Whether it’s an open-topped roadster or a low-slung coupe, many buyers want a car that will deliver driving thrills on a winding road or even a race track. Here are CarAdvice’s top five picks for a segment where great vehicle dynamics and impressive performance count:
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Willing, free-revving 2.0-litre engine; Brilliant manual shift action; Agility and stability through corners; Quality ride; Good pricing
Some major ergonomics issues in the cabin; Lots of hard plastics; Engine doesn't sound very sporty; No standard reverse-view camera on any variant
Savage powertrain; Cost of entry; You'll win the hearts of many admirers
You can't buy a brand-new one anymore; Ride and handling a touch fidgety; Track time the only way to get the full-fat experience
Techy and sporty vibe; Charming three-pot in the 218i; Decent performance in the M235i; Competitive pricing
Sharp ride quality; Questionable styling; Lacks some maturity; Price hike over the 1 Series
Noticeable power bump; Excellent dual-clutch transmission; Active exhaust brings the ruckus
Sticker shock at first glance; Fiddly infotainment system; Constantly firm ride is not for all
It doesn't need a turbo!; Raw and pure sports car; Back seats fold down for more practicality; Tight handling
Lacking safety tech; Cabin features are dated; Exhaust could sound better
Slick, mechanical-feeling gearshift; Playful but user-friendly rear end; A reminder of everything that’s great about NA engines
Everything about the roof – it traps road noise, looks unfinished inside, and is a pain to raise and lower; Visibility is incredibly poor for something so open; Timid-sounding default exhaust mode
Increased performance from the reworked M six-pot; Superbly responsive and engaging handling; Improved body control, added grip; Wonderfully sonorous exhaust note
Expensive carbon-fibre parts vulnerable to damage; Still weighs the same as the M2 Competition; Cup tyres are iffy in damp conditions; Question marks remain over ride quality; Rear seat lacks for space; High price tag
Inherent good design qualities not lost with a new skin; Clever connected technologies onboard; Cheapest in its class
S line treatment stops at the bumpers and door sills; Access to the second row is small; Loss of rotary dial for infotainment control
Blisteringly quick when you want it to be; Rear-biased AWD oozes confidence; Nine-speed auto a delight; So too the 3.0-litre turbo V6; Adaptive dampers at their peak when driven hard...
... but a touch brittle in their softest setting; Engine drones at city speeds; Infotainment now a generation behind
Unrivalled sports car performance for $85K; Entertaining dynamics; Great seats and driving position; Impressively comfortable ride for a sports car
Some obvious BMW links; No manual gearbox option; Some visibility restrictions; Model upgrade due late 2020
Wide arches and fat rear end have aged well; Comfortable and tractable enough to drive every day; Still plenty of punch from the NA flat six
Manuals are rare, and the Tiptronic isn't the greatest; Check for IMS bearing service history; It's maturing well, but the 996 still not to all tastes
Engine's performance is monstrous and accessible; Gearbox is likewise well behaved, but fast when you want it; Cabin execution is a work of art
Does it have enough visual theatre?; Way too fast to enjoy in Australia unless you can access track days; Even more exhaust noise please
Astonishingly quick in seemingly any conditions despite 2WD; Chassis control amazing no matter how you push; Ride comfort over crappy roads; Roomy cockpit; High levels of feedback make this car a breeze to drive fast
Exhaust note is getting better, but can't compete with the NA-powered Lambo Huracan Performante Spyder
Still the bad-arsed hot rod of the super sports car set; GT C an ideal fit for the road; GT R still the manic track beast; Digital instrumentation an improvement
Clumsy cabin layout; Frustrating infotainment usability; Pricing is up $10–$13K across the range; They're quite thirsty
Uncompromising performance; Unrivalled street appeal; Best V8 engine in existence; Brilliant ride and dynamic capabilities; Very much a race car you can happily drive daily
Options, options, options; Interior feeling its age; Lift kit needs to remain on at higher speeds; Sounds insane, but it's no 458
