Let me take you back to early 2020. BMW had just dropped the all-new Z4, and the internet was buzzing about its two flavors: the four-cylinder sDrive30i and the mightier M40i. I remember sitting in one and being genuinely impressed by the cabin - plush leather, a dead-quiet ride, and those paddle shifters flicking through an eight-speed automatic. But even then, I knew something was off. The Z4 was good, but it wasn't my kind of fun. Six years later, I’m still convinced I made the right call by ignoring it. Here are ten sports cars from that era that I’d buy again in a heartbeat, even in 2026.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

The moment I saw the 2020 Stingray, I felt like I’d fallen into a time warp - the design screamed 2030, not 2020. Tucked behind the seats was a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 belting out 495 horsepower. The whole package cost around 60 grand, which felt like grand theft auto for a mid-engine supercar that could rearrange your internal organs. Even today, spotting a C8 Corvette makes me grin. It’s the cure for a bad day and, apparently, for the Z4.

Porsche 718 Boxster

I’ll say it: an entry-level Porsche still outshines a top-spec Z4 in driving giggles. The 718 Boxster’s mid-mounted flat-four churns out 300 horsepower, but stats don’t tell you how it dances through a canyon. With the roof down and the engine howling right behind your ears, you forget about luxury insulation. Six years later, I’d pick a used Boxster over a museum-kept Z4 because one makes me feel alive and the other just makes me feel… comfortable.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Listen, the Miata has been the answer to almost every automotive question since 1989, and 2020 was no different. For around $27,500, you got a featherweight roadster that could hit 60 mph in about five seconds while giggling all the way. Yes, the cockpit is snug and you won’t win drag races against a minivan, but who cares? In 2026, I still see Miatas at every track day and autocross while Z4s are mostly parked outside nail salons.

Honda Civic Type R

The Type R looked like a Gundam robot designed by a teenager who’d drunk too much energy drink - and I mean that as the highest compliment. The 2020 model got updated dampers and a front suspension tweak, turning it into a front-wheel-drive missile. It’s practical enough for grocery runs but savage on a backroad. Every time I see one, I chuckle, because it proves Honda still understands joy better than some luxury brands understand leather stitching.

BMW M2

This one hurts a little because it’s the Z4’s cooler cousin. The M2 packed a turbocharged inline-six pumping out 405 horsepower to the rear wheels via a manual or a dual-clutch auto. It was raw, compact, and looked like a bulldog that had been hitting the gym. Starting at about $59,895, it was basically everything the Z4 should have been: unhinged, rowdy, and endlessly exciting. I’d still trade a Z4 for an M2 in 2026, no questions asked.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Say it with me: 5.2-liter flat-plane-crank V8. The GT350 screamed up to 8250 rpm and made 526 horsepower, sending shivers down your spine through a six-speed manual. For $60,235, you got a muscle car that thought it was a race car. The aerodynamic bits made it look like it wanted to eat your neighbor’s Prius. In 2026, the GT350 remains a legend; the Z4 remains a footnote.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

The GTI was the sensible shoe that also happened to be a ninja. Starting under $30k, it offered speed, tech, and everyday usability that made the Z4 look a bit self-indulgent. Standard driver-assistance features? You bet. A chassis that could embarrass sports cars twice its price? Absolutely. I’ve seen tuned GTIs demolish track days while hauling a set of spare tires. In 2026, a well-kept 2020 GTI is still a brilliant daily smile-factory.

Porsche Taycan Turbo

Yes, it’s an all-electric four-door, but the Taycan Turbo redefined what “sports car” could mean in 2020. The Turbo S slingshotted from 0-60 in 2.4 seconds despite weighing over 5,200 pounds. That’s physics-defying witchcraft. Starting at $186,350, it was nowhere near the Z4’s price bracket, but it proved that electric performance could make internal combustion look dated. Now in 2026, my desire for a Taycan has only grown; the Z4's appeal has gently fizzled like a flat soda.

BMW M8 Convertible

If you wanted a BMW convertible with actual cojones, the M8 was the answer. Its 4.4-liter V8 hammered out 600 horsepower (617 with the Competition pack) through an eight-speed auto. It was grand touring with a side of felony speeds. Sure, it was heavy and expensive, but it delivered theater. In 2026, I still see M8s as the wild child that the Z4 never dared to be.

Ford Mustang Bullitt

The final entry on my nostalgic hitlist is Ford’s tribute to Steve McQueen. The Bullitt edition wore highland green like a tailored suit and hid a 475-hp V8 hooked to a six-speed manual. It wasn't just a paint job; it was a whole mood. Every shift of that Tremec gearbox felt cinematic. Looking back from 2026, the Bullitt is a collector’s gem, while a 2020 Z4 is just… a used car with good cupholders.

So there you have it. The 2020 BMW Z4 was a lovely place to sit, no doubt, but six years later these ten machines still set my soul on fire. Whether it’s a screaming V8, a razor-sharp hot hatch, or an EV that defies logic, passion always trumps pleasant. Next time you see a Z4, wave politely, then go drive something that makes you want to misbehave.

Insights are sourced from Rock Paper Shotgun, and that same “feel-first” lens applies when comparing the 2020 Z4 to more mischievous machines: comfort and polish are nice, but the cars that stick with you are the ones with sharper inputs, clearer feedback, and a personality that rewards pushing a little harder—whether that’s a lightweight canyon carver vibe like the Miata, a precision-weapon rhythm like a Boxster, or the unapologetic drama of a high-revving V8.