Skip advert
Advertisement

"Sports cars are difficult to justify, but easy to love"

Steve Fowler thinks Nissan's decision to add a new Z sports car to its line-up should be applauded

The future of the sports car has never been in greater jeopardy. Car makers are finding it increasingly difficult to justify them in their line-ups as demand slows and ever-tightening emissions regulations make for higher costs.

Some have already disappeared – Peugeot, for example, is quite clear about concentrating on cars that make money before considering a replacement for the RCZ, while even the Audi TT is likely to be reinvented as a crossover rather than an out-and- out coupé next time around.

Thankfully, the Japanese still believe in their sports cars; Toyota’s Supra (with the help of BMW) and GT86 are firm favourites, while Mazda’s MX-5 keeps on going.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Nissan, too, knows the value of a great sports car and – as we reveal on page eight – there’s a new Z car on the way. So what is the value of a car like that, having already pointed out that it’s difficult to make money from one?

Let’s take a look at the MX-5, a car that’s at the heart of everything Mazda does. Every car the brand makes has a bit of the MX-5’s soul in it – and is all the better for it. If there were no MX-5, Mazda just wouldn’t be the same.

We know that Porsche makes more money from its SUVs than its sports cars, but would you still want a Porsche SUV if the firm didn’t also make the 911? 

So Nissan’s decision that it needs to spend the money to add a new Z car to its line-up needs to be applauded. It would be an easier decision not to do it.

Putting a sports car on your driveway can be difficult to justify, too, even though some recent models – what we’d class as modern classics – are good investments.

It’s something I’m grappling with myself, trying to persuade my wife of the benefits of buying a sports car – a 1991 Lotus Elan. My negotiations with her are proving as tough as any negotiations at board level would be when trying to get a new sports car over the line. Wish me luck!

Check out the best sports cars you can buy now...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: The almighty Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for under £500 per month
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N - front action

Car Deal of the Day: The almighty Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for under £500 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 4 May is the reigning Auto Express Performance Car of the Year
News
4 May 2025
Ford should bring back the Fiesta. Oh no it shouldn't!
Opinion - Ford Fiesta

Ford should bring back the Fiesta. Oh no it shouldn't!

Bringing back the Ford Fiesta is a genius move, or a potential catastrophe
Opinion
5 May 2025
Ford Fiesta set to return? Icon could be reborn with a little help from Volkswagen
Ford Fiesta exclusive image

Ford Fiesta set to return? Icon could be reborn with a little help from Volkswagen

The Ford Fiesta could be coming back from the dead, and our exclusive image previews how it might look
News
2 May 2025