The motoring division of Tesla Inc. is currently the automaker worth the most money on the planet, eclipsing Toyota, VW, Hyundai, and Stellantis combined. Teslas are amazing cars filled with fun modes and digital Easter eggs to keep owners entertained. Unfortunately, electric cars only really have one party piece, which is the instant torque and acceleration, pushing the occupants back in their seats.
Electric cars – like Teslas – need a lot of batteries to store usable power, so they weigh a lot more than their internal combustion equivalents. For example, the smallest of the Teslas, the Model 3, weighs in at around 4,000 lbs, whereas the BMW 3-Series – its main competitor – weighs about 3,400 lbs.
This weight surplus influences the handling characteristics of the car, impeding any fun when taking the car on a twisty back road. Teslas are also focused on a minimalist interior designed to look futuristic, which achieves the desired effect, but it may be a bit boring and sometimes a little annoying to some. So with that, here are some cheap sports cars which are way more fun than any Tesla.
10 2006 Chevrolet Corvette ($20,000)
The Chevrolet Corvette C6 is an excellent American sports car as it is relatively cheap and has a good range of engines. The less expensive second-hand option to look for would be the base model with the 6.0-liter naturally aspirated LS2 V8, which produced 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque – however, some of those horses may have escaped since 2006.
Whilst the higher-performance Z06 and ZR1 versions would be preferable, they garter a large premium over the LS2. One could always slap a supercharger on and achieve a ZR1-lite. All in all, the C6 Corvette is a sporty and fun choice over a Tesla. It makes a better noise as well.
9 2001 Porsche Boxster ($10,000)
The Boxster was a car that saved Porsche from financial ruin and helped build it up to where it is today. The original Boxster was introduced in 1996 and featured a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-6 mounted in the traditional Porsche manner. The engine was later upgraded to a 2.7-liter, and eventually, a 3.2-liter for the Boxster S.
The original Boxster is one of the most fun cars on the used car market, not to mention that they’re quite cheap and relatively reliable – although parts may become a bit heavy on the wallet. The Boxster follows Porsche’s engineering philosophy of being faster than it looks.
8 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Supercharged ($11,500)
The R170 Mercedes SLK was the German manufacturer’s first mass-production compact roadster. It had a range of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines, of which some were even supercharged for added performance. From 2001, the SLK was available as an AMG with a 3.2-liter supercharged V6.
The mid-range SLK230 Kompressor features a 2.3-liter supercharged i4 producing 190 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, going to the rear wheels only via a 5-speed manual transmission. The SLK is a budget alternative to not only modern roadsters, but also to electric cars as it is relatively cheap while still possessing Mercedes’ refinement and build quality.
7 2010 Ford Mustang GT ($17,000)
The Ford Mustang is the best-known muscle car and currently the best-selling sports car in the world. The Mustang has seen many iterations since it was introduced in 1964. In 2010, the Mustang saw a facelift for the model, which modernized the design of the car.
The 2010 Mustang GT was fitted with the previous GT’s V8, namely a 4.6-liter producing 315 hp and 325 lb-ft or torque, going to the rear wheels only via either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. Whilst the handling of the fifth-generation Mustang is nothing to write home about, it does make a more satisfying sound than the hum-drum of an electric motor.
6 1998 Jaguar XK8 ($7,000)
The Jaguar XK was a luxurious and sporty coupé and convertible produced by Jaguar between 1996 and 2015. The first-generation XK introduced in 1996 was designed to replace the well-aged XJS, but instead of a big V12, the XK was only ever available with a V8.
The XK8 was initially available with a 4.0-liter V8, but was later upgraded to a 4.2-liter, same with the XKR models, however, the XKR model has a 2.0-liter supercharger stuck to the top of the engine, producing around 100 hp more than the naturally aspirated ones.
5 2005 Audi S4 ($9,000)
The B6 Audi S4 had many upgrades over the B5, the most notable being an engine less prone to eating its own turbos. Gone was the twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, replaced by a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 producing 340 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque.
In addition to the new engine, the S4 also gained a two-door convertible body style, opening the doors to more customers who would perhaps want to drive their all-wheel-drive convertible V8 by the coast. The 4.2-liter makes one of the best V8 noises on any German engine and is completely intoxicating – much better than any Tesla.
4 2011 BMW 335i ($10,000)
This may be a more utilitarian alternative to a Tesla – specifically a Model 3 – but it is by no means boring. The BMW E90 generation of 3-Series was one of the best-selling BMW models to date and was the standard from which to judge all other executive sedans.
The top-of-the-range 335i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine, producing 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, going to the rear wheels or all four via either a 6-speed manual or automatic. Much of the issues of the pre-LCi E90 were solved with the facelift, creating quite an excellent car, worthy of being considered when searching for a used car.
3 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T ($13,000)
The Dodge Challenger in its current form has been around since 2008 and only updated in 2015 with the introduction of the Hellcat engine. However, a 2014 Challenger R/T may be bought for less than $13,000, packing a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, producing 370 hp and nearly 400 lb-ft of torque.
Whilst the handling dynamics of the Challenger may be questionable at best, it is an amazing car and probably one of the last proper muscle cars to still be sold. The low groan of the HEMI V8 is a satisfying sound that cannot be replicated, especially not in a Tesla. The Tesla would undoubtedly beat the Challenger R/T in a drag race – but then again, winning isn’t everything.
2 2003 Nissan 350Z ($10,000)
The Nissan 350Z is a grand-touring sports car from Japan, heralded by many for its good engine. The car is fitted with a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 producing 300 hp and 363 lb-ft of torque, going to the rear wheels only via a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic.
The 350Z is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to get into the JDM scene as there is nearly an unlimited number of aftermarket parts available. It is dynamically superior to electric cars as well, as it only weighs around 3,200 lbs, maximizing sportiness.
1 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata ($9,000)
The Mazda MX-5 is the perfect introduction to not only the Japanese motoring world but also into the sports car and project car world. Like with the 350Z, there is an endless amount of aftermarket parts available to turn your MX-5 into either a drift car, a racecar, or even an off-roader.
With MX-5 prices slowly climbing (even for the second-generation model), the car may even become a small investment. Most MX-5s only produce around 150 hp, however, due to the small size, lightness, and excellent driving dynamics, the MX-5 is one of the most fun cars anyone can buy – especially over a Tesla.