The 1987 Buick GNX is the best sports car of 1987, with the Ferrari 328 GTS at #2 and the Chevrolet Corvette at #3. The Toyota MR2 is the best value: a Car and Driver Ten Best pick for 1987 at an original MSRP of $12,858.
The North American 4A-GE was rated at 115 hp (86 kW) for the 1987 model year
Mid-engine handling in a light, affordable two-seater
Pick by what you want
Best overall
1987 Buick GNX
Best value
1987 Toyota MR2 (AW11)
Quickest
1987 Ferrari 328 GTS
Best American V8
1987 Chevrolet Corvette (C4)
Cheapest V8
1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (Fox)
The ranking
1
1987 Buick GNX
Photo: General Motors
Answrs VerdictThe Grand National to end all Grand Nationals.
Horsepower: Rated by Buick at 276 hp (280 PS; 206 kW) at 4400 rpm; actual output is 300 bhp (304 PS; 224 kW)Torque: Rated at 360 lb⋅ft (488 N⋅m) at 3000 rpm; actual output is 420 lb⋅ft (569 N⋅m)Production: Only 547 built for 1987, the final year, in partnership with McLaren Performance Technologies/ASCTurbo: A special Garrett AiResearch T-3 turbocharger with a ceramic impeller and a larger-capacity intercoolerPrice: US$29,900 when new
Buick built the GNX for 1987, the Grand National’s final year, with McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC: a Garrett T-3 turbo with a ceramic impeller, a bigger intercooler and a unique torque arm. Buick rated it at 276 hp and 360 lb⋅ft, though actual output is 300 bhp and 420 lb⋅ft. Only 547 were built, at US$29,900 each.
Go ifBuyers who want the most torque of 1987 in a turbo V6 muscle coupe
Skip ifYou want a two-seater or a manual gearbox (the GNX used a reprogrammed 200-4R automatic)
Why #1 over #2: Its rated 276 hp and 360 lb⋅ft top the 328 GTS’s 266 hp and 224 lb⋅ft.
2
1987 Ferrari 328 GTS
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Italian exotic of 1987.
Horsepower: 270 PS (199 kW; 266 hp) and 304 N⋅m (224 lb⋅ft) from the 3.2-litre (3185 cc) mid-mounted V8Performance: 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds, 100 mph in 13.0 seconds and a top speed of 166 mph (267 km/h)Body: GTS signifies a Gran Turismo Spider (targa top)Production: 6,068 GTS models built, outnumbering the GTB almost five to one
The 328 GTS uses a 3.2-litre, four-valve-per-cylinder V8 mounted behind the cabin, making 270 PS (266 hp) and 224 lb⋅ft. It reaches 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and 100 mph in 13.0 seconds, with a top speed of 166 mph, and the targa-top GTS outsold the GTB almost five to one.
Go ifDrivers who want a mid-engine Italian V8 with a removable roof
Skip ifYou want more torque than its 224 lb⋅ft
Why #2 over #3: It reaches 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, quicker than the 1987 Corvette’s 5.8.
3
1987 Chevrolet Corvette (C4)
Photo: Sicnag / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe American V8 benchmark.
Horsepower: 240 HP @ 4,000 RPM from the L98 5.7 (350 cubic inch) tuned-port V8Torque: 345 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpmPerformance: 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and a 150 mph top speedTransmission: The Doug Nash "4+3" manual was offered from the 1984 through the 1988 model yearCallaway: The twin-turbo Callaway B2K option was offered at Chevrolet dealers from 1987 to 1991
The 1987 Corvette’s L98 tuned-port 350 V8 makes 240 hp at 4,000 rpm and 345 lb-ft, for 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and a 150 mph top speed. The Doug Nash "4+3" manual was still offered, and from 1987 Chevrolet dealers could order the twin-turbo Callaway B2K option.
Go ifBig-V8 American performance
Skip ifYou want the quickest car here (the 328 GTS was quicker to 60)
Why #3 over #4: Its 240 hp V8 out-powers the Supra Turbo’s 231 hp.
4
1987 Toyota Supra Turbo (A70)
Photo: Pokemonprime / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe new turbo six of 1987.
Horsepower: 231 hp (172 kW; 234 PS) and 240 lb⋅ft (325 N⋅m) from the intercooled 7M-GTE turbo sixNew for 1987: The A70 Supra Turbo was introduced in 1987Standard kit: The sports package with a limited-slip differential (LSD), TEMS and headlamp washers was standard on the TurboTechnology: The 7M-GTE was one of the first distributor-less mass production engines in the United StatesPrice: $22,570 original MSRP for the Supra Turbo hatchback
The Supra Turbo arrived for 1987 with the intercooled 7M-GTE six, making 231 hp and 240 lb⋅ft, one of the first distributor-less mass production engines in the United States. The sports package with a limited-slip differential and TEMS was standard on the Turbo.
Go ifA turbo six grand tourer in its first year
Skip ifYou want a lighter, mid-engine car
Why #4 over #5: Its 231 hp turbo six beats the Mustang GT’s 225 hp.
5
1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (Fox)
Photo: Myke2020 (talk) / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 5.0 V8 bargain.
Horsepower: 225 hp (168 kW) and 300 ft⋅lbf (410 N⋅m) from the V8Engine: E7TE cylinder heads and forged aluminum pistons with valve reliefs in 19871987 facelift: An SVO-style "Aero" front end, with body-colored triple-louvered taillights on the GTInterior: An all-new dash, center console and revised seat and door trim for 1987Price: $12,480 original MSRP for the GT; $16,226 for the GT convertible
The Mustang’s 1987 facelift brought the SVO-style "Aero" nose, louvered GT taillights and an all-new dash, and the V8 gained E7TE heads and forged pistons for 225 hp and 300 ft⋅lbf. The GT’s original MSRP was $12,480.
Go ifV8 torque at a low price
Skip ifYou want independent rear suspension or a two-seater
Why #5 over #6: Its 225 hp V8 out-powers the 944 Turbo’s 217 hp US rating.
6
1987 Porsche 944 Turbo (951)
Photo: Nicholas Hance / CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first car with standard dual airbags.
Horsepower: 220 PS (162 kW) (217 hp (162 kW) in the US) at 6,000 rpmCar and Driver test: In 1987 Car and Driver tested the 944 Turbo from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 5.9 secondsAirbags: The North American 1987 944 Turbo was the first production car in the world with driver and passenger airbags as standard1987 changes: A low oil level light, a 180 mph (290 km/h) speedometer and revised suspension control armsTen Best: The 944 Turbo made Car and Driver’s Ten Best list for 1986
The 944 Turbo’s turbocharged, intercooled four makes 217 hp in US form, and Car and Driver ran a 1987 car from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The North American 1987 944 Turbo was the first production car in the world with driver and passenger airbags as standard, and it gained a 180 mph speedometer.
Go ifBuyers who want front-engine balance with turbo speed
Skip ifYou need more than four cylinders
Why #6 over #7: Its 217 hp beats the 300ZX Turbo’s 200 hp.
7
1987 Nissan 300ZX Turbo (Z31)
Photo: Sicnag / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe turbo V6 grand tourer.
Horsepower: 200 hp (149 kW) from the turbocharged VG30ET V6Turbo: The 1984 to 1987 turbo models used a Garrett T3 turbocharger with a 7.8:1 compression ratio1987 makeover: More aerodynamic bumpers, fog lamps within the front air dam and 9004 bulb-based headlampsFirst: The first car in history with an LED central brake light, in the 1987 model yearDifferential: April 1987 and later turbo models got a clutch-based limited-slip differential
The 300ZX got its final makeover for 1987: more aerodynamic bumpers, fog lamps in the air dam and the first LED central brake light in history. The turbo’s VG30ET V6 made 200 hp through a Garrett T3, and April 1987 and later turbo cars got a limited-slip differential.
Go ifA turbo V6 GT with the new 1987 look
Skip ifYou want the lightest, sharpest handler
Why #7 over #8: Its 200 hp turbo V6 beats the RX-7 Turbo II’s 182 hp.
8
1987 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II (FC)
Photo: Mazda Canada Inc.
Answrs VerdictThe rotary pick of 1987.
Horsepower: 182 hp (136 kW; 185 PS) at around 6,500 rpm for the Turbo IITorque: 183 lb⋅ft (248 N⋅m) at 3,500 rpmTurbo: A twin-scroll turbocharger and an air-to-air intercooler with a dedicated intake on the bonnet10 Best: The Turbo II was on Car and Driver magazine’s 10 Best list for a second time in 1987Racing: The RX-7 won the IMSA GTU class 8 straight times from 1980 to 1987
The Turbo II’s twin-scroll turbocharger and air-to-air intercooler lift the rotary to 182 hp at around 6,500 rpm and 183 lb⋅ft. It was on Car and Driver’s 10 Best list in 1987, the same year the RX-7 completed 8 straight IMSA GTU class wins.
Go ifRotary-engine character in a turbo coupe
Skip ifYou want a piston engine
Why #8 over #9: Its 182 hp turbo rotary out-powers the Fiero GT’s 140 hp.
9
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe American mid-engine pick.
Horsepower: 140 hp (104 kW) at 5200 rpm from the 2.8 L L44 V6, produced from 1985 to 1988Fastback: The GT’s fastback roofline arrived in January 1986Transmission: The Muncie/Getrag 5-speed transaxle became standard in V6 models from June 19861987: The SE and GT kept the "Aero" nose while the base coupe got new fascias; redesigned headlight motors appearedPrice: $13,809 original MSRP for the Fiero GT
The Fiero GT pairs its fastback roofline, new for 1986, with the 140 hp 2.8 L L44 V6 and the Muncie/Getrag 5-speed that became standard in V6 models from June 1986. For 1987 the GT kept its "Aero" nose and gained redesigned headlight motors.
Go ifA mid-engine American V6 two-seater
Skip ifYou want the most power here
Why #9 over #10: Its 140 hp V6 out-powers the MR2’s 115 hp.
10
1987 Toyota MR2 (AW11)
Photo: Cutlass / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best value of 1987.
Horsepower: The North American 4A-GE was rated at 115 hp (86 kW) for the 1987 model yearMK1b facelift: August 1986 (MY 1987): a 7-rib 4A-GE, larger 258 mm front and 262 mm rear brake rotors and new tail lightsRoof: A T-bar roof became available in North AmericaTen Best: On Car and Driver magazine’s Ten Best list for 1986 and 1987Price: $12,858 original MSRP for the MR2 coupe
The 1987 MR2 got the MK1b facelift: a strengthened 7-rib 4A-GE rated at 115 hp in North America, larger brake rotors, new tail lights and an available T-bar roof. It was on Car and Driver’s Ten Best list for 1986 and 1987, at an original MSRP of $12,858.
Go ifMid-engine handling in a light, affordable two-seater
Skip ifYou need cargo room or more than 115 hp
How we ranked these
We ranked each 1987 car on period performance and lasting reputation, using each model’s documented power output, magazine tests and awards: power and acceleration first, then the turbo grand tourers and the lighter mid-engine cars. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What was the best sports car of 1987?
The Buick GNX. Buick rated it at 276 hp and 360 lb⋅ft, though actual output is 300 bhp and 420 lb⋅ft, and only 547 were built for 1987.
What was the quickest car on this 1987 list?
The Ferrari 328 GTS, which reaches 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 166 mph.
Which 1987 sports car was the best value?
The Toyota MR2. It made Car and Driver’s Ten Best list for 1986 and 1987, and its original MSRP was $12,858.
How much did a Buick GNX cost new?
Buick sold the 1987 GNX for US$29,900, and only 547 were built.
Horsepower as published (US or rated figure where given) at a glance
1987 Toyota MR2 (AW11)115 hp
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT140 hp
1987 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II (FC)182 hp
1987 Nissan 300ZX Turbo (Z31)200 hp
1987 Porsche 944 Turbo (951)217 hp
1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (Fox)225 hp
1987 Toyota Supra Turbo (A70)231 hp
1987 Chevrolet Corvette (C4)240 hp
1987 Ferrari 328 GTS266 hp
1987 Buick GNX276 hp
Horsepower as published (US or rated figure where given), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
