All car enthusiasts dream about being able to buy the car of their dreams one day, ideally one that combines razor-sharp handling with stunning looks, but for many, that wish never materializes. Dream cars are called like that for a reason: they are out of reach for most people.But for those enthusiasts who are willing to compromise and lower their expectations, the U.S. market offers several reasonably priced sports cars that deliver surprisingly good handling characteristics per dollar spent.We’re mainly talking about entry-level sports cars priced from approximately $30,000, like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ twins. If you’re willing to spend more than $40,000, you can also add the Nissan Z to the list. We should mention the Toyota Supra as well, another fine-handling sports car, but the fact that it starts around $60,000 (it no longer offers four-cylinder power) makes it hard to label it as reasonably priced.If we leave used sports cars out of the equation, then the winner would have to be decided between the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ. It is not an easy pick because each car has its own qualities, but if handling is at the top of the list, the Miata edges out the Toyobaru duo. "Miata Is Always The Answer" Mazda Not always, obviously, but in this case, this automotive adage fits perfectly, as it’s impossible to find a new car that offers the same driving thrills as the small Japanese roadster for the same amount of money. As far as value for money, the Miata is unbeatable, as it carries a starting MSRP of $31,065 in base Sport trim, including the $1,235 destination charge. For that kind of money, you get an extremely lightweight rear-wheel-drive roadster that features a 181-hp longitudinally mounted, naturally aspirated engine and a 6-speed manual transmission, on top of generous standard equipment.The Miata is a better choice than the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ for several reasons, starting with weight. It tips the scales at just 2,366 lbs, making it a whopping 445 lbs lighter than Toyota and Subaru’s sports coupe. Obviously, that translates into more agility.If you also factor in the Miata’s smaller size, shorter wheelbase, and near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution, which enable a more nimble, “go-kart” feel and a more direct connection between the man and the machine – Mazda’s famous “Jinba Ittai” philosophy – it’s pretty clear the MX-5 is the one to have if razor-sharp handling is your main yardstick. On top of that, the Miata’s manual gearbox is generally considered superior in feel, smoothness, and engagement compared to the Toyota GR86’s transmission. All these factors work together to make the Mazda extremely fun to drive, especially in tight corners. Of course, the GR86 and BRZ have their advantages over the Miata, mainly more power (228 hp), superior practicality (they have rear seats and a trunk that’s actually usable), more stability at high speeds, and better day-to-day usability. What Makes The Miata Such A Fun Car To Drive Mazda The fun-to-drive character of a car can be a subjective matter, as some people may prefer an all-wheel-drive car to a rear-wheel-drive one, for example. But the overwhelming majority of enthusiasts believe that RWD tops AWD and FWD when it comes to driving fun. Manual transmission is also high on the list of features to have, as it enables a direct connection between the driver and the engine.Speaking of the engine, naturally aspirated motors are the most preferred type by enthusiasts as they deliver immediate throttle response, a linear power delivery that enables precise throttle modulation, and a more thrilling sound. This combination of an N/A engine, manual gearbox, and rear-wheel drive gives the driver total control over the power delivery, allowing them to select the desired gear and RPM at all times. It also gives the driver precise control during oversteer, making handling more interactive and precise at the limit. That’s exactly what the Mazda MX-5 Miata offers, and it does that while pushing the limits of how light a production car can be. The lighter a car is, the more fun it feels to drive, and it’s hard to find a lighter production sports car than the Miata.Actually, only track-focused specialty cars like the Caterham Seven, Ariel Atom or BAC Mono are lighter than the Mazda, but those are severely compromised vehicles from a practicality perspective, whereas the Miata is a perfectly usable car that you can even daily drive if you don’t mind the lack of passenger and cargo space.Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop Now How Much It Costs To Get Into A Miata And What Flavor You Should Get The 2025 MX-5 Miata is available in two body styles: the traditional roadster featuring a manual folding soft top (ST) and the Retractable Fastback (RF) version, which features a power-folding metal roof. For the 2025MY, the former is available in Sport, Club, Grand Touring and 35th Anniversary Edition, while the RF is offered in Club and Grand Touring trims.The base Sport trim is the cheapest ticket into Mazda MX-5 ownership, with a starting MSRP of $31,065 (including a $1,235 destination fee). The Sport is a well-equipped grade, offering the 181-hp 2.0L gas engine and six-speed manual gearbox with short-throw shifter combo, as well as 16-inch alloys, 8.8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 6-speaker sound system, cloth seats, keyless entry, push-button start, air conditioning, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, LED headlights and taillights, and more.David Alpert / HotCars / Valnet But the best Miata trim level to have if you’re an enthusiast is the Club, which starts at $34,565 but adds key performance upgrades like the limited-slip differential (LSD), Bilstein dampers, and front strut tower brace, making it a superior track car. For maximum track performance, the optional Brembo/BBS/Recaro package ($4,900) adds Brembo brakes, 17-inch BBS wheels, a subtle aero kit and heated black Recaro sport seats.If you prefer the RF body, the Club trim starts at $42,385, but the Brembo/BBS/Recaro package is included in the price. While the RF has its advantages, such as better soundproofing and safety, better protection from the elements, power operation of the roof and distinctive styling, most purists will go for the soft-top version.That’s because the standard Miata is around 100 lbs lighter and has a slightly lower center of gravity, and that is reflected in the handling. The soft-top version also offers a more open-air feeling at high speeds with the top down and more headroom when the top is up, which can make all the difference for taller drivers. Few Cars Get Unanimous Praise Like The MX-5 Miata If you read MX-5 Miata reviews, you’ll be amazed at how much praise this little roadster gets from pretty much everyone. I first drove the ND Miata in 2016 (technically the ND1), and to this day I remember perfectly how fun it was: perfectly balanced, light as a feather and a joy to throw in corners. It is the type of car that makes you feel alive, and I said in my review for DriveMag.com at the time that “no car lets you have as much fun at this price.” That is perfectly valid today as it was 10 years ago. “Chances are you'll reach your limits faster than the Miata's chassis, which can take a lot of abuse with remarkable effortlessness,” I noted. I still stand by that.But you don't have to take my word for it. Here’s what other journalists had to say about the Miata. William Clavey titled his July 2024 review of the 2024 MX-5 Miata for TopSpeed.com, “If I Had One Week Left To Live, The Mazda MX-5 Is The One Car I'd Drive.” That's pretty self-explanatory, and it's not just metaphorical: the Miata really can have a therapeutical effect on people.“The MX-5 is the textbook definition of having more fun driving a slow car fast than driving a fast car fast. It's the sort of driving experience that rewards the act of simply being out there in the open driving your car. It's also a brilliantly engineered little machine, proving that a sports car doesn't need to be powerful to be qualified as such.”-- William Clavey on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata for TopSpeed.comIan Wright wrote a first drive review of the 2024 Miata for Carbuzz.com in June 2024 and noted that the ND generation is the best one ever, particularly in its latest ND3 iteration.“We adore the MX-5 in any generation, but the ND and ND3 are the current peak of the series, in our opinion. It's brisk off the line, the manual transmission is joyous to work the three-pedal-dance with, and the chassis is perfectly balanced to invite any driving style to have fun with. It's a classic sports car with modern design and engineering implemented damn near perfectly.”-- Ian Wright on the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata for CarBuzzFinally, Amanda Cline reviewed the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club RF for HotCars last year and was impressed with its handling, calling it a “181-horsepower Mario Kart.”“The Miata is so well-balanced and handles exceedingly well in all situations. It zips in a straight line and still handles like a dream in the corners. You do need to be cognizant of hazards on the road because of how low to the ground you are, but the Miata can maneuver out of the way of these hazards with ease.”-- Amanda Cline on the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Club for HotCarsThe bottom line is that if you want a fine-handling sports car that’s also affordable to buy new, the Miata is your best bet. Just hurry up because the old-school ND won’t be around for much longer, and the next-gen Miata, which will reportedly get an N/A 2.5-liter engine, is rumored to feature some sort of electrification, most likely a mild-hybrid system.Source: Mazda.