The 1988 BMW M3 (E30) is the best sports car of 1988, with the Porsche 944 Turbo at #2 and the Chevrolet Corvette at #3. The Honda CRX Si is the best value: Motor Trend’s 1988 Import Car of the Year at an original MSRP of $10,414.
140 hp (104 kW) from the 2.8 L L44 V6, built 1985 to 1988
A mid-engine American two-seater in its best year
Pick by what you want
Best overall
1988 BMW M3 (E30)
Best value
1988 Honda CRX Si (ED9)
Quickest
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo (951)
Most power
1988 Chevrolet Corvette (C4)
Best mid-engine
1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged (AW11)
The ranking
1
1988 BMW M3 (E30)
Photo: BMW Group
Answrs VerdictThe touring-car legend of 1988.
Horsepower: 192 hp (143 kW; 195 PS) with a catalytic converter; 197 hp withoutPurpose: A homologation special for the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft and Group A touring car rules1988 racing: European Touring Car Championship titles in 1987 and 1988, a British Touring Car Championship title in 1988 and the Spa 24 Hours in 1987, 1988, 1990 and 1992Production: Built from March 1986 to June 1991; 17,970 E30 M3s in totalReputation: Sports Car International named the E30 M3 number six on its list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980sPrice: $35,125 original MSRP for the 1988 M3 coupe
BMW built the E30 M3 as a homologation special for DTM and Group A racing, and its catalytic-converter engine made 192 hp. In 1988 it took the European Touring Car Championship, the British Touring Car Championship and the Spa 24 Hours. 17,970 were built between March 1986 and June 1991.
Go ifDrivers who want a race-bred touring car with a high-revving four
Skip ifYou want V8 or turbo torque (192 hp is modest on paper)
Why #1 over #2: It won the 1988 European and British touring car titles and the 1988 Spa 24 Hours, while the 944 Turbo’s top period honor was Car and Driver’s Ten Best list for 1986.
2
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo (951)
Photo: KSE6J8ZpynMR / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fastest four-cylinder of its day.
Horsepower: 220 PS (162 kW) (217 hp in the US) for the 944 Turbo; the 1988 Turbo S made 250 PS (184 kW)Car and Driver test: June 1988 Turbo S: 0–60 mph in 5.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.9 seconds at 101 mphTop speed: Turbo S factory-rated at 261 km/h (162 mph); the fastest production four-cylinder car of its timeLimited run: Porsche built the 1988 944 Turbo S as a limited series of 1,000 unitsTen Best: The 944 Turbo made Car and Driver’s Ten Best list for 1986Brakes: Brembo 4-piston fixed calipers and 12-inch discs borrowed from the 911 (Turbo S fronts from the 928 S4)
The 944 Turbo made 217 hp in US form, and the 1988 Turbo S raised that to 250 PS. Car and Driver’s June 1988 Turbo S ran 0–60 mph in 5.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.9 seconds, and Porsche rated it at 261 km/h (162 mph) — the fastest production four-cylinder car of its time, built as a 1,000-unit series.
Go ifBuyers who want front-engine balance with turbo speed
Skip ifYou need a bigger engine or more than four cylinders
Why #2 over #3: Car and Driver’s Turbo S ran 0–60 mph in 5.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.9, quicker than the 1988 Corvette’s 5.6 and 14.3 seconds.
3
1988 Chevrolet Corvette (C4)
Photo: Sicnag / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe American V8 benchmark.
Horsepower: 240 hp (179 kW) from the L98 350 V8 for 1987–1989 (245 hp with the 3.08:1 rear axle ratio, 1988–1989 only)Performance: 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.3 seconds at 95.0 mphTransmission: The Doug Nash "4+3" manual was offered from the 1984 through the 1988 model year35th Anniversary: 2,050 white-on-white 35th Anniversary coupes were built for 1988Suspension: A transverse fiberglass mono-leaf front spring only 1/3 the weight of the C3’s coil springsPrice: $29,955 original MSRP for the coupe; $35,295 for the convertible
The 1988 Corvette’s L98 350 V8 was rated at 240 hp, or 245 hp with the 3.08:1 axle, and ran 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The Doug Nash "4+3" manual was offered through the 1988 model year, and Chevrolet built 2,050 white 35th Anniversary coupes.
Go ifBig-V8 American performance with a removable roof
Skip ifYou want the quickest car here (the 944 Turbo S was quicker in testing)
Why #3 over #4: Its 240 hp L98 V8 out-powers the Supra Turbo’s 231 hp.
4
1988 Toyota Supra Turbo (A70)
Photo: Toyota
Answrs VerdictThe turbo six grand tourer.
Horsepower: 231 hp (172 kW; 234 PS) and 240 lb⋅ft (325 N⋅m) from the intercooled 7M-GTE turbo sixStandard kit: The sports package with a limited-slip differential, TEMS and headlamp washers was standard on the Turbo1988 changes: Nominal: a trapezoid spoiler brake light, a new seat pattern and darker gray switchgear trimChassis: Double wishbone suspension front and rear; a targa top was offered in all model yearsTechnology: The 7M-GTE was Toyota’s first distributor-less engine offered in the USPrice: $24,070 original MSRP for the Supra Turbo hatchback
The A70 Supra Turbo’s intercooled 7M-GTE six made 231 hp and 240 lb⋅ft, and the Turbo came standard with a limited-slip differential and TEMS adjustable suspension. Changes for 1988 were nominal, and double wishbones at both ends plus an available targa top carried over.
Go ifA turbo six grand tourer with a targa option
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
1988 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 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 marketed as the 5.0Engine: E7TE cylinder heads and forged aluminum pistons from 19871987 facelift: An SVO-style "Aero" front end, with body-colored triple-louvered taillights on the GT1988: No major changes, though the T-top option for hatchbacks was dropped midyearPrice: $13,119 original MSRP for the GT hatchback; $16,984 for the GT convertible
The GT’s 5.0 V8 gained E7TE heads and forged pistons for 1987, lifting it to 225 hp and 300 ft⋅lbf. The 1987 facelift brought the SVO-style "Aero" nose and the GT’s louvered taillights, and 1988 carried on with no major changes.
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 300ZX Turbo’s 205 hp.
6
1988 Nissan 300ZX Turbo (Z31)
Photo: Txemari. (Navarra). from Navarra, España / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe turbo V6 grand tourer.
Horsepower: 205 hp (153 kW) from the turbocharged VG30ET V6 for 1988–1989Turbo: A low inertia T25 turbocharger and an 8.3:1 compression ratio for 1988 to 1989Shiro Special: 1,002 built for the US market between January and March 1988, plus 75 for CanadaTop speed: The Shiro Special reached 153 mph in Motor Trend testing with the speed limiter disabledDifferential: April 1987 and later turbo models got a clutch-based limited-slip differentialPrice: $23,424 original MSRP for the 300ZX Turbo
For 1988 the Z31 Turbo got a low-inertia T25 turbocharger and higher compression, lifting the VG30ET to 205 hp. Nissan also built 1,002 US Shiro Specials between January and March 1988, which reached 153 mph in Motor Trend testing with the limiter off.
Go ifA turbo V6 GT with T-tops and room for two
Skip ifYou want the lightest, sharpest handler
Why #6 over #7: Its 205 hp turbo V6 beats the RX-7 Turbo II’s 182 hp.
7
1988 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II (FC)
Photo: Pokemonprime / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe rotary pick.
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 fed by a bonnet intake10th Anniversary: A 1988 limited edition based on the Turbo II, limited to 1,500 unitsAwards: The FC was Motor Trend’s 1986 Import Car of the Year, and the Turbo II made Car and Driver’s 10 Best list in 1987
The Turbo II’s twin-scroll, intercooled rotary made 182 hp at around 6,500 rpm and 183 lb⋅ft. For 1988 Mazda added the 1,500-unit 10th Anniversary edition based on the Turbo II, and the Turbo II had made Car and Driver’s 10 Best list in 1987.
Go ifRotary-engine character in a turbo coupe
Skip ifYou want a piston engine
Why #7 over #8: Its 182 hp turbo rotary out-powers the MR2 Supercharged’s 145 hp.
8
1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged (AW11)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe mid-engine pick.
Horsepower: 145 hp (147 PS; 108 kW) at 6,400 rpm from the supercharged 4A-GZEUS debut: The supercharged model became available in North America for the 1988 model yearAcceleration: 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.5 to 7.0 secondsSupercharger: A Roots-type supercharger with a Denso intercooler, driven through an electromagnetic clutch only when neededAward: Australia’s Wheels magazine chose the 1988 MR2 as its favourite sports carPrice: $16,978 original MSRP for the Supercharged coupe
The supercharged MR2 reached North America for 1988 with a 145 hp 4A-GZE, using a Roots-type supercharger that engaged through an electromagnetic clutch only when needed. It ran 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 to 7.0 seconds, and Wheels magazine named the 1988 MR2 its favourite sports car.
Go ifMid-engine handling in a light two-seater
Skip ifYou need cargo room or more than 145 hp
Why #8 over #9: Its 145 hp supercharged engine beats the CRX Si’s 105 bhp.
9
1988 Honda CRX Si (ED9)
Photo: Honda
Answrs VerdictThe best value of 1988.
Horsepower: 105 bhp (78 kW) in 1988 from the 1.6-liter 16-valve D16A6Redesign: All-new for 1988, with four-wheel double wishbone suspension and a 10 cm (4 in) longer wheelbaseAwards: Motor Trend’s 1988 Import Car of the Year, Car and Driver’s 10Best for 1988 and one of Road & Track’s Ten Best CarsSi equipment: A power-sliding sunroof, rear wiper, 14-inch alloy wheels, a rear anti-sway bar and variable-ratio steeringPrice: $10,414 original MSRP for the CRX Si
The second-generation CRX arrived for 1988 with four-wheel double wishbones and a longer wheelbase, and the Si’s 1.6-liter D16A6 made 105 bhp. It was Motor Trend’s 1988 Import Car of the Year, made Car and Driver’s 10Best for 1988 and was one of Road & Track’s Ten Best Cars.
Go ifLow-cost front-drive fun with big awards
Skip ifYou want rear-wheel drive or more than 105 bhp
Why #9 over #10: It won three 1988 honors (Motor Trend Import Car of the Year, Car and Driver 10Best, a Road & Track Ten Best) for a $10,414 MSRP, against the Fiero GT’s $14,319 and a Ten Best listing that came in 1984.
10
1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best Fiero ever built.
Horsepower: 140 hp (104 kW) from the 2.8 L L44 V6, built 1985 to 19881988 suspension: New front control arms and a tri-link rear suspension: the design Pontiac engineers had planned from the startBrakes: Vented disc brakes at all four corners for 1988Final year: 1988 marked the end of Fiero production; the last one was assembled on August 16, 1988Production: 370,168 Fieros built over five yearsPrice: $14,319 original MSRP for the Fiero GT
The 1988 Fiero finally got the suspension Pontiac engineers had designed at the start, with new front control arms, a tri-link rear and vented discs at all four corners; the GT’s 2.8 L V6 made 140 hp. 1988 was also the last year: the final Fiero was assembled on August 16, 1988, after 370,168 were built.
Go ifA mid-engine American two-seater in its best year
Skip ifYou want a car still in production after 1988
How we ranked these
We ranked each 1988 car on period performance, racing record and lasting reputation, using each model’s documented specs, magazine tests and awards: the racing and test-track leaders first, then the turbo and V8 grand tourers and the lighter sports 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 1988?
The BMW M3 (E30). Built as a homologation special, it won the European Touring Car Championship in 1987 and 1988 and the British title in 1988, and Sports Car International ranked it number six among the Top Sports Cars of the 1980s.
What was the quickest sports car of 1988?
Of these ten, the Porsche 944 Turbo S. Car and Driver ran one from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.9 seconds in June 1988, and it was rated at 162 mph.
Which 1988 sports car was the best value?
The Honda CRX Si. It was Motor Trend’s 1988 Import Car of the Year and made Car and Driver’s 10Best for 1988. Its original MSRP was $10,414.
Was 1988 the last year of the Pontiac Fiero?
Yes. 1988 marked the end of Fiero production, and the last car was assembled on August 16, 1988, after 370,168 were built.
Horsepower as published (US rating where given) at a glance
1988 Honda CRX Si (ED9)105 hp
1988 Pontiac Fiero GT140 hp
1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged (AW11)145 hp
1988 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II (FC)182 hp
1988 BMW M3 (E30)192 hp
1988 Nissan 300ZX Turbo (Z31)205 hp
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo (951)217 hp
1988 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 (Fox)225 hp
1988 Toyota Supra Turbo (A70)231 hp
1988 Chevrolet Corvette (C4)240 hp
Horsepower as published (US rating where given), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
