The 1999 Chevrolet Corvette is the best sports car of 1999, with the Dodge Viper GTS at #2 and the Porsche 911 Carrera at #3. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the best value: a Car and Driver 10Best pick that started at $20,095.
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best sports car of 1999.
Price new: $38,820 (2dr coupe); $38,320 hardtop; $45,220 convertibleEngine: 345 hp @ 5600 rpm and 350 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm from the 5.7-liter V8Layout: The rear-mounted transaxle and LS1 V8 gave a 50-50% front-rear weight distributionNew for 1999: A third bodystyle, the hardtop or fixed-roof coupé (FRC), joined the 1999 lineupPerformance: A 0–60 mph time of around 4.5 seconds and a top speed of around 175 mph
The C5 Corvette’s 5.7-liter LS1 V8 makes 345 hp and 350 lb-ft, and its rear-mounted transaxle gives a 50-50% weight split. It runs 0–60 mph in around 4.5 seconds, and for 1999 a new hardtop (FRC) joined the coupe and convertible, with the coupe at $38,820.
Go ifBig-V8 performance at a sub-$40,000 price
Skip ifYou want a hand-built exotic or a back seat
Why #1 over #2: It costs $38,820 against the Viper GTS’s $68,225 while still making 345 hp.
2
1999 Dodge Viper GTS
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe V10 brute of 1999.
Price new: $68,225 (2dr GTS coupe)Engine: 450 hp at 5,200 rpm and 490 lb⋅ft at 3,700 rpm from the 8.0 L V10Standard kit: Airbags, air conditioning, power windows and power door locksNew for 1999: The first ACR (American Club Racer) arrived as a package on the 1999 Viper GTSRacing: The Viper GTS-R took class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998, 1999 and 2000
The Viper GTS coupe’s 8.0 L V10 makes 450 hp and 490 lb⋅ft, and it came with airbags, air conditioning and power windows as standard. 1999 brought the first ACR package, and the GTS-R won its class at Le Mans in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Go ifThe most power on sale in a 1999 sports car
Skip ifYou want ABS (it arrived on 2001 models) or a light, easy car
Why #2 over #3: Its 450 hp V10 out-powers the 911 Carrera’s 296 hp.
3
1999 Porsche 911 Carrera (996)
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe all-new 911.
Price new: $65,030 (Carrera coupe, 6-speed manual)Engine: A 3.4 litre flat-6 making 296 hpWater-cooled: The 996 replaced the 911’s air-cooled engine with its first water-cooled engineBody: An all-new body with a drag coefficient of Cd=0.30, 45% stiffer and 50 kg lighter than the 993
The 996 was the first 911 with a water-cooled engine: a 3.4 litre flat-6 making 296 hp. Its all-new body has a Cd=0.30 drag coefficient and is 45% stiffer and 50 kg lighter than the 993, and the Carrera coupe cost $65,030.
Go ifBuyers who want a 911 with modern refinement
Skip ifYou want the classic air-cooled 911 sound
Why #3 over #4: It is an all-new 911, while the 1999 Cobra was recalled for falling short of its advertised 320 hp.
4
1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
Photo: Ford Motor Company press photo (via supercars.net)
Answrs VerdictThe first IRS Mustang.
Price new: $27,470 (SVT Cobra coupe); $31,470 convertibleEngine: 4.6 L DOHC V8 rated at 320 hp and 317 lb⋅ftRear suspension: Independent rear suspension, the first fitted to a production MustangRecall: On August 6, 1999, Ford halted sales and recalled 1999 Cobras after owners found it short of its advertised power
The New Edge SVT Cobra’s 4.6 L DOHC V8 is rated at 320 hp and 317 lb⋅ft, and it was the first production Mustang with independent rear suspension. On August 6, 1999, Ford halted sales and recalled the cars after owners found them short of that power. The coupe cost $27,470.
Go ifA V8 coupe with independent rear suspension under $30,000
Skip ifYou want the full advertised power without a recall fix
Why #4 over #5: It has independent rear suspension, the first fitted to a production Mustang.
5
1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe V8 bargain of 1999.
Price new: $21,140 (Z28 coupe; SS was an option on the Z28)Engine: The 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 engine; 320-hp V-8Rarity: Of the 42,098 Camaros built in 1999, 4,829 cars were SS specificationNew for 1999: A Torsen differential was added for the Z28 and SS modelsOptions: Desirable Z/28 and SS options
The SS option gave the Z28 a 320-hp, 5.7-liter LS1 V-8, and 1999 added a Torsen differential to the Z28 and SS. Only 4,829 of the 42,098 Camaros built in 1999 were SS cars, and the Z28 coupe started at $21,140.
Go ifBig V8 power at a low base price
Skip ifYou want a two-seater or independent rear suspension
Why #5 over #6: Its 320 hp V8 out-powers the M Coupe’s 240 hp.
6
1999 BMW Z3 M Coupe
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cult classic of 1999.
Price new: $41,800 (M coupe)Engine: 240 hp from the 3.2-liter straight sixEngine (US): North American models used the S52 inline-sixAwards: 1999 Car and Driver "Ten Best" for M Coupé / M Roadster; 1999 Automobile Magazine "Best Sports Car"Design: 1999 Automobile Magazine "Design of the Year" award for the M Coupé
The M Coupe puts the 240 hp S52 six from the North American M cars in the Z3’s shooting-brake body. In 1999 it made Car and Driver’s Ten Best and won Automobile Magazine’s Best Sports Car and Design of the Year awards, at $41,800 new.
Go ifA rare, award-winning shooting-brake coupe
Skip ifYou need back seats
Why #6 over #7: Both make 240 hp, but the M Coupe won Car and Driver’s 1999 Ten Best and Automobile Magazine’s 1999 Best Sports Car award.
7
1999 BMW M3 (E36)
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last E36 M3.
Price new: $39,700 (M3 coupe, manual); $45,900 convertibleEngine: The 3.2 L S52B32 with 179 kW (240 hp) and 320 N⋅m (236 lbf⋅ft) of torqueTransmission: The manual gearbox remained a 5-speedFinal year: The coupé ended production in late 1998 and the convertible in December 1999
The US E36 M3 uses the 3.2 L S52B32 six with 240 hp and 236 lbf⋅ft through a 5-speed manual. 1999 was the last model year: the convertible ended production in December 1999, and the coupe cost $39,700.
Go ifA four-seat sports coupe with a smooth six
Skip ifYou want the 316 hp European engine (the US car got 240 hp)
Why #7 over #8: Its 240 hp six out-powers the Eclipse GSX’s 210 hp.
8
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe AWD turbo pick.
Price new: $26,550 (GSX Turbo, manual, AWD)Engine: 210 hp and 214 lb⋅ft from the turbocharged 2.0 L 4G63Drive: Permanent all-wheel driveWheels: 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/50/VR17 tires (97–99)
The Eclipse GSX pairs the turbocharged 2.0 L 4G63, with 210 hp and 214 lb⋅ft, with permanent all-wheel drive and 17-inch alloy wheels. The manual GSX cost $26,550.
Go ifAll-weather turbo performance
Skip ifYou want rear-wheel drive
Why #8 over #9: Its 210 hp beats the Boxster’s 201 hp, at $26,550 against $41,000.
9
1999 Porsche Boxster (986)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe mid-engine Porsche.
Price new: $41,000 (2dr roadster)Engine: 201 hp @ 6000 rpm and 181 lb-ft @ 4500 rpmLayout: A mid-engine 2.5-litre flat sixHistory: Porsche’s first road vehicle designed as a roadster since the 914, credited with saving the company
The Boxster’s mid-mounted 2.5-litre flat six makes 201 hp and 181 lb-ft. It was Porsche’s first road car designed as a roadster since the 914 and is credited with saving the company; the 1999 roadster cost $41,000.
Go ifMid-engine Porsche balance for less than a 911
Skip ifYou need more than two seats
Why #9 over #10: Its 201 hp flat six out-powers the Miata’s 140 hp.
10
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB)
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best value of 1999.
Price new: $20,095 (2dr convertible); $26,875 10th Anniversary EditionEngine: 140 hp from the 1.8-liter four10th Anniversary: A limited 10th Anniversary Model with a 6-speed manual and Bilstein shocksAwards: Car and Driver’s 10Best list from 1998 to 1999 and 2001
The second-generation Miata’s 1.8-liter four makes 140 hp, and it was on Car and Driver’s 10Best list from 1998 to 1999. It started at $20,095, and the limited 10th Anniversary Model added a 6-speed manual and Bilstein shocks for $26,875.
Go ifPure, light roadster fun at the lowest price
Skip ifYou need power or space
How we ranked these
We ranked each car as a 1999 US model on performance, value and reputation, using its published price, power, awards and history: overall ability and value first, then power, then the lighter, cheaper 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 1999?
The Chevrolet Corvette (C5). Its 5.7-liter V8 made 345 hp, and the coupe cost $38,820 new.
Which 1999 sports car was the best value?
The Mazda MX-5 Miata. It started at $20,095 and was on Car and Driver’s 10Best list from 1998 to 1999.
Why was the 1999 Mustang SVT Cobra recalled?
Owners found the 1999 Cobra short of its advertised 320 hp, so on August 6, 1999, Ford halted sales of unsold cars and recalled the ones already sold.
What was new on the 1999 Corvette?
A third bodystyle, the hardtop or fixed-roof coupé (FRC), joined the coupe and convertible for the 1999 model year.
Horsepower as published for the 1999 US model at a glance
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB)140 hp
1999 Porsche Boxster (986)201 hp
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX210 hp
1999 BMW Z3 M Coupe240 hp
1999 BMW M3 (E36)240 hp
1999 Porsche 911 Carrera (996)296 hp
1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra320 hp
1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS320 hp
1999 Chevrolet Corvette (C5)345 hp
1999 Dodge Viper GTS450 hp
Horsepower as published for the 1999 US model, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
