The car industry hides many truths that are tough to swallow and one of them is that carmakers don't care much about car enthusiasts. As such, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a new car that offers a pure driving experience, associated with cars from 10 and even 20 years ago. The normally aspirated engine, manual gearbox, and simplicity are elements we see less and less in modern vehicles. Luckily, there are still a few options for those of us, craving an uncompromising driving experience.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

It’s understandable if you are tired of seeing Mazda’s compact roadster on such lists, but the truth is, it’s one of the very few options, for those looking for a back to basics driving experience. The recipe is a simple, lightweight, normally-aspirated engine with adequate power and a close-ratio manual gearbox. In the latest iteration of the MX-5, the 2.0-liter inline-four engine makes 184 horsepower and 151 pound0feet (205 Nm), which is enough to propel the 2,271-pound (1,030 kg) roadster to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. While other models are moving towards electrification, the 2023 MX-5 promises more of the same.

Mazda MX-5 Miata specifications

Read our full review on the Mazda MX-5 Miata

Dodge Challenger

If you are into classic American muscle cars, the Dodge Challenger is as close as you can get. While it can go around corners, it’s not what you would call eager or athletic. The Challenger is more about straight-line performance, which is more than adequate thanks to a couple of pushrod V-8 engines, ranging from 5.7 to 6.4 liters, with the latter able to hit 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.3 seconds. Sadly, you can no longer get a Challenger Hellcat with a manual, as they all come with the ZF, eight-speed auto. Nevertheless, the Challenger still offers that old-school muscle car feel.

Read our full review on the Dodge Challenger

Porsche Cayman GT4

Porsche has not forgotten those looking for a pure driving experience, which is why the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is being offered with a six-speed manual gearbox. The hottest road-going 718 (after the GT4 RS/Clubsport) also comes equipped with a 4.0-liter normally-aspirated flat-six that packs 420 horsepower and 310 pound-feet (420 Nm). The mid-engine Porsche weighs 3,126 pounds (1,418 kg), which contributes to a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of around 3.6 seconds.

Porsche Cayman GT4 specifications

Read our full review on the Porsche Cayman GT4

Ford Mustang GT

When the S550-generation Ford Mustang came out, many frowned upon it, saying it’s a bit too European. However, despite being the most sophisticated Mustang so far, the car still manages to keep a lot of what made it a great pony car, in the first place. While there is a turbocharged inline-four unit on offer, there’s still the iconic 5.0-liter normally-aspirated V-8. It currently makes 460 horsepower (450 for North America) and 420 pound-feet (569 Nm).

Even with the six-speed manual, the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) can take as little as 4.2 seconds. Sadly, 2022 is the last model year for this generation Mustang, and we already know that the S650 Mustang is going to be a hybrid.

Ford Mustang GT specifications

Read our full review on the Ford Mustang GT

Toyota GR86

When talking about driver’s cars, we cannot forgo Toyota’s compact, rear-wheel-drive sports car. Like the Mazda MX-5, it’s lightweight, normally aspirated, and can be had with a manual. The 2.4-liter flat-four develops 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) in 5.8 seconds. At 2,815 pounds (1,277 kg), the Toyota GR86 is very light for a modern-day car. More importantly, it comes with one of the most playful and predictable chassis, currently on sale.

Toyota GR86 specifications

Read our full review on the Toyota GR86

TVR Griffith

In recent times, TVR does not have it easy. The British car company has been on the brink of extinction a couple of times and to this day, it still isn’t out of the woods. Their latest model – the Griffith – is supposed to be the brand’s saving grace, but while orders for the Griffith are being accepted since its debut, in 2018, the car might be delayed until 2023.

Nevertheless, the TVR Griffith perfectly embodies the British lightweight sports car. At 2,756 pounds (1,250 kg), it’s lighter than Toyota’s GR86. It also has a Cosworth-tuned 5.0-liter V-8, based on the Coyote engine, used in the Mustang. In the TVR, it’s good for 500 horsepower. To top it all off, power is sent to the rear through a Tremec Magnum, six-speed manual. The sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) takes 3.7 seconds.

TVR Griffith specifications

Read our full review on the TVR Griffith

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Like the current Mustang, the sixth-generation Chevy Camaro lives on borrowed time. In 2024, the Camaro name will be slapped on an electric sedan, marking the end of the iconic model, as we know it. That said, you can still buy a Camaro that has two doors, a normally-aspirated pushrod V-8, and a six-speed manual gearbox.

The current LT1 engine displaces 6.2 liters and is good for 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet (617 Nm). It allows for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint in 4.3 seconds. It’s worth noting that out of the big American trio (Mustang, Camaro, Challenger), the Chevy is the closest to a proper sports car. It’s also the least practical.

Chevrolet Camaro SS specifications

Read our full review on the Chevrolet Camaro SS

Nissan Z

One of the most anticipated cars in 2022 is, without a doubt, the Nissan Z, which finally replaces the great, but aging 370Z. Based on the same proven chassis and even using the same six-speed manual as its predecessor, the Nissan Z embodies the old-school Japanese sports car, enthusiasts crave. The only difference is the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6, which we first saw on the Infiniti Q50 and Q60 RedSport models.

With 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm), the new Z is expected to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in around 4.4 seconds. What’s even better is that the car uses proven technology from other performance models of Nissan and Infiniti, which means plenty of aftermarket support.

Nissan Z specifications

Read our full review on the Nissan Z

Porsche 911 GT3

The rear-engine sports car from Germany does not need an introduction. That said, even the 911 has gotten “fatter” and more complicated over the years. Despite that, the 911 still brings uncompromising performance, which is especially stressed with the GT3 model. Like the 718 Cayman GT4 from earlier, the 911 GT3 packs a 4.0-liter normally-aspirated flat-six, only here, it makes 503 horsepower and 347 pound-feet (470 Nm).

Moreover, the 911 GT3 can also be had with a six-speed manual, in which case the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint happens in 3.7 seconds – roughly 0.5 seconds slower than a PDK-equipped GT3. Nevertheless, Porsche still gives you options with the 911 GT3, which is commendable.

Porsche 911 GT3 specifications

Read our full review on the Porsche 911 GT3

Lotus Emira

Like the Nissan Z from earlier, this one is yet to go out on sale – Emira’s debut it scheduled for the end of 2022. The Lotus Emira is quite different than what the brand has been giving us until now. It’s more upscale, sophisticated, and high-tech. It’s technically a mini-Lotus Evija with a combustion engine. Emira comes in two flavors: an AMG-derived 2.0-liter turbo-four paired with a DCT gearbox and a 3.5-liter supercharged Toyota V-6 mated to a six-speed manual.

It is because of the latter, that Emira makes it on the list. The Toyota- derived V-6 is not new, but it’s a tried and tested unit. In the Emira, it has a power output of 400 horsepower and 317 pound-feet (430 Nm). This lightest version of the Lotus Emira weighs in at 3,097 pounds (1,405 kg).

Lotus Emira specifications

Read our full review on the Lotus Emira

Honorable mention: Gordon Murray T50

From the creator of the legendary McLaren F1 comes a modern-day spiritual successor. The Gordon Murray T50 is a modern interpretation of an old-school hypercar. Despite production starting sometime in the first quarter of 2022, all 100 units have already been sold. Even if they weren’t, the $3.0 million price is too much for most.

Like the McLaren F1, the GM T50 is a technological marvel. The engineers have managed to make it even lighter – 2,173 pounds (986 kg) versus F1’s 2,509 pounds (1,136 kg). Gordon Murray T50 is powered by a 4.0-liter normally-aspirated Cosworth V-12, which revs to 12,000 RPM and makes 654 horsepower and 344 pound-feet (467 Nm). It’s also mated to a six-speed manual, just like the original McLaren F1.

Gordon Murray T50 specifications

Read our full review on the Gordon Murray T50