For the sports car enthusiast, nothing compares to the thrill offered by high-performance vehicles. The adrenaline rush as you work through the gears is the ultimate high. Thankfully, this kind of experience is no longer confined to the premium sports cars that carry insane price tags.
There are a host of affordable sports car choices on the market today that can still serve up a decent load of excitement without burning a hole through your pocket. You will not be hunting down any supercar with these options but as far as practicality and performance are concerned, these cars rule the block.
10 Toyota 86
It would be virtually impossible to put together a list like this without including what is arguably one of the best entry-level sports cars on the market today. The Toyota 86 is the result of a joint effort by 2 Japanese automobile powerhouses - Toyota and Subaru.
The car is light on power with a 2.0-liter inline-4 that makes 205 hp and 156 lb-ft of torque at best. However, it finely balances this out with a superbly tuned chassis and crisp steering feel. There's a new one slated for 2022 and that makes the existing model a very sound bargain for the young sports car enthusiast.
9 Mazda MX-5 Miata
There's a good reason why the preppy MX-5 Miata has been around for well over 3 decades now and has enjoyed almost complete dominance in its sector for a huge chunk of that time.
It's no speed demon; there's only so much that its 181 hp powerplant can deliver in terms of straight-line acceleration. However, the car's playful handling will light up your face. It's enough to make you forget the car's lack of power and other niggles like tiny cargo space or road noise in the cabin.
8 Nissan 370Z
The 370Z first emerged in 2008 and the design has remained largely unchanged. In recent times, the car has received some knocks for this reason. However, it would be hard to argue against the capabilities of the naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 under the hood.
That punchy powerplant cranks out an impressive 332 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The Nissan 370Z can accelerate to 60 mph in just 5 seconds and push on to a 155 mph top speed. 2020 is the last model year for the 370Z and its replacement, the 400Z is all set for the 2022 market.
7 BMW M240i
The BMW M240i is not exactly cheap but it's the perfect choice for the enthusiast who is not unduly concerned about a budget. This baby BMW packs a potent turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-6 that generates 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
You can expect a 4.4 sprint time to 60 mph if you opt for the xDrive variant. It is not only a brisk mover, the M240i handles really well too and there's an impressive list of standard equipment like an adaptive suspension, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, power sunroof, and adaptive cruise control.
6 Honda Civic R
This Japanese hot hatch sports a bold design that would be hard to miss. The acute angles and sharp edges may be too much for some but others who take the plunge are bound to be surprised by the Civic R.
It blends the practicality of a daily driver with true performance capabilities. A 306 hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine combines well with a 6-speed manual transmission to deliver an exhilarating experience behind the wheel.
5 Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is not perfect; there's that narrow visibility out the front and the rear cabin space is tight. However, an entry-level Camaro hovers around $26,000 which is very reasonable especially considering what comes with that price tag.
The 2.0-liter 4-engine generates 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque but the potential buyer may want to upgrade to the more capable 335 hp V6 option. The late models have also received useful upgrades to make the driving experience more pleasant. For instance, there's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now available as standard options.
4 Audi TT
This German sports car may well be on its last legs but Audi is not going to let the TT die without drama. The latest iteration comes with a turbocharged inline-4 that spews out 228 hp at 5,000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from just 1,750 rpm.
That power is fed to all 4 wheels via Audi's 7-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch transmission. The Audi TT also delivers on Audi's reputation for superior build quality and an impressive equipment trim rounds up this delightful package.
3 Toyota Supra
Some believe the current-generation Supra will never be able to match the legacy of the previous gen - the legendary MK4 Supra. That may well be true especially given that Toyota committed the 'cardinal sin' of not including a manual transmission option in the new Supra line-up.
The Supra does have its good points regardless and they help position it near the top of its market segment. It excels as a daily driver sports car with a refined powertrain and nicely finished cabin.
2 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
Today, a base trim Mustang costs less than $30,000 and for that amount, you get a package that blends functionality and decent levels of performance in one tidy design.
The iconic V8 setup is absent in the entry-level options but you do get a turbocharged EcoBoost 4Cylinder that pumps out a respectable 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The steering feels very firm and assured and the driver will have no problems opening up the throttle on the highway.
1 Subaru WRXÂ STI
At first glance, the Subaru WRX STI may not convey the impression of a sports car. However, nothing could be farther from the truth as this is essentially a road car directly inspired by the carmaker's exploits in motorsports, specifically rally racing.
The car packs a 305 hp 4-cylinder engine hooked up to a 6-speed manual transmission. A massive rear spoiler helps to keep the car planted on the road and there's an excellent all-wheel-drive, available as a standard option. In all, the Subaru WRX STI is a car that feels right at home on the race tracks just as it is on a leisurely commute to work.