10 European sports cars that will accompany you for a lifetime

We love Europe for many things. Stroopwafel, pizza and Daft Punk. When it comes to their cars, we know they love to go fast. However, being fast does not always mean being unreliable. Some automakers are pushing the limits of what a car can be. Some find the perfect balance between performance and reliability, sports cars that last a lifetime, not just in our memories.

All reliability information comes from consumer reports and owner forums. Of course, a reliable car today may not be reliable 20 years from now. This article focuses largely on owner experiences and what manufacturers have done to improve reliability.

10 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Porsche Newsroom

A racing car for the road. The 911 GT2 RS (991) dispensed with the manual gearbox, which struggled with the previous generation’s standard 500 hp. Body parts made of titanium and magnesium ensure that the body is protected against rust. The Porsche team took all of their work on the 997 and refined it with this generation.

Of course, that car will cost you a pretty penny, about $300,000. However, you can be pretty sure that the naturally aspirated Porsche 911 will last a lifetime.

Also see: 10 Best European Classic Cars for Classic Elegance

9 Alpina B8 4.6 Nakhon400 Via Flickr

What if we put a V8 in the M3? The B8 4.6 was born from this question. The engine is based on the M60 V8 in the BMW 540i and produces 333 hp. For comparison, the US-spec E36 M3 only made 240 hp, which was a big number for 1996.

In terms of reliability, Alpina has strengthened every component of the M3 to cope with the increase in performance. High-compression Mahle pistons and a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission ensure that this car will last you a lifetime.

8 2008 Lotus Elise brings a trailer

A British classic. The 2008 refresh received a Toyota 1ZZ-FE and 2ZZ-GE engine. Combine that with a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission and these cars are almost bulletproof. Toyota Supercharger kits are also available for this car if you want more than the stock 200hp.

Look out for small dents or damage on the front. The front is a fiberglass clamshell. Any damage means a completely new front and often costs more than the car itself.

7 Volvo C70 via BaT

Volvo’s motto is safe and reliable. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US called the C70 a “top safety tip”. It’s a convertible, so the roof seals and mechanism will eventually fail. However, in the 15 years that this car has existed, the owners have not encountered any major problems with the engine or transmission.

The T5/Polestar versions got inline five turbocharged engines with 217 hp. Unfortunately, the non-turbo base model has 138 hp. Owners note some of the worst fuel economy and performance for this version.

Also see: Top 10 European Sports Cars for Iconic Style

6 2002 Alfa Romeo GTV Via Car & Classic

Never buy an Alfa. Every mechanic and Alfa Romeo owner says that at some point. The GTV is the outlier in a sea of ​​unreliable cars and bad brand reputations. The cast-iron Twin-Spark Straight 4 is virtually bulletproof and produces 120 horsepower. If you choose Busso’s historic V6 engine, it will give you 230 hp with the same reliability.

It’s also one of the best sounding engines out there. You’d throw that out the window with the GDI 24-valve JTS V6, so don’t settle for that version of this car. Jeremy Clarkson called it one of the best cars of its time, noting its solid build quality.

5 Audi TTRS Audi

It’s no secret, the TT is a great car. You could pick any of the three generations and you’d have a reliable future classic. With the Ur-Quattro, Audi perfected the 5-cylinder formula. Almost 30 years of development later, this turbo engine delivers 394 hp. It won Engine of the Year 5 years in a row.

With regular maintenance, the 7-speed S-tronic gearbox is one of the best on the market. The TT RS is also still in production, so parts are readily available.

4 Alpine A110 S

The Alpine A110 S is Alpine’s return to sports car production. The A110 S takes all of Alpine’s racing development and packs it into one package. In terms of power, it puts out 288 hp from a 1.8-liter inline-four engine. A 7 speed Magna DCT is a proven platform.

Of course it’s a great driver’s car, but is it reliable? No serious issues or recalls have occurred in the 36 months since release. The car will also be launched in the US in 2026.

3 Peugeot RCZ

Coupé of the Year 2010. Assembled by Magna Steyr, the RCZ is one of the best Euro Cabriolets of the last 20 years. Peugeot’s turbocharged petrol engine is reliable and no major problems have been encountered since its introduction. The base model produces 140 hp.

A 6-speed manual option means you get engagement and reliability. French cars from the 2000s are reliable but have ugly plastic interiors. So if you are looking for luxury, this car is not for you. However, the driving experience is second to none.

2 BMW M2 competition BMW

The S55 is an amazing engine. It’s essentially a beefed-up version of the N55 straight-six, which is already a super-reliable powerhouse. The twin-turbo version of this car produces 405 hp. Cooling was the main improvement between the N54 and N55, with this car receiving a revised intercooler and cooling system. It was Engine of the Year, 3 years in a row.

This is the second generation of the BMW M-DCT. The 6-speed manual transmission is just as reliable, but significant reliability improvements have been made to this generation of dual-clutch transmission. BMW’s interior and build quality are second to none, so you can rest assured that this car will provide you with a lifetime of comfortable driving.

Related: 10 Coolest European Sleeper Cars Ever

1 Porsche 911 (997) via Mecum auctions

The switch to water cooling and body changes in the previous generation brought new problems. This 997 fixes all of those problems. Jeremy Clarkson, a notable Porsche hater, said “It will make love to your fingertips and stir your soul.” The car still retains the character of a Porsche flat-six engine while power is boosted to 350 hp.

In terms of reliability, the gearboxes are very reliable. If you buy a used version, coil packs will need to be replaced. Porsche ASM improves the ride quality and makes driving this 911 almost a game.

Sources: Owner forums, manufacturer sites, Top Gear, Reddit.

Source