Since we were kids, most of us have dreamed of owning those fancy sports cars. However, as life happened, we came to realize that this wasn’t the most practical of dreams; for most of us, anyway.

Sports cars are expensive, and even if you can get one at a low price—which is a rarity—the maintenance costs are generally through the roof.

But that’s not to say you can’t afford one. Thanks to car makers realizing that there’s a group of people who want sports cars but can’t afford them, they developed average-priced sports cars.

This has suddenly become a burgeoning niche. But which affordable sports cars are the best? Let’s take a look!

Fiat 124 Spider

The Fiat 124 Spider is a revival of the 60s and 70s cars. It sets itself apart from other cars by sporting retro looks. At face value, the car looks much more expensive than it is: starting at just below $27,000.

All models of the car use a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that outputs up to 164 hp. Considering it’s a 1.4-liter, this is not a bad performance. The car is also fuel-efficient, delivering up to 39 miles per gallon.

Inside, the car is a bit of a tight fit—especially if you’re over 6ft tall. But being a roadster, just fold the soft top behind the seats, and it’ll be much more comfortable.

Fiat 124 Spider

Toyota 86

When it comes to affordable cars, Toyota is the brand to beat and when it comes to affordable sports cars, Toyota 86 is one of the best. The car handles like a dream, with quick reflexes and superb rear-drive performance.

With sufficient cargo space, it’s also a practical car. The four-cylinder engine might not seem like much, but you won’t mind as much when you’re on the road. It’s not like you can push the 1,000 hp monsters on anything other than a track, after all.

Toyota 86

Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the pioneers of the hot hatch segment of cars. It’s practical, for starters, with sufficient storage room and a conveniently big cabin.

It also packs in enough power to make full use of it. Its four-cylinder engine produces 228 hp, making it one of the fastest-accelerating cars you can get for under $30,000.

The Golf GTI is also quite responsive. It has firm brakes that work well on both the road and track. The response to throttle and steering is also precise, making it a pleasure to drive.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro is an affordable sports car that screams high performance. Starting at around $26,000, the car packs a V6 engine in its base model.

Even the highest-end version, the Camaro SS coupe, costs under $38,000. Combining the car’s power with the six-speed manual transmission makes this one of the most fun cars to drive.

Depending on the version you go for, you can get impeccable handling. Alternatively, you can opt for brute force and performance that will have your heart thumping in seconds.

V6 Chevrolet Camaro

Subaru WRX STI

Few cars are as iconic as the Subaru WRX STI when it comes to rallying. So, there will always be a market for the road-legal version of the car. Even though the WRX STI costs just under $38,000, it’s worth every penny.

The 2.5-liter flat-four engine hasn’t changed much over the years. However, the 310 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque it produces are still impressive.

The car is firm, which makes it enjoyable to drive on twisty back roads. And, similar to a rally car, the cabin can get a tad noisy.

Subaru WRX STI

Ford Mustang

The Mustang is one of the most iconic cars of all time, with its signature headlights and visual appeal. Many have dreamed of owning one.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to cost a lot. By spending just under $28,000, you can own the latest Mustang.

The base car might come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but it’s no slouch. It churns out 310 hp and is quite fast. It can easily take down the old V8 Mustangs without breaking a sweat.

Ford Mustang

With a wide variety of models, packages and specs you can easily find a high performance, budget-friendly sports car that will suit your lifestyle.

After 25 long years, the Ford Bronco is finally making a grand comeback! The Bronco was one of the most iconic SUVs of the 90s, and it easily traded blows with the Jeep Wrangler.

However, it was discontinued in 1996 because it didn’t have a lot of demand from buyers at the time. But right now, it’s a different story.

Lots of people are anticipating this car more than any other, and you can be sure it will sell a lot. But should you also get excited for the new Ford Bronco? We have 5 reasons that might just persuade you!

Removable Doors

Image: ford.com

One of the most popular features of the Jeep Wrangler is how it lets you remove the doors and go on your drive completely doorless—and even roofless if you want.

“The total open-air experience. Class-exclusive frameless doors are lightweight and easy to remove.”

However, the Wrangler has a considerable issue: there is nowhere on the car to place the doors when you remove them. So, most people tend to leave them in the garage at home, which can be a problem if it starts to rain during your trip.

The new Bronco has solved this issue. The doors and roof are all easily removable, and you can store the doors in the trunk; the car even has tie-downs that secure the doors.

Contemporary Looks

Image: ford.com

Some reintroduced cars look nothing like their old models. Not so for the Bronco. The car is still rectangular, boxy and has a lot in common with the first-generation version.

“The new Ford Bronco looks nostalgic, contemporary, fresh and futuristic at the same time.”

However, that’s not to say the Bronco looks like a relic. The designers added just enough modern touches that make the car look contemporary.

Touches include big round headlights and slight curves in many parts of the car.

Inside, the car looks properly modern while remaining functional. It has rubberized floors you can easily wash, marine-grade vinyl seats, waterproof instrument panels and plenty of rubber.

Variety

Image: ford.com

Don’t like two-door SUVs? Want your SUV to go fast as well as far? Ford has got you covered. The Bronco comes in three versions. The two-door model looks the most like the model of old, plus it’s compact in size. It also has a hardtop as standard.

“The four-door comes standard with a soft top with the option of a modular hardtop or dual tops.”

The four-door Bronco is bigger, more spacious and comes in a soft top. It’s for guys who want to take their friends or family off-road.

The third Bronco is the Sport. It’s built for drivers who like going off-road but also want a daily driver.

Off-Road Capability

Image: ford.com

While most people assume that SUVs are generally supposed to be good off-road, this isn’t true. Many SUVs struggle on rough terrain; they just look tough, but they are meant to stay on the road.

“Bronco is ready for adventure with plenty of segment-leading design and capability features.”

Fortunately, the Bronco is off-road capable. The engineers built it to go off the beaten path and take you wherever you want. That’s the main reason why most people will buy this car, anyway.

And if you’re not really looking for a car you can get dirty with, Ford still offers a Sport version of the Bronco that you can use on the road.

Affordable

With a car that many drivers are nostalgic for, Ford could easily have charged a pretty penny for the Bronco. Instead, they’ve made it quite affordable.

The Bronco will start at just under $30,000 for the two-door version. This is a little more than $200 more expensive than the base two-door Jeep Wrangler.

For all the versions of the Bronco, Ford has ensured that the car remains competitively priced. This means that people who are torn between the two cars will make their choice based on performance, looks or just personal preference. Price is not going to be the issue here.

Auburn Hills, Mich. June 27, 2019 – For 2020, Dodge literally expands its high-performance Charger model lineup, adding a Widebody exterior to America’s only four-door muscle car.

Powered by the 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine, the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat delivers a top speed of 196 miles per hour (mph), maintaining its reign as the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world.

The new Widebody’s integrated fender flares add 3.5 inches of body width, making room for new 20-inch-by-11-inch Carbon Black forged wheels riding on wider, stickier Pirelli 305/35ZR20 tires.

That combination, paired with new competition suspension tuning with Bilstein three-mode adaptive damping, produces even more grip, delivering improved performance on the street, strip and road course, making this the quickest and best handling production Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat ever.

Also new for 2020, the Widebody Package is also available on Charger Scat Pack, producing the quickest and best handling Charger Scat Pack ever offered.

Dodge Charger offers a full range of powerful engine options on seven distinct models, including the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 on Charger SXT, SXT AWD, GT and new for 2020 GT AWD, the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 on Charger R/T, the naturally aspirated 392 HEMI V-8 on Charger Scat Pack and the best-in-class 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 on the Charger SRT Hellcat.

From the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world to V-6 efficiency and available all-wheel-drive (AWD) capability, the Charger lineup delivers the ultimate in high-performance, comfort and road-ready confidence. Charger is on pace to lead the U.S. large car segment for three years running in 2019.

New for 2020:
Powered by proven supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V-8 engine with its best-in-class 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque and mated to the standard TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, the new 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody delivers a top speed of 196 mph, continuing its reign as the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world.

• New aggressive and modern Widebody exterior, standard on Charger SRT Hellcat and available on Charger Scat Pack, features new front and rear fascias with integrated fender flares, adding 3.5 inches of width over the wider wheels and tires
• New Widebody exterior makes room for wider 20-inch-by-11-inch wheels riding on wide 305/35ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero performance tires; paired with an SRT-tuned Bilstein three-mode adaptive damping competition suspension to answer performance enthusiasts’ desire for a factory-production Charger with even more grip for the street, strip and road course
• 2020 Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody is the quickest and best-handling production Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat ever. Performance numbers include:
  • 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds
  • Quarter mile in 10.96 seconds elapsed time (ET)
  • .96 g lateral grip on the skidpad

Performance numbers include:
– 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds
– Quarter mile in 10.96 seconds elapsed time (ET)
– .96 g lateral grip on the skidpad

• Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody features 15.4-inch Brembo two-piece brake rotors with six-piston front calipers for improved stopping power, heat management and longevity, producing 60-0 mph stops in 107 feet
• Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody runs 2.1 seconds faster on a 2.1-mile road course, equal to 13 car lengths after one lap
• For the first-time ever, Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody features electric power steering for better steering feel – making it easier to turn at parking lot speeds. The steering can also be calibrated via settings in the SRT Performance Pages to optimize steering effort for a variety of driving situations
• Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody gets a newly designed front fascia that includes a new mail-slot grille, providing the most direct route for cool air to travel into the radiator and maintain ideal operating temperature even in the hottest conditions
• New side sills connect the front and rear fascias to help amplify the integrated design
• New rear spoiler on Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody is designed to create aerodynamic balance with new front-end design
• Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody features new two-piece SRT Hellcat fender badges available in Satin Chrome
• Following the launch of Scat Pack in 2014 and Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody in 2019, Dodge is now taking the Widebody to the Charger Scat Pack for 2020. It’s powered by the 392 cubic-inch HEMI V-8 engine with 485 best-in-class naturally aspirated horsepower mated to the standard TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission
• New 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody features its own upgraded, specially tuned suspension with three-mode (Auto, Sport and Track) Bilstein three-mode adaptive damping and wider wheels and tires to build upon the stellar performance of the Scat Pack. The result: unprecedented levels of lateral grip, acceleration and braking, delivering the quickest and best handling Charger Scat Pack ever offered
• The street, strip and road course performance numbers for the Dodge Charger Scat Pack tell the story:
  • 0-60 mph in 4.3 secs
  • Quarter mile in 12.4 seconds ET
  • .98 g lateral grip on the skidpad
• Charger Scat Pack Widebody features standard 15.4-inch Brembo two-piece brake rotors with six-piston front calipers from the Charger SRT Hellcat for improved stopping power, heat management and longevity, producing 60-0 stops in 107 feet
• Charger Scat Pack Widebody runs 1.3 seconds faster on a 2.1-mile road course, equal to eight car lengths after one lap
• The Wider Pirelli 305/35ZR20 all-season performance tires are standard on both Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody and Charger Scat Pack Widebody models
  • Available three-season 305/35ZR20 Pirelli performance tires improve on-track performance

More Information:
Please visit the Dodge Charger newsroom and Charger SRT newsroom for the latest product information, photography and videography, plus access to specification and feature availability documents.

Via Dodge Charger press release. See full press release here.