The 1996 Dodge Viper GTS is the top 1996 sports car, with a V10 rated at 450 hp. The 1996 Corvette Grand Sport (330 hp, 1,000 built) is #2 and the air-cooled 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera (993) is #3.
1.8 L four-cylinder, 133 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 114 lb-ft for the 1996 model year
The lightest, cheapest way into a roadster
Pick by what you want
Most power
1996 Dodge Viper GTS (SR II)
Most collectible American
1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (C4)
Best for collectors of air-cooled cars
1996 Porsche 911 Carrera (993)
Best price transparency
1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra (SN95)
Lightest and cheapest
1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA)
The ranking
1
1996 Dodge Viper GTS (SR II)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe most powerful 1996 sports car here.
Engine: 7,990 cc (8.0 L) V10, 450 hp at 5,200 rpm and 490 lb-ftWhat was new: Coupe version introduced late in the 1996 model year with a "double bubble" roofSafety and comfort: The 1996 GTS was the first Viper with airbags and also had air conditioning
The Viper GTS coupe arrived late in the 1996 model year with a "double bubble" roof, a 7,990 cc (8.0 L) V10 making 450 hp at 5,200 rpm and 490 lb-ft, and was the first Viper with airbags.
Go ifRaw V10 power in a closed coupe
Skip ifYou want a modern traction-control safety net
Why #1 over #2: Its 450 hp is the most in this ranking.
2
1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (C4)
Photo: / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe collector C4.
Engine: LT4 5.7 L V8, 330 hp and 340 lb-ft, with a six-speed manualProduction: 1,000 Grand Sports built: 810 coupes and 190 convertiblesLook: Admiral Blue with a white stripe and two red hash marks on the front fenderEnd of an era: The last C4 Corvette was produced on June 20, 1996
The 1996 Grand Sport used the LT4 5.7 L V8 with 330 hp and 340 lb-ft. Only 1,000 were built (810 coupes and 190 convertibles), all in Admiral Blue with a white stripe.
Go ifThe last and rarest C4 Corvette
Skip ifYou want a color other than blue
Why #2 over #3: It is rarer than the Carrera and is the final C4.
3
1996 Porsche 911 Carrera (993)
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe air-cooled icon.
Engine: 3.6 L air-cooled flat-six with VarioRam; 1996 US output not published on the sourceGearbox: First 911 with a six-speed manual transmission as standardTarga: New glass-roof Targa debuted for 1996; 462 built for the US and CanadaLast of its kind: Its discontinuation marked the end of air-cooled 911 models
The 993-generation Carrera has a 3.6 L air-cooled flat-six with VarioRam (1996 US output not published on our source) and was the first 911 with a standard six-speed manual. A glass-roof Targa debuted for 1996; 462 were built for the US and Canada.
Go ifThe air-cooled 911 collectors chase
Skip ifYou need a low-cost classic
Why #3 over #4: It is the last air-cooled 911, ahead of the Japanese exotics for collectors.
4
1996 Acura NSX-T (NA1)
Photo: MCMJR1 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe everyday exotic.
Engine: 3.0 L VTEC V6, 270 hp and 210 lb-ft (manual)Roof: NSX-T targa top arrived in North America in March 1995 and largely replaced the coupeWeight: 1,425 kg (3,142 lb) for 1995-1996 carsBody: All-aluminium semi-monocoque, a first for a production car
The NSX-T pairs a 3.0 L VTEC V6 (270 hp, 210 lb-ft) with an all-aluminium semi-monocoque. The targa-top NSX-T reached North America in March 1995 and largely replaced the coupe.
Go ifA mid-engine exotic with Honda reliability
Skip ifYou want more power (the 3.2 L came in 1997)
Why #4 over #5: Its mid-engine, aluminium design is more advanced than the Supra.
5
1996 Toyota Supra Turbo (A80)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe legend, with an asterisk.
Engine: 3.0 L 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo I6, 320 hp (US and Canada)1996 quirk: For 1996 in the US the turbo was only offered with an automatic transmission (OBD-II certification)Roof: The Aero Top targa roof was standard on all turbo modelsWeight: Turbo with manual: 1,565 kg (3,450 lb)
The Supra Turbo makes 320 hp from the 2JZ-GTE in the US. In the US for 1996 it came only with an automatic, and the Aero Top targa roof was standard.
Go ifA tunable legend with a twin-turbo six
Skip ifYou insist on a manual (it returned for 1997)
Why #5 over #6: It matches the 3000GT VR-4 Spyder on power and is lighter.
6
1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Spyder
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe tech-heavy droptop.
Engine: 3.0 L DOHC 24-valve twin-turbo V6, 320 hp at 6,000 rpmRoof: Retractable hardtop sold as the Spyder VR4 for the 1995 and 1996 model yearsWeight: 1,870 kg (4,123 lb) for the VR-4 SpyderTransmission: VR-4 models used a six-speed Getrag 446 manual
The 3000GT VR-4 Spyder has a twin-turbo V6 with 320 hp at 6,000 rpm, a retractable hardtop sold for the 1995 and 1996 model years, and weighs 1,870 kg (4,123 lb).
Go ifAll-wheel-drive grip with the top down
Skip ifYou want light weight
Why #6 over #7: Its all-wheel drive and open roof offer more than the 300ZX.
7
1996 Nissan 300ZX (Z32)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe final US Z32.
Engine: Twin-turbo VG30DETT V6: 300 bhp and 283 lb-ft (naturally aspirated VG30DE: 222 bhp)Final year: The 1996 model year was the last US year for the Z32Price creep: US price rose from around $30,000 for the 1989 model to about $50,000 in its final yearUS run: Sold in the United States from 1990 to 1996
The twin-turbo 300ZX made 300 bhp and 283 lb-ft; the naturally aspirated car made 222 bhp. 1996 was its last US year, and the price had climbed from around $30,000 to about $50,000.
Go ifA twin-turbo Z with t-top style
Skip ifYou want a bargain new price (it climbed)
Why #7 over #8: Its 300 bhp tops the Cobra, but its price climbed far higher.
8
1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra (SN95)
Photo: Kieran White / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe sourced bargain.
Engine: Hand-built 4.6 L DOHC V8: 305 hp and 300 lb-ftPrice: Base MSRP $24,810 (coupe) and $27,580 (convertible)Performance: 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds as quoted; Car and Driver reached 60 mph in 5.4 secondsProduction: 10,003 built for 1996, including 1,999 Mystic Cobras
The 1996 Cobra introduced the hand-built 4.6 L DOHC V8 with 305 hp and 300 lb-ft. It cost $24,810 as a coupe and $27,580 as a convertible, and 10,003 were built.
Go ifA V8 with a published price
Skip ifYou want independent rear suspension
Why #8 over #9: Its 305 hp and published price beat the Camaro Z28.
9
1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (fourth generation)
Photo: SsmIntrigue / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe muscle-car option.
Engine: 5.7 L LT1 V8, 275 hp and 325 lb-ft (the source gives 1993-1995 figures; no 1996 rating stated)Gearbox: Four-speed automatic standard; Borg-Warner T56 six-speed manual a no-cost optionQuicker option: The 1996 Z28 SS from SLP Engineering rated the engine at 305 hpUpdate: The 1996 model year brought small power gains from OBD II-compliant engine controls
The Z28 uses the 5.7 L LT1 V8, listed at 275 hp and 325 lb-ft in 1993-1995 (no 1996 rating on the source). A 1996 Z28 SS from SLP Engineering rated the engine at 305 hp.
Go ifBig V8 power for the money
Skip ifYou want the later LS1 (1998 on)
Why #9 over #10: Its V8 power beats the Miata on straight-line speed.
10
1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fun-per-dollar pick.
Engine: 1.8 L four-cylinder, 133 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 114 lb-ft for the 1996 model yearWeight: Base weight 990 kg (2,180 lb)1996 special: The 1996 M-Edition: 3,000 built for the USA, in Starlight Blue MicaLaunch price: US base model offered at US$13,995 at launch
The 1996 Miata has a 1.8 L four with 133 bhp at 6,500 rpm and weighs 990 kg (2,180 lb). Mazda built 3,000 M-Editions for the USA in Starlight Blue Mica.
Go ifThe lightest, cheapest way into a roadster
Skip ifYou need straight-line speed
How we ranked these
We ranked each 1996 US-market sports car on sourced power, rarity and significance, drawing every figure from the model history pages linked on each pick. Prices appear only where a source states them. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What was the most powerful 1996 sports car?
The 1996 Dodge Viper GTS, with a 7,990 cc (8.0 L) V10 rated at 450 hp.
What was the last C4 Corvette?
The 1996 Grand Sport, with the LT4 5.7 L V8 rated at 330 hp; the last C4 was produced on June 20, 1996.
How much did a 1996 Mustang SVT Cobra cost new?
The base MSRP was $24,810 for the coupe and $27,580 for the convertible.
Could you buy a manual 1996 Toyota Supra Turbo in the US?
No. For 1996 in the US the turbo model was only available with an automatic transmission owing to OBD-II certification requirements.
Horsepower as stated on each source page at a glance
1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA)133 hp
1996 Acura NSX-T (NA1)270 hp
1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (fourth generation)275 hp
1996 Nissan 300ZX (Z32)300 hp
1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra (SN95)305 hp
1996 Toyota Supra Turbo (A80)320 hp
1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Spyder320 hp
1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (C4)330 hp
1996 Dodge Viper GTS (SR II)450 hp
Horsepower as stated on each source page, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
