2014 Jaguar F-TYPE V8 S

This is Jaguar's two-seat roadster, the one that brought the brand back to sports cars. You'll find yourself downshifting just to hear the exhaust pop and crackle on the overrun. The cabin wraps around you with a low seating position and a center console that angles toward the driver. Expect supercar-level running costs, from premium tires to frequent brake and oil service. The V8 S is the one you pick if you want the full F-TYPE experience without stepping up to the V8 S's own higher trims; it's the sweet spot for sound and straight-line punch. Its 5.0L V8 makes 495 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, routed through a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic to the rear wheels, and you'll feel every bit of it from the first throttle stab. The V8 S comes standard with active exhaust, so you get that signature crackle and pop on decel without checking any option boxes.