Performance Machines I’ve Actually Driven — And Would Buy
There are a lot of cars in the world that look fast.
There are even more that have the numbers to back it up.
But every once in a while, you get behind the wheel of something that makes you understand why people become obsessed with cars in the first place.
This isn’t a list of the fastest cars I’ve ever driven. It isn’t a ranking of the most expensive either.
These are performance machines I’ve personally experienced, cars that left an impression on me long after I handed the keys back.
And if we’re talking about cars I’d genuinely consider owning, these three are absolutely in the conversation.
Nissan Skyline GT-R: R32, R33 & R34
Let's start with the obvious one.
The Skyline GT-R.
I’ve had the opportunity to drive all three of the legendary generations — the R32, R33 and R34 GT-R — and each one has its own personality.
The R32 feels raw and mechanical.
The R33 brings a different level of presence and stability.
And the R34 feels like Nissan took everything they had learned from the previous two generations and refined it into something much more complete.
For me, the R34 is the most refined of the three, but the R33 I experienced was the fastest, thanks to its modifications. And that's part of what makes these cars so special: the RB26DETT platform gives enthusiasts an incredible foundation to build upon.
The GT-R isn't simply about horsepower.
It's about the entire package — the engine, the all-wheel-drive system, the chassis, the technology and, most importantly, the feeling that you're driving something that was built with a purpose.
What does one cost?
This is where things get serious.
All three generations are now old enough to qualify for Canada's 15-year age exemption, meaning properly eligible examples can be imported from Japan. Transport Canada states that vehicles manufactured more than 15 years ago are generally exempt from the Motor Vehicle Safety Act's import requirements, although CBSA entry requirements, taxes and provincial registration requirements still apply.
And the Canadian market isn't exactly cheap anymore.
Current GTA listings show R32 GT-Rs around $86,000–$98,000 CAD, with exceptionally clean or heavily modified examples pushing beyond that. R33 examples can be around $130,000 CAD, while R34 GT-Rs are now entering a completely different financial category, with current Ontario listings around $185,000–$249,000+ CAD depending on specification, mileage and condition.
So, as a rough enthusiast budget:
R32 GT-R: ~$80,000–$110,000+ CAD
R33 GT-R: ~$100,000–$150,000+ CAD
R34 GT-R: ~$175,000–$250,000+ CAD
And that's before getting carried away with modifications.
The GT-R has gone from being an incredible Japanese performance car to being a legitimate collector car.
And honestly?
I understand why.
Porsche 911 GTS
For the longest time, if you asked me what Porsche I'd want, my answer was simple:
911 Turbo S.
That opinion hasn't necessarily changed.
But after experiencing the 911 GTS, I started asking myself a different question:
"Do I really need the Turbo S?"
The GTS sits in a fascinating place within the 911 lineup.
The 992.1-generation GTS I experienced uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six producing 473 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Depending on configuration, you could have rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and Porsche offered both PDK and a seven-speed manual.
And that's what surprised me.
You hear "GTS" and might think it's simply a slightly sportier Carrera.
It isn't.
The GTS feels like Porsche found the sweet spot between everyday usability and serious performance.
It has enough power to make you respect it, enough chassis capability to make you want to push it, and enough refinement that you could realistically drive one every day.
That's what makes the platform so good.
You're not immediately jumping into the deep end with a Turbo S or GT3. You're getting a car that teaches you what makes a 911 special while still leaving you room to appreciate the models above it.
And that's why I'd call the GTS a perfect gateway Porsche for an enthusiast.
You get the performance.
You get the heritage.
You get the practicality.
And you get that unmistakable Porsche feeling.
What does one cost?
A 2024 911 Carrera GTS started around $167,700 CAD before fees and taxes, while GTS variants with additional equipment could climb significantly higher.
Today, low-mileage examples can still command serious money. Current Canadian listings show 2024 GTS examples around $235,000–$240,000 CAD, depending on configuration and equipment.
For a realistic buying window, I'd budget roughly:
Used 992.1 GTS: ~$190,000–$245,000+ CAD
And if you start checking boxes on the Porsche configurator?
Well...
You already know how that story ends.
Because just when you think the GTS is enough, Porsche reminds you that there are GT3s, Turbo S models and an entire hierarchy of increasingly ridiculous 911s waiting for you.
And that brings me to the newest car on my list.
BMW G80 M3
The G80 M3 was controversial before most people even drove one.
The grille.
The styling.
The internet had a LOT to say.
But here's the thing:
Drive the car.
Because once you're behind the wheel, the conversation changes.
The current M3 Competition with M xDrive produces 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, with BMW quoting 0–100 km/h in as little as 3.2 seconds depending on configuration.
And what impressed me most wasn't the number.
It was how well the numbers translated into actual driving.
The acceleration is brutal.
The chassis feels planted.
The steering and suspension communicate what the car is doing.
And the car has that increasingly rare ability to make you feel like you're operating a machine rather than simply commanding a computer.
But one of my favourite things about the modern M3 is how much control BMW gives the driver.
With the M xDrive system, you can change the character of the car dramatically — including switching between all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive, alongside the various drivetrain, suspension, steering and traction settings.
And these aren't just gimmicks buried inside a menu.
You can actually feel the difference.
That's what makes the G80 so impressive.
It can be an incredibly capable daily driver one minute and a completely different animal when you start configuring the car for performance.
And then there's the design.
I'll admit it — I wasn't sold at first.
But in the right specification, with the right wheels, stance and colour, the G80 has grown on me massively.
It looks aggressive.
It looks purposeful.
And once you've experienced how hard this thing moves, the styling starts making a lot more sense.
What does one cost?
The current M3 Competition with M xDrive sits in a very different price bracket from the GT-Rs and Porsche.
BMW's Canadian lineup currently lists the M3 Competition with M xDrive at 523 hp, 479 lb-ft and a 3.2-second 0–100 km/h capability.
For a new example, I'd budget approximately $110,000–$130,000+ CAD depending heavily on configuration, options and taxes.
And that makes the M3 an interesting proposition.
You're getting supercar-level acceleration in a four-door sedan that you can actually use.
That's a ridiculous amount of performance for the money.
The Honourable Mention That Owns My Heart
And before somebody asks...
Yes.
The E90 M3 still has my heart.
The high-revving V8.
The sound.
The chassis.
The hydraulic steering.
The fact that BMW decided a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V8 belonged in a compact executive sedan.
That car is special.
But that's exactly why I didn't put it on this particular list.
Because if we were talking strictly about enthusiast cars, this entire list would look completely different.
This list is about the performance machines I've experienced that made me stop and appreciate what modern and legendary performance cars can actually do.
The GT-R represents Japanese performance royalty.
The 911 GTS represents one of the best all-around sports-car platforms ever created.
And the G80 M3 represents just how far modern performance sedans have evolved.
Three completely different approaches.
Three completely different personalities.
But all three have one thing in common:
They made me want to keep driving.
And isn't that ultimately what a great performance car is supposed to do?
Want More?
This is only Part One.
I've driven plenty of other machines that deserve a place in this conversation, and there are some serious names that could make the next edition.
If you'd like to see more segments like this, let us know.
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