When it comes to the unique world of the sportscar then the having that extra layer of interaction between man and machine can add to the driving pleasure rather than detract from it. That is why there are still several desirable sportscars out there that can be optioned with three pedals and we have selected some of the very best that can still be bought brand new.
Whether you are looking for an affordable daily-driver that has the ability to put a smile on your face on the way to work or a no-holds barred sports car which is best sampled on a race track, we have something here for you.
Affordable Manual Sportsters
Ford Fiesta ST
Small but plenty of fun
The Fiesta ST has been the default choice for those needing a practical hatchback with the soul of a sports car. The latest generation comes with a 197 bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine which, aided by a strong 214 lb ft of torque, can launch this little rocket to 62mph in 6.7-seconds. The engineers at Ford are clearly car fans at heart, the Fiesta ST has pedals that are perfectly positioned for heel-and-toe shifts and a mechanical limited-slip differential is an option too. No automatic transmission here though, just a good old six-speed manual.
Mazda MX-5
The roadster that has set the standard for decades
Mazda went back to basics with their fourth-generation roadster. Instead of adding complexity and weight they stuck to a high-revving naturally-aspirated motor and focused on recapturing the essence of the 1989 original. A recent bump in power for the 2.0-litre model to 184 bhp has given it a bit more top-end performance but even the base 132 bhp 1.5-litre model is fun to drive. The short-shift manual transmission and engaging, lightweight chassis are the keys to its success and while adding a turbocharger and dual-clutch transmission will undoubtedly improve performance levels, that subtle balance would be lost forever.
Toyota GT86
Well-balanced sporty coupe
The Toyota GT86 is not quite a cope version of the MX-5 but both cars share a common philosophy. The GT86 is also powered by a non-turbo 2.0-litre engine, it makes a slightly more powerful 200 bhp but it is the delicately balanced chassis and direct responses to driver inputs that defines this car. For similar money, you can find a dozen quicker sporty coupes out there, but few will give you the kind of satisfaction that a GT86 can on a quiet back road. If you truly enjoy driving and realise that there really is no place and space for overpowered turbocharged sportscars on today’s crowded roads then the GT86 and its Subaru BRZ twin are an obvious choice.
Mini Cooper S
Tiny but potent
The Mini Cooper S has been around for almost two decades now, yet it still stands out as a unique offering in the sea of sporty hatchbacks on offer. Part of the reason is that it can be customised to levels usually reserved for expensive sports cars and it still offers a fun and engaging drive thanks to a sharp chassis and a zesty turbocharged engine. It is not quite the pure driving experience you get in an MX-5 or GT86 but it is still very entertaining, and it is appreciably quicker than both thanks to its 189 bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that offers a much bigger slug of torque from lower down the rev range.
Honda Civic Type-R
The class-leading FWD hot hatch
Honda deciding to go the turbocharged was a big sticking point for Type-R fans until they actually experienced this class-leading hot hatch from the driver’s seat. It may not exhibit the same high-rev appetite that the old Civic V-Tec units were renowned for but with 316 bhp and a massive 295 lb ft of torque on offer, it moves the performance levels up to mini supercar levels. Handling hasn’t been ignored either as proven by the record-breaking Nurburgring lap time the Type R set last year for FWD cars. The transmission options are a six-speed manual or nothing. Perfect.
Analogue driving machines
Nissan 370Z
Old-school but still very cool
The 370Z has been around for 10-years now, an absolute age in motoring terms, yet it has remained relevant not because it has been continually updated to match the latest hi-tech offerings but rather for its pleasingly analogue take on the sports car theme. Even a decade ago the marketplace was filled with turbocharged all-wheel-drive sporting machines, the 370Z with its big 323 bhp (339 bhp in NISMO form) 3.7-litre V6, rear-wheel-drive chassis and chunky manual shifter was a pleasingly retro ride with enough modernity to be used very day. In 2018 it is even more of a rare beast, Nissan has continually refined the handling but has left the old-school feel intact, and it is now priced at a level that makes it a very tempting buy indeed.
Ford Mustang V8
American muscle with tons of charm
The Mustang has been a rare sight on our roads thanks to the fact that it was only available as a grey import until very recently. Now that it is available straight from a Ford dealer you can expect to see a lot more of these characterful pony cars in the UK. The latest generation Mustang has introduced some much-needed upgrades to the formula, for starters you now get an independent rear suspension as opposed to the ancient leaf-spring set up. There is also a 10-speed automatic and 2.3-litre turbocharged inline-four but these technological ‘improvements’ are best avoided if you want to experience the true Mustang character. For that we suggest picking the 444 bhp 5.0-litre V8 and pairing it with the six-speed manual transmission. Forget about fuel bills and the sheer size of the thing and just enjoy the fact that in today’s hybrid obsessed world we can still buy a big impractical sports car.
Super cars and supercars
BMW M2 Competition
Practical and powerful
The BMW M2 was lauded as one of the best modern M cars when it was launched. Aside from a propensity to bounce around a bit on undulating roads, its handling ability and performance placed it among some much pricier sports cars that didn’t come with a useable boot or a set of rear seats. Now the improved Competition version has just been launched which means that the M2 gets a revised suspension and the twin-turbo 3.0-litre turbocharged engine from the M3 (slightly detuned to 404 bhp). The fun factor has been turned up to 11 and the six-speed manual has been retained as the base transmission option. If speed and practicality in a small package are a must then this little sports car is about as perfect as it gets.
Porsche 911
The benchmark sports car for generations
Not much can be said about the 911 that hasn’t been said before. It offers a combination of speed, useability and practicality that its rivals have struggled to match for decades. The latest generation may have gone the turbocharged route (excluding the GT3 for now) but they all retain that indelible character that makes a 911 such a fantastic drive. The PDK dual-clutch transmissions are great and offer marginally quicker acceleration figures but it is heartening to see that most 911 models can still be had with a manual shifter too. You get a seven-speed unit in the Carrera models while the GT3 Touring Pack comes fitted with a six-speed version.
Noble M600
Supercar pace in an analogue package
The Noble M600 has been around for a few years now, it first saw light of day in 2011, but it still remains a massively capable supercar. Equipped with a 650 bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo engine it can match newer supercars in acceleration despite being equipped with a slower shifting manual gearbox. In fact, it is this very fact that makes it stand out amongst modern equivalents. If you are looking for a car capable of 215+mph and want to do the shifting yourself then this is just about the only brand new option available to you.
