Affordable Sports Cars
Many mass-market automotive manufacturers now offer affordable sports cars. However, these are often sportier derivatives of more affordable cars. In this article, we’ll explore 10 affordable sports cars for the driving enthusiast. The Toyota MR2 is a mid-engine sports car with a turbocharged engine. Its snap oversteer makes it outhandle contemporary Ferraris. The car is also available at prices starting at under $20,000.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the most affordable roadster, but it’s light weight and extremely well tuned. It’s all about handling, so the Mazda Miata takes the third spot on our list of the best affordable sports cars for 2022. The 2020 Subaru WRX is another affordable four-season sports car. Its improved chassis and torque vectoring system will efficiently use the brakes to pivot the car. The Miata will remain one of the most affordable sports cars for 2022.
In addition to being an affordable sports car, the Mazda MX-5 also leads the pack in terms of performance. This iconic roadster pioneered the 1990s’ roadster trend and has sold more than a million units since 1989. This budget sports car has a direct injection, 2.0-liter gasoline engine since August 2018. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than seven seconds and has been converted to the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard.
The Ford Mustang is another affordable sports car. Starting at just $37,480, this car is a classic of American Muscle. The 5.0-liter Cayote engine pumps out 450 horsepower and is available with a 10-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The manual unit is a work of art. The Mustang’s performance can also be upgraded with a wide variety of trim levels. Once you get to the top of the list, you’ll be on your way to an affordable sports car.
While the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GT86 are two examples of affordable sports cars, the BRZ is a more affordable option. The Subaru BRZ starts at $27,995, and the limited trim costs just $30,495 MSRP. Adding an automatic transmission is just $1,600. Hyundai has also entered the sports car market with an N-badged Elantra. The Elantra’s performance is a little bit below the average but still delivers a punch with its 276 horsepower and 289 pound-ft of torque. The automatic version even features an “N grin” shift button.
If you want to have fun, a Toyota GT86 might be the way to go. This sports car is affordable and a good choice for a daily commuter. Its turbocharged engine produces 275 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The limited-slip differential makes it a hot hatch and it tackles corners better than its rear-wheel-drive competitors. And the limited-slip differential helps it remain on the road despite its price.
If you want to save money, an Audi TT could be the answer. This two-seat roadster and a 2+2 coupe will put you right at the upper end of the affordability scale, but are still capable of impressive fuel economy. While the base model costs $91,100, the all-wheel-drive version costs $102,100. A 911 RSX is similarly reliable and costs $91,100. The price of an Acura RSX is higher than that of the VW GTI, but is still a very good value.