18. Mazda Miata
This one is obvious, but still. Small roadsters are among the favorite types of cars. So what’s better than a classic Miata? The best features of the Miata are simplicity, less weight, and balance. Even if you install a big V8, you would still get a decent handling car. But with the bigger engine, you get much more power and fun.
The most affordable model is the first-generation Miata. It can provide many memorable moments for just a few thousand dollars, which is also the cost of a homegrown engine swap.