Top 5 Sports Cars Under $8,000 - Drag Race & Cheap Sports Car Showdown (Part 2) | Everyday Driver

Be sure to watch Part 1, where we gather all 8 cars that met our requirements of 2 seats, RWD, Manual Transmission, Less than 25 years old, and many options available on AutoTempest for under $8,000.

For part 2, We took the top 3 from part 1 and put them with our long term cars to decide if we picked the right cars. After an in depth drive and discussion of the NB Mazda Miata, Porsche Boxster, and Toyota MR2, along with our own Z4 and SLK, we pick our top three and face our own poor choices.

Oh. And there's a drag race!

You can try our same search with the link below:

00:00 - 1:00 Intro
1:00 - 9:13 Mazda NB MX5 Miata
9:13 - 17:00 Porsche Boxster 986
17:00 - 25:10 Toyota MR-2 Spyder
25:10 - 33:06 BMW Z4 (Todd's Car)
33:06 - 42:20 Mercedes SLK (Paul's Car)
42:20 - 43:41 What we should have bought
43:41 - Beat by a Minivan

#CheapSportsCarChallenge #BMW #Porsche #Mercedes #MR2 #Miata

Buy Cheap Sports Car shirts and more at out Blipshift store:

Our Podcast, "The Car Debate", can be found every Tuesday and Friday wherever you get Podcasts.

New videos here on Thursdays.

Subscribe and hit the Bell - lots more on the way!

[ProAlchemist]

I've been contemplating a cheap, manual convertible for a while now and struggling to evaluate options other than the Miata. This video series is perfect

[chakatrain]

The drag race vs. a mini van was the most humorous thing I’ve seen on your channel in a while. Thanks for doing that.

[bmidniterfoxo]

That Mr2 spyder is making me want a mini series exploring all 3 generations of the MR2. That first gen never really got its just due.

[manuelrendon]

Tell you what, Mr2 with upgraded suspension, brakes, tires and the 180hp 2zz engine and you have a world beater.

[thesillyhatday]

This was great to see the MR2 getting some love with a first place from Todd. If you can get one cheaper than every other car tested, it's worth it. That car was designed to be fun at low speeds and cheap to maintain, which is why the engine is uninspired. It's cheap inside because the car was supposed to be attainable to the majority of people by keeping costs down. The looks are bland (if got uglier with age) so they weren't devisive and appeal to more people. Toyota should be admired for bringing a top tier driving experience to everyone. I know Mazda has an equally great car, but it isn't mid engine.

For me the winner was the Boxster. If you go by Todd and Paul, I think it's their winner too. It came on both their top 3s and placed higher than the Z4 on each. My take away from this is that the Z4 is better than I always thought it was. I wonder if the Z4 had the steering of the Boxster, if they would have placed it higher than Boxster.

One thing to think about, both Todd and Paul picked a car for their first place that is closest to the one they own (though who wouldn't). Elise has a Toyota engine and Lotus had a hand in the setup of the MR2, so it's a weird cheap Elise. The Boxster is a mid engine Porsche, like a Cayman.

[chrisluecke]

This is definitely at the top of my list for favorite pieces that you’ve done. Great job!

[petebaja]

It would be interesting to know if a properly maintained MR2 would have figured higher in Paul's ranking.
That car is an embarrassment to the owner, they should hang their head in shame. The rough engine, the old cheap tyres, the grubby seat covers, the whole car in fact!
Find a good one that has been looked after (as they are more likely to be a weekend car with lower mileage) with Yokohama Advan Fleva V701's (as they are one of the few tyres available for the front and rear which are different diameter and widths at each end) and you won't be looking at any of the other candidates.

[melvinmeligrito]

Owning a Z, NA Miata, FoST and an Evo, miata is on the top of my list in terms of driving experience

[vmax]

A few years ago, I started looking for a convertible to drive. Almost every article, blog and magazine I reviewed kept coming back to the Porsche Boxsters. Balanced, driver centric, comfortable, roomiest and reliable. I found a clean 2006 Boxster S, 6 speed manual. I have not been disappointed at all. Long weekend drives and all the backroads.

[andy]

MR2 Spyder every time, mid engine and low weight heaps more fun than a boring Miata

[wheresthemiata]

The 3rd gen mr2s are really under rated cars. Ive had mine for over a year now and I can say it makes daily driving fun.

[martinb]

I had a MR2 Spyder for over a decade and loved it. Super fun and reliable as heck.

[chrisroot]

One thing I love about my Boxster is the frunk plus the trunk. My wife and I did a 10 day road trip to the roads of Western NC and had no problem fitting all our stuff.

[jasonbogg]

I can't get over how great this series is. I have been wanting a "fun" car for a while, this did it.

[jessicaseyfried]

Follow up piece to watch with my daughter tonight and a new podcast in the morning, everything I love. Thanks guys for all your hard work! Gorgeous scenery 🏎🏔🏁

[JagoTFC]

Never I would expect a part 2. The MR2 6 speed MT to me looks the best choice. Engine placement, easy to live with, basically a more usable Elise, when swapped with a 2ZZ.

[gmanneod]

Thanks guys. This is a great series sponsored buy Auto Tempest a tool I always use! The Saturn Sky Redline can be attained for under $8k in the northern states and should have been included in this series! The 2.0L is better than the standard engine and the Skyline is better looking than the Solstice!

[kirkwagner]

"It does feel cheap. I admit that. But that's part of the charm." Such a Porsche fanboy. He wouldn't say that about any other brand.
Admitting you have a problem is the first step. :D

[vlenhoff]

Loving the drive by shots, and the aerial shots!
I went for an NC Miata, and I adore it.

[whygodrums]

As someone who’s daily driver is a 2002 boxster S I was giggling basically during your review of it. 986 boxsters are like 300% car compared to the money you pay for them. It’s a true Porsche. A flat six literally howling behind your ears to a solid 7200 rpm redline? Yup that’s a drug to me. Haters hate while I enjoy the best car I’ve ever owned. I will admit like they said, maintenance is an issue. It hasn’t been unreliable by any means, but basic upkeep and preventative maintenance can be expensive.