10 Cheap Sports Cars That Are Just As Thrilling To Drive As Supercars

The most expensive sports cars in the industry set new standards in performance, design, and engineering almost every day. However, not every gearhead can afford to bring home a top-of-the-line supercar. Thankfully, price doesn’t always dictate just how much fun a sports car can truly be. Many manufacturers seem to have found the correct template when it comes to making simple sports cars that are affordable while offering unrivaled amounts of thrill when driven.

You could even go a step further, delving into the pre-owned market to bring home a great sports car for an inexpensive amount while never compromising on the speed and sheer driving delight. With a sporty suspension, lightweight shells, and zippy engines, here are 10 great and inexpensive sports cars that prove to be just as much fun as driving a supercar.

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10

Toyota GR86 ($27,700)

via: Toyota

Toyota’s GR86 is one of the most popular sports cars on the market today, and for all the right reasons. The car is rather simple, with no premium luxury or turbocharged engine to boast of. Powered by a 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder unit, the GR86 jets out 228 horsepower and 124 lb-ft torque.

Via: Toyota

What makes the GR86 so much fun, however, is its lightweight shell and rear-wheel drive. When it comes to the twisties and corners, the featherlight design, the engine, and the RWD powertrain, all combine to deliver a thrilling experience without losing any of the speed.

9

Ford Mustang EcoBoost ($28,000)

via Fordauthority.com

How could any sports car list be truly complete without America’s iconic pony car in it? One of the fastest cars one could bring home under $30,000, the base Ford Mustang runs on the efficient EcoBoost engine.

Via pinterest.com

Armed with 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, the Mustang EcoBoost impresses with its sub-6-second 0 to 60 time of 5.8 seconds, all for $28,000. This even leaves room for adding some fancy options without crossing the $30k line.

RELATED: Watch To See If This Dodge Charger Hellcat Can Defeat A Ford Mustang EcoBoost

8

Dodge Challenger SXT ($30,825)

via Stellantis

The Dodge Challenger has remained a true muscle car throughout the years. We are undeniably sad over the plans to phase out the Challenger and the Charger for electric muscle cars by 2024, but it was only inevitable.

Via terrylabontechevy.com

A cheap muscle car option for just $30,000, the Challenger SXT offers a V6 that churns out 303 horsepower, capable of propelling the car all the way to 156 mph. Of course, it isn’t Hellcat levels of performance, but for the price tag, the Challenger remains one of the most thrilling cars across any segment.

7

Honda Civic Si ($28,595)

via Honda

The Civic is Honda’s most successful nameplate, proving to be comfortable, reliable, and efficient. To appease those with the need for speed, however, Honda made the Civic Si, which combines the same package with more speed and driving thrills.

Honda

This isn’t your average Civic by any means, as the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine makes 205 horsepower, and the Civic Si can touch a top speed of 137 mph. Plus, the coupe and the sedan aren’t all that different when it comes to weight, ensuring you could still be comfortable as you throw this FWD legend into corners.

RELATED: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Used 8th-Gen Honda Civic Si

6

Subaru BRZ ($27,995)

via Subaru

The Subaru BRZ shares much of its mechanical identity with the Toyota GR86, making this car a great sports car as well. Running on 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, the BRZ features a different suspension setup from the Toyota.

Via: Subaru

A joy to drive in the straight line as well as the corners, the BRZ’s driving thrill and experience certainly punches above its weight. Furthermore, it has also proven itself to be one of the safest sports cars on the market.

5

Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec ($23,450)

Via: Hyundai USA

Hyundai offers gearheads a hot, racy hatch in the form of the Veloster N. While that car costs quite a bit more, there’s the Veloster Turbo R-Spec, which is quite affordable while still being a 200-plus horsepower machine.

Via: Hyundai USA

Running on 201 horses, the Veloster Turbo R-Spec can touch the 145 mph mark. Hyundai has given the hatch high-performance tires, a short-throw shifter, and sport-tuned steering, all of which make for some fantastic experiences behind the wheel.

RELATED: Hyundai Puts The Veloster N To Rest, But Here’s Why It Was Awesome

4

Mazda MX-5 Miata ($27,300)

via Mazda

The Mazda MX-5 has always been a near-faultless automotive icon from Japan. Great handling and a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio make the MX-5 a JDM legend.

via Pinterest 

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine on the MX-5 Miata takes the car from 0 to 60mph in 5.7 seconds, delivering some fantastic thrills on a low budget. The MX-5 is pretty pleasant on the eyes, too, and its agility is what sets it apart in the market.

3

Subaru WRX ($29,605)

Subaru

Subaru’s WRX is a true JDM legend, thanks to its successful rallying history. A four-door that goes like a rocket, while remaining sure-footed in corners, the WRX delivers sports car and supercar thrills in a sub-$30k package.

Subaru

Armed with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that makes 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the Subaru WRX can go like hell towards its 155-mph top speed. Any car that comes with those figures while selling for less than $30,000 is a great contender in the sports car segment.

RELATED: This Is Why Gearheads Should Consider Buying A Used Subaru Impreza WRX STI Hatchback

2

Chevrolet Camaro ($26,195)

 via Chevrolet

While the early generations of the Camaro were muscle cars through and through, the Camaro today has a more sports car persona while not letting go of its muscle car roots.

via Chevrolet

The base trim of the Camaro today might not come with a big, thumping V8, but the inline-four on the 1LS model still produces an impressive 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque. This lighter Camaro handles great, and can still go like hell when floored. What more does a gearhead need?

1

BMW 230i Coupe ($36,350)

Via BMW Blog

The BMW 230i Coupe might be the most expensive car on this list, but its efficiency, performance, handling, and luxury make for an undeniably great package. The 2.0-liter TwinPower turbo engine makes 255 horsepower, and also comes armed with a variable valve control system.

Peter Nelson

Plenty of driver-assist features make the 230i Coupe an even more hard offer to pass up on, and the agile handling is one of the best in the business, guaranteeing thrills in the straight line as well as the corners.