Though Nissan hasn’t confirmed final prices for the 2023 Z coupe, the company openly admits we should expect it to come in around the $40k mark.
That sounds like pretty spectacular value compared with the $51,090 you’d need to spend to get into its direct Toyota Supra 3.0 rival. But it only takes a little bit of digging to uncover a stack of other rear-wheel drive cars you could buy for around the same money, or even less.
Some of them make even the 400 hp Z look expensive, while others make it seem a little short on muscle. And most are available right now, meaning you could be driving one off the lot today rather than waiting until next year to get behind the wheel.
Related: How Nissan’s Z Screws Toyota’s GR Supra By Offering More Power Than The 3.0 For Less Than The 2.0
One thing’s for sure, and it’s that despite the increasing popularity of the crossover, there are still plenty of rear-wheel drive coupes to choose from, for the time being, at least. Which one would you buy?
Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback
› Price: $40,285
› 5.0 V8, 460 hp, 420 lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: The Ford Mustang GT is an American icon and an absolute bargain (if you can live without the Premium goodies the base GT gets the same 460 hp for $36k).
Why you wouldn’t: You’ll wrap it round a lamppost in front of 400 camera-phones if you go within one mile of a car meet and have to spend the next four months driving your mom’s Elantra while you try to get the insurance company to cough up for repairs.
BMW 230i Coupe
› Price: $36,350
› 2.0 4-cyl, 255 hp, 295 lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: Go for the redesigned BMW 230i Coupe if you don’t like standing out in a crowd (or the 4-Series’ new grille), but you do like the idea of (small) back seats, a $4k saving versus the Z, and going 50 per cent further on a gallon of gas.
Why you wouldn’t: Your heart will sink every time you sink the right pedal and you remember you’re short two cylinders, one turbo and almost 150 hp compared with the Nissan.
Toyota Supra 2.0
› Price: $43,090
› 2.0 4-cyl, 255 hp, 295 lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: It doesn’t look like someone fitted a garage door to the front bumper (with the Supra it’s more like it’s driven over a fire hydrant), and those BMW oily bits at least ensure it’s fun to drive.
Why you wouldn’t: It’s slower and more expensive than the Z, and you can’t get it with a manual.
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
› Price: $41,645
› 6.4 V8, 485 hp, 475 lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: Did you even see those engine stats for the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack? The thing’s got so much muscle it makes Dwayne Johnson look like he’s just been liberated from five years in a POW camp surviving on condensation licked from a damp window.
Why you wouldn’t: Not as sharp through twisties as its pony car rivals so it’ll be easy meat for a Z on a cross country run. Also more likely to get swiped from your driveway by Mopar-loving lowlifes.
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring
› Price: $34,525
› 2.0 4 cyl, 181 hp, 151 lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: The latest Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a light, flighty sports car that turns from a coupe to a convertible at the touch of a button.
Why you wouldn’t: It looks kinda terrible as a coupe from most angles, the cabin is sized for Ewoks and it’s so slow you risk getting smoked by ice cream trucks at the lights.
Lexus RC 300
› Price: $42,220
› 2.0 4-cyl, 241 hp, 258 lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: You find the Z’s retro garb a little gauche, and prefer to drive something classier that lets people know you’ve arrived, the Lexus RC 300 is your kinda gal.
Why you wouldn’t: You won’t actually arrive for ages because the RC that comes closest to the Z’s $40k price is powered by an anemic turbo four with just 241 hp.
Mercedes-Benz C 300
› Price: $47,200
› 2.0 4-cyl, 255 hp, 273lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: The C 300 might be Merc’s entry-level coupe but it still looks stylish both in and out, and the updated four-cylinder engine that arrived for 2019 is reasonably punchy.
Why you wouldn’t: Who wants to pay $7k more than the Z for a car that’s about to become obsolete and sounds as characterful as an industrial air conditioning unit just so they can brag about that Mercedes badge?
Infiniti Q60 Pure
› Price: $41,750
› 3.0 V6, 300 hp, 295 lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: The Infiniti Q60 Coupe is essentially a Z underneath, just longer, more luxurious and with a more relaxed tune for its 3.0 twin-turbo V6 that’s almost certainly better for cruising.
Why you wouldn’t: It’s essentially a Z underneath, just heavier, less powerful, slower, more expensive and almost certainly not as much fun to drive.
Toyota GR 86
› Price: $30,000 (est)
› 2.4 4-cyl, 228 hp, 184 lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: Because if it’s a real sports car experience you’re after you’ll trade the Nissan’s guns for the new Toyota GR 86’s guile in a heartbeat. Yeah, that and being $10k to the good.
Why you wouldn’t: An extra 400cc makes the GR faster than before, but still not fast in the context of cars like the Z. And purity be damned, but we like our horsepower healthy and hearty.
Chevrolet Camaro 1SS
› Price: $38,695
› 6.2 V8, 455 hp, 455 lb ft
Why you’d buy it over the Z: That proper American V8 soundtrack is hard to beat and the Chevy Camaro SS is a great value. Splash for the 1LE performance pack if you can.
Why you wouldn’t: Submarine commanders have better visibility, the back seats are tiny, and the trunk isn’t huge either.