for a bargain, you have to forget about the more special Black Series and 507 Edition models. Moreover, you’ll most likely have to settle for the sedan version (W204) since the coupes (C204) rarely come up for sale. If you are lucky, you might find the rare T-model, which is a station wagon.

That said, you still get from 451 to 487 horsepower, depending on whether you get the performance package or not, and 443 pound-feet (600 Nm). Power goes to the rear through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. More surprising is that the W204 C63 AMG actually beats the new C63 AMG in a drag race. Currently, you can get a W204 C63 AMG for as little as $17,000, but the very good examples with fewer miles on the clock will set you back around $30,000 - a small price to pay for one of the best German performance sedans, ever made.

Mercedes C63 AMG W204 specifications

Read our full review on the Mercedes C63 AMG

Toyota FJ Cruiser

One of the things, Toyota is known for is its rugged, off-road vehicles. The FJ Cruiser not only embodies that, but it does so in a very retro-futuristic design, inspired by the 1960s Land Cruiser 40 Series. It also features rear suicide doors, for easier access to the rear. The Toyota FJ Cruiser was produced from 2006 to 2014 and came with one engine option – the 1GR-FE, 4.0-liter V-6. It made 239 horsepower and 278 pound-feet (377 Nm).

The engine was mated to either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual, the latter of which was available only for the all-wheel-drive version. The 0 to 60 mph is possible in 7.4 seconds. Back in 2014, a brand new Toyota FJ Cruiser started from $27,680, which is $32,662 in 2022 money. Nowadays, you can get a used example for as little as $15,000, but if you want a really clean one with low mileage, you will have to spend at least $28,000.

Toyota FJ Cruiser specifications

Read our full review on the Toyota FJ Cruiser

Ferrari 456

Until not too long ago, the Ferrari 456 was a largely forgotten V-12 Italian grand tourer. And while it was largely foreshadowed by its sharper counterparts, the 550 Maranello and 575M, people have started warming up to the 456 that preceded them. Unlike its slightly sportier front-engine V-12 relatives, the 456 is a proper 2+2 coupe. Its 5.5-liter V-12 delivers 442 horsepower and 406 pound-feet (550 Nm).

Ideally, you would want to get the revised 456M, which comes out in 1998 and features better aerodynamics, cooling, and a more modern interior. Two gearbox options – a six-speed manual and a four-speed automatic – are available. Finding one for sale is becoming increasingly difficult, but look long enough and you could still find a decent example for about $60,000, which makes it the cheapest V-12 Ferrari, you can get, at the moment. That said, the really good ones already fetch over $100,000 and the rest are bound to follow.

Ferrari 456 specifications

Read our full review on the Ferrari 456

Honorable mention: Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster

The 2010 Mercedes SLS AMG is the spiritual successor to the iconic, 1954 Mercedes 300 SL. Its retro-futuristic design is clearly inspired by the 1950s supercar and even brings back the gull-wing doors. Despite a newer model already on sale, the SLS AMG has appreciated greatly, with clean used examples currently going for over $250,000.

Its convertible version – the SLS AMG roadster – lacks the iconic gull-wing doors and features conventional ones. Because of that, you can currently get the roadster for "just" $147,000. The M159, 6.2-liter V-8, which is essentially a more powerful M156 (from the C63 AMG) delivers 571 to 583 horsepower and 480 pound-feet (650 Nm). The 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) still takes 3.7 seconds and the top speed is 197 mph (317 km/h).

Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster specifications