Most modern cars are equipped with an engine located in the front, and many high-quality sports cars have the same configuration. However, some experts argue the best performance sports cars have their engines mounted in the middle, between the axles, and behind the cockpit.

The mid-engine configuration allows for nearly perfect weight distribution giving the car exceptional handling and road-holding characteristics. The lower center of gravity contributes to improved overall performance and dynamics. Other benefits include less wheelspin when accelerating in wet or slippery conditions and the superior grip also contributes to better braking.

While some of the best-performing mid-engined cars are pricey (more than $100,000), the market still offers several sports cars with price tags suitable for the average buyer. The best models include the Toyota MR2, Porsche 914, Porsche Boxster 987, Acura NSX, Lotus Evora, Porsche 718 Cayman, and the Corvette C8.

Here is why the Porsche 718 Cayman is the best mid-engine sports car in the group.

Features That Make an Ideal Sports Car

Blue Porsche 818 Cayman in the snow
Via: Pinterest

European carmakers have been manufacturing sports cars for over a century. Most automobile historians consider the 1914 Vauxhall 25 hp Prince Henry Sports Torpedo as the first-ever made. Ferrari began production of its sports cars in 1947 with the introduction of the 125 S, powered by a 1.5 L V12 engine.

Sports cars have traditionally been considered a type of car suitable for road racing, in stock form. The segment consisted of expensive exotic models but also cars made for the average enthusiast, like Austin-Healy, MG, and Triumph.

Although sports cars experienced lucrative sales in the U.S. during the 1960s, sales declined in the 70s, and MG stopped importing to the U.S. in 1980.

The revival of sports cars made for the average buyer came in 1989 with the introduction of the Mazda Miata. It featured a rear-drive chassis, peppy engine, five-speed gearbox, fold-down top, a sporty appearance, and an affordable price. Thirty years after its release, the Miata is still a mainstay of the sports car market.

So, what makes an ideal sports car?

According to Grassroots Motorsports, a sports car must have the following features:

Road Course Skills: A sports car out-corners almost everything else on the road. A 1949 MG TC handles the turns much better than the massive sedans of the day, and a 2015 Porsche 911 in stock form competes well with most race cars on any racetrack in the world.

Two Seats: A sports car must be a two-seater. Extra passengers add dead weight that impacts performance. While some sports cars have rear seats, no adult passenger can ride in them. Even a small child would be uncomfortable in the back of a Porsche 911, so it qualifies as a two-seater.

A Stick Shift: Sports car purists will claim a "heel-toe downshift" under braking through a turn with a traditional manual transmission is the only way to engage the correct gear before applying power at corner exit.

Even Weight Distribution: Sports cars must be lightweight and have a balanced weight distribution. A 50/50 front-to-rear and left-to-right weight distribution is considered ideal by high-performance sports car makers.

The car’s powertrain, passengers, fuel tank, and a long list of other components must be positioned carefully to achieve the desired balance.

The mid-engine design is often the choice for supercar companies for its contribution to perfect weight distribution (although Porsche has shown that excellent handling characteristics can be achieved with a rear-engine configuration).

Several other features are found in the best sports cars. Rear-wheel-drive is preferred (front-wheel-drive cars lack the same feel and handling). Power and torque must be sufficient to outperform other cars on the road. A classic sports car has a convertible top. But today, coupe-style sports cars are plentiful.

An ideal sports car also must have charisma and evoke an unbridled passion from its driver. The model should provoke unparalleled envy from everyone who watches one pass by.

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Porsche 718 Cayman: Supercar Performance at a Sports Car Price

2021 Porsche 718 Cayman has all the features of an ideal sports car
Via: Carbuzz

The 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman has all the features of an ideal sports car. It generates the same physical and emotional driving excitement as a supercar, but at a fraction of the price.

Porsche offers several powertrain options on the Cayman. The base T variant is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four producing 300 horsepower, and the S trim features a 350 hp turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four. Both the GTS 4.0 and the GT4 RS are fitted with the six-cylinder that generate 394 hp and 414 hp, respectively. All models come with arguably the best six-speed manual transmission on the market.

The GT models boast performance equipment, including adjustable Sport Seats Plus and a finely tuned exhaust system. The Sport Chrono package adds brake-based torque vectoring and a limited-slip differential.

Cayman's mid-engine layout, an adaptive sport-tuned suspension, and adhesive tires contribute to the sports coupe’s exceptional balance and stability on curvy two-lane roads.

Car and Driver said, “The Cayman's otherworldly chassis provides an open line of communication between the driver, the car, and the road. To create the 718, Porsche knits together strong brakes, an unflappable suspension, and a steering system rich with feedback.”

Both the 718 Cayman and its convertible counterpart Boxster made the car magazine’s 2020 10Best list.

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The Cayman Also Works as a Daily Driver (Sort of)

Porsche Cayman driving on city streets
Via: Carindigo.com

Porsche designs and builds their sports cars for buyers interested in the sheer pleasure of driving a high-performance car with exceptional acceleration and handling characteristics on a twisting turning mountain road. Practicality has never been a priority for Porsche engineers. As a result, most models lack the basic convenience features desired by daily commuters, those found in the average sedan.

Owners who want to use the Cayman as a daily driver should consider several pros and cons.

Gas Mileage: the turbocharged six-cylinder is a bit of a gas-guzzler, but even the four-cylinder is not fuel-efficient. In tests conducted by Autoguide in the city, the Cayman achieved a disappointing 14 mpg. Weekend driving in the country was only marginally better.

Passenger Seating: The Porsche Cayman is a pure sports car, equipped with only two seats. Carpooling is out of the question (perhaps a “pro”).

Cargo Space: The compact front trunk and the rear cargo area, are competitive with the best rivals in its class: enough room for a briefcase.

Cup Holders: Perhaps the essential feature of any daily commuter is a place to hold a cup of coffee during those long trips in heavy traffic.

The Cayman has two drink stands hidden in the dash above the glove box that swing out just ahead of the passenger’s knees. However, the plastic units are flimsy, do not accommodate large drinks, and are too unstable to risk a hot cup of coffee.

So, the Porsche 718 Cayman can be used as a daily driver, but it will require some sacrifices.

The Cayman Beats Competitors in its Segment

Orange Corvette C8
Via: Motor Trend

The Porsche Cayman (and Boxster) has been compared to other mid-engined sports cars in its class, but perhaps the closest competitor is the Corvette C8.

The “Vette” boasts a powerful V8 engine with a stunning exhaust note, and excellent road-handling and driving dynamics. At a base price of $59,995, the Corvette is an excellent value in terms of performance and price.

The lightweight Cayman with exceptional handling is made with premium refined materials and offers spacious storage in the nose and trunk. The base model Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster has an MSRP of $58,150.

Kelly Blue Book stated, “Chevrolet raised the bar with the all-new C8 Corvette, which now delivers world-class driving dynamics. Although incredibly fast and powerful, America’s sports car still falls short of the Cayman S in quality of materials, day-to-day comfort, and driving agility.”

Sources: grassrootsmotorsports.com, roadandtrack.com, autowise.com, wheels.ca, msn.com