14 Affordable Sports Cars Built for Speed and Style
Many of us no doubt dream of owning our own sports car. To experience the thrills and spills they offer and feel the power and noise is one of life's greatest pleasures.
Yet performance cars are generally expensive, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, meaning that only a luxury segment of the population can afford them.
But as our list shows, some affordable sports cars are on the market. We've selected all entries here based on their price and what they have to offer for the money regarding power, speed, and enjoyment.
Toyota GR Supra
Enthusiasts initially gave the new Toyota Supra a lukewarm reception when it launched in 2019. However, the sports car has become a fan favorite and is regarded as one of the finest modern sports cars on sale.
For the starting price of $56,250, you get a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, producing 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. Initially, the Supra came with just an automatic transmission, but Toyota delighted enthusiasts a couple of years ago by adding the new six-speed manual.
Toyota GR86
If you fancy a Toyota sports car without spending over $50,000, the Japanese manufacturer has you covered. The Toyota GR86 costs just $29,300, but for the money, you get one of the best sports cars of recent years.
Under the hood is a 2.4-liter Boxer engine, the same engine shared with its sibling, the Subaru BRZ. That engine produces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and yes, a six-speed manual transmission is available, making the GR86 an absolute joy to drive.
Alpine A110
Renault's sportier division might be relatively small, but it knows something about producing a great sports car. The Alpine A110 is a testament to that, with the revived model launching in 2017 and loosely based on the original, classic A110.
The base A110's 1.9-liter turbocharged inline-four engine produces 249 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. If you opt for the more powerful A110 R, then power can rise as high as 295 horsepower, and the A110 costs just around $50,000, making it a bit of a bargain.
Mazda Miata MX-5
The Mazda Miata MX-5 is still going strong, even over 30 years since its introduction in the 1990s. Priced at $28,985 for the 2024 model, the Miata is still one of the most affordable sports cars available without sacrificing quality or functionality.
Under the hood of the MX-5 is an 181 horsepower Skyactiv-G DOHC 2.0-liter engine, producing 181 horsepower. Paired with a six-speed manual transmission, it is easy to see why the MX-5 has been in production for a long time.
Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ has the same engine as the Toyota GR86, and for good reason. It is the result of a partnership between Subaru and Toyota that produced the BRZ, GR86, and, before that, the original GT86. Despite being largely similar, the BRZ is still an excellent sports car.
The BRZ is priced similarly to the GR86, with a starting MSRP of just $30,195, making it incredibly affordable. Power comes from the 2.4-liter Subaru Bozer engine, producing 228 horsepower, and plenty of extras are available, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the Subaru Starlink multimedia system.
Mitsubishi 3000GT
If you are looking for a budget sports car on the used market, the brilliant Mitsubishi 3000GT is one to watch out for. The 3000GT was a sleek, smooth, clean sports car also marketed as the Dodge Stealth, although sadly, the 3000GT appeared just after the Mazda RX-7, hurting its chances.
But it was still a punchy sports car, thanks to the 3.0-liter V6 engines that included the twin-turbocharged 6G72 DOHC unit. 3000GTs are regularly for sale below the $30,000 mark, with some going for as low as $10,000 and in reasonable condition.
Porsche 928
When it launched, the Porsche 928 was the first clean-sheet Porsche sports car in years. The 928 was initially supposed to replace the Porsche 911. However, the 928 was produced from 1977 to 1995, while 911 will still be in production in 2024.
Porsche broke the mold with the 928, producing a sports car with a V8 engine at the front and a range of 4.5 to 5.4 liters. The 928 was exceptional, and in its final production year, the V8 engine could produce 345 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
Plymouth Prowler
The Plymouth Prowler is one of the more unusual sports cars of the 1990s and is very often misunderstood. Under the hood, it features a 3.5-liter EGG V6 engine. However, designer Chip Foose wanted it to have a V8 and manual transmission. The manual didn't happen either, with the Prowler having a four-speed 42LE automatic transmission.
But the V6 engine still produced 214 horsepower. The car was fun, and its whacky, hot-rod design ensured it was a head-turner. The Prowler is one of the most unusual sports cars you can pick up second-hand.
2024 Nissan Z
Nissan hasn't forgotten how to produce an excellent sports car; the latest version of the Nissan Z is a testament to that. Currently, the Nissan Z retails for $42,970, and with your money, you get an excellent 400 horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and manual transmission.
If you opt for the NISMO version, you will get an extra 20 horsepower and a few track-focussed upgrades. Plus, the Nissan Z has a very retro design, with some cues taken from the Datsun 240Z, the car that started off the Nissan/Datsun Z/Fairlady range.
Honda Civic Type R
One of the biggest downsides of any sports car is its lack of practicality. So, suppose you want performance with practical usability. In that case, the vehicle for you might be the current Honda Civic Type R. Thanks to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, the Type R produces 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
A six-speed manual transmission ensures the car is a gearhead dream, and the stopping power is impressive thanks to its four-piston Brembo front brakes. The turbocharged VTEC engine is genuinely the party piece, and all of that can be yours for just $44,795.
Ford Mustang GT
While it is officially a muscle car, the latest version of the Ford Mustang is pretty much a sports car in all but name. The newest generation of the Mustang GT is one of the very best, with the 5.0-liter Ford V8 producing a whopping 486 horsepower, all in a rear-wheel drive muscle monster.
The Mustang GT starts at $45,460, yet amazingly, the Mustang range has even more to offer. Of course, there is the 500-horsepower Dark Horse edition, and soon, it will be joined by the supercharged 800-horsepower Mustang GTD.
Toyota GR Corolla
When we thought the Toyota GR range couldn't get any better, they brought out the GR Corolla. The GR Corolla is one of the most exciting cars on this list, with a five-door hatchback packed with 300 horsepower and a turbocharged engine of 273 lb-ft of torque.
The three-cylinder engine grabs the headlines, yet the GR Corolla is still practical. It has all-wheel drive, and the six-speed manual transmission is another bonus.
Honda Civic Si
There is a slightly cheaper alternative for those who want extra performance from their Honda Civic but don't want to pay for the entire Type R experience. The Honda Civic Si boosts the standard Civic while costing much less than the Type R.
At just over $30,000, the Civic Si is a steal. Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Other highlights from the Si include its six-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, and the customizable driving mode. The Civic Si does all this without eliminating creature comforts, such as its Bose sound system.
Hyundai Elantra N
If you are looking for sports car performance in a striking-looking sedan, look no further than the feisty and wild Hyundai Elantra N. As the name suggests, the Elantra N is a tuned-up version of the regular Elantra, packing a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine.
The turbocharged engine produces 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed DCT. The Elantra N is exceptional, especially for its MSRP of just $33,700.
