This the Last True Affordable Sports Car?

The question driving this analysis is whether the “last true affordable sports car” still exists, and it points to a Mazda roadster lineage that has persisted since 1989. The article notes that modern performance cars have become faster, but also larger, heavier and significantly more expensive; for comparison, a Ford Mustang GT makes nearly 500 horsepower and a Toyota Supra 3.0 produces 382 hp, both at well over 3,400 pounds. By contrast, the current-generation Mazda roadster weighs roughly 2,350 pounds depending on specification, keeping driving dynamics accessible on ordinary roads. Engineers pursued weight reduction rather than raw power, emphasizing easier braking, less tire demand, and lower steering effort. It traces development to the early 1980s, with product planner Bob Hall backing the return of lightweight, affordable sports cars under Mazda’s P729 program, benchmarking vehicles such as the Lotus Elan.