Convertible sports cars are great, but they sure can be expensive when new. However, years of depreciation make them more affordable. We are selecting three of the very best to tempt your wallet with.

Thanks to the stellar sales success that was the Mazda MX-5 Miata, other major manufacturers quickly jumped onto the roadster bandwagon, and soon we had automakers such as Audi, BMW, Honda, Mercedes, Porsche, and Toyota releasing their own models. They all have their merits, but three in particular stand out for their focused driving experience and sporty performance.

The Affordable Trinity: An Introduction

Many car enthusiasts are familiar with the holy trinity of 2010s hypercars, consisting of the hybrid McLaren P1, Porsche 918, and Ferrari LaFerrari. The three high-performance machines all arrived within a few months of each other. We are focusing this story on a more budget-friendly triumvirate of plucky little roadsters. Behold the affordable trinity of sports cars from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Porsche Boxster 986

The Boxster, with the internal designation 986, was one of the first in a new generation of water-cooled Porsche models that helped save the sports car manufacturer from imminent collapse, and also paved the way for the company’s growth into the 21st century. The first-generation version was available between 1996 and 2004. In typical Porsche fashion, it received continual incremental updates throughout the car’s production run.

Honda S2000

The Honda S2000 was a revelation when it was revealed in 1999. The car had the ingredients of an exotic supercar in a shrunk-down, more affordable package. And what a sports car it was. With a redline of 9,000 rpm, the 2.0-liter F20C VTEC motor was the most power-dense engine in production at the time and gave the vehicle a manic personality all its own. The S2000 wasn’t perfect, but it got pretty close to that elusive goal by the time it went out of production ten years later.

BMW Z4 E85

The BMW Z4 is the newest contender in this trio, with a production run from 2003 to 2008. It ditched the earlier car’s retro-inspired styling, and went in a completely different direction, with sharp edges and concave body panels that really set it apart from the opposition. At the core, the roadster was still a BMW, with smooth six-cylinder engines, rear-wheel drive, and decent handling.

Detailed Info About The Affordable Trinity

Porsche Boxster 986

1996-2004

The Boxster was an inspired move by Porsche, and one that helped turn the company’s fortunes around. The roadster arrived a year before the 996-generation 911 and shared much of its architecture. The common elements included the strange fried-egg-shaped headlights, but more importantly, many chassis components, the engine design, and the whole of the front end, too.

The mid-engined layout gave the Boxster superb handling, and the only complaint (other than those headlights) was the relatively poor acceleration of the base 201-hp 2.5-liter engine. The 0-60 mph time of 6.7 seconds wasn’t exactly slow, but Porsche fans wanted more.

A slightly more powerful 2.7-liter unit became the new entry-level powerplant in 1999. In 2000, a 247-hp 3.2-liter S variant arrived. A five-speed automatic was an option, but for the best results, you want to pick one of the stick shift models. Facelifted 2.7 and 3.2-liter cars can be found from $9,000 up, and as little as $13,000 will get you a great low-mileage example.

The close ties to the 911 also have a downside, and that is that the cost of spare parts and certain maintenance items can be rather pricey. With 986 Boxster prices currently around a third of what you would pay for a comparable 996 generation 911, it can sometimes be hard to justify the running costs. Our suggestion is to find the absolute best example you can, and keep some cash in reserve just in case.

Honda S2000

1999-2009

We often hear the cliché “race car for the road,” but this hackneyed old saying is the ideal way to describe the S2000. It is the only car here that was never offered with an automatic transmission, and it is also the only one that could rev to 9,000 rpm and had a limited-slip differential as standard.

The high-revving 2.0-liter inline-four is the focal point of the driving experience, but the slick gearshift is also a joy to use. The models from 1999-2003 had snappy handling at the limit, but revisions to the suspension geometry sorted this out in later cars. From 2004 on, US S2000s used a larger 2.2-liter engine, delivering the same 237 hp, but slightly more torque, especially at lower revs. The redline was also lower, now at 8,200 rpm, but overall drivability was much improved.

The S2000 is still great to drive 16 years after it ended production, but you need to recalibrate your driving style to extract the most out of it. The car doesn’t feel particularly special around town, and drivers over six feet tall may feel cramped behind the wheel, especially in earlier examples that don’t have steering height adjustment. While a roughly 6.0-second 0-60-mph time is possible, you have to extract every last rev out of the engine to achieve the time.

The result is a vehicle that’s fun on the right day but can be tiring if you just want to overtake someone on your daily commute, necessitating two or three gear changes before you hit the powerband. However, when the road opens up, or you happen to find yourself on a racetrack, the S2000 delivers on its promise and leaves a lasting smile on your face. The roadster has also proven to be as reliable as any regular Honda, as long as it is properly maintained.

Values for these cars have shot up in recent years, which is great for existing owners, but makes it a harder purchase to justify for less wealthy enthusiasts looking for a taste of early 2000s motoring fun. You will get little change from $20,000 for early high-milers, so budget at least $25,000 for a decent example with under 60,000 miles on the clock. The rare S2000 CR models are now averaging over $75,000.

BMW Z4

2003-2008

BMW dipped its toe into the roadster market in 1989 with the quirky Z1, which the company never sold in the US. In 1995, it launched the more popular Z3. By the time the Z4 debuted in 2003, the German automaker had refined and honed its offering into a well-rounded product. The Z4 was an altogether more upmarket offering than the Z3, but remained a sharp driving tool, especially compared to the luxurious Mercedes SLK, and pretty but understeery Audi TT.

In the US, we could choose from either a 2.5 or 3.0-liter straight-six, available with a manual or automatic transmission. A midlife refresh saw both powerplants get a few additional horsepower. A post-2006 3.0si is still a rapid car that’s appreciably quicker than an S2000 and on par with a 986 Boxster S.

Automatic models lose some of the dynamic sparkle, and versions with the sport suspension can feel crashy over bumps. In essence, the Z4 is two cars in one; it just depends on which version you buy. An early 2.5-liter model with an auto transmission is a very affordable way to get a convertible cruiser, with just enough power on tap to keep you entertained. A manual-gearbox-equipped 3.0-liter car, on the other hand, is far more focused and fun when pressing on, but has a harder ride. Maintenance and service costs are similar across the board, so pick the one that suits your needs. Don’t be tempted by the sketchy $5,000 cars that seem to be in abundance online. Spend closer to $10,000 and there are many decent examples available. These cars are largely reliable, but any vehicle that’s 20 years old will need some extra care, so be prepared. As always, buy the best example you can, and make sure it has a solid service history.

The Final Showdown: Boxster Vs. S2000 Vs. Z4

Z4 – 3rd Place

Our Pick: 2006-2008 BMW Z4 3.0 Si Manual

The BMW is the least overtly sporty of the three, and it is telling that, so many were optioned with an automatic transmission. It feels more grown-up than the others, and the most modern inside, as it should be. But it’s still great for a backroad blast, especially with the combination of the 3.0-liter and manual gearbox. It just doesn’t feel as special as the other two when pressing on. If you spend more of your time boulevard cruising than backroad blasting, then this is the one for you. For the sportiest open-topped Z4 experience, you will want to step up to the Z4 M Roadster, which is going to cost even more.

S2000 – 2nd Place

Our Pick: 2005-2009 S2000 2.2-liter

The S2000 is already an icon; its uniqueness and relative rarity have seen prices rising across the board. But the rev-happy engine, tiny cabin, and relative lack of pace below 6,000 rpm make it a one-trick pony. It’s a great recipe, but it can get tiring if you aren’t driving like your hair is on fire.

Boxster – 1st Place

Our Pick: 2000-2004 Boxster S Manual

For a slightly fairer comparison, the second-generation 987 Boxster available from 2004 through 2012 should be the one to go up against these two, but the 986 Boxster doesn’t need any additional help, as it’s still the best car here. Neither the Honda nor the BMW come close to matching its mid-engined handling balance, and that howling flat-six (which somehow sounds better with the roof up) is the perfect companion whether you are cruising or pushing the limit. To top it off, you can get a decent example for a little over $10,000. No contest? Pretty much.

Sources: BMW, Honda, Porsche, Classic.com, AutoTempest