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Top 12 best cars for the money

8. Best sports car – Mazda MX-5

Courtesy of Mazda/File
The Mazda Miata’s smaller engine saves money on gas, with a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of up to 25 m.p.g., which most other sports cars can’t match.

  • By Jamie Page Deaton Contributor

The Mazda MX-5 Miata holds the world record as the best-selling sports car of all time. There’s good reason for that. With its simple design and agile handling, the MX-5 has won the hearts and minds of driving enthusiasts, even though it’s not the most powerful sports car you can get. Its stance is so low, however, that reviewers say you won’t miss the extra power because the Miata feels faster than it is. Plus, the Miata’s smaller engine saves money on gas, with a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of up to 25 m.p.g. Most other sports cars can’t match that. They also can’t match the MX-5’s back-to-basics cabin.

Though small, reviewers say the MX-5’s interior focuses on immersing the driver in the road, with all controls falling close at hand and few interior features to distract the driver. Reviewers also love that Miata buyers can choose between a soft top or hardtop, making this convertible one of the ultimate Sunday drive cars.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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