In 2025, rear-wheel drive has finally turned into a niche pleasure: the share of new cars with this layout in Russia has decreased to a symbolic 0.3%. The manual transmission is also rapidly disappearing, especially on foreign cars. At the same time, it is the combination of rear-wheel drive and manual transmission that is still considered one of the most emotional and "honest" in terms of handling. In the secondary market, there are still interesting options for those who are looking for drive, and not just comfort - and for money comparable to the price of a well-equipped Lada Vesta.
One of the most striking examples remains the Honda S2000 - a cult Japanese roadster from the early 2000s. For an amount of about 1.8 million rubles, you can find a 2002 model with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine with a capacity of 240 hp, which is famous for its high cut-off and character. It is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and the classic rear-wheel drive layout makes the S2000 a real car for the driver. The equipment is rich by the standards of its time: air conditioning, cruise control, bi-xenon, engine start button and ABS. This particular car has a difficult history with accidents and repainting, but at the same time has a confirmed mileage of 135 thousand km and a clean legal history, which explains the significantly lower price compared to the market.
A more modern alternative is offered by the Mazda Roadster, also known as the MX-5 or Miata. This is the most massive and "fresh" option among the available roadsters. For an amount of up to 2 million rubles, you can bring a right-hand drive car from Japan, and fourth-generation ND models with left-hand drive are already found on the Russian market. For example, a 2019 roadster with a mileage of 68 thousand km is offered in a rich configuration and with modifications for active driving. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine with a capacity of 131 hp, combined with a 6-speed manual and a self-locking differential. The car is additionally equipped with a sports exhaust, Mazdaspeed elements and an improved suspension, while maintaining comfortable options such as climate control, heated seats and matrix headlights.
For those who dream of a classic European sports car, in a budget of about 2 million rubles, you can still find a first-generation Porsche Boxster. We are talking about early cars of the late 1990s with a naturally aspirated opposed six-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.5 liters and a capacity of 204 hp. The engine is located behind the seats, the drive is to the rear wheels, the gearbox is manual. One of these 1997 roadsters with a mileage of about 110 thousand km is offered in Rostov-on-Don. Despite its age and simple equipment by modern standards, the Boxster is valued for its balance, handling and "real" sensations, which are difficult to find in new cars today.
The American view of a weekend car is represented by the Pontiac Solstice. This roadster was produced in the mid-2000s and in the GXP version was equipped with a 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo engine with a capacity of 264 hp. It is paired with a 5-speed Aisin manual gearbox, and the rear-wheel drive is complemented by a limited-slip differential. The 2006 model with a mileage of about 60 thousand km stands out with its bright yellow color, leather interior and good condition. The equipment includes stabilization, cruise control and power package. The price of about 2 million rubles looks attractive, although the car is registered with Belarusian license plates, which requires additional attention when buying.
Those who are looking for a larger and more powerful roadster with a hard top should pay attention to the second-generation BMW Z4. Within 2.3 million rubles, you can find a 2010 car with a configuration rare for the Russian market: a 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line "six" with a capacity of 258 hp and a 6-speed manual transmission. The mileage of such a copy is about 104 thousand km, the history is declared as accident-free, and the electric roof works properly. In terms of equipment, the Z4 noticeably surpasses older roadsters, offering a leather interior, electric seats with memory, keyless access, dual-zone climate and a full set of safety systems.
All these cars are united not only by rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, but also by a philosophy that has almost disappeared from the new car market. These are light, relatively compact sports cars focused on driving pleasure, not on sales records or digital technology. Most of them have not been produced for a long time, and the remaining copies are gradually becoming objects of interest to enthusiasts.
