THE MOST THRILLING SPORTS CARS ON SALE TODAY, RANKED BY PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY TEST THEM
We know a thing or two about sports cars here at Road & Track. And though it may seem like the SUV apocalypse has taken over the roads, there are still plenty of thrills to be had among today's best two-door coupes and convertibles that aim to deliver driving pleasure above all else. A few of our favorites are on hiatus—most notably the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman—but we've rounded up this list of the best sports cars you can buy new today and ranked them in order of preference. With a wide range of price points and performance levels, there's something here for everyone.
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Price: $29,215
2023 Toyota GR86
Price: $29,495
As far as affordable sports cars go, the Toyota GR86 is among the best. It's nearly as fun to drive as a Miata, but comes with a real interior with two extra seats and a usable trunk. If we could only have one car, the GR86 would be near the top of our list.
Read our comparison versus the Miata
Price: $29,615
The Subaru BRZ is essentially the same car as the GR86, save for a few small cosmetic and suspension tweaks. We prefer how the Toyota drives, but it's so close that you wouldn't notice unless you tested them back to back. If you prefer the Subaru brand, you won't be disappointed.
Base price: $134,650
There's a reason why everyone loves the Porsche 911, and why the formula hasn't changed much in the nearly 60 years since its debut. Not only does the 911 deliver a near-perfect driving experience, it's also suitable as a daily driver thanks to its world-class cabin, 2+2 seating arrangement, and ample storage space. Buyers can still get a manual transmission, too, although they will have to look for the slightly upmarket 911 T model.
The 911 Turbo S Remains the Supreme All-Rounder
Price: $65,895
Though the C8 Corvette could be considered a supercar thanks to its standard V-8 power and mid-engine layout, we still think it qualifies as a sports car. You're getting a whole lot of car for the money, whether you go for the base Stingray or the hardcore Z06. There's a reason we named the Z06 our 2022 Performance Car of the Year.
Here's our Corvette Z06 review
Base price: $106,900
While the Lotus Emira can't match the outgoing Porsche 718 Cayman's overall usability, the mid-engine British sports car makes up for it with gobs of character and a uniquely satisfying driving experience. We suggest going for the supercharged V-6 motor over the turbo-four, as it's the only way you can option a manual transmission, and rowing your own gears is the best way to enjoy this purist’s sports car.
The Lotus Emira Turbo SE Is Too Good to Be Lotus's Swan Song
Price: $45,735
The modern Toyota Supra might be mostly BMW underneath, but that doesn't mean we hate it. Now that it's finally available with a manual transmission, it's the opposite. With relatively affordable sports cars nearly gone from the market, the Supra is a bright ray of hope.
Here's our first drive of the manual version
Base price: $57,275
If you wished the Supra came in convertible form, well, you're in luck, because it does... sort of. The Supra is mostly BMW Z4 underneath, with the two cars sharing powertrain, suspension, and body structures. The main difference for the Z4 is the power-operated soft top. Oh, and you can't option a manual transmission, which sucks.
Base price: $44,215
If the Nissan Z's awesome retro-inspired looks aren't enough to convince you that it's a fun sports car, consider what lies under the hood: a 400-hp twin-turbo V-6 mated to a slick six-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. That all-important stick shift is still not yet available in the faster Nismo model, unfortunately, but that performance variant does pack extra power and an upgraded suspension.
Tested: Nissan Z Heritage Edition