Top 10 Sports Cars Under $30,000

Satisfy that Need for Speed

Do you love the roar of a high performance engine? Long to rip into the pavement as you tear down the road? Want all that without having to break the bank?

If so, there’s good news – there are plenty of outstanding sports cars available for far less than you might think.

In fact, we’ve assembled a list of the top 10 sports cars for under $30,000. There’s no need to pony up $100,000 (but if you do have that budget, these are the best sports cars under 100K) for that Euro powerhouse when you have access to options like these.
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10. Chevy Camaro

The redesigned Camaro took the world by storm several years back, and it’s been turning heads ever since. Managing to combine both retro and futuristic styling, the Camaro is more than just eye candy, though. Depending on how much you want to spend, it can rival some of the best that Europe can offer. However, the base model costs just $24,134, giving you access to this muscle car icon for less. And you won’t have to sacrifice much in the way of fuel economy, either. The Camaro manages to deliver 28 MPG on the highway and 17 in the city.
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9. Dodge Challenger

It’s hard to think of a more iconic sports car than the Challenger. It’s got the retro look you crave, harking back to the days Detroit heavy metal ruled the roadways. However, today’s Challenger brings more to the table than those classic models ever could, and it does so with a price tag of just $27,421 (with upgrades costing all the way up to $60,000 if you’ve got the money). It delivers better fuel economy than the Camaro (30 MPG on the highway and 19 MPG in town), and it offers better interior visibility as well.
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8. FIAT 500 Abarth

Sure, the FIAT 500 lineup is tiny, minute even. However, the Abarth manages to deliver the driving experience that adrenaline junkies crave. Rev the engine and the exhaust positively snarls. The 160 HP might not sound like much when stacked up next to the likes of the Camaro and the Challenger, but this road rocket will do the job on the pavement, delivering one of the best driving experiences available. And you get to pay less, too – pricing starts at just $23,000, making this one of the most affordable options when it comes to sports cars.
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7. Hyundai Genesis Coupe

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Hyundai might be more familiar as a budget brand than as a sports car maker, but the company is working hard to change that image. The Genesis Coupe manages to be both affordable and powerful. It costs just $26,350 and you get a lot for it. Under the hood, you’ll find a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine mated to an 8-speed transmission for some of the smoothest shifting in the market. It also comes with 18-inch wheels and a full suite of airbags for protection.

6. Subaru WRX

You simply can’t leave the WRX off the list of affordable sports cars. It brings a lot to the table and doesn’t cost a fortune, at $26,295. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, capable of propelling this compact car at high speeds. It also comes with 17-inch wheels and a 6-speed manual transmission. It sees 20 MPG in town, and 27 MPG in highway driving, while providing nimble handling and an agile, road-eating stance that will definitely get your heart pounding.
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5. Nissan 370Z

When talking about affordable sports cars, we can’t forget the Nissan Z line. It has been an integral part of the automotive scene for some time, and the 2015 370Z proves why that is. It offers a strong V6 engine capable of tearing down the road, but it also offers decent fuel economy (26 MPG on the highway and 18 in town). Priced at $29,808, it just squeaks into the price range. Of course, you can pay up to $47,000 for the highest end version, but all trim levels deliver the experience you’re after. Athletic performance and powerful acceleration are the rules here.
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4. Ford Mustang

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Yes, the Mustang is responsible for kicking off the American muscle car renaissance we’ve seen in recent years, and Ford has managed to keep the Mustang not only relevant, but ahead of the pack in many areas. The 2015 model puts out 300 HP from a 3.7-liter V6 engine, and rides on alloy wheels. The 6-speed manual transmission is also a joy to operate. Priced at just $23,800, it’s an extremely affordable way to get into the sports car segment, too. Upgrade to the performance package if you want a little more oomph (and the larger wheels).

3. Mazda MX-5 Miata

If you’re more about amazing handling than pure power, then the Miata might be the car for you. A true roadster, it manages to provide decent power with some of the best handling in the automotive industry. It starts at just $23,970, letting you feel the wind through your hair and hug hairpin turns for less. The engine puts out almost 170 HP, and is mated to a 5-speed transmission capable of 140 lb.-ft. of torque for excellent times off the mark. However, cornering is really where the Miata excels.
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2. Scion FR-S

Toyota’s Scion brand has been turning heads for several years now, and the FR-S is the company’s entry into the sports car segment. It offers 200 HP from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, and actually costs under $25,000. If you think it looks similar to the Subaru BRZ, you’re right. It’s almost the same vehicle, with only a few minor differences (including a cheaper price tag and slightly better handling).
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1. Volkswagen GTI

The original “hot hatch,” the GTI has been a mainstay of the affordable sports car segment for decades. The 2015 version holds true to that heritage, providing 200 HP from a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It costs $26,000, so you easily get in under the $30,000 mark, and you’ll find that the interior is surprisingly comfortable and spacious.

These are just a few of the affordable sports cars out there with price tags under $30,000. There are plenty of other options to suit your tastes.

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