BMW’s 4 Series lineup provides similar luxury to its sedan counterpart, the 3 Series. There are three iterations of the 4 Series, including a two-door coupe, a two-door convertible, and a four-door Gran Coupe. The two-door options provide a great sports car experience, whether it’s the 430i, M440i, or the high-performance M4.
With its price tag of $49,100 and twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, the BMW 430i provides cheap performance. This translates to a 0 to 60 mph sprint of 5.5 seconds. Although the 4 Series offers a lot, these cheap sports cars easily outperform it, even with lesser power outputs.
Lotus Elise S3 – British Know-How, Japanese Reliability
A Lotus’ reputation for reliability or lack thereof is well known. Yet, do Lotus cars really lack reliability? The adage Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious guided buyers to rival brands in older cars. The Elise, however, is a totally different proposition. Designed to be both a track day car and a road car, it was a simple, lightweight sports car.
Its chassis and body are made of aluminum and fiberglass and it is pure minimalistic. Despite Lotus’ best efforts in engineering, Elise never used a homegrown engine. Instead, the production relied on bought-in engines, which is wonderful news for gearheads tempted by the Elise S3. A supercharged Toyota 2ZR-FE motor powers this pocket rocket. Effortlessly cranking out up to 245 horsepower by 2021, the Elise is a Lotus worth your money.
A Mustang GT with a V8 is the only way to go
A Mustang is the best old sports car to buy. Why? Gearheads around the world know this US icon despite its primarily US success. Although older models have more curb appeal, a sixth-generation Mustang delivers the best performance and reliability. You just need to choose the right engine.
In all honesty, anything less than a V8 under the hood is automotive blasphemy. This is a combination Ford understands all too well, with the Mustang GT’s Coyote-branded 5-liter V8 engine generating 460 horsepower. You can’t name a V8 engine that gives you as much bang for your buck as the Coyote does. Although the engine’s forged internals make it a mile-devouring monster over the long haul, it’s forged internals that makes it a long-term beast.
Toyota Supra A80 – Legendary Power And Durability
It’s time for a slice of automotive royalty. In 1993, Toyota’s Supra Turbo shocked the establishment. Here was a car from a regular brand that could outrace Europe’s finest marques, and the Supra cost a fraction of the price.
In spite of its popularity, the Supra is still a massive draw. It is loved by gearheads, tuners, and street racers alike. However, the Supra’s popularity isn’t just about the car alone. It’s more about what lies under the hood. In the Toyota 2JZ straight six, which was fresh from the Motomichi plant, 321 horsepower was generated. Tuners may be able to achieve 800 horsepower on sock internals.
Honda S2000 – Four-cylinder Screamer
This iconic Japanese sports car launched in 1999, offers a different route to driving heaven. Instead of a turbo, Honda chose a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produces a lot of power. As it approached the limiter of 9000 RPM, the S2000’s engine threatened to blow the hood off. A powerful VTEC cam system enabled Honda’s F20C motor to rev to engine speeds at the time that were unheard of.
A peak power of 247 horsepower so far up the rev range may sound dangerous, but Honda’s expertise in high-performance engines allows the F20C to easily reach 300,000 miles without major maintenance.
Nissan Skyline GT-R – Touring Car Legend Destined For The Streets.
The Nissan RB26DETT is our last choice for durable sports cars because no other car here combines high-tech engineering with blistering performance as this one does. Nissan claims that its RB26DETT motor produces 276 HP in accordance with Japanese law. However, those who know the truth know it was closer to 300.
Moreover, this engine can deliver tremendous power gains with only a slight boost increase. But the Skyline isn’t just some lightweight diva with a tendency to break down. Rather, it is built to go racing, dominating the touring car scene with 29 wins from 1990-93. Since then, the Skyline has become a motoring nirvana to drive on the road.
