Welcome to Found, a series where classic goods are handpicked by Gear Patrol‘s writers and editors and ready for a good home.
The best sports cars from the last decades haven’t always originated from the same country. In the ’50s and ’60s the Brits and Italians ruled the market; then, in the ’70s, Japan took over. But in the late ’80s and into the ’90s, Germany started producing sports cars that quickly became the new benchmark. It can be argued that companies like BMW, Mercedes and Porsche brought the sports car in to the modern age with technologies like traction control and intelligent suspension.
Some were so incredible, in fact, that performance cars coming off the production line today are still compared to the 30-year-old titans. Unsurprisingly, some of the definitive Deutsche autos are becoming collector’s items, so now’s the time to pick one up and experience a slice of history for yourself.
1988 BMW M3
What we like: Since it hit the road, every iteration of the M3 has been seen as the industry standard for a performance car — but this one is Genesis. First-generation M3s are becoming harder to find; if you can get your hands on one, you’ll see why it’s so highly regarded: it’s driving in its purest form.
From the seller: “This example features a number of upgrades, including an Evo II front spoiler, Turner chip, and Supersprint exhaust. Recent work includes an A/C overhaul, paint correction, and suspension upgrades detailed below. The car is described as mechanically sound with up-to-date maintenance.”
Mileage: 117,360
Location: New York, New York
