Everyone wants a new performance car nowadays, but many think you need to pay the price to own one. However, this isn't always the case. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg nowadays to go fast in a new car. Performance shouldn't be at a cost and these cars prove that.
Performance vehicles should be fun and accessible for everyone and that's why some manufacturers have made some more affordable performance car models. These sports cars may not be the fastest or most luxurious, but they sure are fun.
10 Chevrolet Corvette C8
This may not sound affordable as it has a $59,995 base price but hear this. What car for a similar price has the same power? Almost 500hp, a 0-60 time of under 3 seconds, and a top speed of 194 mph. It is seriously quick, and it is one beautiful car. It's the first mid-engined GM car since the Fiero but unlike the Fiero, the C8 is a brilliant car.
The new C8 Stingray really did set a new benchmark as it's such good value for money. It's a beautiful car that can put supercars double or even triple its price to shame. It's a great performance car that is such good value for money.
9 Mazda MX5
The MX-5 is a brilliant car that has been produced since 1989. It's a nice lightweight easy-to-drive sports car that links back to the classic British sports cars of the 1960s and 1970s. The MX-5 was a Japanese game-changer in the car industry and the reason why is because it is very simple. It has no turbochargers or superchargers, the engine is naturally aspirated, very reliable, and easy to fix.
At base MSRP prices of $26,580, it's a very cheap performance car. It may not be the fastest, but it sure is fun and there are plenty of mods you can do to it.
8 Toyota 86
For years and years, people have loved the Toyota 86. It's a cheap RWD sports car that is completely purist. It's powered by a 2.0 Boxer-4-cylinder engine that produces between 197hp and 204hp. The 86 is a very lightweight car, weighing in at less than 1300kg. Some may call it underpowered, but it sure is a fun car.
0-60 is is dealt with in 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 145 mph. Its base MSRP is $26,985, which is very reasonable. It is an old-school feel car and is one of the best Toyota sports cars ever made.
7 Chevrolet Camaro 2.0
The Camaro 2.0 is no laughing matter. It's a great car that has impressed many people. It's also one of the fastest 4-cylinder cars on sale today with 275hp and a 0-60 in 5.4 seconds. Flat out this car will do 155 mph. It is a sporty muscle car with one of the best badges and nameplates in the business. It's economical, spacious, and with prices starting at $25,995, it's a bargain.
It is a great car and a joy to drive. Due to its lighter engine, it feels far sportier and nimbler in the corners than the V6 or V8 Camaros. This car is bound to put a smile on your face.
6 Nissan 370Z
The 370Z is a brilliant car despite being a car nobody buys nowadays. The 400Z may be coming out soon, but it's not here yet, so we have to make do with what we've got. No worries though, because the 370Z is brilliant and completely old-school. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.7 liter V6 pushing out 336hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.
It will do 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds and the top speed is 155 mph. It sounds amazing and it feels pure. A powerful rear-wheel-drive sports car with an MSRP of $30,090 sounds like a bargain to us.
5 Dodge Challenger
The Challenger is a brilliant muscle car. By far one of the best modern muscle cars out there, and prices start at a mere $28,295. For that price, you get an RWD 3.6 liter V6 pushing out 303hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. Sure, it's not the most powerful version, but it will do 0-60 in 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 156 mph. If that's not enough, for just over $70,000 buyers can have the SRT Hellcat Red-Eye that offers supercar-like straight line performance.
The Red-Eye does a 0-60 in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 203 mph. Yep, that is supercar performance for half the price. It seats four and it has a decent-sized trunk
4 Ford Mustang Ecoboost
The Mustang Ecoboost is a brilliant car as it shares the same engine as the Focus RS. It is powered by a 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo engine producing 310hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. It is quick, dealing with 0 to 60 in about 5.5 seconds and the top speed is 155 mph. It is sporty and the engine sounds awesome.
The Ecoboost 2.3 is a special engine. It's got no turbo-lag due to its twin-scroll turbocharger and its MPG is awesome. What a great car a perfect performance car to use every day. Prices start at $26,670, which is very affordable.
3 Abarth 124 Spider
The Abarth 124 Spider is a great car, because underneath, it's basically a Mazda MX5 apart from the bumpers, wheels, and engine. Under the hood is a 1.4-liter Multiair turbocharged 4-cylinder engine pushing out 168hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 is 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 144 mph.
It may have low-performance figures but the weight is under 1100kg, which practically guarantees that this thing will be fun to drive. The price is a reasonable $29,390, and for that, you get an amazing sports car.
2 Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is a great sedan car that new can be picked up for a base price of $28,400. For that, you get a car with a 2-liter boxer-4 turbocharged engine. It pushes out 268hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, that's enough to do 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 mph.
It is a very practical sedan car with AWD. The STI model has a 2.5 boxer-4 pushing 310hp. However, that car is almost $10,000 more in base form than the standard WRX. For $10,000 you could make a standard WRX much faster than a stock STI.
1 Kia Stinger
Here is a car that really is great value for money. It starts at $33,090 and for that, you get a 2.0 4-cylinder with 255hp, capable of doing 0-60 in around 5.5 seconds. However, spend a tad extra at just over $39,000, and you get a 3.3 liter twin-turbo V6 with 365 horsepower that's capable of going from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds.
It catches its German rivals out, it's very reliable and looks so exotic. It is also very practical and can be used every day. The name too is awesome, Stinger. You just know that a car called Stinger will be pure awesomeness. Kia has done one amazing job here.