Choosing a sports car

You really can get a great sports car for less than $40,000, and a higher price doesn't always mean higher performance. Experts recommend considering the following when choosing a sports car:

  • A sports car probably shouldn't be your only car. Commuting in most sports cars is not a good idea; the ride will not be as comfortable as in other vehicles, and maintenance costs can be substantially higher, including tires, brakes and repairs. In addition, hauling passengers and cargo -- even small amounts of groceries -- can be a challenge. If you want a sports car to serve as an everyday ride, investigate some of the sporty coupes or sports sedans in our separate ConsumerSearch reports.
  • Very few sports cars offer decent fuel economy. Big engines drink a lot of gas. However, some lightweight sports cars -- including the top-rated Porsche Cayman and runner-up budget pick Audi TT -- can go just as fast on a surprisingly small amount of fuel. The all-electric Tesla Roadster delivers thrilling performance, but it costs more than $100,000. Be aware that you'll pay an additional federally mandated gas-guzzler tax of up to $7,700 due to the poor fuel economy of most sports cars.
  • Safety often takes a back seat in sports cars. Perhaps it's because sports cars are not meant for families or because they are usually crafted more with power in mind, but some sports cars lack even basic safety features such as side airbags.
  • To help carve through corners, sports cars are often equipped with a firm, low-riding suspension. This is acceptable, but the ride shouldn't feel harsh. Most models also use high-performance tires and brakes for crisper handling and superior stopping power.
  • Manual gearboxes are preferable to regular automatics. They give you more control over the transmission, which generally makes the car more fun to drive. Manual transmissions are cheaper, usually saving you at least $1,000 over an automatic. However, experts are impressed with the new dual-clutch, automated manual transmissions offered in some sports cars, including the Porsche Cayman and Audi TT. These computer-controlled setups can change gears faster than any human being can.
  • Most sports cars consume premium gasoline. Sports-car engines are tuned to wring out every drop of available power. As a result, you'll find that the majority (including all the Best Reviewed models covered here) drink premium unleaded gasoline. Premium obviously costs more than regular and mid-grade unleaded, so this is one area where elevated operating costs may be unavoidable.

What's coming on the horizon?

Nissan may offer the first hybrid sports car by 2011, launching a hybrid version of its 370Z, according to a report out of Japan unearthed by the website 370Z.com. Established auto websites say this isn't farfetched. According to a post on AutoBlogGreen.com, "Lending further credence to these rumors is an image of a blue 370Z with a hybrid emblem on the front fascia." CNET predicts the hybrid Z would probably not arrive until 2012.

Arriving in January 2010, the four-seater, mid-engine, V-6 Lotus Evora may be "the most accessible and refined Lotus built to date," with a much more compliant ride than other Lotuses, according to Edmunds.com's Straightline blog. Lotus has already taken 150 orders for the $74,500 Evora, which is currently available overseas.

The price is high, but the power is plentiful on the 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI (*Est. $146,000 to $155,100), according to an early test drive at Automobile Magazine. The V-10 engine packs 525 horsepower -- 105 more than the regular Audi R8 -- and is similar to the engine you'll find on the Lamborghini Gallardo. The coupe hit the market in mid-2009, and a convertible version is coming in 2010, Edmunds.com's Inside Line says. The R8 V-10 convertible has been spotted on the set of next summer's Iron Man 2 film, in which it will be driven by the main character, Tony Stark.

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