A vehicle with power and a bit of style is what many automotive enthusiasts dream about. Sports cars often have a hefty price tag, but you can find some with snappy acceleration and head-turning looks without breaking the bank.
Let’s look at 15 sports cars that are great value for their price, including a couple of recent additions to the automotive market.
Toyota Supra
The Supra was reborn in 2019. Unfortunately, it would have been better value if Toyota hadn’t killed the 4-cylinder version, which started at around $45,000. Instead, only a 6-cylinder 382 horsepower model will be available for $56,000. Still, the Supra provides excellent performance and a beautiful exterior for a relatively low price.
Toyota Corolla GR
Who said the Corolla has to be boring? Starting at around $40,000, the Corolla GR is a massive performance upgrade from its 169 horsepower counterpart, pushing the envelope to 300 horses. It achieves this via its three-cylinder engine, which weighs 44 pounds less than a normal four-cylinder engine.
Acura Integra
There are two flavors of the Integra. The first is the more tame version with a 200-horsepower engine starting at $33,000. It features a gorgeous, aggressive appearance and luxurious comfort for a sports compact, along with paddle shifters for a bit more control – and fun. From there, you can leap into an Integra Type S for around $52,595, which pushes the limits with a 320-horsepower engine and handling that won it Road and Track’s Performance Car of the Year while beating out competitors that cost $15,000 more.
BMW M240i
The BMW M240 isn’t cheap compared to others, but you’ll get some bang for your buck, considering its $50,000 (approx.) price tag. BMW armed the M240i with a powerful 382-horsepower engine. This vehicle makes our list of budget sports cars because it is one of the least expensive vehicles in BMW’s lineup, delivering genuine comfort and power for the price.
Mazda3 Turbo
Think of the Mazda3 Turbo as one of those sharp but unassuming vehicles you see at a stoplight that’s capable of suddenly blowing you away. The turbo edition of Mazda’s compact sedan or hatch hides a 250-horsepower engine with prices starting at $33,250. Skeptical? Try one.
Subaru WRX
A base model WRX will cost you about $34,000. The WRX’s BOXER engine puts out up to 271 horsepower, and while the vehicle’s exterior isn’t as flashy as it used to be, it still features excellent handling and style. It even comes standard with all-wheel drive, including an optional manual transmission.
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Starting at $32,715, the Jetta is priced low enough. Under the hood, the Jetta GLI packs a 228-horsepower turbocharged engine, making driving fun, while its suspension provides a smooth ride. The only downside to the GLI is that part of its bargain price comes from a lack of true exterior styling, limited to a couple of GLI graphics and a red-lined bumper. That said, it’s a great option if you don’t care much about appearance.
Hyundai Elantra N
Like the Jetta and Corolla, the Elantra seems boring until you consider its upgrades. Meet the Elantra N, which features a 4-cylinder engine capable of up to 276 horsepower and superb handling for a vehicle priced around $34,000.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost
Ford reasonably priced the Mustang EcoBoost at $31,920. It’s not the most potent Mustang available, but it represents excellent value, backed by a 315-horsepower engine that will get you from 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds. For a little more, you can upgrade to the Performance package, which makes the transmission faster and has several additions.
Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86
These vehicles share a space because they also share a platform. Their mutual engine puts out 228 horsepower, paired well with a lightweight frame that hugs their corners well. This is a track car if you’ve seen one, complete with the gorgeous aerodynamic curves to prove it. With a price tag of just under $30,000 new, it’s tough to beat.
Honda Civic Si
Like the Toyota Corolla GR, the Civic Si takes the practicality of an everyday sedan and makes you want to take the long way home in search of exhilaration. While you can’t upgrade from the 200-horsepower turbocharged engine, you probably won’t need to. At $31,045, it drives well for the price.
MINI Cooper S Hardtop
The Cooper S is a sporty vehicle with a peppy 201-horsepower engine. At a starting price of around $33,000, Mini’s addition to the sports market is a great starter vehicle with fun handling.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
You’ll get serious horsepower for your dollar with the Golf GTI. Its turbocharged engine puts out an impressive 262 horses. For a starting price of $33,190, the GTI is also pretty comfortable for your dollar.
Chevrolet Camaro
Starting at around $31,000, the Camaro offers surprising value. You don’t need an upgraded model to have fun, as its standard 335-horsepower engine is more than adequate for driving enthusiasts.
Mazda Miata
The Miata is one of the lightest mainstream sports cars on the market, at just under 2,400 pounds. Its frame makes it very zippy, even with a relatively modest 181-horsepower engine that pushes you from 0 to 6 in about 5.5 seconds. Like the Mazda3, the Miata has superb handling, starting at a very reasonable $31,000.
These Sports Cars Prove You Don’t Need Much Money To Have Fun
Who says you need a big budget to enjoy a sports car? These options show that you can feel the thrill of a high-performance ride without draining your bank account. Whether you’re after the sleek lines of a classic, the hidden power of a sleeper, or the raw energy of a muscle car, these picks give you all the excitement without the stress of a sky-high car payment.
With options like these, you can hit the road in style and enjoy every mile—proving that driving a sports car is about the thrill, not the price tag.
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