Classic Racers

Best Classic Racers by Handling in Forza Horizon 5

Classic Racers is one of the most popular car categories in FH5. These five post the highest Handling ratings in the category.

Updated February 2025 Ranked by Handling · 24 cars analyzed
6.6
Best Handling
Classic Racers
Type
5/5 RWD
Drivetrain
300K CR
Cheapest
24
Cars in Group
#1
Rank
1970 Ferrari 512 S S1861

1970 Ferrari 512 S

LEGENDARY CLASSIC RACERS RWD
2,500,000 CR
1970 Ferrari 512 S

The undisputed Handling champion in this group. A natural advantage that's hard to overcome, even with a perfect tune on a weaker platform.

Speed
7.9
Handling
6.6
Accel
6.5
Launch
6.0
Braking
5.7
Offroad
4.9
Power 542 HP
Torque 371 lb-ft
Weight 2,050 lbs
Displacement 4.99L
Front % 36%
Drivetrain RWD
View full 1970 Ferrari 512 S details →
#3
Rank
1971 Porsche #23 917/20 S1849

1971 Porsche #23 917/20

LEGENDARY CLASSIC RACERS RWD
15,000,000 CR
1971 Porsche #23 917/20

Pairs high Handling with competitive all-around performance — a rare combination. An excellent all-rounder that doesn't force trade-offs.

Speed
8.3
Handling
5.5
Accel
7.3
Launch
7.5
Braking
4.7
Offroad
4.4
Power 601 HP
Torque 415 lb-ft
Weight 2,094 lbs
Displacement 4.91L
Front % 36%
Drivetrain RWD
View full 1971 Porsche #23 917/20 details →
#4
Rank
1970 Porsche #3 917 Lh S1856

1970 Porsche #3 917 Lh

LEGENDARY CLASSIC RACERS RWD
15,000,000 CR
1970 Porsche #3 917 Lh

A great mid-price option with Handling that punches above its weight. Lower PI leaves significant tuning headroom.

Speed
8.2
Handling
5.2
Accel
7.2
Launch
7.1
Braking
4.9
Offroad
4.5
Power 601 HP
Torque 415 lb-ft
Weight 2,844 lbs
Displacement 4.96L
Front % 36%
Drivetrain RWD
View full 1970 Porsche #3 917 Lh details →
Our Methodology

How We Ranked These Cars

The rankings above are based on stock performance data — every car shown is completely untuned, straight from the Autoshow. If a car ranks #1 for Handling in stock form, it has a natural advantage that's hard to overcome.

At ForzaLabs, we built an automated system that collects every upgrade and tuning option for every car in Forza Horizon 5 — thousands of parts across hundreds of vehicles.

Beyond Stock

Stock Rankings Are Only the Starting Line

In competitive online racing, nobody runs stock. The right combination of upgrades can transform a mid-tier car into a class leader. The question isn't "which car is best stock" — it's "which car is best after the optimal tune for my race?"

That's exactly what our full database answers. Enter your race restrictions — class limit, drivetrain rules, weather conditions — and we'll show you the optimal car and build.

ForzaLabs Pro

Find the Best Tuned Car for Any Race

Stop guessing which car to bring. Search our complete upgrade database to find the highest-performing build for any class, any restriction, any event.

  • Every upgrade path mapped for 800+ cars
  • Filter by class, drivetrain, and race type
  • Tuned stats — not just stock baselines
  • Updated with every game patch
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Explore More Classic Racers

Browse all Classic Racers cars, filter by any stat or price — or check out our other rankings.

Why Handling Matters

In Forza Horizon 5, the Handling stat reflects cornering grip, braking stability, and overall control. Most tracks reward carrying speed through corners.

All five cars on this list are RWD. This layout dominates the Handling rankings thanks to its mechanical advantages.

Budget vs. Premium Picks

If you're just starting out, the 1969 Lola #6 Penske Sunoco T70 Mkiiib at 850,000 CR is a strong entry point. The 1970 Ferrari 512 S leads at 6.6 Handling, but costs 2,500,000 CR.