2008 Porsche Cayman Base

The Cayman is Porsche's mid-engine coupe, a two-seater that sits below the 911 in size and price but shares its sporting DNA. It's the rare car that feels lighter and more agile than its numbers suggest, with steering that's so communicative you'll find yourself taking the long way home. The ride is firm and the car sits low, so you'll want to watch for steep driveways, but the payoff is cornering that needs almost no braking. There are front and rear trunks, but both are shallow, so this is a weekend toy rather than a road-trip hauler. Its 2.7L I6 makes 245 horsepower and pairs with a five-speed automatic, which is relaxed for cruising but dims the sharp response the manual brings. The standard suspension is already taut, so the optional PASM adaptive dampers are worth finding if you want to adjust the ride on the fly.