In today’s market where coupes and 2-door versions of hatchbacks, SUVs, and even pickup trucks have fallen completely out of favor, the appeal of the classic sports car remains. For many like myself above a certain age, that “classic” sports car definition conjures up images of a small two-seater with a convertible top and manual transmission. It’s enjoyable to imagine having one parked between a luxury sedan and sport utility vehicle inside the 3-car garage of a house we fancy ownership of – if only in our minds. Because it’s a vehicle that would only see use once in awhile on nice days, it doesn’t need to be practical. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a convertible either, but I’d prefer it be a ragtop in bright midlife-crisis-red, if for no other reason than red has always been a favorite color.
I got to thinking about the third-vehicle sports car concept recently on vacation after being presented with a few convertible choices at a rental car desk – specifically a Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and 2-door Jeep Wrangler. Without much time to decide, I asked myself if the Camaro or the Mustang could potentially fill the role of “red sports car” in any way. They have rear seats and are bigger, but they are available as convertibles with manual transmissions.
When it came down to the realities of price, however, today’s supply-chain-limited market dictated that Jeep Wranglers are noticeably less expensive to rent, so I chose a red 2-door. The irony is, that selection ended up changing my opinion on what an enjoyable third sports car might be.
When I had more time to consider things, I decided that what I’d want from a red sports car is that it absolutely be a convertible with two doors, have a manual transmission, and be priced reasonably – ideally, around $33,000 or less, give or take a grand. My wife and I are looking for a second daily driver, and since it’s my turn to pick the vehicle, I may decide to live a little and go this route.
Because affordable 2-seaters in the United States are limited to the Mazda Miata, I dropped the 2-seat requirement to consider some additional choices below.
Mazda Miata
I’m starting with the Miata because I’ve always liked it for staying true to the classic definition of an open-top sports car. Having spent time behind the wheel of a friend’s first-generation ’96 Miata, I know they’re fun to drive because of their light weight and “tossability”.
The base MX-5 Miata (known as the “Sport” trim level) starts at $28,315 with delivery charge. All versions of the Miata feature a 2.0-liter, non-turbo engine producing 181 hp. A 6-speed manual is standard across the board, and red color selection adds $595. The interior features black cloth, which I would learn to live with because adding leather in various colors requires a package which, wouldn’t you know it, is only available on the highest, most expensive “Grand Touring” trim level of Miata. A NAV system with an easy-to-see screen seems well worth $400 in a sports car that will be used for touring the countryside and ending up in places that aren’t remotely familiar. With delivery charge, my base Miata would come to an MSRP total of $29,310.
The middle “Club” trim level, starting at $32,210, is built for handling with stiffer suspension, Bilstein shocks, a shock tower brace, and aero spoilers. Red paint still adds $595, and the NAV still costs $400 extra, bringing my final Club price to $32,810. Since I won’t be cornering at Mach 1 speeds and prefer a more comfortable ride, this version doesn’t interest me.
The highest “Grand Touring” trim level starts at $33,315 and does not have any of the suspension upgrades of the Club package. Red paint still adds $595, but the NAV system is standard instead of $400 extra. It takes the base model and adds leather seats, auto on/off headlights, auto-dimming rearview + driver side outside mirror, body color heated side mirrors, and 17” wheels in place of 16” ones. The final price as I’d order it is $33,910.
Mini Convertible
Since the front-wheel-drive Mini Cooper convertible starts around my target price of $28,750 with a 6-speed manual in base model form, I felt it shouldn’t be overlooked. I was surprised to learn the base model comes with a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that produces 134 hp. After some research, I was surprised to learn there are six other vehicles currently offered in the U.S. market with 3-cylinder engines. Knowing that, the base engine here doesn’t seem so odd – but still, even Chevrolet’s microbox economy Spark model is equipped with a 4-cylinder. According to specifications, this engine makes its peak torque (162 lbs/ft) at only 1,250 rpms. Since the 3-cylinder convertible tips the scales at a relatively lightweight 2,892 pounds, it should have some pep in around-town driving. Its zero-to-sixty time of 8.2 seconds is, however, unremarkable by today’s standards.
Red paint is a $500 extra-cost option, and standard wheels are basic 15-inchers with non run-flat tires. If you want larger wheels with run-flats, then you’re required to move up to more expensive trim levels. Similarly, you’re also stuck with a black leatherette interior if you want the 3-cylinder. No NAV system is available on the base model. If I escaped the temptation to order individual options such as heated seats, upgraded stereo, self-parking and even a cool-looking British flag convertible top, the bottom line with delivery comes to $29,250.
If you want more power, stepping up to the COOPER S mid-level model starts your running tab at $32,750. In return, you get a 189-horse 4-cylinder turbo that delivers a more respectable zero-to-sixty blast of 6.7 seconds. Larger 16-inch wheels are standard; however, you can’t choose from other interiors, paint color variations, or larger 17- or 18- inch wheels without checking the box on a $4,000 Signature Trim package. Red paint still adds $500 to the bottom line.
The bottom line for the Cooper S is $33,250, which makes it my choice between the two Minis.
Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang
At first, it might be easy to assume that the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang don’t belong on a list of sports (or “sporty”) cars because, well, being muscle cars with powerful V8s has been their whole reason for existence since the 1960s, right? That could be argued, since 4-cylinders have been offered off and on in Mustangs since 1974 and Camaros since 1982.
As far as the current generation goes, base convertible versions of both models offer turbo 4-cylinder engines which are more powerful than 2.0-liter turbo engines found in 2-seat sports cars from BMW (255 hp), Mercedes (255 hp), and Audi (261 hp), all of which exceed our targe pricing. Most importantly, the Camaro and Mustang are available with manual transmissions and feature rear-wheel-drive.
More interesting is the fact that, at curb weights of just over 3,600 pounds, these Camaro and Mustang ragtops are even with the Porsche 911. And they’re actually closer to the weight of the pure 2-seat, manual-transmission German sports cars such as the Audi TT convertible, BMW Z4, recently discontinued Mercedes SLC, and Porsche Boxster, than they are to the average of popular German 4-seat convertible models of comparable size.
With less engine and transmission mass up front and manual transmission availability, the Camaro and Mustang get pretty close to a 50/50 front-rear weight distribution – earning them an equal spot with imports on the “sporty” cars list.
On Chevrolet’s website, I configured my Camaro in 1LT base trim which currently starts at $32,695. Red paint is no extra charge, and 18-inch wheels are standard. I’m perfectly happy with these smaller wheels and taller sidewalls on the tires, a choice made easier by the fact that factory 20-inchers are priced really high. I’m fine with skipping the exterior decoration packages ranging from $795 to $5,000 because they seem to be more flash than substance. Opting only for the $100 engine block heater, my lowest-possible MSRP is $32,795.
Ford’s EcoBoost (turbo) 4-cylinder convertible starts at $33,900 with 17-inch wheels standard. 18-inch rims can be ordered for $2,200 (and up for larger packages), and the red paint of my choice brings no price increase. Like the Camaro, the Mustang is well-equipped enough so that not that many options are really necessary. With a $150 engine block heater, my out-the-door MSRP is $34,050.
Jeep Wrangler
Enzo Ferrari gets credit for saying, in the early 1960s, that a Jeep is the only true American sports car. Whether or not he actually said it and whether or not the comment was meant as a wisecrack or a compliment could be argued, but it brings up a good point. Thinking back on my own experiences driving Jeep CJs and Wranglers with a manual transmission and torquey V6s over the decades, it’s not a stretch to think of a 2-door Wrangler as a sports car in certain ways.
Sure they can tip over, but with a relatively wide stance, short wheelbase, and strong V6 engine, a current-generation JL Wrangler will accelerate briskly and handle pretty well until the point where it doesn’t. I know this thanks to my own recent experience driving one. Jeeps can really add sport and fun to the equation of off-roading, something the previous cars on this list cannot claim.
When it comes to pricing, it’s interesting to note that the 2-door Wrangler Sport (the base model trim level) starts at my ideal price target of $29,995. Want the lowest-price 4-door model? That will cost you $3,360 more. Selecting any other color than white adds $295 (or 1%) to the bottom line – but since I want red, I’ll have to go along and allow my pocket to be picked.
The factory base wheels and tires in black are fine with me, as is the black soft-top. If I was using this for normal everyday use, I might want the $1,600 hard top. But if it’s a weekend vehicle, the ragtop seems more befitting of a red 2-door sports car. Optional graphics, window tint, gas cap finish, stainless steel door guards, and slightly larger display screen – don’t need ‘em. Air conditioning is $1,400, which is always worth having. Across the board, the naturally aspirated gasoline V6 engine is the only one available with a manual transmission – fine with me because it’s the standard motor, and the one I’d choose because it’s got gobs of torque. An anti-slip differential is $600, but I’ll skip that since I may want to smoke the rear tires now and then. Cold air intake for $525? No thank you, I’ll get a better one for less money through the CARiD website.
With adding only the A/C and red paint, my base Wrangler MSRP comes to $33,280 with delivery costs.
Ford Bronco
For their new Bronco, Ford has borrowed a page from the Jeep Wrangler pricing book. A 2-door base model starts at $30,800, and a 4-door starts at $34,700. The Bronco’s standard engine is a 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder rated for 300 horsepower, and the only one available with a 7-speed manual. For $1,900 extra, a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 330 horses and 28% more torque is available with a 10-speed automatic transmission only. As of this writing, no dealers in my area had any Broncos to use for test drive purposes, so I can’t make any seat-of-the-pants comparisons to the Wrangler.
In addition to a slightly lower price, the base Bronco comes standard with a removable hard top and doors, and Ford only charges $295 more for two optional colors. Unlike Jeep, the red I’d choose doesn’t cost extra. Since a built-in engine block heater is offered, I’ll opt for that $100 feature. Unfortunately, the only interior color choice on the base is dark gray. With the Wrangler, a tan interior was a no-cost alternative to the standard dark gray/black. With delivery charges, the MSRP comes to $31,395, roughly $2,000 less than a comparable Wrangler.
Conclusion:
My six choices price out as follows:
- Miata Grand Touring: $33,910
- Mini Cooper S: $33,250
- Camaro: $32,795
- Mustang: $34,050
- Wrangler: $33,280
- Bronco: $31,395
The pricing is so close that it’s not a factor. Making the decision even harder is the fact that I like all six choices, each for different reasons. For a daily use red sports convertible, however, it came down to the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco thanks to their 4-wheel-drive (4wd) which is a necessity for my steep driveway and hilly area. I appreciate that lower versions of these models feature part-time 4wd systems that normally operate in rear-wheel-drive mode, because that provides more of a sports car feel. By skipping optional anti-slip differentials, I’ll still be able to get up the driveway and smoke the rear tires once in awhile should the mood hit. Higher ride height will also allow us to pass through low-lying main roads which often flood (our other daily driver cannot because it’s a 4-door sedan with all-wheel-drive, too low for puddle jumping).
Choosing between the Jeep and the Bronco wasn’t easy, but I give the win to the Wrangler because of styling preference, and because the Bronco’s 7-speed manual is just too many gears to deal with, low crawl 1st or not.
Which one would you choose?