Timeless Road Thrills
Budget doesn't mean boring. Plenty of proper sports cars sit on dealer lots right now, waiting for someone who truly appreciates them. Real performance. Actual rear-wheel drive. Prices that won't make you wince.
1994 Pontiac Firebird: $9,346
Here's something that'll make muscle car enthusiasts grin: the 1994 Pontiac Firebird packs a 5.7L V8 engine churning out 275 horsepower, and you can snag one for less than ten grand. Every curve and angle screams performance.
Dennis Elzinga, Wikimedia Commons
1996 Ford Mustang GT: $10,131
The 4.6L V8 under the hood produces 215 horsepower, and while that might sound modest by today's standards, it's plenty to light up the rear tires and remind you why rear-wheel-drive V8 performance has such a devoted following.
GPS 56 from New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons
1996 Ford Mustang GT (Cont.)
This Mustang GT was a staple of American muscle car culture, the kind of car you'd see at every drag strip and cruise night across the country. Being part of the SN95 generation launched in 1994, this model represented Ford's modern take on the Mustang formula.
2004 Mazda RX-8: $10,739
Mazda did something completely different with the RX-8, and that's what makes it fascinating. Instead of going the conventional route, they dropped in a 1.3L rotary engine cranking out 197 horsepower—a powerplant that revved to the moon.
free photos & art, Wikimedia Commons
2004 Mazda RX-8 (Cont.)
It delivered power in the smoothest, most linear way imaginable. The high-revving nature of the rotary meant you had to work for your speed, keeping the engine singing in the upper reaches of the tachometer where it came alive.
Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK, Wikimedia Commons
1997 BMW Z3: $11,125
James Bond drove one in GoldenEye, and that tells you something about the Z3's cool factor right there. But beyond the Hollywood glamour, this 1997 model came with either a 1.9L inline-four making 138 horsepower or a more potent 2.8L inline-six pumping out 189 horsepower.
1997 BMW Z3 (Cont.)
The rear-wheel-drive layout and BMW's legendary handling prowess made this their first mass-produced roadster, bringing that classic two-seat convertible experience to the masses with Bavarian precision. This machine holds a unique distinction as the first BMW model built outside Germany.
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia, Wikimedia Commons
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata: $12,074
Lightweight and agile, those two words define everything the 1999 MX-5 Miata stands for. Mazda designed this machine to evoke the classic British roadsters of the 1960s, but with Japanese reliability that meant it would actually start every morning.
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata (Cont.)
Its 1.8L inline-four engine produced 140 horsepower and 119 lb-ft of torque, which doesn't sound like much until you remember this car weighed about as much as a shopping cart. The rear-wheel-drive layout and near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution meant this thing carved corners like it was on rails.
2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder: $12,137
Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, compact, nimble—the 2000 MR2 Spyder was one of the few affordable roadsters that put the engine behind the driver for that exotic car layout. Toyota's 1.8L inline-four produced 138 horsepower, feeding power to the rear wheels through a beautifully balanced chassis.
2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder (Cont.)
Well, the weight was positioned precisely where it needed to be for optimal handling, giving the Spyder a planted, confidence-inspiring feel through corners that most front-engine cars couldn't match. Besides, the compact size and nimble performance earned it widespread praise from automotive journalists.
1985 Chevrolet Corvette: $12,208
America's iconic sports car was in its second year of the C4 generation by 1985, and Chevrolet had refined the formula nicely. The 5.7L (350ci) V8 with tuned-port fuel injection pushed out 230 horsepower—serious business for the mid-80s.
Hugh Llewelyn from Keynsham, UK, Wikimedia Commons
1985 Chevrolet Corvette (Cont.)
This wasn't just about raw power, though. The C4 represented a technological leap forward with its revised digital instrument cluster. This beast’s rear-wheel-drive layout delivered that classic Corvette experience, where American V8 torque met surprisingly capable handling dynamics.
Jiří Sedláček, Wikimedia Commons
2003 BMW Z4: $12,493
Chris Bangle's controversial styling made the Z4 instantly recognizable, and whether you loved or hated those sharp angles, nobody could ignore it. The retractable soft-top convertible roof was exclusively a roadster configuration, making this a pure open-air driving machine with no coupe pretensions.
2003 BMW Z4 (Cont.)
It was available with either a 2.5L or 3.0L inline-six engine, the latter pumping out 228 horsepower. The Z4 delivered that smooth BMW power delivery through a rear-wheel-drive layout that showcased the brand's legendary handling prowess.
2008 Pontiac Solstice: $14,090
Pontiac developed the Solstice as a direct competitor to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, and they weren't messing around. The convertible design and 2.4L inline-four engine producing 173 horsepower gave it the fundamentals to compete in the affordable roadster segment.
order_242 from Chile, Wikimedia Commons
2005 Nissan 350Z: $14,510
The 3.5L V6 engine produces a healthy 287 horsepower, offering classic rear-wheel-drive sports car dynamics at an affordable price point. This Z-car appeared in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, cementing its status in pop culture and introducing a whole new generation to Nissan's Z heritage.
2005 Nissan 350Z (Cont.)
The aggressive styling turned heads everywhere, with those muscular haunches and distinctive front end making it impossible to mistake for anything else on the road. Nissan praised this car for good reason, as it delivered serious performance without the premium price tag of European competitors.
Rutger van der Maar, Wikimedia Commons
2005 BMW M3: $20,000
Track performance was what the M3 was engineered for, and the 2005 model delivered it in spades, with a 3.2L inline-six engine producing 333 horsepower. This wasn't just a regular 3 Series with some badges slapped on.
2005 BMW M3 (Cont.)
BMW's Motorsport division had worked its magic on everything from the suspension to the differential, creating a machine that could embarrass supercars on a winding road. Driving enthusiasts considered this a favorite for its incredible balance of power and handling.
2007 Infiniti G35 Coupe: $13,999
Luxury and performance don't usually come together at this price point, but the 2007 G35 Coupe managed to deliver both with style. The sleek design turned heads when it was new and still looks contemporary today, with flowing lines that suggested speed even when standing still.
2007 Infiniti G35 Coupe (Cont.)
That smooth ride quality was backed up by a 3.5L V6 engine cranking out 275 horsepower in the automatic transmission variant, providing serious grunt wrapped in a premium package. By the way, engaging driving dynamics came standard with the G35.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS: $21,100
Talk about a 6.2L V8 engine that pumps out 426 horsepower. Yes, that's the headline number that makes this modern muscle car an absolute monster. The 2010 model marked the Camaro's triumphant return after years of absence, and Chevrolet made sure it came back with a vengeance.
2010 Nissan 370Z: $13,495
Nissan had decades of experience building sports cars by this point, and all that knowledge showed in how well-sorted the 370Z felt from the factory. The rear-wheel-drive layout delivered that classic sports car experience where you could feel the weight transfer.
Rutger van der Maar, Wikimedia Commons
