Best sports car (under $50,000): Nissan 370Z
I can already hear the purists’ outrage on mention of the Nissan 370Z, a sports car in service since 2009 – an eternity in the industry. And yet, it is possible to get behind the wheel of a true, rear-wheel-drive sports car with sport suspension and running on a 332-hp V6, and pay less than $30,000 for the privilege (not counting prep, delivery and taxes, of course).
Its closest competition comes from Subaru and Toyota with the BRZ and 86 coupes, respectively, but those two models harbour much less power under their hoods. It’s true, the 370Z base model doesn’t come with Brembo brakes or a leather interior, but when you’re on a sunny weekend-afternoon drive out in the countryside, you won’t care about that, one whit.
