10 Budget Sports Cars That Will Make You Rethink Speed And Affordability
arely can sports cars offer the complete package of real power, eye-catching styling, a proper rear-wheel-drive setup, and an affordable price. Usually, something's got to give. Usually, it's the price. Sometimes, you also have to take a hit in the power department and go for something like the Mazda MX-5 Miata. We set the bar reasonably high for this list: no less than 300 horsepower, so we know we're getting real performance from our sports car. The list below shows there are still some legends out there that have yet to start their climb into the value stratosphere.
For this list, we set the following parameters: relatively affordable, rear-wheel drive performance cars, all with a minimum of 300 horsepower. We sourced specifications from manufacturers and sources such as Edmunds and Hagerty, while values came from trusted sources such as Classic.com or Hagerty.
Red 2007 Nissan 350Z parked outdoors
Red 2007 Nissan 350Z parked outdoors
© Provided by TopSpeed
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2005 S197 Ford Mustang GT: 300 Horsepower (HP)
Silver Ford Mustang GT
Silver Ford Mustang GT
Specs
S197 Ford Mustang GT
Engine
4.6-liter, NA V8
Power
300 hp
Torque
320 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
Average used value
$11,700
Arriving for the 2005 model year, the S197 Ford Mustang wears a much more retro-styled exterior, but under the hood is still a 4.6-liter, modular Ford V8 like the fourth-gen 'Stang. It makes a lot more power, though: from the modest 260 horsepower of the SN-99 Mustang to 300 horsepower. A small bump in power in 2010 brought the output up to 315 horsepower, but the big news was the introduction of the mighty 5.0-liter, 412-horsepower Coyote V8 for the 2011 model year. A manual transmission is available and 60 mph is possible in the 5-second range, which is more than reasonable. They won't stay cheap forever.
2010-2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: 300 HP
Front 3/4 shot of a 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Front 3/4 shot of a 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Specs
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Engine
3.8-liter, NA V6
Power
299-348 hp
Torque
266-295 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
Average used value
$13,436
This is a bit of a wildcard since Hyundai's coupe is probably not on most people's radar, let alone in a top-10 list. However, the Genesis Coupe has everything going for it: an available manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and an optional engine that makes real power. The V6 coupe - which sits above the entry-level, 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder - can thrust the coupe to 60 mph in about the same time as the Mustang above, too. Produced from the 2010 model year to 2016, the Genesis Coupe was short-lived but fun, an alternative to the usual suspects.
1992 C4 Chevrolet Corvette: 300 HP
Red C4 Chevrolet Corvette, front 3/4 view
Red C4 Chevrolet Corvette, front 3/4 view
Specs
C4 Chevrolet Corvette
Engine
5.7-liter, NA V8
Power
300 hp
Torque
340 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
Average used value
$8,300
In 1984, the fourth-gen C4 Chevy Corvette was born, with its now-iconic wedge shape and a 5.7-liter V8 under the hood, albeit with only 205 horsepower on offer. For the 1992 model year, the new LT1 engine was introduced which bumped up power from 250 horses to 300, which is what makes the '92 Corvette a great buy. Torque is generous in these cars too, compared to some of the other cars on this list. This generation of Corvette isn't as nimble or dynamic as some, but it more than makes up for it with its modest value today and its authentic slice of Americana from a different time. Like the cars above, the C4 'Vette will hit 60 mph in the 5-second range.
Yellow 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost With Black Stripes Parked Front 3/4 View
Yellow 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost With Black Stripes Parked Front 3/4 View
© Provided by TopSpeed
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2003 Jaguar XK8 4.2: 300 HP
Mecum
Mecum
Specs
Jaguar XK8 4.2
Engine
4.2-liter, NA V8
Power
300 hp
Torque
310 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Front-engine, RWD
Average used value
$15,158
The XK8 car is more of a grand tourer for sophisticated ladies and gentlemen, so it doesn't even come with a manual transmission. But just look at it - the design is exotic and elegant even after all these years. The big coupe debuted in 1997 and ran through 2006, with a supercharged 'XKR' version adding some spice to the recipe for those who thought it was necessary.
