2004

When it comes to performance cars, Porsche has always been one marque where the brand tax was apparent. Aside from a few exceptions, like the rather undesirable 924, no Porsche can truly be called affordable in my opinion. Moreover, the vast majority of the German brand’s sports cars tend to appreciate over time, making virtually any Porsche that doesn’t share hardware with Volkswagen Group cars (VAG), a great investment. So if you’re looking to spend as little money as possible on a Porsche sports car, but still want something that packs decent performance, there are a few interesting options out there. Among those are, not one, but two generations of the 911 as well as a V8 model grand tourer to name a few. While some of these cars are only now beginning to be truly appreciated, you can still find great examples of each at reasonable prices with the possibility of even snagging some of the more desirable trims. After looking at market trends of some underappreciated Porsches, I think these are the models with the highest chance of going up in value. The cars in the following list have been arranged from most expensive to most affordable.

Porsche’s Boxster/ Cayman models are, often, regarded as the budget-friendly alternative to the 911. It used to be the one you get when you can’t or don’t want to spend 911 money. This isn’t necessarily the case anymore since the Cayman/ Boxster models have their fair share of high-performance versions that borrow tech straight from the 911. The 987-generation of the mid-engine Porsche (2004-2010) is particularly sought-after on the used market, and there are a couple of reasons for that.

The host of the Alte Schule (old-school in German) YouTube channel, Karsten Arndt finds himself in the foothills of Bavaria, Germany with legendary two-time WRC champion and Porsche works test driver Walter Röhrl. The pair initially discuss the Porsche Carrera GT, a car that Röhrl helped develop. Walter touches upon some of the initial struggles during the Carrera GT’s conceptualization and how it took time for the car to perform well. He emphasizes the car’s unique features: a mid-engine V10 with 612 horsepower and no electronic aids, and the importance of skilled engineers like Roland Kussmaul.

In 2004, Porsche took a bold step into the SUV market by introducing the Cayenne. While controversial among brand purists, this move ultimately proved to be a savior for the company, as the Cayenne quickly became Porsche’s best-selling model. Designed to compete with the likes of the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the Cayenne offered a unique blend of Porsche performance and SUV practicality.

The automotive world has seen its fair share of legends, but few can hold a candle to the illustrious Porsche Carrera GT. Born from the ashes of Porsche’s aspirations at Le Mans, the Carrera GT became Stuttgart’s answer to Maranello and Sant’Agata Bolognese.

The 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster is a topless successor to the Diablo VT Roadster. It is based on the same L140 platform as the Murcielago coupe, and aesthetically, the Murcielago Roadster is pretty similar to its hard-top sibling. The engine cover opens rearwards and is a unique feature reminiscent of the Miura. Lamborghini also strengthened the Roadster by adding a reinforced metallic grid (also available in carbon fiber) beneath the engine cover. Lamborghini added a pretty flimsy fabric soft top that is indicated for temporary use in case of sudden rain. It is something that you have to install manually and requires two people to get the job done, which is not ideal for an expensive supercar.

The Lamborghini Gallardo burst onto the scene as the Italian brand’s entry-level offering in the early 2000s. Named after one of the five Spanish fighting bull castes, the Gallardo marked a new era for Lamborghini, one that would last until 2014, when the Huracan ultimately succeeded it. With around 14,022 units coming out of Sant’Agata Bolognese, this supercar was the Italian marque’s best-seller before the Huracan came in 2015.