While the allure of a fast car is undeniable, the prospect of affording any new vehicle can be challenging for some, let alone buying a high-performance or luxury car. Fortunately, there are several performance cars for sale at relatively affordable prices. While they may not reach the extravagant performance levels and top speeds of a supercar, their upgraded powertrains and sporty handling significantly elevate the driving experience, transforming an everyday commuter car into something truly special.
The Best Cheap Fast Cars of 2024
- Volkswagen Jetta GLI
- Subaru WRX
- Volkswagen Golf GTI
- Mazda Miata
- Honda Civic Si
- Ford Mustang
- Subaru BRZ
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
The Volkswagen Jetta is a mainstream family-hauling sedan, but the Jetta GLI brings driving excitement with a lively turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension. The cars feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power hits the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The GLI isn’t quite as plush inside as its Golf GTI counterpart, but the higher Autobahn trim adds a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, a panoramic sunroof and sporty leather ventilated front seats. The Jetta GLI sports sedan is roomier than the GTI hatchback, however, offering plentiful legroom in the back seat.
Your GLI can come in one of two trims, the all-new GLI 40th Anniversary Edition, and the top-of-the-line Autobahn. Infotainment features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Autobahn trim gets a Beats Audio stereo while both trims feature wireless device charging. On the road, the Jetta GLI handles well, thanks to its upgraded suspension and stickier tires. Acceleration sounds mild, at around six seconds from 0-60 mph, but the GLI is much more about handling and driving enjoyment than it is about straight-line speed.
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Subaru WRX
In its higher trim levels, the WRX can now edge into the mid-$40,000 range, but all of the same fun can be had for less than $33,000. Subaru’s rally-ready WRX features a strong turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The cars also feature Subaru’s excellent all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment and either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission. The CVT is an added cost option and does nothing to improve the WRX’s fun factor, so it’s best to stick with the row-your-own standard manual gearbox. The WRX is the best AWD fun-car one can drive.
The WRX’s interior is now a much more high-end experience. This now feels like a genuinely modern car inside in design terms, a sensation matched by updated tech. All trims feature a huge 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen and run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Subaru EyeSight safety system is standard on all trims, and for the first time, even those with a manual transmission.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The original hot hatchback is still king of the hill for five-door performance. The Volkswagen GTI's turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 241 horsepower through a buttery smooth manual transmission and an excellent front-wheel-drive system. The engine and drivetrain are among the most responsive in any car, let alone one whose price tag lands below $32,000 on the low end. Even the base S trim gets a responsive touchscreen infotainment system. There’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on board, along with standard voice controls and navigation.
The GTI is a winner on the road thanks to its nimble, lively handling and responsive steering. A stab of the hot hatch’s throttle delivers an immediate reaction from the engine, and when paired with the six-speed manual gearbox the package is an enthusiast’s dream. Volkswagen equips every GTI with several advanced safety features including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.
Research the Volkswagen Golf GTI
Mazda MX-5 Miata
No matter what, the answer is usually Miata (formerly known as the Mazda MX-5). It’s hard to go wrong with Mazda's two-seater roadster, and it’s even harder to beat the value for the base car, whose price tag comes in under $29,000 making it a true performance bargain. The Miata is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. It's rear-wheel drive, making it a dream to drive hard, and it comes standard with a manual gearbox for the ultimate in driving engagement. Also standard is new 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Alexa.
Part of the Miata magic is due to its size, which is small, even for just two people. The rest of the equation is in its personality and handling. It’s true that 181 horsepower isn’t a muscle car figure, but the Miata’s compact size means that it doesn’t take a ton of power to motivate the car with gusto. The base car is capable of running 0-60 in under six seconds, but the Miata story is about much more than straight-line speed. The car’s handling, responsiveness, and agility are hard to match. If you've got more money to spend, the Jaguar F-Type or Porsche Boxster should be on your list.
Honda Civic Si
While the Honda Civic Type R has climbed to nearly $45,000 putting it past our pricing threshold, the good news is that the Civic Si also exists and is much less expensive, coming in under $30,000. It sports a turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission. There’s also a limited-slip front differential on board, which helps get power to the ground and improves handling. Honda’s manual transmissions are among the smoothest and easiest to use, and the Si benefits from short throws and a standard rev-matching feature.
Perhaps the best part of owning a high-performance Civic is the fact that it’s still a Civic, and brings all the useful, clever interior storage spaces that the standard car does. Standard tech includes an 8-inch touchscreen, 12-speaker Bose audio system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, and more.
Ford Mustang
Yes, you can buy a brand-new Ford Mustang GT coupe with a real-deal 5.0-liter V8 for just under $43,000. The GT’s V8 engine makes 480 horsepower and sounds tremendous with the standard sport exhaust system. The Mustang GT is a great sports car, even in its most basic forms, as the engine works perfectly with a manual transmission to deliver an engaging and brutally quick driving experience. The car’s steering is light but weights up nicely in sporty driving modes, and there’s room inside for at least two people to ride comfortably in a relatively nice cabin.
Standard features include a large 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Ford’s intuitive and extremely easy-to-use Sync 4 software. Standard safety features include frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high beams.
Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ comes with a 2.4-liter flat-four naturally aspirated engine and a six-speed manual transmission, but buyers can opt for a six-speed automatic transmission. The BRZ is Subaru’s only non-AWD vehicle, but its rear-wheel drive setup and manual transmission make it the ideal enthusiast’s ride. The BRZ isn’t the best car for straight-line speed, but makes up for that with excellent handling and responsive steering.
An 8-inch touchscreen comes standard, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. HD radio, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, a digital gauge cluster, and dual-zone climate controls are also on board. Though small, the interior offers comfortable seating for front-seat passengers and an ergonomic driving position. The back seat is minuscule and is best reserved for use as a package shelf. On the upside, the BRZ’s trunk is large enough for the family’s weekly grocery run.