What's the Best Value Sports Car?

I put out a poll to the community to ask what was the best value sports car, if you excluded the Mazda MX-5, which to be honest would be my go-to choice. You came up with some really good suggestions, so I thought I’d go through each one, giving you their performance stats versus the price. So, imagine you’re given £40,000 ($50,000 USD, €45,000, $73,000 AUD) to get a three year lease on the sports car of your dreams, and anything left over you could blow on what you’d like - a holiday, or another sports car! Which of the following would you get?
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[@jamesengland7461]

If your daughter dubs you "influencer," you ARE an influencer. Own it!

[@BigCar2]

She'll also dub me "old" soon!

[@JohnMulhall1]

Congratulations on becoming an "influencer". Hope you can cope with all that responsibility.

[@F.S92]

?

[@zzhughesd]

@@F.S92oh watch the start video. Daughter calls daddy an influencer !!!!

[@beauthestdane]

Still driving my now 30 year old Miata that I bought new in 1993. Still love driving it.

[@INNIMA]

Well done 👍

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

Still driving my 1989 build Miata. Still as fun as ever

[@johanwejedaldesign]

After having a testdrive of a Tesla Model 3 back in 2020, I have to say, sure it´s fun while overtaking others on the highway, but my little Peugeot 206 Sport is utterly superior fun when the road is twisty. To me the Model 3 felt very heavy and cumbersome in the bends compared to the 206.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Tesla is going to fail as long as Mr. Musk is involved as here in the US customers don't want to buy a car that has a Blatant White Nationalist as the CEO. Also, the Chevy Bolt is considered a better commuter EV...

[@brightenupcc]

I agree with a lot of your commentary but there is no way that a Tesla Model 3 is more fun to drive than a manual MX5. Yes, I’ve spent ample time driving both the latest examples. If you are referring to an automatic MX5, there is a slim chance a Model 3 might shade it as a better drive. The MX5 in manual? It beats the Model 3 for fun by a country mile.

[@emikomina]

good list, I agree with the top 3, BRZ, MX-5, and the GR86. As I live where Caterham doesn't sell any cars, in my eyes those are the true top 3 best value sports cars.

[@nicolasansom2681]

You definitely "influence" me to sit around watching You Tube, drinking coffee and not painting the the living room! Top vid as always ❤

[@M154MATT]

Not sure I agree that a Tesla is more fun than a MX5 as being able to drop the top adds a completely different dimension. However the GR86 is a cracking minimalist RWD car and a high revving naturally aspirated engine makes every journey fun.

[@tip0019]

Here in Europe you can get the 2.0L SKYACTIV-G with 184HP and 6.5 sec to 62 miles/hour. Just 38 kg more. I guess he tries to justify his wrong decision 😎

[@zakr1187]

​@@tip0019 no where near enough power

[@tip0019]

Did you ever drive a go-cart DR Clueless? The MX5 is a massively 40% lighter then a Model 3 🧐 @@zakr1187

[@inikkor61]

This dude should stop trying to be an influencer and go back to anonymity where he belongs

[@harryhunter552]

​@@zakr1187 Easily enough when it's so small and light

[@Selkedebbert]

I actually bought the GR86! It's the best decision I ever made!

[@DrLoverLover]

Seems like dont make many good decisions

[@craiggibson2062]

Got a GT86 from 2013…..best car no doubt 😊

[@nadeemchaudhry6585]

Another amazing video, thanks and Happy New year!!

[@CaSuMog]

An old Mx5 NA. Why ? Light, 115 PS, uncomplicated, easy to repair, pieces cheap and plentiful, great looks, gets a smile very often by other people, rising in value…. Get one while you can.

[@SamSayaz]

I was very surprised the Toyota GR yaris wasnt #1 on the list so i went back on the video to hear the criteria to find it was 2 door cars and the yaris is a 3 door But the GR yaris is definitely a car to consider when looking for sports cars, is a true all rounder!

[@SamSayaz]

Perhaps a list of the best value hot hatches would go down well. Shame the fiesta isn't up there anymore

[@Romanodernichtso]

Or the M140i

[@aaronbryan5095]

Wouldn't the GR Yaris be more of a rally style high performance compact car like the Evos and STIs from the 1990s to the 2000s than a traditional sports car?

[@SamSayaz]

@@aaronbryan5095 it definitely is a rally car for the street, but with it being made by Toyota it also has all the usual benefits of a regular road car such as reversing camera, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, etc. As well as options to turn all the assists off and change the differential selector to a 90:10 ratio meaning 90% of the power goes to the rear! I'm sure it feels like a sports car then. The newest model has an auto gearbox meaning it can be your easy daily commuter in traffic, and a simple grocery getter, and when you hit a nice b road you can just as easily switch it into a rally car

[@samk_8426]

GR Yaris is simply too expensive, for about the same ~40k€ you can get Golf R, BMW M135i or Mercedes A35.

[@davidhinkson8856]

I would say the GR86 and BRZ twins - i hope they stay in production a bit longer. It would be good if Toyota could bring back the Celica and Nissan brought back the Silvia, though I've always loved the Z as well.

[@lotto77102]

Quick correction: you can't buy the Alpine new in Australia anymore. Couldn't meet an ADR (Australian Design Rule) by its deadline of November 2021 and was pulled from the market because of it. Same thing happened to the GT-R too.

[@milksheihk]

The previous generation Mustang actually failed minimum crash safety standards for Australia but it got on the market because local police were interested in procuring them but they can only procure local market cars so strings were pulled to get them on the local market, only for them to fail Police proving tests for every state & territory, their automatic transmissions all suffered catastrophic fluid loss, all police vehicles(with maybe the exception of trucks & offroad vehicles) in Aus are required to be automatic.

[@JoshuaC923]

Quite interesting!

[@aaronbryan5095]

Rental car quality right there 😂

[@andycalifornia426]

I thikn Top Gear said that British police were going to use Mustangs. I haven't seen a single one in England.

[@MrDuncl]

@@andycalifornia426 I have seen a Kia EV6 Police Car. Depending on the model it may outperform the Mustang.

[@David-lr2vi]

The Mustang didn’t “fail” crash testing here in Australia. It scored a two star ANCAP safety rating, which pretty much excludes it from fleet sales (corporate and government) as good safety is normally a major factor in determining suitability for fleet vehicles. After all fleet operators don’t want to force their drivers to drive unsafe vehicles.

[@whatwelearned]

If we're counting barges like the A5 as a sports car then I'll take something most wouldn't count as a sports car: a BMW M140

[@DjNikGnashers]

I was thinking the same thing !!! Well almost. I had an M140i for 4 years, great car, took mine to 455bhp/634nm, a dual carriageway missile. Unfortunately no amount of money or mods can hide the fact it's a 118i m sport chassis underneath. Which is why I now run an OG M2, and the M2 should have been on this list.

[@samk_8426]

Because the list only contains new cars available today, M140i hasn't been sold since 2019.

[@DukeDog4570]

the Audi A5 was manufactured with a back seat ... so it is not a sports car ... it is a GT ... sports cars by definition are 2 seaters

[@alexander1055]

​@@DukeDog4570 most cars on the list have a back row

[@reloadfast]

The Z3 was my younger self dream, I still remember riding the tube with a friend making all these plans to buy one. Alas it was not to be... I can still dream about it, though I think I'd go with the MX-5 now...

[@Theover4000]

As a Corvair enthusiast, I'd love to see you do the Corvair Story, one day!

[@runoflife87]

Not a European car though, even if very influential.

[@Theover4000]

@@runoflife87 they were actually assembled in Belgium, though. Perhaps a shorter one on the first gen in Europe? (Also didn’t really realize it was only European-only cars, didn’t he do a bricklin video at one point or am I thinking of Ed’s Auto Reviews?)

[@runoflife87]

@@Theover4000 well, never knew GM actually assembled in Belgium their small (by US standarts) cars. Yep, Ed's channel seems to be more appropriate for this kind of videos. He reviewed a lot of US cars.

[@Theover4000]

@@runoflife87 regardless, would love to see even a short mention. Did you know the 1957-59 prototypes for the Corvair were badged and tested in Detroit as Holdens?

[@runoflife87]

@@Theover4000 yep, Paul Niedermeyer of CC published full article on Corvair development and design history back in the days.

[@ryankassel5691]

Definitely my favorite “influencer”

[@ridepedal4life103]

Couldn’t agree more with your findings. Own a Miata NA since 1997 and reassigned it as my daily driver once again. 2 weeks ago picked up a brand new GR86 Premium. Both are true lightweight cornering & momentum cars….. and daily driver’s fun in twisty canyons where I do all my driving….skill instead of horsepower!

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

Fantastic video - thank you! I’m still very much in love with my 2013 981 Boxster, but I’ve been missing my ND MX5, lately… Such a sweetheart.

[@harryhunter552]

Thinking about getting one, how well did u fit in it?

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

@@harryhunter552 The ND - just fine (but it’s reasonably tight). I’m only 177cm, so I’m small enough. The Boxster is perfect for me.

[@neerajkarunanidhi6804]

Also, thanks for your work, especially the Ford series. Watching the videos about the Ka and the Fiesta brought a tear to my eye as a Ford fanchild in India. There are recent rumors that they may come back (they’ve filed a patent report for the Everest in its indian name, the Endeavour and have also listed a lot of jobs at their unsold plant in Chennai) but only time will tell. Thanks for your work and please keep at it :) (ps, if time permits, please do episodes on the likes of Mahindra and Tata, I’m pretty sure you’ll have a larger crowd watching that.)

[@aaronbryan5095]

If the comeback of those Ford models are very catered to the Indian market, expect them to be extremely watered down compared to their European focused predecessors.

[@neerajkarunanidhi6804]

@@aaronbryan5095 it’s okay, honestly. As long as they don’t compromise on the safety standpoint, they would be golden. The thing that killed Ford India was the “premium” image they had stuck on their head for a very long time until their demise in comparison to their peers in Suzuki and Hyundai. A basic crossover/hatch with a decent infotainment system, a sunroof and the full safety suite will do just fine.

[@DJunclepaul2nd]

No ad before start? Love it!

[@edmundhodgson2572]

Good one. That was fun

[@craigthescott5074]

Best sports car value by far in the world right now is the C8 Corvette. Nothing else comes close for performance for value.

[@daraghmorrissey]

Great video. I would love to see this analysis with second hand cars as I never buy new or lease but it would be a lot of work for you as the data would be complex (mileage and years old) would have big impacts on pricing. Comparing new is more like an apples to apples comparison. I have a second hand 2018 A5 and its great. All of these cars are great value second hand.

[@infinite_azure_]

For including the lexus RC in the list you have my respect- sports cars can do multiple things, not just "brr go fast" !

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

Not sure if within budget but Alpine A110 is one of my favs 😊 BTW agree 100% on the MX-5 epic fun car.

[@christianocampos158]

*The ND wasn't the first MX-5 with an electric folding roof, the NC also came with it

[@timjohnson67]

Wonderful to have such thoughtful daughters! Another excellent vid, thank you.

[@zzhughesd]

Love it. Influencer. Good at something. Do enjoy the videos.

[@robbie1403]

Interesting list…I’ve never thought of sports saloons as ‘sports cars’ before, feeling that a sports car is one that was designed as such from scratch and not just a fast edition of a mass market model but I suppose why not! In that case you might have included some hot hatches….great fun and certainly a lot less to finance. I noticed in your description of the current BMW Z4 a picture of the previous E89 model snuck in…not sure if this was deliberate but seemed a bit confusing. Great work though, I always enjoy your videos - thanks 👍

[@andycalifornia426]

Saloon? Isn't what you refer to as "saloon" also known as "sedan"? if so, then there's no sedan on this list -- it's coupes (which are usually based on a sedan, so there's definitely that connection)

[@robbie1403]

Yes, sedan, saloon are interchangeable but sedan isn’t used in the UK. Yes, coupe’s are usually a derivation of a sedan but to my mind aren’t sports cars but I guess to some they are regarded as such.

[@FL50ssp]

In the US the best value Sports car that routinely outperforms mustnag and supra and all the others is the 6th Generation Camaro SS 1LE. Hands down the best in its class since it went on sale.

[@billshoe22191]

Very interesting exercise. I don’t lease my cars but it is facinating to see what you can get if you lease. I think I would personally go GR86.

[@andyh5666]

Downunder, I've got that silver 2022 BRZ that took out 1st place in this list. Very entertaining for the dollars spent - love it. In Aus the manual BRZ costs less than the equivalent GR86.

[@EuropaSman]

I think I must be a purist when it comes to what a sports car is. I own both a Lotus Evora and a Lotus Elise, but to me there were several cars on the list that I'd consider sporting saloons rather than sports cars in the traditional sense/sihilouette. The cars I consider sporting saloons are the Merc, the Lexus, Audi A5, Mustang & Camaro. Happy with the Lotus Emira as an honourable mention; definitely a good call there. Regarding the MG Cyberster, a prototype had been seen just before Christmas 2023 at the Hopwood motorway services of the M42 on the south side of Birmingham in the UK, not far from MG's base at Longbridge.

[@JoshuaC923]

Watching Harry enjoy his Emira, gotta say that car looks very very nice

[@andycalifornia426]

I agree, but Mustang and Camaro are in a special category that's sports-car adjacent; an American interpretation of "sports". Plus, reports say that current-gen Camaro (the proper V8 variant anyway) is a proper sports car now in terms of handling + it's a compromise as a normal car (bad visibility from the inside, little haulage space), so it kinda puts it in the category of a toy car that you don't own to purely drive from point A to point B.

[@volvogt21]

Great video Did she make the sign influencer or effluencer? I never realised we got so many of the current great sports cars here in Australia. Thanks for including that info

[@ipostaze2]

Thank you very much for your video and all the others on your channel I enjoyed. Your daughter should take off those quotation marks from the sign :). It would be interesting a simmilar analysis and your opinion on 2nd hand vehicles in this categry, perhaps 4-7 years old cars. Or even on hot hatches, for those of us who dream of sports cars, but are wise enough to buy something more practical. Oh, and a happy 2024 to you and all the people commenting down here!

[@edwardalexander9486]

I like that Opel-retro-Firenza the best!

[@orangelion03]

Solid list. Currently own a 2016 MX-5, previously owned a 1990 (which became a Spec Miata club racer), a 2000, and a 2008. But if I had the money, I'd be seriously tempted by the Z (was in high school when the original 240 came out and really loved that first gen). Possibly the Cayman as I always aspired to a Porsche (they gained in cost at a much faster rate than my salaries). But I'd most likely go for the 'Vette as the biggest bang for bucks (they look effin fantastic too). As for EV sports car...the range thing is probably not as critical as on a passenger car, and we only use our MiXer for relatively short day drives these days anyways so one would be a viable option if we weren't fast approaching a fixed income lifestyle.

[@Jeal0usJelly]

The best value sports car is one that Doug hasn't talked about in any positive light, or even in general ;)

[@neerajkarunanidhi6804]

an old focus/fiesta ST will do the job, thanks 👍🏾

[@JeremyWang_440]

Hell yeah! Fast Fords need more recognition, although they aren't sports cars, but still prefer a Fiesta ST any day.

[@michaelharrison1093]

I bought a 7th gen Fiesta ST 6 years ago and I have found it to be a very fun car. I bought it based on needing to own a 4 door car to meet a criteria of my employer in order to be able to claim my travel expenses. My wife bought a 1st generation BRZ and I get to drive it regularly. I think that the ST is an incredibly capable car, however it is clear to me that the BRZ is just a lot more fun to drive.

[@SmallBlogV8]

They'd do great on a list of hot hatches. This is for sports cars.

[@andyh5666]

I swapped my 2020 Fiesta ST for a 2022 BRZ. I did love that little pocket rocket a lot but the BRZ with it's RWD is simply the much better car by a long shot.

[@skipast75]

Love your videos…. But I need to push back on pronunciation of the Nissan Z. Zed is the creep from Pulp Fiction that kept the Gimp in a box. Nissan named the Z (Zee) specifically for the American market because Fairlady wasn’t masculine enough for our market. I know this is a kings English( and Canadian/Aussie) vs American English thing (and the fact the language is named English isn’t lost on me) but we win this one. lol

[@yips_way]

Tesla more fun than MX5 - with respect, you said fun isn't about acceleration & that's about all the Tesla 3 has going for it in the "sporty" department so you contradicted yourself. Yes it out performs the MX5 but certainly not through the twisties which leads me to believe if you think the reverse you can't drive either, or any car, near it's limits & just like the thrill of the acceleration blurring your judgement on fun.

[@oldesertguy9616]

I appreciate your inclusion of us Americans in your list. I used to have Mustangs until my daughter was born and we had to put a safety seat in it. Since then, I've had pick-ups and SUV's, and even a mini-van at one time. I was able to name her Shelby, so I can say I have a Shelby, lol. Both of my kids are out of the house, but I'm still driving a pick-up. I was able to drive a rental Mustang recently and it only renewed my appreciation for sports cars. Maybe someday...

[@fairyliquid6864]

Mr Big Car lives in North America, so if anything we should be grateful that he included cars only available in Europe!

[@Bod8998]

Excellent 👍 great episode perfect length Don't you hate the term influencer lol

[@Mogipbob]

I own and drive a 2017 Honda Accord Coupe. I bought it in 2019 for only $19k (Canadian). 2017 was the last year for the Accord coupe. It is an absolutely fun car to drive. I took it on a 21,150 km road trip last summer (18,000 km the summer before that). It is too bad Honda stopped making these.

[@EuropaSman]

The original Z car was more of a reaction to the Triumph GT6 than the MGB so I understand; both cars having a straight six engine. I've seen it written that the first Datsun Z car was like a larger, Japanese version of the GT6. Look at the bonnet bulge & rear quarterlight of the car at 10:10. It's very GT6. I owned a late 1973 year model Mk3 in emerald green in the late 1990s, so see the similarities in the Datsun (Nissan).

[@oliverandersson1991]

i love mazda but i had a gen 4 mx-5 as a loaner car when i had my CX-3 2.0 AWD in for a service and it felt like i was driving any regular mazda, nothing special at all anymore. Got a Mazda 3 -24 AWD with the e-skyactiv-x engine now, its quite quick and great handling :)

[@S-Ltd1000]

Tesla model 3 more fun than an mx5?🤔

[@JK061996]

As the owner of a BRZ (1st gen in my case) I'm glad it got the top spot. By the way I heard the Manta is getting cancelled

[@paulreynolds1510]

I’ve got invited to the GT 86 launch in 2012. That would be the car I would have out of all the list and also I’ve had my fair share of the original AE 86s

[@JackGlick]

Love my 2018 S5 Prestige coupe'!

[@RachaelSA]

My son has always loved the AE86 trueno, even before watching Initial D, and was sad that he'll probably never own one, till I explained that the 86 is the modern version of the AE86.

[@waterbourne9282]

I would like to but can't get excited about Toyota's collaboration cars- the Supra and 86. To me they've simply sacrificed their name with them- I'd never trust one enough to buy one. On that note Mazda now seems to be the only pure brand that I would trust, and they are doing a great job across their range. They are still committed to ICE and also proper, reliable automatic transmissions. Bravo Mazda, smart decisions not following the rest of the flock, you get my dollar votes.

[@MrDuncl]

In the U.K. Toyota extend your warranty a year each time you get the car serviced so if buying new you would be good for ten years / 100000 miles.

[@waterbourne9282]

Pure 100% Toyota's don't need 10 yr / 100,000 mile warranties to convince people to buy them.@@MrDuncl

[@MCMonsterbuilder]

The A5 Coupe is one of my attainable dream cars, but I'd like to have mine with a 3.0 V6 TDI.

[@michaelloach9461]

Another great vid, thanks. I will never understand leasing I just don't get it! I bought a Audi S5 convertible 3 years ago with 68k on the clock & it cost me £13000. Its fun, practical, reliable & fairly quick. I've still got it & don't have to give it back to some money vampire. Plus if I ever (unlikely) come to sell it, there's still money in it. All the best.....

[@andycalifornia426]

Me neither, especially a sports car.

[@MrDuncl]

It depends who is paying the lease. Not quite in this category but we ended up with a BMW 420 as a pool car at work for a couple of years because some director chose it then left shortly afterwards leaving them with a lease they couldn't cancel. Here in the U.K. there is a big problem with end of lease EVs, as the person leasing them new gets massive tax benefits. Leasing a Mustang Mach E is about ten times more tax efficient than an ICE Mustang. There are no tax benefits for someone purchasing one used hence massive depreciation e.g. a two year old Mustang Mach E with 41000 miles on the clock for under £25000.

[@andycalifornia426]

@@MrDuncl Good info. But the only thing BMW 420 has in common with a sports car is having just 2 doors. So sports cars don't get leased by companies.

[@wassim4288]

You can buy the Alpine outside Europe and Australia. Alpine sells it officially in Morocco.

[@ap9970]

Caterham 7 👍🏼 It's all about having fun, not outright performance.

[@MrBenHaynes]

Miata is always the answer (but I am biased, owning the little 1500cc ND). I could never imagine the Tesla Model 3 offering as much involvement as the MX-5.

[@TheKsharm]

Yes that comment stunned me, but I haven't driven either so I don't know.

[@harryhunter552]

Yea that was shocking, I would've thought the Tesla would be too disconnected. I'm thinking about getting an ND, how well do u fit and is the 1.5 enough or do u find urself wanting a bit more power?

[@TheKsharm]

@@harryhunter552 I have an NC and that suits my size fine

[@alaricbragg7843]

Good to see you back in 2024! 🙂

[@adamwishneusky]

as a fellow model 3 owner, I didn’t set out to buy a sports car or a luxury car but I got both when picking the most efficient and longest range from the company with the most experience (shh Nissan leaf). Just imagine when all the other companies have had some more time making EVs. Woo-eee as you said the next decade is going to be fun 😃

[@jamesonpace726]

Miata is always the answer....

[@wd-42goo89]

No way, this Opel you show in the end is a concept : that's a resto mod of an actual Manta of the 70's, sir !

[@edmundisanski982]

Nice moment at the start when you mentioned your daughters. As for being an 'influencer.' I look forward to your new cosmetics range. Clearly sadly hair care products are off the table though. ;-).

[@BigCar2]

I once got asked to sponsor a hair loss treatment!

[@DeLorean4]

Since 2017, although still being on the same platform, the base MSRP of a Mustang increased by around 50% in Canada. "S650" is a new platform in name only. I've aspired to buy a new one this whole time, but the MSRP increases always outpaced my salary increases, and removing the manual option from the base model means anyone wanting a manual transmission has to go up to the V8 GT trim. The used market is utterly depressing too, even going as far back as 2005.

[@nigelcreighton2411]

The Ford Mustang was called a small sporty car on launch, then the term pony car was applied to it and other similar vehicles. From ‘69 to ‘71 the Mustang had some very large engine options which technically made it a muscle car for those three model years. I’d say there are nine or ten sports cars on this list the rest are coupes or two door sedans.

[@noneofyourbusiness2997]

Want to run on most fun used sports cars? I loved the look and feel of the Saturn, with the old racing head rests from the early 60s and general Batmobile feel :-)

[@93455Driver]

You are an influencer, without inverted commas. If I was in the UK, I would want to own a Marina, Capri, etc. or some other from my childhood due to your influence.

[@zzkeokizz]

I love that your kids love you like that. ❤

[@DrLoverLover]

Wow, never knew new cars could look so identical. Glad I have an old car

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

You are really a KZbinR. 🙏, a short video onky with the Fiat 124 spider.

[@eotikurac]

i went to the toyota website. all of their cars, apart from the yaris, when speced out similarly, are around 50k euros. corolla, camry, prius, hilux, even the van. how does that make any sense?

[@GrandPotatoe]

You influence us to care about cars and car related stuff so possibly.

[@andycalifornia426]

Props for challenging the narrative that ND Miata is the best sports car. But it's weird you included it as pretty much number 1 then. Also, if you've only driven the 1.5l, then you should reserve judgement until you drive a proper 2.0 one.

[@martinneumann7783]

The father of a friend once said: a sports car is the one you’re pushing when you run out of fuel… Anyway, I prefer the Alpine. Because French 🚗💨🇫🇷

[@merbertancriwalli8622]

What about the residual on the lease and the value at that point - maybe different if you include the potential profit or loss?

[@ceesklumper]

Your video shows two different model generations of the Corvette

[@Tarkov.]

Another reason to favor the BRZ over the 86, is that the engine is made by Subaru, meaning any maintenance should ideally be done at a Subaru dealership. I'm sure Toyota knows what they're doing by now, but still lol.

[@eotikurac]

how would this list change if you add used cars on lease?

[@milksheihk]

Corvette C8s start at around $180,000 in Aus & can be upto a quarter million.

[@craigthescott5074]

That’s ridiculous.

[@roadwarrior144]

The Camaro will return as a bloated family crossover, it just sounds like something GM would do.

[@clarksonoceallachain8536]

Honda S660 Or just build a maximum mini If only if GR made the copen rear wheel drive, but they kept it front

[@DirectInput]

What would I choose? A used Miata, a used LS and a few beers.

[@cyberfrank-bx2nv]

I fully agree on your analysis bro, good job I have an fj cruiser, and love it, as a second car, I d get the 86 even at the added cost. both vehicles go to the same garage, and I love Toyota now, we re engaged forever.... it s my fj that convinced me for the big move, I love my T rex on frame. I never thought I d love a car more than my 93 black civic si coupe on steroids, I was right, the fj is a 4 x 4, so I still long for the 86, as I m sure it will beat it. both need serious stylistic and performance investment to meet my vision, but, once achieved, I ll envy no 4 x 4 or sports car on this planet. I have seen examples of both with personal touches that makes you forget about exotics and then, it s truly YOURS, people know it s you, pimp my rep bro! ha, ha, it s really just for me, I love art and to design according to my taste. so now you know... good show bro

[@samisuhonen9815]

If you count operating and owning costs into the "value" calculation, Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ would be the best value sports car, if you want something made past 2010 at least. The Japanese have other cheap options that were truly magnificent, back in the 90's too. But the modern GT86/BRZ is just insane as a concept for those who want maybe their first sporty car, or just have a tighter budget. It straight up has the drivability of a 100k+ sports car. The damn thing even has an LSD, which is insane for the price point! It only lacks under the hood, with 200hp. But the car has nice spikes in power at lower RPM, as well as through 5000RPM to the 7400RPM redline. So due to its' light weight, it feels rather quick when pulling from the traffic lights, as well as when you blast through curvy roads at high RPM. The throttle response is lightning fast, instantly reacting to your pedal movements. It's going to feel slow though, if you are used to 300+hp cars. But the thing with the 200hp figure. The naturally aspirated Subaru boxer engine. It's very cheap to operate, and very reliable. And the car consumes only around 6 liters of gas for 100km, which is surprisingly economical. The engine and transmission, all of it has been designed for much higher power than the car makes. And these are the biggest costs of owning a sportscar. Not the price you pay to the car dealership. It's the moment when your transmission, clutch, diff, turbos, or engine blows. It's when you go to the gas station twice a week to get a full tank. It's when your insurance company wants twice as much. When the spare parts for even the simplest things, cost thousands of euros, and only overpriced specialist shops can work on your vehicle.

[@user-mr4jx9zo5p]

For my sports car. The first one being the Fort Mustang. Don't be my main sports car. Seconds are sports cars that I could haul my family. Like the Dodge Charger. And Subaru WRX STI. Those 3 sports cars are fun as hell. Especially the WRX STI. That thinking Guitar that dirt dirt and under 10 seconds. dirt. Oh no, my opinion or those 3 sports cars. Are the best.

[@andycalifornia426]

Charger and WRX STi aren't sports cars. They're sedans that sporty. Maybe could be called sport-y sedans. Not sports cars.

[@yorkshire6458]

MG XPower SV’s would be my Sport car

[@SmallBlogV8]

When I saw the list is 15 cars long, I knew we'd be stretching the definition of 'sports car' somewhat, to just mean 'moderately fast 2-door'. If I was being picky about defining a sports car, I'd remove the Audi, Mercedes, Lexus and American muscle cars (whole other genre/spirit). Out of the remaining 10, I think I most desire either a mid-range Caterham or the GR86 (no BRZ mk.2 in Britain, nor Nissan Z). Unless I could stretch to a Cayman GTS 4.0...

[@andycalifornia426]

I agree that Merc, Lexis and Audi coupes aren't sports cars. But even though Mustang and Camaro aren't sleek and Euro-styled, these are cars for driving for fun, which is another word for driving for sports. It's a different kind of fun than Euro, but the point is. Mustang and Camaro are not just a coupe version of an existing sedan - they are their own models in their own right (Camaro is on a platform used for sedans, but so is Nissan Z, and so was NC Miata), and they're not made as commuter cars for managers who want something fancier than a sedan (as A5, RC and that Mercedes are).

[@andycalifornia426]

If we're removing Mustang and Camaro, then the 86 would have to be off the list too. At the end of the day, it's just a well-handling sleek-looking regular-car with 4 seats.

[@yips_way]

Not watched the video yet but I own an RX8 R3. When I first bought it many many years ago I wasn't convinced about it's sporting/handling credentials, but then I fitted some proper tyres (imo) & it's a wonderfully handling car. Revs for fun being Rotary but drinks like a fish. I would have gotten rid of it years ago as I wasn't enjoying it as much as I should but just can't do it. It's been sat in my garage since it was parked just before the pandemic hit in March 2020. Still don't want to get rid of it despite it not being driven for nigh on 4 years as I go all child like when I sit in it & start it up every so often as I know what it can do if given free reign. As for value, seriously, it's probably one of the cheapest sports cars going as people who don't understand them don't look after them correctly so the older ones (Pre R3) go for peanuts. Luckily mine is increasing in value which is also one of the reasons I keep it - not losing money so why not 🤣

[@yips_way]

Less than 2 minutes in..... 40 grand for a 3 year lease - why the fudge would you lease. Buy the damn thing & not new. Nearly new would save you a bundle to spend on whatever else - and after 3 years guess what?...yes, the car is still yours. Leasing is for idiots who "need" (in quotes lol) to keep up with the Joneses & have a new car all the time. Waste of money & a true indication you're sheeple & fall for marketing BS etc.

[@BigCar2]

As I mentioned at the start, leasing is a way of showing the total cost of ownership as it's essentially the cost to buy it, service it and sell it after 3 years. Leasing can be a useful option for some people and situations.

[@yips_way]

@@BigCar2 Yeah, I realised that later & forgot to update my comment. I can see your reasoning as it's quicker than finding out maintenance, servicing & resale values if bought outright. I still stand by my comments about leasing though. Business use not inculded.

[@TexasRiverRat31254]

Cayman for sure but not the 4 banger! I just bought a 987.1 2.7 manual and have plenty left for fuel and upgrades to enjoy the small size, light weight amazing hydraulic steering. It's what a true sports car should be and is plenty fast enough to land me in jail only using the first 3 gears.

[@CortinasAndClassics]

Why would someone lease a car? I don't get that.

[@commanchi7]

In the context of "value for money" 100%, you're paying out the nose for the vehicles depreciation which is at it's highest rate during the first 5 years of ownership, sure some of that is offset with the factory warrenty but that's not even close to the savings of buying a vehicle used after those first 5 years and doing your own maintenance. To answer your question the answer is simply convinience but at a (high) cost.

[@jovancvetojevic3980]

Fun fact, Subaru BRZ in Serbian means Subaru Fast. Brz means fast lol

[@Gee_Jay]

NICE ! - New Format Video - Toyota MR2 Mk.3 "Failed MX5 Wannabe" ? - A Bit Harsh - Its 2nd Gen was a Great Looking, Successful "Ferrari 308 GTS (P.i. Magnum) wannabe" - And Toyota Should Have Stayed on That Line !!

[@BigCar2]

I was referring to the 3rd gen only.

[@FangPaw]

Included the FWD Audi A5 coupe, but not its direct competitor, the BMW 4-series coupe. Which, being RWD, handles much more like a sports car than the understeery Audi. Unless you like understeer of course. And more understeer. And even more understeer.

[@heroesofthelandstrasse]

Mazda RX-8. Period.

[@courtneypuzzo2502]

my favorite sports cars not counting the Miata are a c4 Corvette Porsche 911 Carrera turbo Honda S2000 Chevrolet Camaro and its former Pontiac twin Firebird the later because my mom had a 1978 firebird esprit redbird before I was born and when I was a baby she drove a 1982 Ford Mustang GT coupe 5.0

[@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330]

Please can someone explain 'it will cost £xx000 to lease'. I don't have a car myself as a bicycle gets me around just fine, hence I have no idea what this 'xxx to lease' means. The figures involved sound like you are paying for it, not leasing it. I am confused.

[@afterace]

What about the BMW M2? I think it's quite good value for money considering it brings 460 hp.

[@gnoccialpesto]

That new Manta looks good. It might shake the "Mulleted, thin moustache and cowboy boot wearing, provincial restaurant working, nearly 30 bloke with a hairdresser girlfriend" reputation ;)