• Know When to Buy Modern Classic Sports Cars

• Find Modern Classic Sports Cars on eBay Motors

• Buy Modern Classic Sports Cars With Confidence

Know When to Buy Modern Classic Sports Cars

Know When to Buy Modern Classic Sports Cars

Once in a while, a special-edition car takes on some degree of collectibility, but most become yesterday's collectibles after a short period of time. Other times, a model has all the right components but simply lacks something special that makes it desirable in the long run. If you’re attracted to one of the "instant classics" listed below, buy it because you like it, not for financial gain. If you make money in the process, consider it the frosting on the cake.

• 1995 Acura NSX-T: Perhaps the most fit for everyday driving of all supercars, the Acura NSX raised the mark for extreme performance and served as Acura's technology flagship. Acura NSX-T offers comfort, luxury, and top-notch handling — all without compromising Honda reliability. At its 1990 debut, the new NSX commanded a significant premium and was hailed as Japan’s first true supercar. Still, the NSX never amassed a loyal following among collectors. The 1995 model, only offered in NSX-T (Targa) form, may have limited collector potential. Early, used NSXs in good shape with low mileage can be found at auction for low prices, which will continue to decline.

• 1995 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car: The 1995 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car, the third Corvette to pace the Indy 500, was only available as a convertible in a rather garish appearance package. It included a two-tone dark-purple-and-white paint scheme with a red stripe across the front and streamer-style striping alongside. It was almost a last hurrah for the C4, which in 1995 had a 300-hp version of the long-lived 5.7-liter V8. With an ultra-low (for Corvette) production volume of only 527 units, the 1995 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car has good appreciation potential for the long-term future. At its current value, you can consider the 1995 Corvette Pace Car a flashy, yet decent buy.

• 1989 – 1990 Chrysler TC by Maserati: The Chrysler TS by Maserati, a Iacocca-era oddity, wasn't received well when new and remains ignored today. It was originally supposed to be Chrysler’s European-bred, grand-touring sport coupe and the company’s flagship. Despite its K-car lineage and a homely appearance nearly identical to the LeBaron, the Chrysler TC is a pleasant drive that feels sophisticated and sorted-out on the road, thanks to the Italians. Examples with the Maserati-built cylinder head and Getrag five-speed are the best driving and also have the most collectible potential, with a total of 501 made. But beware those with the automatic and either the detuned turbo four or the Mitsubishi V6: thousands more of those were made.

• 1994 – 1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo: The 300-hp, twin-turbocharged Nissan 300ZX was the glorious final version of the original Z-car. The automotive press declared it one of the best-performing vehicles available upon its 1990 introduction. In general, Nissan 300ZX twin turbos are vastly under-appreciated and undervalued today, especially considering the relatively low number available. What these cars don’t deliver in personality, they make up for in capability, comfort, reliability, and ease of service. Made in lower volumes, the 1994 – 1996 Nissan 300ZXs will have more potential for appreciation. By 1996, when Nissan pulled the car from the U.S. market, the packaging was no longer competitive and prices had ridden up, further strangling sales. Although worth a fraction of their original sales price, you can find decent 1996 models offering great performance. However, appreciation prospects are scant.

• 1997–2002 Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler: The Prowler continues to hover at the low end of its anticipated value as a special-interest collectible. In 1997, Kruse International proclaimed the Prowler an "instant collectible," saying it would have one of the quickest appreciation rates for the following year. For that next year it was true, with early Prowlers leaving dealership floors at a premium, and then bringing more at auction. However, with supply met, those days passed. Prowlers aren’t so much fun to drive once the "look at me" novelty wears off. But with a limited number available, prices for zero-miles examples will eventually creep back up. Some predict Plymouth’s extinction might actually help.

• 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster: The sleek, no-frills Porsche 911 Speedster was offered in a very limited number (2,065) for one year only, and was the last model built at the old Zuffenhausen factory. Only 823 originally went to the U.S., all with fat-fender, “Turbo Look” bodywork. A raked-back windshield and frameless side windows (and a warning in the owner’s manual that they are not to be taken through car washes as the factory won’t be responsible for water damage to the interior) are among the distinguishing features of this striking model that shares some design elements with the original Porsche 356 Speedster. Sports Car Magazine's Porsche expert Jim Schrager says, "The ’89 Speedster is one of several ‘must have,’ ‘limited edition,’ ‘instant collectible’ Porsches that just never caught on with collectors. Speculators went for these cars in a big way…many paying six-digit prices when new…and are still holding on to them looking for a way to recoup their investment." Although prices have evened out, this car still has potential for modest appreciation over time.

Find Modern Classic Sports Cars on eBay Motors

Find Modern Classic Sports Cars on eBay Motors

Once you know what sports car make and model you want, go to eBay Motors, click Passenger Vehicles, and start shopping on eBay!

• Categories: Use the Categories list on the left side of the page to narrow listings by car make or model.

• Passenger Vehicles Finder: The Passenger Vehicles Finder on the left navigation bar allows you to narrow listings by make, model, year, and transmission type.

• Search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words by entering keyword terms into eBay's Search box. You can also search using the Advanced Search feature on eBay Motors or search within categories by using the Search by eBay Motors Category option, which allows you to specify make, model, and year range as well as other options specific to vehicles, motorcycles, and parts. If location is important, try searching by distance in miles or ZIP code.

• Compare: Mark the checkbox next to each car item listing that interests you and click the Compare button to view and compare auction and product details side-by-side.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Modern Classic Sports Cars With Confidence

Buy Modern Classic Sports Cars With Confidence

Hundreds of sports cars on eBay Motors will likely interest you. When trying to select the right one, get to know exactly what you're buying, research the seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal can help protect you.

As with all major decisions, in buying a car, you will want to conduct your own due diligence to make sure you get full information and the best advice possible.

Know your purchase

Many sellers put a lot of time into creating their listings, making an effort to ensure they include all the information buyers need. Carefully read the details in listings for the car(s) you consider buying and carefully review available photos. Before placing a bid or buying an item, be sure to:

• Have all your questions answered. If you still have questions after reading the listing and reviewing the photos, contact the seller using the Ask seller a question link in the “Seller information” box in the top right corner of every car listing. Also request additional photos if you want to see the car from a particular angle that isn’t shown in the photos included in the listing. If you have more questions than you can address in email, ask for the seller’s phone number and call him or her. Some sellers even include their phone number so you can call them directly. Just remember that you need to actually bid and buy on eBay to be covered by eBay protection programs and pay with PayPal in order to be covered by PayPal protection programs (see "Buyer protection" below for more details).

• Run a vehicle history report: By running a vehicle history report on a used vehicle you intend to purchase, you can learn about the history of the vehicle, including accident reports or title brands such as "flooded" or "salvage."

• Get the vehicle inspected: An independent third-party inspection can validate a seller's claims about a vehicle's condition. eBay Motors recommends arranging a 150-point vehicle inspection through SGS Automotive.

• Consider additional costs: Remember to consider other potential costs such as title, registration, and state taxes. Once you purchase the vehicle, be sure to complete all of the title paperwork and pay any required taxes on the vehicle. Please note that this information varies by state and vehicle type. Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office for more information on taxes, title transfer, and registration.

• Get delivery details. Calculate and include delivery costs into your final price. This may simply be the cost of driving across the city or state if the car is close-by or it may mean working with a shipping company that can transport the car from anywhere in the country. To learn more about shipping costs, ask the seller or contact DAS, an eBay Motors-approved vehicle shipping service.

• Track items with eBay Toolbar. Use the free eBay Toolbar to track items you bid on and watch. It includes Account Guard, a feature that indicates when you're visiting a verified eBay or PayPal website and warns you when you enter your eBay password into an unverified site, even if it looks like eBay or PayPal.

Know your payment options

Always complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay and PayPal protection programs (see "Buyer protection" below for more details).

Never pay for an item using instant cash wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know. Instead, pay with PayPal for amounts less than $2,000 (including deposits), a money order, or direct bank-to-bank fund transfer.

• Provide eBay with your credit card information: You are required to have a credit card on file with eBay if you bid more than $15,000 for an item. You will be notified that you need to provide this information when you bid. Allow yourself some extra time if you are bidding during the last minutes of an auction. Your credit card will not be charged; instead, eBay uses it to confirm your identity—a safety measure to help protect both you and the seller.

• Apply for financing: eBay, together with several top lenders, can help you get the financing that you need. Visit the eBay Financing Center to arrange financing before you bid or after you buy or to calculate monthly payments.

Know your seller

Just as important as researching your car purchase is getting to know the seller. Take time to research the seller so that you can feel positive and secure about every transaction. Key things to look for when evaluating a seller are:

• Positive Feedback. What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have? What do buyers and sellers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Sales history. Find out how long the seller has been a registered eBay user and look at the types of items a seller typically sells. It’s okay to buy a car from a seller who hasn’t sold one before — many of the car listings on eBay are from individuals selling their own car. If the seller’s feedback seems low, take the time to look at the Feedback details; sometimes a seller's Feedback looks low until you realize that they’re a car dealer and their Feedback count comes entirely from car sales.

• Terms and conditions. What are the terms and conditions of the sale? Are the terms agreeable to you? Sellers typically set terms and conditions, but you should make sure you agree with them. If not, find another seller/car or contact the seller to find out if he/she is open to your suggestions.

• Good communication. Once you’ve initiated communications with the seller, how is he/she communicating with you? Is the seller courteous and professional? Is the seller responsive? Once you bid on a big-ticket item such as a car, communicate with the seller through My Messages in My eBay. All legitimate Second Chance Offer messages will come through My Messages and not to your email address alone. Always contact the seller before accepting a Second Chance Offer, and never respond to any request to send money via Western Union or other instant cash transfer service.

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event a problem arises during your transaction, you can typically work it out with the seller. However, if you can’t, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• eBay Motors Vehicle Purchase Protection up to $20,000: Most cars purchased through eBay are automatically covered against fraud and material misrepresentation up to the cost of the car or $20,000 (whichever is lower) with eBay Motors Vehicle Purchase Protection. To qualify for this safety program, complete your transaction on eBay with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer and see additional terms of the eBay Motors Vehicle Purchase Protection.

• Put down a deposit with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay up to $2,000 without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. Also, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. While $2,000 may not be a high enough limit for the full purchase price of most cars, it's great for deposits (many sellers require a deposit on a car within several days of the close of a listing).

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the eBay Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.