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Two-Liter Class: 8 Fun Sporting Machines Under $30,000
In its original, 1966 guise, the SCCA’s Trans-Am racing series featured grids that included an “Over 2.0 Liter” class largely comprised of American pony cars and an “Under 2.0 Liter” class made up of European and Japanese sedans. The big, brutish V-8s and the small, lithe four-bangers mixing it up week in and week out at tracks around North America made for an incredibly entertaining spectacle. It’s a recipe that still works at vintage races around the world: When the going gets twisty, little nimble things will always give their prodigiously displaced friends a hard time.
This week, we were curious to see what sorts of little nimble things one could find for less than 30 grand. A lot, it turns out, and in a variety of eras and price brackets. As always, the list is by no means exhaustive, and of course we’ve had to leave off some truly spicy machinery (special mention to a handful of Alfa Romeos, the 1961–71 Mini Cooper, a trio of Porsches with engines front to back, the Lotus Esprit, various Miatas, and the Honda S2000 …), but here’s a 60-year spread of fun sub-2.0-liter sporty cars you’ll find in #3 (good) condition for less than $30,000.
1949–82 Morgan 4/4
Morgan Motor Company of Malvern, England, began building its 4/4 sports car in 1936. Except for the WWII years and the period between 1951 and ’55, production continued relatively unchanged until 2018, with a two-seat roadster, a 2+2 roadster, and a drophead coupe all offered. Engines never got larger than 1.8 liters, with the earliest powerplants sourced from Standard and Coventry, then a switch to Ford four-cylinders beginning in 1955 with the 1172-cc side-valve 100E. From 1968 to ’82, the 4/4 1600 was powered by series of Kent engines, which propelled these old-fashioned roadsters with modest outputs of 70 to 96 horsepower. These hand-built cars were never produced in large numbers, and with only basic weather protection and a fairly harsh ride, the driving experience will always feel a century old. But a good #3 example will only set you back about $28,000, so strap on your goggles, toss a scarf over your shoulder, and motor on …
1966–73 Triumph GT6
At this price cap, you really have your pick of the sub-2.0-liter Triumph lineup: The TR2, TR3, TR7, Spitfire, and Herald all fall within range. But it’s the handsome GT6 we’re singling out here. In 1963, Triumph commissioned Giovanni Michelotti to design a fastback variant of the Spitfire, but the extra weight proved too much for the car’s 1147-cc engine. The design, however, did prove its mettle on the race track, as a Spitfire GT4 finished 13th overall and first in class at Le Mans in 1965. Triumph revived the program the following year as the GT6, now powered by the Vitesse’s 1998-cc inline-six. Dubbed the poor man’s E-Type, it was arguably better looking than the MGB GT, though it never matched the MG for sales volume. Handling was terrible in early cars, their Herald-derived swing rear axle absolutely overwhelmed in corners. Triumph rectified the situation for 1969 with the Mk II, with a significantly revised rear suspension that changed the character of the car completely. Just shy of 41,000 were built before production ceased in 1973. Today, a #3 GT6 in good condition will cost about $13,800.
1981–88 Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II
Following great success with its Giugiaro-designed 1974–80 Scirocco as a Karmann Ghia replacement, Volkswagen began production of the in-house-styled second-generation model in 1981. Built on the front-wheel-drive A1 platform shared by its predecessor (along with the Mk 1 Golf and Jetta, among others), it was slightly larger overall than the car it replaced, with sharper lines more in keeping with the era. Early models made do with a 90-hp 1.8-liter four, but the big news came in 1986 with the arrival of the Scirocco 16V, with a twin-cam 16-valve 1.8 making a transformational 123 horsepower. To match the engine’s performance, VW updated the gear ratios, brakes, and suspension, and the 16V could hit 60 mph in 8 seconds. Sadly, the model only lasted for another two years before VW gave it the axe to make way for the Corrado (another fun sub-2.0-liter machine easily found for well under $30K). Second-gen (or Type 2, to use the VW language) Sciroccos have enjoyed modest appreciation over the last five years, but a good #3 example can still be had for about $18,500.
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1990–94 Eagle Talon/Mitsubishi Eclipse/Plymouth Laser
Remember that weird collaborative decade beginning in the mid-1980s between Chrysler and Mitsubishi? The resulting Diamond-Star Motors produced several largely forgettable cars at its Illinois plant, but the very first beneficiaries of that get-together were the Eagle Talon, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Plymouth Laser, aka the Plymitsubeagle Laseclalon aka the Eagsubimouth Eclalonaser. This trio of mechanically identical sport compacts would enjoy varying degrees of success—the Laser lasted just one generation, the Eagle two, the Eclipse four. First-generation base models relied on a 92-hp 1.8-liter four to drive the front wheels, while an optional dohc 2.0-liter four made 135 hp. Top of the line, however, was a turbocharged version of that engine; in front-drivers it made 180 hp but in the AWD cars (Talon TSi, Eclipse GSX, Laser RS Turbo AWD) it topped out at 195 horsepower. Mated to a five-speed manual (though four-speed autos were available), the cars were an absolute hoot, offering exceptional performance for entry-level pricing (roughly $16,500 at the time). All three turbocharged cars appeared on Car and Driver’s 10Best list four years running. Though many were rode hard and put away wet, good cars are out there, and today #3 examples of turbocharged AWD models will set you back $9200 (Laser) to $14,200 (Eclipse), with the Talon landing at around $10,800.
2006–10 Pontiac Solstice GXP & 2007–10 Saturn Sky Redline
This is a list that could have been very Miata heavy. But sometimes, dare I say it, Miata is not the answer. For a brief period there in the late aughts, before Pontiac and Saturn went belly up, Solstice and Sky were the answer. Or very good answers, anyway. And as each carmaker’s respective answer to the Miata itself, they were gorgeous, capable, and admirable. Which only makes you wonder why GM waited a decade and a half to build them. Franz von Holzhausen designed the pair, each riding on the rear-drive Kappa platform that also underpinned the Euro-equivalent Opel GT. The Solstice was softer and rounder, while the Sky featured creases and sharp edges. Each borrowed heavily from the GM parts bin, too, which went a long way toward getting them into production quickly and cheaply. Both cars were powered in base form by the 177-hp 2.4-liter naturally aspirated Ecotec four, but their hot variants, the Solstice GXP and Sky Redline, featured turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engines making 260 horsepower, which propelled them to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 141 mph. Though the Sky was only offered as a two-seat roadster, Pontiac also built a two-seat Solstice coupe in 2009–10, but fewer than 1300 left the Delaware line before production ceased. Should you find yourself in the market for one of these fun American sports cars, know that Sky Redlines in #3 condition fetch an average of $13,100, while their Solstice GXP counterparts are cheaper, coming in at around $11,200.
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The first cars may be cheap to buy but are not easy to get parts for,
The Sky and Solstice are both reliable and easy to find parts for. Also the turbo cars are the ones to buy. I drove a tuned turbo engine like this with 24 PSI of boost for 10 years with no failures.
That is 300 HP.
The Turbo cars are a bit more than listed here and some can be found in good low mile condition as they were fair weather cars.
Some parts are starting to get scarce for Solstice and Sky. Especially certain electronic parts, such as the anti-theft control modules that read the key before starting. Used parts are the only way to go for some parts already.
Right front fenders are also very difficult to find. There are after markets for them around though.
Yup, those are hard to find as genuine GM parts. At least at reasonable prices. Most aftermarket fenders don’t seem to match the OEM closely enough for me and again, not at reasonable prices. Maybe I’m just too cheap or frugal.
The GM key reader problem is easily solved by using the resistor kit to install an auto start. Don’t need the start mechanism, just the resistor insert. My ’98 Monte Carlo Z34 had an intermittent starting issue because the harness in the steering column began to fail and the key sensor couldn’t read the key fob. Less than $50, problem solved forever.
I have owned Morgans for over 50 years and they are very easy to get parts for. Dealers in many states, lots of on-line forums and support. As well they are usually very easy to work on and repair.
Also, Moss Motors is a great source for parts.
Not so much for Morgans except maybe as support for the TR3 engines
Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6
one up ,,Chrysler Crossfire with a Mercedes SL55 V8
now that is a SPORT car .
Any Crossfire
The Sky was the better looking car. However I have had several Pontiac Solstice and they are absolutely the worst road car I have ever driven. In my opinion there absolutely junk. However we always seem to sell them. Sold on last week.
I bought one of the first Solstice in 2006. It is without a doubt the most fun car I ever owned, and I still have it. Contrary to the gentlemen’s comment, I find that it is as nimble handling as a go kart and just as much fun through the esses as anything. Love my Sol and I’ll die owning it.
Also the solstice in metallic grey looks like bugs bunny. Once you’ve noticed it – you can’t unsee it!!!
First of all, I’ll say I’ve never driven a Solstice or Sky, so I can’t talk about that experience. However, as a longtime owner of multiple Miatas, I’ll say this. First, my personal preference would be matching the front clip of the Sky and the back clip of the Solstice for the exterior design of the car. Second, when I went to a car show which was introducing the Solstice/Sky, the sales person talked about how the horsepower of the car would blow away a Miata, meaning that GM didn’t get that the Miata isn’t a numbers car… it’s a driving experience car. Then, comparing the ergonomics of the GM cars to the Miata made me decide that the GM cars weren’t for me. I’m a little under 6 feet tall, and I couldn’t adjust the seat and steering wheel in such a way that I could see the entire instrumpent panel. The tops of the speedometer and tach were always blocked. Next, when Mazda was making the soft top even easier to work with its Z-Fold design, the GM cars were a comparative mess. To lower the top, first unlatch the solid boot cover (long arms could do it from one side, shorter people would have to go to both sides of the car). Then unlatch the top and fold it down. Then go back and relatch the boot cover. If it started to rain, pull over, get out, unlatch the boot cover, raise the top, latch the top, then relatch the boot cover. In the Miata, both the raising and lowering could be done from the driver’s seat while at a stop sign, in 10 seconds at the most for either action. Plus, the top took up zero trunk space, unlike the GM cars. Now for the closed roof version of the Solstice. Instead of making it a fixed roof, GM decided to make it a Targa. Okay, I can see that. Honda and Porsche had provisions to store that top in the car, but GM didn’t. If it’s raining when you leave, but stops during your drive, you’re either stuck with driving with the roof on, or ditching the roof on the side of the road. Of course, you could purchase the “bikini top” as an accessory, which for some reason was not included with original purchase of the car, so you could start out in the rain and remove when it dries out. But from the descriptions I’ve read about that soft top, if was sunny when you started, but drove into rain, it was took some doing for one person to install it. And the NC PRHT Miata gave the driver a hard top that retracted with the release of a latch and the push of a button, and didn’t intrude on the trunk space. If all you do is take the Solstice/Sky out on sunny 75 degree weekends, and it’s a garage queen the rest of the time, I guess it’s not an issue. But for 20 years, my Miatas were my daily drivers: sun, rain, snow, whatever, and I had no garage.
Maybe Hagerty can do a story on over sold convertibles and Miata will be referenced as the easiest car to find for resale, 0-60 in 1.5 miles, with a top that easily goes up and down from the drivers seat – if you don’t want to bother with the boot (which takes forever to install). Meanwhile the Solstice is a head turner, original design, extra fun to drive as a stick shift, and quick enough to put a big smile on your face. Certainly a worthy mention in this story on two-liter fun sports cars…emphasis on fun.
I agree. Maybe the Solstice isn’t for everyone.
I remember reading that the Solstice convertible top was a little complicated – sat in one but never drove one – but I do own a Miata and often dropped the top at a stop light. Unzip the window, one latch, lowered it in 2 seconds and you’re done. You can put the boot on later if you want, and later Miatas changed the configuration to eliminate the need for the boot. It was an excellent, well thought out design. GM should have tried harder and built a better car, they might still be producing it.
My sweetie’s Caddy XLR-V has a weatherproof hardtop, until you push that button and entertain kids of all ages by turning it into a roadster. Not cheap nor easy to maintain, but sometimes in the garage I’ll run the top up and down just to watch. Yes, I am 65 going on 11. So what?
And remember, there’s quite a few of us who would love to drive a Miata. Unfortunately some us were born to grow to over 6 feet tall. We are the ones that can never experience driving a Miata, let alone even sitting in one. We bought Sky’s, Solstice’s, S2000s and others and enjoy them as well.
For years I wanted a Miata and sat in every new model but being 6 ft. tall the windshield header obstructed my view. I ended up buying a used S2000 that fit me.
You got the better car by far
I came to make a similar comment. I am 6’4” with both long legs and a long upper body. Miata will never be the answer for me. Same for the Sky/Solstice. I ended up with a 370Z Nismo.
I am amazed how the automakers have abandoned the tall driver market vs making a low seat rail/thinner seat option for their cars.
I don’t understand you guys whining at 6 foot plus, etcetera, for these cars. I’m 5’11”, I fit just fine. Jn even the tightest cars (elf racers included) And I’ve got friends that are 6’2″, 6’3″, etc and they fit just fine. And look at Tom Selleck. He fit in the Ferrari 308 with the set boltes as far back as possible, and he fits at 6’4″.
I remember chatting with him many years ago when i ran into him by chance when he was up at his Burlington home. (I also worked in the industry so we have a few mutual aquantences since that time) and he said the stock was tight but he fit but they said it looked wrong for the camera. So the they did the mods and it looked better and he wasn’t staring through the tinted strip.
Funny I’ve met a pile of various “stars” and worked with a fair number. Tom by far is easily top if the list for the nicest most genuine guy whom hasn’t had his head inflated per se.
Anyhow back to the cars..
Granted getting in/out is harder but they do fit ESP in any target/ragtop
Now my old sparring partner at 7′ had just cause to say he did not it fit… Lol
I’ve owned two MX5’s and one PRHT which I currently own. I appreciate your feedback on the Soltice etc. I’m sticking with my Miata.
I have a Miata and a Sky Redline so I can make a comparison between these two cars. The Miata is a very nice car, fun to drive, but very small compared to the heavy truck on the road, I prefer to use it for the city and surroundings. The Sky is just as nice to drive, but it has more punch with the turbo and the suspension with good tires (Michelin) is very responsive. I use it for the highway and longer trips. Opening and closing the top is just as easy on both cars, with a slight preference for the Sky. I am almost 6 feet tall and I find the adjustment of the driver’s seat very easy on the Sky. With the soft top, the Sky is more spacious than the Miata. Compared to the Miata, the Sky’s trunk is actually much smaller; I solved the problem by adding a rack on the trunk like the MG and Triumph which gives it a very nice look.
In 15 years of multiple Sky vehicles, never had a rain/conv. top issue.(must admit it doesn’t rain that often in Vegas)
Don’t have any problem putting top up and down, very simple. Our latest, 2008 Redline with now 33,000 mi has never been rain driven. Bottom is almost as clean as the top. We’ve had 3 for a total of 15 years, none have ever needed any kind of repair, (excluding battery and tires) No garage! That’s tough for a car guy.
I get it, adding the Miata would have been boring and repetitive. It’s like saying “the Beatles were great”. But then again, Miata Is Always… etc. etc. etc.
In 2008 we went to Pontiac dealer to look at Solstice. We were looking for a fun car with good gas mileage to be an “extra” car. Never even took the Solstice out for a test drive. Looked in the trunk and, with top down, there wasn’t room for a bag of groceries. Nor a 12 pack. Two six packs would work. One in each corner. Bought a Miata. Still have it. I always tell people: ” It’s the most fun you can have driving without breaking the law.”
I wish GM would have kept Sky/Soltice platform long enough to improved upon it. If they could have fixed the trunk space/convertible top issue and some of the other complaints they would have had a long run with a fun convertible at a great price.
If you can find a 1990–94 Eagle Talon/Mitsubishi Eclipse/Plymouth Laser in good condition and not poorly modded or bodykitted, let me know. I haven’t seen one in many years.
Yep. Most around here are “riced out” or have extreme lowering, home made body kits with gold wire wheels with very negative camber and “Fart Cans”.
Riced out? My idiot brother in law use to say crap like that when he couldn’t get over the fact that my Honda motorcycle would dominate his Harley Davidson in every way
Although somewhat distasteful the sentiment expresses the contempt for destroying perfectly good cars that should be kept intact. The reprehensible ruination of cars that are irreplaceable should be publicly shamed to keep the few great cars that remain.
I knew what he meant.
I just sold one last year for $9000 US in Canada.. It was a great hot car with AWD TSI Turbo!!! It just screamed up mountains and kept accelerating flat out.. However, I blew 2 engines in the process.. Timing belt and zero valve clearance with the pistons melted into each of the 4 pistons and a broken cam shaft in the other engine.. Otherwise a fun car if you afford engine rebuilds…
Miata love is long established – and rightfully so. But the Solstice/Sky never got their just due IMHO. It more often than not seems to be the case that American made cars are unloved simply because they are not German or Japanese.
Interesting that the Sky commands the bigger price – I would have thought it would be the other way around.
Unloved because they are a bit less loveable?? Nice cars, but like many of the domestics they had potential that was let down by the final products. Fun on a sunny day as are all drop-tops, but just a bit large, just a bit ponderous and the controls are just a bit dull…not bad at all, but not especially as engaging as a sports car should be. Granted I had a Boxster S and Lotus Elise at the time, both top of their markets so the comparison isn’t truly level, but I so wanted to like the Solstice/Sky.
Production numbers likely play into this.
65,724 of the Solstice
34,320 of the Sky
Undoubtedly – thanks for the stats!
There weren’t as many Sky’s produced, therefore they are rarer and more expensive. I love my Sky Redline. It’s tuned and fast.
The Solstice is a great car & really fun to drive. The body style is a real head turner. You can complain about the top being a pain but it is actually pretty easy to put up or down. So you have to stop & get out. Minor detail. But a clean look when it’s down. With the factory luggage rack it makes up for lack of trunk space & add to the look & you can carry enough for a few over night trips. Even the base model is plenty fast /quick enough – not racing any one.over all a great looking/fun car that you don’t see every where. For the price it’s hard to beat.
I own a Sky Redline. While it is a blast to drive it does have its first gen quirks. It’s impossible to see the gauges. The windows buttons can only be operated by T-Rex, and the top and truck space needed work. I’ve no doubt a second and third gen would have addressed all these foibles. The driving dynamics are amazing. The design of the Sky was a head turner especially for a Saturn. A fun little car that was gone too soon.
I got led lights that go in the dash and it makes a huge difference seeing the gauges.
I owned a Solstice coupe manual tranny turbo with factory chip upgrade to 260 hp.
It was a powerful car & good looker but not a fun car to drive, hardtop would not fit in trunk, soft top was erector PITA, cramped interior…All I will say is I bought a Miata RF and never looked back.
My wife wanted a Stolstice so we went to look at one. There was also a nice Crossfire there for the same money. Needless to say we left with the Crossfire. It was such a better car and much more peppy. She still uses the Crossfire as her daily driver.
I’m six-three, 220-ish and have owned my second Miata since 1991. Daily driver ‘91 thru ‘97 and two cross country moves courtesy of my employer. Wife and I could fit everything for weekend bicycling trips in it. Never had problems with my height OR my size 12 shoes.
I believe the Morgan 4/4 was only built as a two-seat roadster. The Plus4 was the one that was available as a roadster, a drop-head coupe, a 4-seater and an SS. I could be mistaken!!
Let’s hear from Morganistas!!
The only Plus 4 I would want to buy is a Super Sports which performs nearly as well as my Plus 8! I did the engine for a friend after a catastrophic failure – he drives it like he stole it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Inexpensive and readily available parts, machining took a little time as I am very finicky and demand excellent machine work.
Also the short livrd +4+ fiberglass bodied fix head.
The 4/4 also was available as 4-seater at least thru the 60s. The 40s also included a very rare drophead coupe.
Anything you can do to get rid of flippers is a good thing. These are the parasites and bottom feeders of any business.
The Miata broke the ice for roadsters. The rest climbed on board when they saw the potential market. Honda established itself at the top. Some very good cars were produced to meet demands. I bought an S-2000 and had more fun with it than I had with any other. Took it through Honda’s High Performance driving courses 1, 2, and 3 at Mid-Ohio. Dollar per dollar the money spent on that car was the best value of any other I ever spent, until I met a 2017 C-7 coupe. My 240hp grin grew widely to a 460hp smile. Speed is speed but HP gets you to it more quickly. And then I get 30 mpg and the smile gives way to laughter. A toast, if you will, to technology!
I see two sports cars here – a Morgan and a Triumph. Where are the other six?
There is no claim that these are all sports cars.
How do you define “sports car”? I would argue that the Triumph shown is NOT a sports car, because – while a two-seater – it has a fixed roof. All a matter of opinion.
The Morgan seems cool but I wonder how easy parts are to find. I have heard that they have a wooden frame. Can’t really weigh in on the Solstice/Sky but I do like the lines. I drove a TR6 many times but not the GT6. The TR is very fun but the electrical systen is awful. I owned an ’85 Scirocco Wolfsburg Edition as a daily driver and as much as I enjoyed it, it had its issues. It is very easy to break into (stolen or broken into at least 10 times), cooling system was terrible on the hot summer days and was underpowered. Also not available in a convertible. The Corrado, the replaced it, made improvements with a better cooling system and more power. I would take a hard pass on a Miata.
Morgans are beautiful sports cars. They have wooden coachwork but they do have metal frames.
As far as British sports cars go with Lucas electrics, they are usually fine until some overzealous home mechanic screws with it trying to “improve” it. That’s usually the fire becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Keep the terminals secure and clean and there will be no problem.