Supercars from Unlikely Sources
While names like Ferrari and Lamborghini immediately spring to mind when discussing supercars, several automakers not typically associated with luxury have also ventured into this high-performance arena. These vehicles boast seven-figure price tags and a performance pedigree to match. Surprisingly, many of these cars have even increased in value over time.
From the Honda (Acura) NSX to the Lexus LFA and Nissan GT-R, the past has seen several mainstream automakers attempt to produce exclusive supercars. Sometimes, these ventures proved to be quite successful. This list will introduce you to some of these unexpected supercars, including one with an incredible story behind it.
Honda/Acura NSX
When it debuted in 1990, the NSX, marketed as the Acura NSX in North America and Honda elsewhere, astonished the automotive world. It delivered performance that rivaled Ferraris and Porsches but was priced at just $62,000. To put that in context, comparable supercars from those European brands cost at least twice, if not three times, as much.
As a result, the NSX holds significant value on the used market. Even well-worn models can sell for $30,000 to $40,000, while examples in good condition command six figures. Effectively, this means that these cars are worth about what they cost when new, 35 years ago. The new Acura NSX is still less expensive than its European counterparts, but it is significantly more expensive than the original, with a price tag that pushes $200,000.
Ford GT – The ‘Blue-Collar’ Supercar
The Ford GT is the great-grandson of the legendary GT40, the race car Ford developed to beat Ferrari at Le Mans. Ironically, the GT40 was initially seen as a sort of ‘blue-collar’ hero that could challenge and defeat Ferrari. However, there’s nothing ordinary about the new GT. The MSRP opened at over $350,000, and later models were sold for seven figures. It also wasn’t a car you could simply buy if you had the money. Ford pre-approved buyers before selling the vehicle.
Nissan GT-R
Some might argue that the Nissan GT-R doesn’t belong on this list, and they’d have a point for two reasons. First, when it was first launched nearly 20 years ago, it was relatively inexpensive for a high-performance car, with an MSRP well under $100,000. Second, the GT-R is the successor to the Skyline, which is not a supercar and was also relatively inexpensive in its time. But the reason the GT-R is on this list is because those two characteristics sadly no longer apply.
The Skyline, especially the R34 that Paul Walker drove in the Fast and Furious franchise, is a rare and valuable car these days. This has also impacted the Nissan GT-R, which can sometimes cost as much as seven figures.
Lexus LFA
The Lexus LFA became an iconic supercar. Given that Lexus is a sub-brand of Toyota, the first thing worth noting is that this car was designed by the same automaker that gave us the Prius. When it was launched in 2010, car enthusiasts and collectors were collectively surprised. The surprise amplified when Lexus announced they would only produce 500 of these cars, each priced at $375,000. Today, $375,000 might not be enough to buy a car from some luxury automakers, but at that time, you could have literally bought two Ferrari F430s for that price.
The Lexus LFA has since become a cult classic, partly because of its striking design, but mostly because of the incredible sound of its V10 engine. It also turned out to be a wise investment. Today, it’s difficult to find a Lexus LFA for less than $700,000.
