Germany is home to some of the most over-engineered luxury and sports cars. From Mercedes-Benz to Porsche, BMW, and Audi, Germans are synonymous with well-engineered automobiles. German manufacturers have been committed to technical perfection, helping birth some legendary sports cars.
There are many sports cars in German history, with some still considered pieces of art decades after their launch. It's safe to say that making reliable sports cars is in the DNA of most German manufacturers.
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10 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
The Karmann Ghia was one of the prettiest cars from Volkswagen and a great sports car of its era. This post-war Volkswagen was the company’s fastest and most luxurious vehicle. It also featured superior styling over most of the competition, even the Beetle that it was based on.
The Karmann Ghia was handmade, eliminating most modern-day problems like panel gaps. The body was welded, sanded, and finished by hand. This helped the Karmann Ghia become one of the most elegant-looking cars that also offered reliability and economy.
9 Audi TT
The TT has been around since 1998. This two-door sports car is in its third generation and has been available as a two-seater roadster and a 2+2 coupe. All the generations vary in powertrain, design, and driving feel, but they are among the most affordable German sports cars.
One thing common with all generations of the TT is that they share the magic sports car recipe; a short wheelbase, a driver feel like no other, and a gorgeous design. The TT has had more than 10 different engine choices, the most powerful being the turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine in the latest Audi TT RS Mk3, producing 394 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.
Related: 10 Reasons Why The Audi TT Is One Of The Best Sports Cars For Regular People
8 Porsche 944
Like the 924, the Porsche 944 was another special front-engine sports car. Despite having a poorer drag coefficient, it was slightly faster, more refined, and better equipped than the 924. The 944 also improved the stopping power, handling, and ride comfort, making it a great grand tourer.
The Porsche 944 was a cheap way of entering into Porsche ownership. It was also a driver’s car, making it unique from most Porsche classics that owners opted to bundle them away in a heated garage. The ownership was easier due to Porsche’s excellent engineering, making it a reliable sports car.
7 BMW E46 M3
The E46 M3 is among the best M3s ever and has been on top of mind for many BMW enthusiasts. Its well-rounded design characteristics helped balance the car with just the right curves. The M3 was powered by the S54 straight-six engine, capable of producing 338 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.
It was also available in two body styles; coupe and convertible. Besides having the performance and looks, the E46 was one of the most reliable sports cars, with owners having a few complaints. Like most BMWs of its era, it also had cheap maintenance.
Related: 10 Best BMW M3 Models To Buy Used, Ranked
6 Porsche 924
The 924 was the first front-engine sports car from Porsche. It took advantage of the transaxle setup with the engine up front and the gearbox at the rear that helped get a near 50:50 weight distribution. This offered exceptional handling and ride comfort.
The Porsche 924 utilized a 2.0 liter naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder engine capable of producing 121 hp and 121 lb-ft of torque. This helped accelerate the Porsche from 0 to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds and reach a maximum top speed of 127 mph. For an '80s car, that was good performance, and Porsche's engineering helped make the 924 an easy and practical vehicle.
5 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Volkswagen has built a reputation for producing reliable vehicles, and the Golf has been one of their best-selling models worldwide. The GTI has been around for decades and is an icon among sports cars. This compact sports car is now available with digital features, connectivity solutions, and enhanced driving dynamics.
The GTI is renowned for its incomparable agility and superb handling on the road. This hot hatch is small, affordable, and extremely fun to drive and own. The GTI has become the hot hatch benchmark due to its performance, practicality, and reliable build quality.
Related: 10 Reasons Why We Love The Golf GTI Clubsport S
4 Audi Ur Quattro
The Quattro debuted in 1980 and was the first all-wheel drive, turbocharged passenger car. It was also the first rally car to take advantage of the new layout. The Ur had a turbocharged inline-five engine capable of producing over 200 hp in its lifetime.
This on-road and off-road champion could accelerate from 0 to 60 in under 7 seconds, even with its typical German austerity. The Quattro was known for its comfy, well-equipped cabin, unbeatable traction in any kind of weather, strong four-wheel discs, and a well-controlled and compliant ride. It was the fastest way of covering any ground in comfort.
3 BMW E28 M5
Most BMW enthusiasts might argue that the E39 generation M5 is the best driving vehicle. It's still modern enough and fresh in the minds of most enthusiasts. However, some enthusiasts would argue that the original E28 M5 is the best.
Besides the E28 5 Series being one of the best vehicles from BMW, the M5 was a special car in the 80s with its BMW Motorsport naturally aspirated 3.5-liter inline-six engine. This sedan also received many enhancements, including a beefed-up suspension, gearbox, better brakes, and chassis. Even though BMW wasn’t the first to invent the sports sedan, they created a practical, comfortable and reliable specimen weighing only 1,430 kg (3,152 lb).
Related: Here's Why The BMW E60 M5 Is One Of The Best Sleeper Cars
2 Audi RS2 Avant
In the 90s, a station wagon was the best way of transporting families and their luggage. No one related a wagon to sportiness until Audi unleashed their RS2 Avant in 1994. This unique sports car aimed to compete with the more desirable sport hatchbacks, coupes, convertibles, and sedans.
The RS2 Avant came to be a collaboration between Audi and Porsche. Audi got to build a reliable and rigid body. At the same time, Porsche worked to create a high-performance and reliable engine, with unique features like more efficient nozzles, a larger intercooler, and a specially designed camshaft for the turbocharged 2.2-liter inline-five engine.
1 Porsche 911
The 911 has been around for eight generations, and it's one of Porsche's most iconic sports cars. The modern models feature a familiar but more muscular look, a wider nose, longer wheelbase, quicker PDK gearbox, and plenty of ground-breaking tech.
With the 911 being in production since the mid-60s, there’s no other car that will stir your soul like the 911. The handling is a visceral and unique experience thanks to the engine placement behind the rear axle. Even though German cars have a poor reputation for reliability, the 911 is one of the nearly unflappable examples.