How fast a car accelerates and its maximum speed are both indicators commonly used to differentiate sports cars from supercars, prices, too, are much higher.
However, as cars get faster, engines pump out more power either on gasoline or hybridized, supercar ownership is getting closer to the everyday man on the streets budgets both new and used. Ferrari and Porsche kicked off the supercar trend with the F40 and 959 respectively. Priced at the same level as small mansions, these first-generation 200 mph exotics are the stuff of dreams. In more recent years both of these supercar protagonists now produce faster cars for less, 200 mph is now commonplace, as are sub-four second 0-60 mph times. Proving speed has never been cheaper, these are the most affordable supercars money can buy.
10 Lotus Emira V6 First Edition (New $94,000)
Lotus' 2021 announcement to kill off both the Elise/Exige and Evora had gearheads concerned over the sports carmaker's future, with the Eviija still time away leaving a gaping hold in the Hethel factories production. However, every cloud has a silver lining, Lotus following up with the Emira, a long-overdue Esprit successor.
Initially available with two engine choices, a smaller and cheaper 4-cylinder turbo or the more desirable Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-liter V6 producing 400 hp. Sticking with a tried and tested aluminum tub and glass fiber body, the Emira weighs in at a featherweight 3097 lbs and promises to deliver 60 mph in around 4.4-seconds.
9 Acura NSX (Used / 2017 - $145,000)
Acura's beleaguered NSX super hasn't taken off in quite the way both its makers and critics expected, slowing sales following a similar pattern to the '90s original makes this one of the best bargains buys around. Picking up a low milage 2017/18 model for around $145,000 saves gearheads a decent chunk of change.
Unlike the original, this one packs a hybrid turbocharged powertrain made up of a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 500 hp bolstered by three electric motors, bringing the total output up to 573 hp.
8 Chevrolet Corvette 2LT (New $70,000)
Nothing comes close to delivering the same performance for the money, Chevrolet giving gearheads the automotive equivalent of a winning lotto ticket with the current Stingray, prices starting around $62,000 for the base 1LT trim.
Traditionally, Corvettes have all been front-engine, rear drive sports cars, then Chevrolet swapped to a mid-engine layout, transforming the handling, elevating the C8 to genuine supercar status. Tucked away behind the cockpit, a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT2 motor produces 490 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Surprisingly, it isn't power that limits performance here, drag pegging top speed at 184 mph.
7 Audi R8 V10 (New $152,000)
Bagging nearly all the performance of a Lamborghini Huracán with a $70,000 saving is a no-brainer in our books. Audi's R8 V10 is the (slightly) more sensible option and has a lot in common with the Italian wedge, both packing a mid-mounted 5.2-naturally aspirated V10, the Huracán has a 70 hp advantage over the R8.
In the real world, the speed differences are not as big as you might expect, the R8 reaching 60 mph in 3.4-seconds compared to the Lambo with a 2.8-second time. At the top end, both will easily crack 200 mph while emitting a delicious multi-cylinder growl that you only get with a V10.
6 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 (New $102,000)
Track-focused supercars bearing the Porsche shield are normally prohibitively expensive and produced in low numbers. In 2019 Porsche threw gearheads a curveball in the 718 Cayman GT4, under the skin borrowing the engine, chassis components, and brakes from their 911 GT3 at a knock-down price almost too good to be true.
Fast forward 2021/22 and the GT4 is still a bargain, its 4-liter flat-six produces 414 hp, paired with Porsches lightning fast 7-speed PDK transmission resulting in a maximum of 189 mph, reaching 60 mph in 4.2-seconds. Bargain hunters and gearheads should take note, the 718 Cayman GT4 delivers 95% of the performance you'd get from a 911 Turbo for almost half the price.
5 Aston Martin DB11 (Used / 2019 $160,000)
The DB11 is aimed at the luxury GT segment rather than an outright supercar, but anything knocking on the doors of a 190 mph maximum speed deserves a mention in this company. Launched in 2017, the DB11 came with a choice of V8 or V12 power, the former using AMGs M177 4-liter twin-turbocharged unit rated at 503 hp.
Opting for used over new can yield big savings, we came across several 2019 V8 models hovering around the $160,000 mark, none of which had more than 4000 miles on the odometer. That's a $60,000 saving for a luxury supercar that's barely run in.
4 Jaguar F-Type R (New $103,000)
The reasons to buy Jaguar's F-Type R speak for themselves, a mid-life face-lift adding a more aggressive front end made up of a wider grille and streamlined headlamps. Added to which, Jaguar reduced the model line-up by ditching the smaller four and six-cylinder engines, so gearheads only get a choice of 5-liter V8s.
Opting for the more ferocious F-Type R boasting 575 hp is where the real action starts, more power means more performance. The R reaches 60 mph in 3.5-seconds with a top speed of 186 mph, all to one of the noisiest and most evocative exhaust notes ever featured in a car.
3 Porsche 911 Carerra S (New $118,000)
In the highly complex and confusing world of Porsche 911 models keeping things simple is often the best way to go, the current 911 Carerra S is one of the purest driving experiences you're likely to come across. Throw into the mix a cheaper asking price, and it's hard to see any negatives.
At $118,000 this everyday supercar is also one of the most user-friendly, speed humps are rarely a concern that would stop most exotics in their tracks without resorting to nose lift kits. A lower-spec doesn't mean slower, the Carerra S is equipped with a 443 hp 3-liter flat-six boosted by twin turbos tops out at 191 mph.
2 Mercedes-AMG-GT Coupe (New $120,000)
All notions of civility went out the window with the Mercedes-AMG GT Black series, a two-seater hypercar baiting monster loosely based on a road car. Toning down the insanity a few notches comes with $200,000 saving without impacting performance too heavily.
Under the hood, AMGs all-alloy Bi-turbo 4-liter V8 remains, 2021 spec cars receiving a power hike to 523 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque, more than enough to catapult its occupants towards the horizon at mind-bending speeds. Sprinting to 60 mph in 3.7-seconds, flat out, falling just short of the magic 200 mph barrier.
1 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock (New $82,000)
Alright, so it's not really a supercar. However, the bargain basement pricing and a stonking supercharged 6.2-liter V8 pushing out 807 hp make a mockery of what most gearheads would define as a supercar. The Challenger rightly deserves to be included here, its performance figures are easily on par with every other car here, 60 mph needing just 3.25-seconds. Only tire limitations pegging its top speed at 168 mph.
It might not be the most refined car here, but it's undeniably a speed demon and boasts the highest power figure for the least amount of cash, proving supercars don't necessarily have to be mid-engined exotics.