Nissan Z Price: $30,855 - $50,265

The iconic Z is a decent package of power and handling, but it’s starting to look dated versus the competition. Its 3.7-liter V-6 makes 332 hp, but that’s also getting old; a six-speed manual is available with optional rev-matching. The seven-speed automatic, however, is not a willing partner in spirited driving, with slow shifts that detract from the fun. Feel like a track star? Then check out the NISMO with its snazzier styling. With 350 hp, it might not be faster, but it looks it.

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BMW Z4 Price: $50,695 - $67,345

The Z4 is a sporty, two-seat ragtop that comes in three flavors. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder sDrive28i is offered with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic; there are two 3.0-liter twin-turbo sixes: the 300-hp sDrive35i and the 335-hp sDrive35is. The former is offered with a six-speed stick or seven-speed dual-clutch auto, while the sDrive35is is offered only with the automatic. Regardless of the model, however, the Z4 is not one of our favorite sports cars.

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Audi TT / TTS Price: $44,450 - $53,450

With snazzy styling and peppy performance, the TT and TTS appeal to both the practical and the passionate. The TT has a 220-hp turbo four; the TTS makes 292 hp. Quattro all-wheel drive and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic are standard on both models; a manual, unfortunately, is not offered. The TT is available as both coupe and softtop; the TTS only as a coupe. With well-tuned suspensions, the TT and TTS are effortlessly fast. They blend style with refinement in ways the competition doesn't.

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Lotus Evora 400 Price: $91,785

With its lightweight chassis of bonded aluminum, supple suspension, and mid-engine layout, there’s nothing ordinary about the Evora 400. A supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 cranks out 400 hp; a six-speed manual is standard and a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic is optional. We estimate a 0-to-60 time of 4.3 seconds and a TOP speed of 172 mph. Handling is lively, steering is light yet responsive, and the brakes excellent; acceleration, however, doesn’t feel as strong as we would expect 400 hp to be.

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Audi TT RS Price: $60,000

Audi includes all the modern performance upgrades in its arsenal to make the TT RS one wicked sports coupe. The 2.5-liter turbo five makes 400 hp and drives all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic; we estimate a 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds. Steering-wheel-mounted ignition and drive-mode selector switches, a fixed rear wing, gaping front intakes, and large oval-shaped tailpipes separate the RS from other TTs. The coupe (not roadster) comes to the U.S. in the early summer of 2017.

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