Driving classic cars is awesome. But the prevailing market conditions have prices of classic cars increasing. Classic cars continue to get rarer, which leads to an increment in their prices. At the same time, you might want to avoid some highly unreliable classic sports cars.
Luckily, gearheads can count on advanced technology in modern sports cars to deliver fun, safety and reliability. Some of these modern sports cars will run forever with no reliability issues. This list will look at ten modern sports cars we would rather buy than classic models.
10 Mazda MX-5 ($7,000)
It's hard for any gearhead to overlook the Mazda MX-5 when shopping for the best budget sports cars. Mazda proves you don't need a huge budget to have a fun and engaging sports car. From the first generation to the current Miata, you get plenty of value with this roadster.
The stock engine on this vehicle makes 181 horsepower, enough to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Although these numbers might not seem enough to slay the most powerful supercars, this car excels in its smooth and confident handling. Thanks to its lightweight design and perfect weight balance, it eats corners for lunch.
9 BMW Z4 M ($10,000)
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A BMW Z4 M is an exciting sports car option for anyone looking to have some fun behind the wheel. The Z4 M is inexpensive for all its worth. It features one of the best inline-six engines from BMW that revs so easily, making the car delightfully quick.
The styling on this car has aged well with the long hood and beautiful proportions like classic sports cars. The interior is roomy for a small roadster but also neat and minimalistic.
8 Toyota MR2 Spyder ($10,000)
The Toyota MR2 is a soft-top convertible about the same length as the Mini Cooper. Although everyone loved the first and second generations of the MR2, the third generation seems underrated. Perhaps this is why the MR2 spyder prices are lower than the previous generations.
The mid-engine car generates about 138 horsepower from its 1.8 l 4-cylinder. The car shares the same Toyota 1ZZ engine as the base level Celica GT and Toyota Corollas from the same period. You could either get this car as a regular manual transmission or a sequential manual transmission.
7 Pontiac Solstice ($8,000)
Pontiac has always been General Motors' excitement division, churning out great models such as the Firebird, the GTO, and the Trans Am. The Pontiac Solstice was a modern take on the old-school roadster. Manual transmission on a rear-wheel-drive platform makes this convertible a top contender for the most fun and affordable sports cars.
Under the hood is a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine coupled to a 5-speed close-ratio manual transmission. This setup is good for 177 ponies and a 0-60 mph time of 7.4 seconds.
6 Nissan 350Z ($9,000)
The iconic Fairlady 350 Z debuted in 2003 as an old-school muscle car built for practicality and performance. The 3.5L V6 makes 287 horsepower and 274 pound-feet of torque but can handle more power with performance upgrades.
Although not as agile as other Japanese sports cars, such as the Miata, its steering weight still provides plenty of feedback at high speeds. The throaty V6 growl is satisfactory as the engine provides smooth acceleration low down in the rev range.
5 BMW 335i ($8,000)
The 335i proves that BMW is a master at making rear-wheel drive performance cars. The legendary BMW E36 M3 is beloved among collectors, but also the reason so many motorheads fail to appreciate how cool the 335i is.
The BMW 335i provides insane performance at a bargain. It can print from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. If that's not enough, there is always room for improvement. The N54 engine is a blank canvas for tuning with massive aftermarket support.
4 Scion FRS/Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 ($15,000)
The Scion FR-S, the Subaru BRZ, and the Toyota 86 are all the same car, albeit with some minor differences, that are affordable options for a fuel-efficient sports coupe. These are true driver cars with their superb road-holding abilities and a subliminal connection between car and driver.
They offer modest power, so the driver must work hard to excel on twisting roads and get the best from the automobile. The result is an engaging and enjoyable experience.
3 Ford Mustang ($6,000)
Ford Mustangs have been around for ages. Over the years, the pony car kept getting better and better. Modern Mustangs are still affordable, fast, and even get better gas mileage.
Supercars are in trouble with the incredible power that a Mustang can generate. The most cost-effective model years include 2008-2011, especially the 5-speed manual version. Unlike 6-speed transmissions on newer Mustangs with many reliability problems, 5-speed manual transmissions on a Ford Mustang are virtually indestructible.
2 Hyundai Genesis Coupé ($8,000)
Hyundai maintains a consistent culture of finesse and excellence in automobile manufacturing. This affordable Genesis coupe is a beloved luxury sports car for it brings practicality to performance.
The Genesis coupe is available in many trims, with major transmission and engine displacement differences. The base trim has a four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine that can make 210 horsepower. But the 3.8L V6 version is the one to get for ultimate performance.
1 Toyota Celica GT-S ($9,000)
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The Toyota Celica, among other cool Japanese sports cars, fought to be the top dog in the sporty compact coupe segment for a long time. The 7th generation Celica with its rakish styling ran from 1999 to 2006 and is now renowned as a reliable Toyota masterpiece.
With a Celica, you get a high-revving four-cylinder engine meant to last for years at an affordable price. This sharp-edged car is a delight to all because of its easy maintenance and availability of parts.