5 JAPANESE SPORTS CARS WE'D BUY OVER THE NEW CORVETTE (AND 5 GERMAN)

The new-generation C8 Chevrolet Corvette was introduced in 2020, and it is evidently the best-ever rendition of the emblematic American sports car. The 2023 Chevy Corvette C8 combines spellbinding looks with adrenaline-pumping performance at an exceptional starting price of $64,500. Under its hood, the 2023 Chevy Corvette Stingray shelters an exuberant 490-hp 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 that can slingshot this beast to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, clearly in supercar territory. For even more zeal, the ferocious Corvette Z06 powered by a more visceral 670-hp version of the 6.2-liter V8 starts at $105,300.

From all the numbers, it is pellucid that the latest generation Chevy Corvette is an extraordinary sports car. However, if you’re unimpressed by its flamboyant demeanor, gas-guzzling engine, squared-off steering wheel, or lack of a manual transmission, the C8 Corvette might not be for you. Hence, we have brought together a versatile bunch of Japanese and German sports cars that could be considered alternatives to the Chevrolet Corvette. The list includes nimble compact coupes, resplendent ultra-luxury coupes, and some celebrated icons.

Analyzing data from official car automakers' websites, Kelley Blue Book and CarEdge we've put together the list of best Japanese and German alternatives for the Chevrolet C8 Corvette.

Japanese: 2023 Nissan Z

Starting MSRP: $40,990

After a brief hiatus, Nissan finally redesigned and updated their legendary Z-car, this time simply calling it “Z” breaking the numerical nomenclature tradition. The brand-new seventh-generation Nissan Z is a radiant sports car that retains many of the curves and lines from its iconic predecessor, the Nissan 370Z. With a new engine and major revisions to the underpinnings, the Nissan Z is now more vigorous than ever.

2023 Nissan Z Pricing

Even though the 2023 Nissan Z isn’t a rocketship like the Corvette, it stays true to its roots, providing an enchanting driving experience. A 400-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine powers the Z-car, which could be paired with either a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic transmission. This Japanese icon gracefully delivers agility, sprightliness as well as dexterity along with full manual control and comfortable ride quality at a starting price of $40,990.

Model lineup price range: $40,990-$53,990

New for 2023 highlights: The Nissan Z is all-new for 2023.

Warranty coverage: 3 years/36,000 miles

German: 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 / 2024 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0

Starting MSRP: $68,300

For a lot more oomph consider getting one of the 718 twins from Stuttgart, the Porsche Cayman Coupe, or the open-top Porsche 718 Boxster. These exquisitely crafted German sports cars flaunt an opulent and ultra-modern cabin whilst being exceedingly analog in terms of handling and performance. They are pretty much the reference point to compare and analyze the driving dynamics of other modern sports cars currently in production.

2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 / 2024 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 Pricing

There are a number of guises in which the Porsche 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster are offered in, starting at $68,300 with three engine options to choose from. Among them, we recommend choosing the GTS 4.0 variants that start at $95,200 and come powered by a sonorous 394-hp naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-6. A deft-shifting six-speed manual transmission is standard whereas an exceptionally precise 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission is optional.

Model lineup price range: $68,300-$160,700

New for 2024 highlights: New Style Edition trims with 20-inch wheels, hood, and door graphics, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Warranty coverage: 4 years/50,000 miles

Expected depreciation after 5 years: $36,825 (CarEdge)

Average annual insurance costs: $2,847 (CarEdge)

RELATED: Meet The 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS, A Boxster On Steroids

Japanese: 2023 Toyota GR Supra

Starting MSRP: $44,640

2023 is a special year for this sterling Japanese sports car as the Toyota GR Supra gains a long-awaited manual transmission option for this model year. Other upgrades for this year include minor tweaking to the suspension and the addition of a new Hairpin+ mode that allows for faster, more enhanced driving around tight hairpin roads. Although the Toyota GR Supra is criticized by many for being co-developed with the BMW Z4, this actually helped in making the Toyota sports car a finer product.

2023 Toyota GR Supra Pricing

The 2023 Toyota GR Supra starts at $44,640 and the higher-end 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 is manifestly the engine to choose from. It is also the motor that could be clubbed with the new stick shift. This engine cranks out 382 horses and 368 lb-ft of torque which might not seem a lot compared to the Corvette. However, the GR Supra compensates with its spirited driving dynamics and overall it is a pleasing sports car offered at a reasonable price point with a manual transmission.

Model lineup price range: $44,640-$59,445

New for 2023 highlights: The availability of a new 6-speed manual transmission and the debut of a new manual-only A91-MT trim.

Warranty coverage: 3 years/36,000 miles

German: 2023 BMW M2

Starting MSRP: $62,200

If you’re ready to spend a little more than the asking price of the Toyota GR Supra, you can get your hands on the brand-new, redesigned BMW M2 Coupe. This titillating compact coupe is a veritable Bimmer that is ready to provide you with thrills and chills with its frenzied yet enthralling performance. A twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 borrowed from the BMW M3 and M4 is the powerhouse employed to propel this little speed demon.

2023 BMW M2 Pricing

Starting at a price point of $62,200, the BMW M2 puts out a maximum output of 453 ponies and can be mated with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. This potent motor combined with an exclusively tuned chassis can take the M2 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and dominate the racetrack. This little spellbinding BMW is able to deliver the amusement a Chevy Corvette provides, further enhancing the experience with a manual transmission.

Model lineup price range: $62,200-$62,200

New for 2023 highlights: All-new redesigned model for 2023.

Warranty coverage: 4 years/50,000 miles

Expected depreciation after 5 years: $19,531 (CarEdge)

Japanese: 2024 Lexus LC 500

Starting MSRP: $98,850

If you’re looking for a more relaxed driving experience cocooned in sumptuousness and the Chevrolet C8 Corvette is too hardcore for you, the Lexus LC 500 is the machine you should spend your money on. This elegant and supple Japanese luxury sports car flaunts an artistically constructed cabin with equal importance given to sportiness and luxury. Unlike, the dedicated performance cars of its segment, the LC 500 proffers much more opulence.

2024 Lexus LC 500 Pricing

A rhapsodic 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 acts as the throbbing heart of the LC 500, pumping out 471 horses and 398 lb-ft of torque. The Lexus LC 500 takes a considerably slower 4.6 seconds to attain 60 mph speeds but it does so gracefully by keeping the occupants comfortable and emitting a mellifluous exhaust note. Surely, this Japanese tour de force starting at $98,850 is a more extravagant, grand-touring alternative to the Chevy Corvette.

Model lineup price range: $98,850-$106,350

New for 2024 highlights: A new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with the latest software, standard 21-inch wheels, and parking sensors along with two new colors.

Warranty coverage: 4 Years/50,000 miles

RELATED: Lexus Finally Fixes The 2024 LC 500 Sports Car’s Biggest Problem

German: 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe

Starting MSRP: $81,850

This is your last chance to get a visceral and vociferous Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe. With the 2024 redesign, this glorious compact speedster is losing its boisterous V8 heart and coupe body style. The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe is still available to purchase, and it is a roaring sports car with a fire-breathing 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine under its hood, channeling 503 wild horses to the rear wheels.

2023 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe pricing

Inside out, everything about this high-performance luxury coupe is splendiferous and praiseworthy. It looks graceful on the outside and flaunts a resplendent cabin made up of top-notch quality materials whilst being bewitching to drive both on a straight line and around corners. Overall, this German coupe can be your wolf in sheep’s clothing sleeper car that can give you chills every time you step on the throttle.

Model lineup price range: $81,850-$81,850

New for 2023 highlights: The Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe is only offered in the top-of-the-line S trim for 2023.

Warranty coverage: 4 Years/50,000 miles

Japanese: 2023 Acura NSX (Second Generation)

Starting MSRP: $171,495

The next entry is a hybrid and this iconic machine is the only hybrid on the list. In 2017, the Acura NSX was reincarnated after a 12-year hiatus, but it only lasted five years and was discontinued too soon. However, this magnificent sports car is among the earliest hybrids that delivered admirable performance, and it is still worth getting a used one.

2023 Acura NSX (Second Generation) Pricing

The final iteration of the Japanese icon, the Acura NSX Type S was priced at $171,495 and it matches the Chevy Corvette in terms of sheer performance whilst also being exhilarating to drive and comfortable enough to be your daily driver. The hybrid powertrain of the 2022 Acura NSX Type S consists of a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine coupled with three electric motors, churning out a combined output of 600 horses.

Base model original MSRP: $171,495

Used market price range: $293,198 (KBB Typical Listing Price)

Warranty coverage: 4 Years/50,000 miles

German: 2024 BMW M4

Starting MSRP: $77,000

The new-gen BMW M4 is available in a couple of flavors and is capable of attacking corners and devastating rivals on the racetrack. The new M4 might not appeal to everyone in terms of its aesthetics, but this Bimmer is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face when driven enthusiastically. The BMW M4 is capable of summoning 473 ponies from its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine which is upped to 503 in the Competition model.

2024 BMW M4 Pricing

The base BMW M4 starts at $77,000 and comes paired with a 6-speed slick-shifting manual channeling vigor to the rear wheels. In the higher-output M4 Competition model an 8-speed automatic transmission is standard and all-wheel drive is offered as an option. The BMW M4 Competition dashes to 60 mph in a lightning-fast 2.8 seconds, matching the Corvette in terms of speed whilst offering more practicality and a set of usable rear seats.

Model lineup price range: $77,000-$84,940

New for 2024 highlights: Larger 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment unit along with updated iDrive 8 software.

Warranty coverage: 4 years/50,000 miles

RELATED: 5 Things We Love About The BMW M4 (5 Reasons Why We'd Rather Buy The M2)

Japanese: 2024 Nissan GT-R

Starting MSRP: $120,990

The Nissan GT-R R35 has been around for a long 15 years now and the legendary Godzilla has received some major upgrades for the 2024 model year including enhanced aerodynamics. The 565-hp twin-turbo V6 engine in the Nissan GT-R R35 outputs 565 horsepower in the regular variants whereas the higher-end Track Edition and NISMO models are tuned-up to produce 600 horses.

2024 Nissan GT-R Pricing

The 2024 Nissan GT-R R35 is more expensive than the Corvette Z06 starting at $120,990, but it compensates for it with its unimaginably precise handling and illustrious street-cred. This timeless Japanese monster is capable of matching the latest and greatest Chevy C8 Corvette even while being ages older than the Vette. Hence, for what it offers, it is totally worth spending quite a lot more on the Godzilla.

Model lineup price range: $120,990-$220,990

New for 2024 highlights: A new swan neck-style spoiler and some exterior retouches increase downforce while the T-Spec has been reinstated to the lineup.

Warranty coverage: 3 Years/36,000 miles

Expected depreciation after 5 years: $39,735 (CarEdge)

Average annual insurance costs: $4,704 (CarEdge)​​​​​​​

German: 2023 Porsche 911

Starting MSRP: $114,400

The Porsche 911 is another venerable legend with a prolonged history of being eulogized as the best sports car in the annals of automotive evolution. Although this German sports car with super-car shaming handling characteristics might be considerably more expensive than the Chevy Corvette, you are rewarded for the extra money with physics-defying driving dynamics. The Porsche 911 is offered in a number of configurations, all exciting to drive and some with unique characteristics.

2023 Porsche 911 Pricing

The base Porsche 911 Carrera starts just below $110K and comes powered by a 379-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six motor which puts out 443 ponies in the Carrera S and 473 in the GTS trim. Then there are the track-oriented GT3 models and rocket-fast Turbo models, making a versatile lineup with something for everyone. The Porsche 911 overpowers the Chevy Corvette with the more communicative driving experience it provides and the 7-speed manual transmission it offers.

Model lineup price range: $114,400-$272,300

New for 2023 highlights: New off-road-oriented Porsche 911 Dakar trim debuts along with the 911 Carrera T model which has been reinstated to the lineup.

Warranty coverage: 4 Years/50,000 miles

Expected depreciation after 5 years: $31,583 (CarEdge)​​​​​​​

Average annual insurance costs: $4,836 (CarEdge)

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