2022 Porsche 718 Spyder Base

The 718 Spyder is Porsche's open-top mid-engine roadster, the one you pick when you want the Cayman's handling with the wind in your hair. With a flat-six that revs eagerly and a chassis that feels glued to the road, it's a car that rewards a back-road blast every single time. Inside, it's a focused cockpit with supportive seats and minimal clutter, though the manual top takes a bit of effort to raise and lower. Expect sports-car running costs: premium fuel, pricey tires, and Porsche maintenance, but strong resale value helps offset the expense. The Spyder costs less than the GT4 and trades its fixed wing and stiffer suspension for a manual convertible top and a slightly more compliant ride. Its 4.0L I6 makes 414 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque, sent through the six-speed manual to the rear wheels, which means you get a tactile shift and a howling soundtrack. Fuel economy checks in at 19 mpg combined, and with 9.6 cubic feet of cargo space the Spyder actually fits a weekend bag or a set of golf clubs.