The Mustang is an iconic nameplate that has consistently evolved over the years. Nowadays, the Ford Mustang has grown to become a sophisticated pony car with impressive engine options, including a 4-cylinder EcoBoost and a V8 motor in the GT trim. Both trims offer impressive performance, but the GT takes the lead, thanks to its 140 hp lead over the EcoBoost.
The Mustang GT's V8 sends power to the rear wheels with the help of a 6-speed manual or an optional 10-speed automatic. Ford also offers the Mustang GT with an optional active exhaust system, helping give it a more thunderous roar. Despite all these upgrades, these sports cars that are readily available on the used car market offer a more impressive experience than the Mustang GT.
10 2017 Fiat 124 Spider – $18,998
Fiat's 124 Spider was an MX-5 Miata swaddled in Italian design and fitted with an Italian heart. The 124 Spider was a joint production between Mazda and Fiat. The result was a smaller, light, punchy, convertible sports car with a more forgiving suspension. Fiat introduced this modern 124 Spider in 2017, giving it better interior materials and finishes than the Miata.
The 124 Spider also replaced the Miata's naturally aspirated engine with a 160 hp turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with the Miata's third-generation 6-speed manual transmission. Fiat also offers an optional 6-speed automatic transmission. The 124 Spider's engine produces an impressive exhaust note while offering a solid punch.
9 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata – $23,253
The MX-5 Miata has been an iconic sports car since its introduction in 1989. Over the years, the Miata has gotten better, offering impressive performance and handling. Nowadays, the MX-5 Miata is among the most entertaining sports cars on the market. It's a great competitor to the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GR86. However, unlike its rivals, it's available with either a retractable hard top or a cloth top convertible.
For the 2019 model year, Mazda upgraded all Miata models to use a revised 4-cylinder engine, churning 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Mazda offers two transmission options, a 6-speed manual as standard and an optional automatic transmission. The manual makes the MX-5 Miata more fun to drive, while the automatic impresses with its sporty programming and quick shifts.
8 2020 BMW 2 Series Coupe – $24,650
BMW 2 Series is a fun-sized coupe, available in only two impressive models, the 230i and the M240i. Both models are great to drive, despite having vastly different power levels. The BMW 230i uses a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, producing 248 hp. BMW packs a more entertaining engine option in the M240i – a turbocharged inline-six with 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
Sadly, both 2 Series models only come with an 8-speed automatic transmission – no stick shift for manual enthusiasts. Despite the lack of a manual transmission, the 2020 2 Series coupe receives a visual refresh that adds darkened taillights, black exterior mirror caps, updated wheel designs, and a black or gray grille frame. BMW also offers rain-sensing windshield wipers as standard.
7 2022 Toyota GR86 – $28,495
The GR86 is a small, quick, agile sports car with a reasonable price tag. Thanks to a full redesign, the GR86 has a nicer interior, sharper handling, and more power. The GR86 is a proper driver's car thanks to its precise steering and agile handling. Toyota offers the GR86 with either a manual or automatic transmission. While the manual is the way to go for enthusiasts, the automatic is also an excellent option for most drivers.
Under its hood is a reasonably powerful 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with decent fuel economy. The impressive engine helps give the GR86 a livelier sound. Coupled with the forgiving suspension and razor-sharp handling, the GR86 is an impressive sports car that can also double as a daily driver.
6 2020 BMW 4 Series Coupe – $31,990
The BMW 4 Series lineup offers similar luxury as its sedan stablemate, the 3 Series. BMW offers multiple iterations of the 4 Series, including a two-door coupe, a two-door convertible, and a four-door Gran Coupe. The two-door alternatives provide a great sports car experience, be it the 430i, 440i, or the high-performance M4. The base BMW 430i offers cheap performance, thanks to its zesty 248 hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
Stepping up to the 440i rewards owners with a turbocharged inline-six engine churning out 320 ponies. All models have rear-wheel drive as standard, but buyers can equip all-wheel drive as an option. These engine options also give the 4 Series models enough forward thrust, helping keep things interesting. BMW offers these models with a standard 8-speed automatic transmission. However, there's also an optional 6-speed automatic on certain models.
5 2020 Audi S5 – $37,450
The 2020 Audi S5 capitalizes on the already impressive A5 coupe. It's a sportier alternative to the A5, thanks to a punchier turbocharged V6 motor that provides impressive performance. Like with the A5, Audi offers two body styles of the S5, a coupe and a convertible. All models of the S5 boast a well-built interior with upscale materials and creature comforts like massaging front seats.
For the 2020 model year, Audi gave the S5 lineup a makeover. The faces received a more determined look thanks to revised lighting elements and larger air intakes and grille. Audi also redefined the exhaust outlets, rear diffusers, and lower side sills. The interior of the 2020 S5 also received a new infotainment system and a new 10.1-inch touchscreen.
4 2020 Audi TT S – $39,500
The TT is one of Audi's most iconic models. It's available as a two-seat roadster or a sleek four-seat coupe. The Audi TT is a small all-wheel-drive sports car that's both fun to look at and drive. It has an elegant roofline and tout proportions that give it an aggressive and charming posture. Both models of the Audi TT get standard all-wheel drive, helping give the TT poise and confidence on all types of roads.
While the base Audi TT uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the TT S gets a beefier version of the engine, churning out 288 ponies and 280 lb-ft of torque. It uses a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to send power to all four wheels through Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system. Like the TT, the TT S provides a supple ride with responsive handling.
3 2018 Alfa Romeo 4C – $55,990
The Alfa Romeo 4C aims to offer a vintage sports car experience in the modern automotive era. The 2018 model offers a raw and uncompromising driving experience. Alfa Romeo offers this mid-engine Italian sports car as a coupe or a convertible – neither is ideal for daily driving. While the Mustang GT can offer good handling at the track, the Alfa Romeo 4C can run laps around it.
Its impressive track performance makes it an intoxicating and addictive sports car. At the rear of the Alfa Romeo 4C sits a turbocharged 1.7-liter 4-cylinder engine with 237 hp. All this power goes to the rear wheels through an obedient 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
2 2020 Chevrolet Corvette – $71,999
For the 2020 model year, Chevrolet gave enthusiasts the first mid-engine Corvette. It was everything we could have imagined, even managing to become the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The eighth generation, also known as the C8, introduced an engine behind the passenger compartment, like the best sports cars from McLaren, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, but for thousands of dollars less.
Chevrolet offered the Corvette with two body styles, a convertible with a retractable roof or a coupe with a removable roof panel. In addition, it had the brand's punchy 6.2-liter V8 motor, with 490 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.
1 2019 Aston Martin Vantage – $89,998
The Vantage is an entry-level Aston Martin sports car. The 2019 model year offers a supremely athletic and gorgeous sports car thanks to its full redesign. Unlike its rivals, there's nothing basic about this British sports car, especially its impressive 503 hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 motor. Aston Martin gets this fruity engine from Mercedes-AMG, helping give the Vantage impressive performance.
The engine has an impressive soundtrack that goes from a low baritone rumble to a high-strung shriek. It sends power to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. While this makes the Vantage a bit tail happy, it's also predictable – making it hilariously fun to drive on a track or twisty road.