Few vehicle styles are more iconic worldwide than the two-seat sports car. Whether as a hardtop coupe or a softtop roadster, these machines blend fine performance and handling, sporty style, and sheer pleasure at the wheel for yourself and a friend or partner. As passionate car people know, these machines can get expensive, too. Two-seaters from automakers like Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, and McLaren can easily cost as much as a nice house or more, as evidenced by the $3.8 million asking price for the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+.
There is some good news, though. You can get a two-seat adrenaline rush without taking out a second mortgage or winning the lottery. As I write this in mid-2025, seven two-seat sports cars still start at under $100,000. I wanted to spotlight them with an overview of the “magnificent seven” two-seaters that go for less than six figures.
Mazda MX-5 Miata: $29,530
Since 1989, the Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster has set the standard for affordable excitement, driving into the Guinness Book of World Records as the best-selling two-seat sports car ever. The current generation continues this tradition as the only entry starting under $30,000. It’s powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that has 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty for a vehicle weighing less than 2,400 lbs. Traditionalists will love the standard six-speed manual transmission, though an automatic is available on the Grand Touring trim.
The MX-5 delivers everything else you could ask for in a budget-friendly two-seater, including a multi-link rear suspension, sticky Bridgestone tires, and DSC-Track stability control. You can make the drive even more dynamic with a special package of Brembo front brakes, BBS forged aluminum wheels, and Recaro heated seats. Capitalize on the affordability while you can, because Mazda has already announced the 2026 Mazda Miata will be electrified in some way, undoubtedly meaning a price increase.
Nissan Z: $42,970
The Z series of sports coupes debuted in 1969 when many people knew this Japanese automaker as Datsun. More than 55 years later, the seventh generation remains a powerful, reliable, and economical sports car. It received a major engine boost for its seventh generation, making 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo V6. You can pair it with a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission, with the latter offering the best acceleration, going from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.
Nissan Z sports cars are also known for their modern interiors with advanced infotainment tech and supreme comfort. The hatchback design offers more storage space than normal, which is great for high-speed road trips. The Nissan Z also has a vintage exterior that pays tribute to years of excellence. For some extra cash, the Nissan Z NISMO gets a boost to 420 hp and 384 lb-ft plus a motorsports-tuned suspension, bigger brakes, better aero, and lighter wheels.
BMW Z4: $54,050
Not long after the Miata came along, BMW introduced the Z roadster line, which went through several iterations before settling on the Z4. The current BMW Z4 is the automaker’s pinnacle of two-seat performance. For a little over 50 grand, the Z4 sDrive30i provides a 2.0L turbo I-4 with 255 hp. You can up the ante with the 3.0L turbo I-6 in the BMW Z4 M40i that has 382 hp, flying from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Both editions are sporty yet refined, zigging and zagging on the adaptive suspension.
Like other BMW vehicles, the Z4 is tech-forward with welcome goodies like its 10.3-inch infotainment screen and built-in navigation. For 2025, BMW brought back a manual transmission option on the Z4 M40i, which also comes with a retuned suspension and bigger wheels. Unfortunately, the Z4 is living on borrowed time as BMW will end production in March 2026. If you’ve been thinking about getting this famous roadster, now’s the time to act.
Toyota GR Supra: $56,900
The Supra began life in 1978 as a Toyota Celica trim before becoming its own model. After a 17-year hiatus, it returned in 2019 with Gazoo Racing branding, but retained its soul of affordable, enthusiastic driving. Toyota doubled down on the enthusiasm part for 2025 by dropping the entry-level turbo I-4 engine. This increases the starting price but means everyone gets the more powerful turbo I-6 with 382 hp, 368 lb-ft of torque, and an automatic or manual transmission (the automatic has better acceleration and fuel efficiency).
The GR Supra also has a full suite of driver assistance tech and available infotainment like JBL speakers to give you more bang for your buck. Toyota has confirmed that the sixth generation of the GR Supra will arrive in the 2027 model year. However, they’ve added a draw to the fifth generation with a Final Edition special trim that includes revisions to the adaptive suspension dampers, rear differential software, Brembo brakes, front sway bar, and bushings.
Chevy Corvette: $68,300
Few vehicles have captured hearts and minds like the Chevrolet Corvette, which has evolved over the decades from a modest roadster to the pinnacle of American sports cars. I’ve written about how the C8 Corvette Stingray offers a taste of supercar performance at a price point most adrenaline junkies can stomach. Although the Corvette can certainly get costly with variants like the E-Ray, Z06, and ZR1, the Stingray remains accessible to the masses.
This “entry-level” Corvette is better than most premium trims, generating 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque from its 6.2L V8 engine and dual-clutch automatic transmission. Its precise suspension and vented brakes offer amazing driving dynamics, and you get an all-leather interior with a fun squared-off steering wheel. “Basic” infotainment is top-notch, with Bose audio and a performance data recorder. Yet the Corvette is surprisingly practical with ample cargo room, great active safety tech, and an agile size.
Porsche 718: $72,800
The Porsche name is synonymous with two-seat sports cars, and the modern Porsche 718 series is the closest you can find to a Porsche for the everyman. Inspired by the championship race cars of 1957 to 1962, the hardtop 718 Cayman and soft-top 718 Boxster are full of mid-engine might. The base power plant is a 2.0L turbo-four that makes 300 hp, and three other engine options can soup things as high as 502 hp on the 718 Cayman GT4 S and 493 hp on the 718 Boxster Spyder RS.
Beyond engines, the 718 line offers plenty of choices to get the right balance and responsiveness. There are two transmission options, a six-speed manual and a seven-speed DCT (Porsche calls it PDK). The combination of a trunk and frunks lets you pack for long journeys. Unfortunately, the 2025 edition is the last for the gas-powered Porsche 718 as it is slated to go all-electric. That means you’ll need to act soon to get a new gas-powered Porsche 718 before they’re gone.
Lotus Emira: $99,900
Another topic I’ve touched on with CarLifeNation is whether Lotus can survive in the modern age. One way they’re trying to do so is with the Emira, which replaced the Evora in 2023 and barely comes in beneath the six-figure price mark. This two-seat coupe is the final Lotus vehicle using an internal combustion engine, and it’s ending the era with a bang. Its base engine is a Toyota 3.5L supercharged V6 developing 400 hp, and you can get it with a six-speed manual or automatic.
The Lotus Emira also has the premium foundation the automaker is known for. It has a multilink front and rear control arm suspension available in a touring tune for everyday balance or a sport tune to put some hustle in your steps. Each can be paired with touring or sport tires, too. It also has an elegant interior, plenty of storage, and a 10.2-inch touchscreen for comfort seven days a week.
Spending Less on Sportiness
As enthralling as the prospect is of 1,500 hp, carbon fiber body panels, or heated cupholders, forking over that kind of cash isn’t necessary for drama and elation at the wheel. There are still plenty of ways to add a two-seat sports car to your garage while staying within a smaller budget. The vehicles on this list also have plenty of ways to personalize them for a unique connection to the pavement. If you thought a thrilling vehicle was beyond your reach, think again.
