The Coolest Sports Cars The Average Guy Can Buy

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.