Top 10 Sports Cars 2002 — Best Overall plus Best Value

*Published June 16, 2026 · Updated June 16, 2026*

Direct Answer

The best overall sports car of 2002 was the Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 at a 2002 MSRP of $50,430 — a 405-horsepower track weapon that humiliated cars costing twice as much and remains a blue-chip modern classic today. The best value of 2002 was the Subaru Impreza WRX, which arrived on US shores that year at a 2002 MSRP of $24,520 and delivered turbocharged, all-wheel-drive rally thrills for the price of a loaded family sedan.

The year 2002 was a watershed: it gave the US market its first factory Subaru WRX, introduced the supercharged Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG, and closed the book on the original-generation Dodge Viper. What follows is a past-tense retrospective of the ten cars that defined the model year — judged on what they were then and what they have become now.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighed each 2002 contender across six dimensions, blending period road-test data with present-day collector reality. The weighting:

• Driving fun and handling — 30%: how alive the car felt at speed, steering feel, chassis balance.
• Performance — 20%: real period 0-60 mph times, horsepower, top speed, drivetrain.
• Value in period — 15%: what you got for the 2002 MSRP in real period dollars.
• Reliability — 15%: how these cars held up over two decades of ownership.
• Legacy — 10%: cultural and motorsport significance.
• Collectibility now — 10%: present-day appreciation and demand.

Sources spanned period road tests from Car and Driver, Road & Track, and MotorWeek, plus current valuation data from Hagerty, auction results from Bring a Trailer, and technical references from Wikipedia and manufacturer archives.

1. Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 🏆 BEST OVERALL

2002 MSRP: $50,430 | Best for: the driver who wanted supercar pace at a working-professional price.

The 2002 Z06 was the year's giant-killer. Its 5.7-liter LS6 V8 made 405 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed manual to the rear wheels in a hardtop body that weighed barely over 3,100 pounds. Period tests pegged 0-60 mph at roughly 3.9 seconds and the quarter mile at 12.4 seconds — numbers that embarrassed Ferraris and Porsches priced far higher.

It was known as the thinking enthusiast's bargain bombshell, and today clean 2002 Z06s have become genuine appreciating modern classics, with Hagerty tracking strong values for low-mileage examples.

Pros:

• Supercar acceleration for roughly a third of a 911 Turbo's sticker.
• The brilliant LS6 V8, durable and easy to live with.
• Fixed-roof rigidity and serious track capability out of the box.
• Rising collector values that reward careful owners.

Cons:

• Interior plastics felt cheap against European rivals.
• Ride and refinement were raw compared with a Porsche.

Verdict: The most car-for-the-money of 2002 and a future classic — our Best Overall without hesitation.

2. Porsche 911 (996) Turbo

2002 MSRP: $118,400 | Best for: the all-weather supercar buyer who wanted speed plus everyday usability.

The 996 Turbo was the supercar you could drive to work in a snowstorm. Its 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six produced 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft, sent to all four wheels for 0-60 mph in about 4.0 seconds and a 189 mph top speed. Crucially, the Turbo used the racing-derived Mezger engine and sidestepped the IMS bearing worries that haunted lesser 996s.

It was known as the bulletproof everyday exotic, and values have firmed up considerably as the 996 Turbo's reputation has been rehabilitated on Bring a Trailer.

Pros:

• All-wheel-drive traction that made the power usable year-round.
• The bombproof Mezger flat-six with no IMS anxiety.
• Daily-driver comfort wrapped around supercar pace.
• Strengthening collector demand as values climb.

Cons:

• Pricey to maintain when major service comes due.
• Steering and drama dialed back versus older air-cooled 911s.

Verdict: The most complete high-speed car of 2002, and now a quietly appreciating modern classic.

3. BMW M3 (E46)

2002 MSRP: $46,045 | Best for: the purist who wanted a screaming naturally aspirated straight-six and rear drive.

Many enthusiasts call the E46 M3 the greatest M3 ever, and 2002 was its sweet spot. The 3.2-liter S54 inline-six revved to a feral 8,000 rpm, made 333 horsepower, and pushed the coupe to 60 mph in about 5.1 seconds. With a six-speed manual, a limited-slip differential, and near-perfect balance, it was known as the benchmark sports coupe of its era.

Clean manual coupes have become strongly collectible, with Hagerty and auction data showing steady climbs for unmolested cars.

Pros:

• The howling S54 six, one of BMW's all-time great engines.
• Sublime chassis balance and steering feel.
• Usable everyday practicality with rear seats and a trunk.
• Manual coupes appreciating fast among collectors.

Cons:

• Rod bearings and VANOS need diligent maintenance.
• Rust on neglected cars can be costly.

Verdict: The enthusiast's M3 and a rock-solid modern classic — narrowly behind on outright pace.

4. Honda S2000 (AP1)

2002 MSRP: $32,840 | Best for: the rev-hungry roadster fan who loved a manual gearbox.

The AP1 S2000 was a high-revving jewel. Its 2.0-liter F20C made 240 horsepower — a then-record 120 hp per liter for a naturally aspirated production engine — and screamed to a 9,000 rpm redline, hitting 60 mph in about 5.9 seconds through one of the finest six-speed manuals ever built.

Rear-wheel drive and near-50/50 weight made it a back-road darling, known as the analog antidote to turbo torque. Prices have surged on Bring a Trailer, making the S2000 one of the most collectible affordable roadsters of its generation.

Pros:

• The 9,000-rpm F20C, a naturally aspirated marvel.
• A perfect short-throw manual with crisp engagement.
• Honda reliability that shrugged off two decades.
• Sharp appreciation turning clean cars into classics.

Cons:

• Snappy at-the-limit handling demanded respect from novices.
• Power lived high in the rev range, with little low-end torque.

Verdict: The purest driver's roadster of 2002 and now a sought-after modern classic.

5. Acura NSX-T

2002 MSRP: $89,000 | Best for: the buyer who wanted an everyday-usable, Honda-reliable exotic.

By 2002 the NSX was a refined elder statesman. Its 3.2-liter VTEC V6 made 290 horsepower, mid-mounted behind the cabin and driving the rear wheels for 0-60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. What set it apart was usability — it was the exotic you could daily without fear, known as the supercar that brought reliability to the genre.

Late NSX-T cars have become serious collector pieces, with values climbing well past their original stickers on Bring a Trailer.

Pros:

• Genuine exotic looks and mid-engine feel with Honda dependability.
• The aluminum chassis and VTEC V6, engineered with Ayrton Senna input.
• Targa top for open-air motoring.
• Strong collector appreciation in recent years.

Cons:

• Down on raw power versus newer rivals by 2002.
• Five-figure-plus values now make a clean one expensive.

Verdict: The civilized exotic of 2002 and a blue-chip collectible today.

6. Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

2002 MSRP: $115,000 | Best for: the grand-touring buyer who wanted brutal pace with luxury.

New for 2002 in the R230 body, the SL55 AMG was a supercharged sledgehammer. Its 5.4-liter supercharged V8 produced 493 horsepower and a colossal 516 lb-ft, launching the heavy roadster to 60 mph in roughly 4.5 seconds — Car and Driver famously recorded as quick as 3.6 seconds.

With a folding hardtop and full luxury kit, it was known as the supercar-killing boulevardier. Values have softened over the years, making it a tempting modern classic for those who can stomach the maintenance.

Pros:

• The thunderous supercharged V8 with relentless torque.
• Luxury grand-touring comfort plus a folding hardtop.
• Supercar pace in a two-seat convertible.
• Bargain entry pricing now for a former six-figure flagship.

Cons:

• Complex hydraulics and electronics can be costly to keep healthy.
• Heavy curb weight blunted ultimate agility.

Verdict: The most luxurious fast car of 2002 — a brilliant value used, if you budget for upkeep.

7. Dodge Viper GTS

2002 MSRP: $73,000 | Best for: the muscle purist who wanted raw, unfiltered American horsepower.

The 2002 GTS coupe closed out the original Viper era in style. Its 8.0-liter V10 made 450 horsepower and 490 lb-ft, with no traction control, no antilock brakes on early cars, and 0-60 mph in about 4.0 seconds. It was known as the most savage, analog supercar money could buy, a snake that demanded skill and punished carelessness.

As the final old-generation car (the SRT-10 arrived for 2003), the 2002 GTS has become a collector favorite, with Hagerty tracking firm values.

Pros:

• The monstrous V10 and its bottomless torque.
• Unfiltered, mechanical driving experience with zero nannies.
• Final-year significance of the original design.
• Strong collectibility as a last-of-line model.

Cons:

• Brutal heat, no driver aids, and a punishing ride.
• Demanded real skill and respect at the limit.

Verdict: The wildest car of 2002 and a desirable last-of-its-kind classic.

8. Porsche Boxster S (986)

2002 MSRP: $50,200 | Best for: the buyer chasing mid-engine balance without 911 money.

The 986 Boxster S was the purist's value Porsche. Its 3.2-liter flat-six made 250 horsepower, mid-mounted for ideal balance and driving the rear wheels to 60 mph in about 5.7 seconds. Famous for its sweet steering and chassis poise, it was known as the most engaging way into a new Porsche.

Long undervalued because of IMS bearing fears, well-sorted manual cars have begun to firm up on Bring a Trailer as enthusiasts recognize the chassis brilliance.

Pros:

• Textbook mid-engine balance and steering feel.
• The flat-six soundtrack at a relative bargain.
• Folding soft top and genuine usability.
• Rising appreciation for sorted manual examples.

Cons:

• IMS bearing risk on un-addressed engines.
• Less outright power than coupe rivals.

Verdict: The best-handling value Porsche of 2002 and a slowly appreciating modern classic.

9. Subaru Impreza WRX 💎 BEST VALUE

2002 MSRP: $24,520 | Best for: the budget enthusiast who wanted all-weather, four-door speed.

The 2002 WRX was the year's value revelation — America's first taste of a car rally fans abroad had long enjoyed. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four made 227 horsepower and 217 lb-ft, with symmetrical all-wheel drive delivering 0-60 mph in about 5.6 seconds for the price of an ordinary commuter.

It was known as the giant-slayer of the affordable performance world, a car that put rally credibility within reach of almost anyone. Unmodified, low-mileage examples have become surprisingly collectible as clean originals grow scarce.

Pros:

• Turbo all-wheel-drive thrills for econobox money.
• All-weather, four-door practicality with a real back seat.
• Massive tuning potential beloved by enthusiasts.
• Clean stock cars appreciating as they vanish.

Cons:

• Many were modified hard, so unmolested cars are rare.
• Interior quality was plain and budget-grade.

Verdict: The runaway value champion of 2002 — our Best Value, and an emerging modern classic.

10. Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB)

2002 MSRP: $22,098 | Best for: the buyer who wanted lightweight, top-down joy on a budget.

The NB Miata closed the list by reminding everyone that fun does not require horsepower. Its 1.8-liter inline-four made about 142 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through a slick manual to 60 mph in roughly 7.5 seconds. Light, tossable, and endlessly reliable, it was known as the world's favorite affordable roadster and the default answer to "what should I autocross?" Values stay accessible, making a tidy NB one of the smartest cheap-thrills entries into classic ownership.

Pros:

• Featherweight chassis and pure top-down fun.
• Bulletproof reliability and cheap running costs.
• The benchmark affordable roadster experience.
• Still attainable for budget classic buyers.

Cons:

• Modest straight-line speed against everything above it.
• Snug cabin for taller drivers.

Verdict: The everyman's joy machine of 2002 — slow on paper, but pure fun and a friendly first classic.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 2002 Sports Car (Then and as a Classic Now)

Two decades on, the buying calculus has shifted. Key checkpoints:

• Porsche 996 IMS bearing: the base 996 and Boxster carried the intermediate-shaft bearing risk; confirm a preventive replacement or budget for one. The 996 Turbo's Mezger engine is exempt — a major reason to favor it.
• Honda S2000 valvetrain: verify timing-chain health, watch for high-rpm abuse, and confirm the F20C has not been over-revved or money-shifted.
• Subaru WRX modifications: most were heavily tuned; a stock, unmodified, single-owner car commands a real premium, while boost-abused examples hide expensive engine wear.
• BMW E46 M3 rod bearings and VANOS: budget for preventive rod-bearing service and check for rust on neglected cars.
• Corvette Z06 and Viper: look for accident-free chassis, original drivetrains, and documented service.
• What matters less than nostalgia implies: absolute horsepower and 0-60 bragging rights matter less to long-term value than originality, documentation, low miles, and a manual gearbox. A clean, unmodified, well-kept example almost always beats a faster but tired one.

FAQ

What was the best overall sports car of 2002? The Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 — 405 horsepower, a sub-4-second 0-60, and a 2002 MSRP of $50,430 made it the period's giant-killer and a strong modern classic today.

What was the best value sports car of 2002? The Subaru Impreza WRX, which debuted in the US that year at roughly $24,520, delivered turbocharged all-wheel-drive performance for the price of an ordinary sedan.

Which 2002 sports cars are the best collector buys now? The C5 Z06, 996 Turbo, E46 M3 manual coupe, and AP1 S2000 have all appreciated strongly, while the NSX-T and final-year Viper GTS remain blue-chip picks.

Was 2002 a significant year for sports cars? Yes — it brought the first US-market Subaru WRX, launched the supercharged Mercedes SL55 AMG, and marked the final year of the original-generation Dodge Viper.

Is the Porsche 996 Turbo reliable compared with other 996 models? Yes — the 996 Turbo uses the racing-derived Mezger flat-six, which avoids the IMS bearing failures associated with the base 996 and Boxster engines.

Which 2002 sports car is cheapest to own as a classic? The Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB) — light, simple, bulletproof, and still attainable — is the friendliest entry into affordable classic ownership.

Bottom Line

The class of 2002 was extraordinarily deep. The Corvette C5 Z06 earned Best Overall by pairing supercar pace with a sub-$51,000 sticker and turning into a genuine appreciating classic. The Subaru WRX took Best Value, bringing rally-bred all-wheel-drive thrills to the masses for the first time on US soil.

Around them stood a murderer's row — the screaming E46 M3, the jewel-like S2000, the bulletproof 996 Turbo, the savage final Viper GTS, and the brand-new supercharged SL55 AMG. Whether your priority was raw muscle, mid-engine balance, or pure roadster joy, 2002 offered a future classic for nearly every budget — and most of them are worth more, in money or in memory, than they were when new.

Sources

• Wikipedia — Chevrolet Corvette (C5) and LS6 engine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette_(C5)
• Wikipedia — Porsche 996: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_996
• Hagerty Valuation Tools — 2002 Dodge Viper RT/10: https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/dodge/viper/2002/2002-dodge-viper-rt!10
• Edmunds — 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 specs: https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/corvette/2002/z06/st-19044/features-specs/
• Kelley Blue Book — 2002 BMW M3 specs: https://www.kbb.com/bmw/m3/2002/specs/
• Honda News — 2002 Honda S2000 prices and EPA data: https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-f5459c87a602e8c3abcf4e004c34c799-2002-honda-s2000-prices-and-epa-data
• MotorWeek — 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX road test: https://motorweek.org/road_tests/2002_subaru_impreza_wrx_program_2036/
• Wikipedia — Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R230): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_SL-Class_(R230)
• MyCarSpecs — 2002 Acura NSX-T specifications: https://www.mycarspecs.com/car/2002-acura-nsx-base--t-manual
• Bring a Trailer — 2002 Honda S2000 auction results: https://www.classic.com/a/bring-a-trailer-auctions-JknXEWB/lots/2002-honda-s2000-WvMXrrn/

*Sports car review — 2002 sports car reviews, rating, best sports car 2002, and a retrospective review of the top modern-classic sports car picks for buyers.*