Car enthusiasts continue to ask more from cars as technology develops, with many seeking the best possible sports car for the most attractive price. Fortunately, for those shopping around in the current market, there is a plethora of performance cars on offer that aren’t likely to break the bank.
While the most advanced exotica and highest-powered muscle cars are still way out of reach for the average gearhead, we’ve explored the industry to identify the best cars for those seeking to maximize their speed without draining their wallets.
2024 Honda Civic Si: $29,100
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $29,100 |
| Power | 200 horsepower |
| Torque | 192 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 6.6 seconds |
Starting off our list, a car that, in earlier iterations, kept many a gearhead busy thanks to appearances in the ever-popular Need for Speed games. Well, there’s good news, as Honda’s 2024 Civic Si offers the same blend of engaging performance and everyday practicality that made the older models so popular. Offering a turbocharged heartbeat of 200 hp for a modest $29,100, the Civic Si is designed to be as much at home on city streets as it is on winding roads. It’s a compact sports sedan that boasts playful similarities to the Type R, such as a respectable 6.6 seconds 0 to 60 time, all while retaining a suitably under-the-radar aesthetic.
2024 Toyota GR86: $29,100
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $29,100 |
| Power | 228 horsepower |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 6.1 seconds |
Regarding the seekers of adrenaline on a budget, the 2024 Toyota GR86 is an excellent option. It is a tribute to the classic FR configuration and the purist’s approach to performance driving while going against the grain of modern sport cars. The car seats four people, although the rear seats are best suited for occasional use or additional storage because of the limited leg-room. The GR86 is powered by a 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, allowing for a brisk 0 to 60 time of 6.1 seconds. Simultaneously, the car manages to deliver all the basics of a typical sports car, being a rear-wheel drive sports coupe, but yet it still manages to tick all the necessary boxes to perform well as a comfortable daily driver.
2024 Subaru BRZ: $30,195
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $30,195 |
| Power | 228 horsepower |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 5.4 seconds |
The Subaru BRZ has always been a favorite of purist drivers, and the new 2024 model proves why. Its naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine provides 228 hp, and it comes in at only $30,195. Here, Subaru offers a playful rear-wheel drive platform, suspension tweaked for precise handling, and a stylish coupe silhouette. Subaru claims this latest iteration of their only true sports car will crack the 0 to 60 sprint in just 5.4 seconds, which places it among some much more expensive machinery.
2024 Ford Mustang: $30,920
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $30,920 |
| Power | 315 horsepower |
| Torque | 350 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 4.5 seconds |
The Ford Mustang needs no introduction, and the 2024 Mustang model assures its place in the realm of affordable fast cars. Opt for the EcoBoost variant, and Ford will supply you with 315 hp from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Priced at $30,920, it’s a doorway to American muscle without the traditional V8 engine, trading none of the excitement. The Mustang EcoBoost not only looks great, but it performs impressively too, with a 4.5 second time to 60 mph from a standstill.
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club: $31,550
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $31,550 |
| Power | 181 horsepower |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 6 seconds |
Although many cars for sale promise high speeds in a straight line, or blistering acceleration, the 2024 Miata takes a slightly different approach. Instead, the Miata has always prioritized sheer driving pleasure, which means it must be rear-wheel drive, have a playful rev-happy engine, and the weight is kept to a minimum.
Its four-cylinder engine generates up to 181 horsepower, which is plenty in a reasonably priced sports car that weighs less than 2,400 pounds. Since the Miata is a driving enthusiast’s favorite, the Club trim adds such niceties as dynamic suspension, a restricted slip differential, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and heated seats. It is capable of accelerating to a maximum speed of 140 mph and from zero to sixty mph in only six seconds.
2024 Volkswagen GTI: $31,965
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $31,965 |
| Power | 241 horsepower |
| Torque | 271 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 6 seconds |
For decades, the Volkswagen GTI has embodied the spirit of the “hot hatch,” blending everyday usability with invigorating performance. The 2024 model continues this tradition, offering a 241 hp turbocharged engine and 5-door practicality, ranking it among the best in its class. Priced at $31,965, the GTI proves that practicality and performance can go hand-in-hand, all while delivering a racing heart under a refined exterior; there’s just so much to love about the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI.
2024 Subaru WRX: $32,735
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $32,735 |
| Power | 271 horsepower |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 5 seconds |
The 2024 Subaru WRX remains a rally-inspired sports car, combining advanced technology with powerful performance, no matter how many doors. It is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine that produces 271 horsepower and connects to a conventional symmetrical all-wheel drive through a six-speed manual transmission. The WRX has the option of a continuously variable automatic transmission, a standard choice for a performance car — although some old-school Subaru fans may question its simulated “gears.”
Subaru deserves special mention for including the majority of EyeSight driver aids into all manual models, with a complex link to the throttle and brake system. It can reach a top speed of 155 mph and accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5 seconds, demonstrating Subaru’s entirely new approach to performance that does not abandon security or comfort.
2024 Hyundai Elantra N: $33,700
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $33,700 |
| Power | 276 horsepower |
| Torque | 289 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | ~5 seconds |
The 2024 Hyundai Elantra N is a testament to the brand’s commitment to bringing high performance to the accessible end of the market. With a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine pumping out 276 hp and capable of hitting 60 mph in about 5 seconds, it’s a compact car with a big heart and definitely not to be compared to the standard everyday Elantra you see on the road. What makes the Elantra N stand out is not just its power but its striking looks—all offered for a base price of $33,700. Critics may point to its firm ride and reserved interior, but for those focused on the drive, the Elantra N delivers a pure, adrenaline-filled experience.
2024 Toyota GR Corolla: $36,500
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $36,500 |
| Power | 300 horsepower |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 5 seconds |
Just when it seemed the market for small, affordable performance cars might be dwindling, Toyota revives the spirit with the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla. This thrilling hatchback is equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that delivers 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox and an advanced all-wheel-drive system for dynamic acceleration and precise cornering. The GR Corolla stays true to the hot hatch tradition with comfortable seating for two rows, although features like high-performance brakes, a track-tuned suspension, and a distinct triple-outlet exhaust ensure the GR model screams performance. Despite its humble displacement, the GR Corolla offers a top speed of 143 mph and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds.
2024 Chevrolet Camaro LT1: $38,800
Specifications:
| Starting MSRP | $38,800 |
| Power | 455 horsepower |
| Torque | 455 lb-ft |
| 0 to 60 mph | 4.3 seconds |
The 2024 Camaro LT1 deserves the lamentations of an all-too-short runway to V8 power that is about to close. Priced at only $38,800, it sits just shy of the more robust SS trim, yet the LT1 also comes equipped with GM’s excellent 6.2-liter V8 engine. This powertrain has the ability to produce 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. Although the 10-speed automatic transmission can provide quicker straight-line performance, the six-speed manual LT1 gets the nod from enthusiasts for the most engaging driving experience. Achieving a top speed of 165 mph and accelerating from zero to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, is there a better entry-point to American muscle car ownership in 2024?
