The 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the best sports car of 2002, with the Porsche 911 Turbo (996) at #2 and the BMW M3 (E46) at #3. The Z06 made 405 hp and ran 0-60 mph in 3.9 sec for $50,430. For value, the Subaru WRX ($23,995) and Mazda MX-5 Miata ($21,280) cost the least.
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 405 hp Z06: supercar pace at a Corvette price.
Price new: $50,430 (2dr Z06 Hardtop)Power: 405 hp at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb-ft from the 2002 model year (LS6 V8)0-60 mph: 3.9 sec for the 405 hp Z06 (GM High-Tech Performance)Build: 3,118 lb curb weight; six-speed manual only; fixed-roof coupe body
From the 2002 model year the Z06’s LS6 V8 made 405 hp at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb-ft, and GM High-Tech Performance ran it to 60 mph in 3.9 sec. It came only as the fixed-roof coupe with a six-speed manual, weighed 3,118 lb, and listed at $50,430.
Go ifThe most straight-line pace of 2002 for the money
Skip ifYou want an automatic (the Z06 came with the six-speed manual only)
Why #1 over #2: Its 3.9 sec 0-60 mph time beats the 996 Turbo’s 4.2 seconds, at $50,430 against $115,000.
2
2002 Porsche 911 Turbo (996)
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe four-wheel-drive Turbo, with 444 hp on offer for 2002.
Price new: $115,000 (6-speed manual)Engine: Twin-turbocharged 3.6 L flat-6 listed at 415 hp; the X50 option offered from 2002 raised it to 444 hpDrive: Four-wheel drive; 0-60 mph in 4.2 secondsNew for 2002: Glove box, center-mounted cup holders, optional Bose stereo and rain-sensing wipers
The 996 Turbo’s twin-turbocharged 3.6 L flat-6 was listed at 415 hp and drove all four wheels to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. For 2002 Porsche offered the X50 option at 444 hp and added a glove box, center cup holders and rain-sensing wipers. It listed at $115,000 with the manual.
Go ifAll-weather supercar speed with four-wheel drive
Skip ifYour budget is under six figures
Why #2 over #3: Its 415 hp twin-turbo flat-6 and four-wheel drive out-muscle the M3’s 333 hp straight-6.
3
2002 BMW M3 (E46)
Photo: Tim Dennison / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 8,000 rpm straight-six coupe.
Price new: $45,900 (coupe)Engine: S54 3.2 L straight-6; US rating 333 hp; 8,000 rpm redline0-60 mph: 4.8 seconds official US figure for the coupe (manual or SMG)Production: 56,133 coupes and 29,633 convertibles (E46 M3 total)
The E46 M3’s S54 3.2 L straight-6 revved to 8,000 rpm and was rated at 333 hp in the US, with an official 4.8 seconds to 60 mph for the coupe. The coupe listed at $45,900, and BMW built 56,133 coupes and 29,633 convertibles in all.
Go ifA high-revving six with a usable back seat
Skip ifYou want a two-seat roadster
Why #3 over #4: Its 333 hp US rating tops the S2000’s 237–247 hp.
4
2002 Honda S2000 (AP1)
Photo: Charles01 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 9,000 rpm roadster.
Price new: $32,400Engine: F20C 1,997 cc inline-4 with 237–247 hp depending on market; 9,000 rpm fuel cutoffSpecific output: About 124 hp per liter, the highest of any mass production, naturally aspirated car until 2010New for 2002: Revised suspension settings and a glass rear window with an electric defrosterAward: On Car and Driver’s 10Best list for 2002
The S2000’s 1,997 cc F20C four made about 124 hp per liter, the highest of any mass production, naturally aspirated car until 2010, with a 9,000 rpm fuel cutoff. For 2002 Honda revised the suspension and fitted a glass rear window, and Car and Driver put it on its 10Best list. It cost $32,400.
Go ifA high-revving open two-seater for winding roads
Skip ifYou want low-rpm torque
Why #4 over #5: Its 124 hp per liter was the highest of any mass production, naturally aspirated car, and it cost $32,400 against the NSX-T’s $89,000.
5
2002 Acura NSX-T (NA2)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe facelifted aluminium NSX, targa only in North America.
Price new: $89,000 (NSX-T)Engine: 3.2 L C32B V6 with 290 hp, mounted mid-ship2002 facelift: Fixed xenon HID headlamps replaced the pop-ups; drag coefficient 0.30; top speed 282 km/h (175 mph)Body: The hardtop coupe was no longer available in North America from 2002 onwardsChassis: First production car with an all-aluminium semi-monocoque
The NSX was the first production car with an all-aluminium semi-monocoque, and its mid-mounted 3.2 L V6 made 290 hp. The 2002 facelift brought fixed xenon headlamps, a 0.30 drag coefficient and a 282 km/h (175 mph) top speed, and from 2002 North America got the NSX-T targa only, at $89,000.
Go ifA mid-engine exotic with an open targa roof
Skip ifYou want the most power per dollar
Why #5 over #6: Its all-aluminium chassis, a production-car first, and its new-for-2002 design outrank the Viper GTS, whose design dates to 1996.
6
2002 Dodge Viper GTS (SR II)
Photo: Xnatedawgx / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe final year of the double-bubble GTS.
Price new: $72,225 (GTS Coupe)Engine: 7,990 cc (8.0 L) V10 with 450 hp at 5,200 rpm and 490 lb-ftLast year: The SR II Viper was sold for model years 1996–2002; 10,422 units builtSuccessor: The SRT-10 replaced both the GTS and the RT/10
The GTS coupe’s 7,990 cc V10 made 450 hp at 5,200 rpm and 490 lb-ft. 2002 was the last model year of the SR II Viper, of which 10,422 were built, before the SRT-10 replaced both the GTS and the RT/10. The GTS Coupe listed at $72,225.
Go ifThe biggest engine of 2002 in a two-seat coupe
Skip ifYou want refinement
Why #6 over #7: Its 450 hp V10 out-powers the Camaro SS’s 325 hp V8.
7
2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last fourth-generation Camaro SS.
Price new: Not published for the SS (2002 Camaro Z28 coupe: $22,830)Power: 325 hp for the SS from 2001, with the LS6 intake manifoldFinal build: The final fourth-generation Camaro was built on 27 August 2002; 42,098 built for 200235th Anniversary: The 35th Anniversary trim package was also available for the SS
The SS gained the LS6 intake manifold for 2001, raising it to 325 hp. 2002 was the last year of the fourth generation: the final car was built on 27 August 2002, with 42,098 built for the year, and a 35th Anniversary package was offered for the SS. A 2002 Z28 coupe listed at $22,830.
Go ifV8 power for the least money on this list
Skip ifYou want a light, nimble two-seater
Why #7 over #8: Its 325 hp V8 has more power than the Boxster S’s 250 PS flat-6.
8
2002 Porsche Boxster S (986)
Photo: Stahlkocher / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe mid-engine Porsche roadster.
Price new: $51,600 (S, 6-speed manual)Engine: 3.2 L flat-6 with 250 PS (Boxster S, before the 2003 update)0-60 mph: 5.6 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds) with the manual; top speed 260 km/hLayout: Mid-engine; shares parts with the 996 911, including the headlights and interior
The Boxster S put a 3.2 L flat-6 rated at 250 PS behind the seats and reached 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds (60 mph in 5.6) with the manual, topping out at 260 km/h. It shared its headlights and interior with the 996 911 and listed at $51,600.
Go ifMid-engine Porsche balance in an open roadster
Skip ifYou want a coupe or back seats
Why #8 over #9: Its mid-engine 250 PS flat-6 outpoints the WRX’s 227 bhp four as a sports car.
9
2002 Subaru Impreza WRX (GD)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first WRX sold in the US.
Price new: $23,995 (sedan, manual)Engine: 2.0 L turbocharged, 227 bhpUS debut: The 2.0 L turbocharged WRX reached the US for the 2002 model year; the STI followed for 2004Design: Pre-facelift "Bug Eye" front, 2000–2002
The 2002 model year brought the 227 bhp, 2.0 L turbocharged Impreza WRX to the US for the first time, wearing the round "Bug Eye" headlights; the STI followed for 2004. The WRX sedan with the manual listed at $23,995.
Go ifTurbocharged performance with four doors and a low price
Skip ifYou want a two-seat sports car
Why #9 over #10: Its 227 bhp turbo engine makes far more power than the US Miata’s 143 bhp.
10
2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB)
Photo: BuickRiviera99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Price new: $21,280Engine: 1.8 L with variable valve timing; 143 bhp (US only)Weight: 2,348 lb with the minimum of options (2001 facelift model)Top models: 6-speed manual, limited-slip differential and Bilstein suspension added from the 2001 facelift
The facelifted NB Miata used a 1.8 L four with variable valve timing, rated at 143 bhp in the US, and weighed 2,348 lb with the minimum of options. Top models added a 6-speed manual, limited-slip differential and Bilstein suspension. It started at $21,280.
Go ifThe lowest price on the list for a light roadster
Skip ifYou want big power
How we ranked these
We ranked each 2002 sports car on its published performance and engineering for that model year, using the price new as the value check. Every figure comes from the sources listed. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What was the best sports car of 2002?
Our pick is the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, with 405 hp from the 2002 model year and a 3.9 sec 0-60 mph time, at $50,430 new.
How much did a 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo cost?
The 2002 911 Turbo with the 6-speed manual listed at $115,000.
Was 2002 the first year of the WRX in the US?
Yes. The 2.0 L turbocharged WRX reached the US for the 2002 model year, and the STI followed for 2004.
Was 2002 the last year of the Viper GTS?
The second-generation (SR II) Viper was sold for model years 1996–2002, and the SRT-10 replaced both the GTS and the RT/10.
Horsepower (as published) at a glance
2002 Acura NSX-T (NA2)290 hp
2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS325 hp
2002 BMW M3 (E46)333 hp
2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C5)405 hp
2002 Porsche 911 Turbo (996)415 hp
2002 Dodge Viper GTS (SR II)450 hp
Horsepower (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
