20: Lotus Elan (M100)
The Lotus Elan is a hidden jewel. It was a surprising change in the roadster segment. The car was lightweight and unlike anything else on the market in the ’90s. Lotus was known for having impeccable driving characteristics. Although the roadster wasn’t powerful on paper, it managed to perform quite well.
The short wheelbase allowed the car to zip in and out of turns with little effort. Aside from the short turning radius, the Elan was also very reliable. Repair costs were far less than other Lotus models that had come before it. The Elan was the precursor to the Lotus Elise that came later on in the ’90s.