Vroom Vroom! The Most Affordable Sports Cars On the Market
Are all sports cars expensive? There are plenty of stylish and affordable sports cars on the market. Here’s are the best rides for the cheapest price!
Sports cars are expensive, right? It’s true that this kind of car tends to be among the most expensive: the Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita costs a whopping $4.8 million, after all. But they don’t need to be.
Affordable sports cars are the dream of many a driver. It’s a dream that’s easy to achieve.
Sports cars have an appeal that dates back almost as far as cars themselves. As long as people have been driving, some have wanted to drive faster than others. Thanks to mass-market appeal and high production numbers, today you can snag sporty cars for just a few thousand dollars.
Ready to find out how you can grab yourself a high-performance bargain? Then read on!
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Ah, the humble Miata. These cars are firm favorites among car enthusiasts and can be had for a pittance.
Why are these sporty cars so popular? They offer an amazing compromise between affordability and performance.
Miatas may not be the fastest sports cars around (their 0-60 times are just a hair under 6 seconds), but you’d never know it. When you drive a Miata, they feel fast, which is helped by their low ground clearance. Their handling is pinpoint perfect too and they are some of the most reliable sports cars around.
They look stellar. They’re cheap to buy, run, and insure. Their massive popularity ensures a huge range of aftermarket parts can be had with no issues.
If you’re young and wondering what is the best first sports car on the market, look no further. A Miata is the car for you.
Audi R8
If you’re looking for used sports cars, then consider the Audi R8. These incredible supercars are, believe it or not, affordable sports cars. They’ve been around since 2006 and can be had for under $50,000 these days.
It shares a chassis and engine with the Lamborghini Gallardo, so consider this a cut-price Lambo. The engine in question is a 4.2-liter V8 in most models, jumping up to a V10 on some others. If you were wondering, the engine note is worth every penny alone.
The car comes with all the supercar accouterment that you would expect. The interior is pleasant, driving position is commanding, and depending on the model, the tech is still decent today.
The R8 handles like an absolute dream and is fast. The 2008 model, for instance, can hit 60 in 4.0 seconds, accelerating on to a top speed of 187 mph.
These affordable sports cars are true supercars. If you’re an experienced driver, get one. You won’t regret it.
Ford Mustang
Let’s step away from these European and Asian cars for a moment. What if you want something that’s as American as apple pie, baseball, and the Fourth of July? Then you want the Mustang, a car so American it may as well be delivered wrapped in Old Glory.
The Ford Mustang has been around for over 50 years now. Whether your dream affordable sports car comes from the 1960s or this year, there’s a Mustang to suit you. It won’t cost you more than $30,000 either.
The 2020 Ford Mustang can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and accelerate on to 155 mph. These are real muscle cars, and they feel like it too: handling is solid and the car doesn’t interfere with the driver’s processes too much. It’s just you, a huge engine, and the open road.
If you’re more interested in a classic Ford Mustang, you’ll be happy to hear that these are affordable sports cars too. You can get examples from the 60s for under $20,000. Parts are easy to come by too, thanks to the Mustang’s hugely important role in automotive history and its popularity.
Lotus Elise
You know that old chestnut about British cars. They’re amazing fun but prone to reliability issues, right? Well, that’s often the case with older cars, but not so with the Lotus Elise.
This stripped-down, lightweight little roadster is a reliable alternative to the Porsches of the world. Like the Miata, it’s low to the ground, making its modest top speed resemble that of a Bugatti Chiron.
These cars have never reached mainstream popularity in the United States. Heck, even in their native Britain, they’re something of a rare sight. As such, they command prices of around $40,000.
If you’re willing to spend that much, do consider a Lotus Elise. They’re unique, interesting, little sporty cars. What’s more, we can practically guarantee you’ll be the only person in your area code with one.
Chevrolet Corvette
Here we go then. The Chevrolet Corvette was born from a rising love of Italian roadsters, prompted by American GIs returning from Europe with their automotive prizes. It’s an American take on these cars, exemplified by the C1 and C2 generations in particular.
Like the Mustang, affordable sports cars can be found from nearly any point in the Corvette’s 60-year history. As with the Mustang, parts and support are plentiful thanks to several Corvette owners’ clubs.
Let’s assume that you want the best performance that you can get. Then let’s take a look at the latest Corvette’s numbers.
The insane 2020 Corvette Stingray can hit 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. Its top speed is 194 mph. These incredible numbers are born from Chevrolet’s sporting heritage.
The best part is that even these latest models are affordable. The 2020 Corvette starts at $54,000. If that’s too rich for your blood, jumping back a generation can save you over $25,000.
Corvettes are affordable sports cars par excellence and are American to boot.
Buying Affordable Sports Cars
We’ve shown you the best affordable sports cars on the market today. When you’re looking through listings of sporty cars, it can be tempting to get distracted by performance figures.
Remember these key tips when you’re shopping for your dream car:
- Get full ownership and repair history
- Take it for a test drive
- Check inside and out for problems
- Research the car’s history and check for common issues
- Ensure it has been recalled, if necessary
Follow these tips and you’ll grab an awesome sports car in no time! Want to read more awesome articles like this? Then check out our automotive section!
