Choosing a new sports car can be tough. There are lots of options from luxury car brands like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, and Lexus. But what if your budget doesn’t allow for that level of luxury? Fortunately, there are still car brands you can choose to provide a fast car at a low price. Here are the best sports cars under $30,000, by Road & Track:
2022 Ford Mustang
2022 Ford Mustang | ford
MSRP: Starting at $27,470
It’s no surprise that the 2022 Ford Mustang landed a spot on Road & Track’s list of the best sports cars under $30,000. The Ford Mustang invented the “pony car” segment of sports cars decades ago and continues that tradition today. However, only one Ford Mustang model is available under $30,000: the base Ecoboost. But it’s still a fast car.
The 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generates 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, but an automatic option is available. It’ll hit 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 5.1 seconds. This new sports car has plenty of power on a budget with lots of available options and standard features. That includes safety features like lane keeping assist, forward collision mitigation, and blind-spot monitoring.
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2022 Chevy Camaro
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2023 Honda Civic Si
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2023 Subaru BRZ
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2023 Toyota GR86
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2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda
MSRP: Starting at $27,650
Mazda’s MX-5 Miata sports car has long been one of the best fast cars for the money. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine gives you 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. Those are the lowest figures on the list, but the Miata is by far the lightest car on the list. At a curb weight of 2,341 lbs., it’s two-thirds the weight of the Mustang. It’ll do 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, per car and driver.
The Miata’s standard convertible top makes it ideal for coastal and/or summer drives. The base sports trim comes with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, and a six-speaker audio system. Safety features like forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring systems are standard.
Which is the best sports car for under $30,000?
There are lots of options on the market for a new sports car on a budget. There are fast cars with four doors, two doors, two seats, and in between. If you’re looking for the most power, it’s hard to go wrong with the Mustang. It’s an icon for a reason and gives you lots of power and torque. The more practical choice would be the Civic Si as there’s room for cargo and five passengers. The GR86 likely beats out the Miata and BRZ due to the lower price but any of the three are ideal coupes for a budget price.
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