Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)

Okay, so the FD, right? The one from the 90s. That pop-up headlight design… it’s just timeless. But the real magic, obviously, is what’s under the hood. The 13B-REW twin-turbo rotary. It’s not a piston engine, it’s this weird, whirry, spinning triangle thing that revs to the moon and sounds like a swarm of angry bees. Not gonna lie, it’s a nightmare to work on and it drinks fuel and oil like they’re going out of style, but when it’s on boost… oh man. It’s just this smooth, linear surge of power. Prices now are crazy. A clean, unmolested one? You’re looking at, uhm, like $40,000 to $60,000 easily. Maybe more. It’s an investment at this point.

Toyota Supra (A80)

The big one. The 2JZ-GTE. It’s basically a brick of iron, you could probably boost it to a thousand horsepower and it’d just ask for more. It’s so over-engineered, it’s ridiculous. The whole “Supra vs. Skyline” And the looks, it’s so… 90s, in the best way. Bulbous but aggressive. Prices are just astronomical now. A manual twin-turbo? Good luck finding one for under $100,000. It’s become a legend, almost untouchable.

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)

The Godzilla. This car had so much mystique because we couldn’t have it in the States, you know? That alone made it cooler. The ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system and the RB26DETT engine… it’s a technological masterpiece for its time. That blue on the Midnight Purple version? Chef’s kiss. It just looks so serious, like it means business. Now that they’re legal to import, prices are… wow. I’ve seen them go for well over $100,000, sometimes pushing $200k for a V-Spec. It’s a trophy.

Honda NSX

The one that scared Ferrari. Seriously. It was built with Ayrton Senna’s input, how cool is that? It’s a supercar, but with Honda reliability. Well, sort of. Mid engine, V-TEC scream from that C30A V6, and it’s so balanced and easy to drive A good, clean manual NSX today is another one in the $100,000-plus club. It’s just classy.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI

The rally car for the road. That big wing, the hood vents, the aggressive stance. It’s the opposite of subtle. The 4G63 engine is another tuner’s dream, you can make stupid power with it. And the all-wheel drive system is just legendary for grip. This is the car you get for a rainy track day, you know? It feels raw and mechanical. Prices for a clean Evo VI, especially the Tommi Mäkinen edition, are getting up there, like $50,000 to $70,000. It’s a rally legend.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GC8)

You can’t talk about the Evo without its arch-nemesis, right? The Subaru. The boxer rumble is just… iconic. It sounds like nothing else. The blue with the gold wheels, it’s just the perfect livery. It was always the slightly more refined, but still totally bonkers, rival to the Evo. The 22B is the holy grail, but even a regular GC8 STI is so special. Prices have shot up, a good one is probably $35,000 to $50,000 now. It’s a piece of rally history.

Nissan 300ZX (Z32)

This car was so ahead of its time. The twin-turbo V6 made great power, and the styling, with those swoopy lines and the cool taillight bar… it looked like a Japanese Ferrari. The interior was packed with tech, maybe too much it’s a nightmare to work on now. The engine bay is just… packed. No space. But when it’s running right, it’s a fantastic grand tourer. You can find them for a bit less than the others, maybe $20,000 to $30,000 for a nice twin-turbo, but they’re getting rarer.

Toyota MR2 (SW20)

The poor man’s Ferrari? Kinda. Mid-engine, lightweight, and that turbo version with the 3S-GTE engine is a rocket. It keeps you on your toes! It’s a driver’s car, for sure. The pop-up headlights, again, just perfect 90s design. Prices are still somewhat reasonable, you can get a good one for, uhm, $15,000 to $25,000? It’s a bargain for the experience.

Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA)

I know, I know, it’s not a turbo monster. But it’s a JDM icon in its own right! The pop-up headlights, the perfect 50/50 weight distribution, it’s just pure, simple, lightweight fun. You can still find decent ones for, like, $6,000 to $10,000. It’s the ultimate affordable classic.

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Mazda RX-7 FD

Not gonna lie, the FD RX-7 is the one that makes me stare out the window and daydream. Twin-turbo rotary, slippery ‘90s curves, pop-ups like, it’s anime come to life. Top speed? About 155 mph stock, give or take, which is already spicy, but the way it builds boost and just keeps pulling makes it feel faster than the number says. It’s light, it rotates (ha) beautifully, and when it’s on song it feels silk-smooth and slightly dangerous, in a good way. Prices are all over the place depending on condition and mods, but a tidy one will run you about $40k to $75k, with minty low-mile unicorns well past $90k. Just budget for, you know, rotary love and the occasional uhm, “why is it idling like that” moment.

Mazda RX-8 R3

I mean, the RX-8 gets flak for the whole apex seal thing, but the R3 version in particular is sneaky quick once you wind it out. Think around 145–150 mph on a good day, and it does it with that zingy, rev-to-the-moon rotary feel that’s super addictive. The chassis is genuinely great super neutral, steering that talks and those little rear-hinged doors are somehow still cool. It’s underrated because people fear the engine, but if you get a clean one and maintain it like a weirdo (warm-ups, premix, etc.), it’s a riot. Price-wise, R3s hover around $12k to $22k depending on miles, and yeah, that’s kind of a bargain for something that loves corners this much.

Mazda 6 MPS / Mazdaspeed6

This one’s such a sleeper. All-wheel drive, turbo 2.3, manual only like Mazda built a rally sedan in a lab and forgot to brag. Top speed is roughly 149–150 mph stock, but the way it gets there dig, grip, whoosh is so satisfying. The torque hit makes highway passes feel almost rude. It looks pretty normal, too, which is half the fun. You can find decent examples around $7k to $15k, maybe up to $18k for a clean low-mile one, and honestly it’s one of the most grown-up fast Mazdas you can daily without attracting the HOA.

Mazdaspeed3 (Gen 2)

So yeah, torque steer memes. But also, like, 155 mph legit top speed with enough room and courage, which is wild for a hatch with a big grin on its face. The 2.3 DISI turbo shoves hard in the midrange, and the chassis is playful if you, uhm, mind your throttle foot. It feels like a golden-era hot hatch loud-ish, slightly scrappy, tons of personality. Prices are surprisingly sane: $8k to $16k for most, with pristine late models sneaking higher. If you need fast plus practical and don’t mind wrangling torque, this is your troublemaker.

Mazdaspeed3 (Gen 1)

The original troublemaker. A touch rawer, honestly a bit rowdier, and somehow it feels faster than the numbers because it’s always on boost and vibrating with mischief. Top speed hovers around 155 mph too, but the journey there is more “hold tight and giggle.” Short gearing, torque everywhere, and an interior that’s simple but gets the job done. These can be had for $5k to $12k typically, with cleaner examples nudging up. It’s like buying a can of energy drink with wheels cheap thrills, big grins.

Mazdaspeed Miata (NB MSM)

Okay, it’s still a Miata, which means not insane top speed, but the turbo NB Mazdaspeed will crack about 125–130 mph and feel alive doing it. It’s not the fastest on this list, but it’s the one that makes you say “one more on-ramp.” The chassis is telepathic, the turbo adds that little whoosh-magic, and the whole thing feels like it’s cheering for you. Clean MSMs are climbing, figure $12k to $22k, and honestly I get it roof down, boost up, life better.

Mazda RX-7 FC Turbo II

The middle child RX-7 that secretly slaps. Single-turbo rotary, boxy-cool ‘80s looks, and a top speed around 145–150 mph depending on market and gearing. It’s less dramatic than an FD but more composed than you’d think, and that period turbo surge is such a vibe. You can still find nice ones around $10k to $25k, though really clean, unmolested cars are climbing. If you want vintage turbo feels without selling a kidney, the FC is that sweet spot.

Mazda RX-7 SA/FB (Turbo and GSL-SE builds)

Stock US cars weren’t rockets, but the later turbo markets and the hot GSL-SE setups can stretch their legs to the 120s-plus, and the aero actually kinda helps at speed. It’s more about momentum and that classic lightweight feel like a scalpel with seats. On a long straight it’ll surprise you by not running out of breath as quickly as you’d expect. Prices vary wildly, but you’re usually looking at $8k to $20k for drivers, with clean series-special stuff higher. It’s the charming one you grin even when you’re not going that fast.

Mazda 3 Turbo (current-gen AWD)

This one’s sneaky. It looks like a chic commuter, but with the 2.5T and AWD it just… goes. Officially it’s not marketed as a top-speed monster, but you’re looking at around 130–135 mph, and it gets there with that effortless “we’re just cruising” confidence. The cabin is Lexus-lite nice, and the torque makes city driving almost too easy. Used prices are around $22k to $33k right now depending on year and miles. It’s like a grown-up Mazdaspeed that put on a blazer and learned manners.

Mazda 6 2.5T (Signature-ish)

The turbo Mazda 6 is the long-legged one less shouty, more “let’s cover states.” Top speed is around 135–140 mph depending on conditions, and it rides with this calm, slightly sporty poise that makes you think, huh, this could be a baby Audi. Steering’s good, seats are comfy, and it sips fuel better than the speed suggests. You can pick them up for $18k to $30k used, and if you do a lot of highway, it’s kind of the sneaky smart buy that still scratches the fast itch.

Mazda CX-9 2.5T (yes, the big one)

Okay, hear me out fastest Mazdas by top speed, we gotta include the big family boat that can actually hustle. The CX-9 will do about 130 mph, which is ridiculous for a three-row that feels like a nice lounge on wheels. It’s not a driver’s car in the classic sense, but the torque is meaty and the chassis is tighter than it has any right to be. Used ones sit around $15k to $32k. It’s the “I have kids but also a need for speed on empty highways at 2 a.m.” pick, not that I’m recommending that, obviously.

Mazda RX-7 Spirit R (FD, ultimate trim)

I mean, if we’re ranking fastest, the Spirit R sits at the top of Mazda cool, even if the top speed number stays around that 155 mph limiter territory. It’s not really about top speed anyway this thing is howling-rotor perfection, the best brakes, the best seats, the extra sharpness. It feels special the moment you close the door. Prices are spicy imports and pristine examples can be $80k to $150k, sometimes more. It’s the “poster on your wall” car that actually lives up to the poster when you drive it.

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