New sports cars don’t usually come cheap, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a really good one for a solid price. The best sports cars under $50,000 are what we bring you here, and the list is full of impressive choices, though you won’t see any luxury sports cars here—those will have to wait for another list.
How do we define a sports car on this list? Well, by traditional means. There are tons of sports or performance cars that aren’t included, but we’re sticking with two-doors that are designed exclusively from the ground up to fill the role of a stereotypical sports car. So yes, while enthusiast favorites like the Honda Civic Type R or Toyota GR Corolla make us as happy as these others, they’re technically hot hatches based on more pedestrian vehicles rather than sports cars.
The cars on this list prioritize sultry shapes, send their power to the rear wheels, and don’t care about such trivial things as cargo space or (for some) even having a back seat. They are designed with fun in mind, and that makes them the best sports cars under $50,000.
The best sports cars 2024
Subaru BRZ
Professionals: More comfortable than GR86; super fun to drive anywhere; affordable sports car
Cons: The interior is basic; the infotainment system lacks features and speed
Read our Subaru BRZ review
It doesn’t really get much better at the BRZ’s starting price of just over $31,000. You get a high-revving boxer four-cylinder engine, a terrific six-speed manual transmission, and a simply joyous chassis. Amenities and specs are predictably on the low side of things, but that’s not what you’re paying for in this low-slung 2+2 sports car. The debate between the BRZ and its sister car (next on this list) the GR86 will rage on, but we tend to favor the BRZ for its improved ride quality over the Toyota. Whichever you choose, though, the BRZ and GR86 will bring a lot of smiles for not a lot of money.
Toyota GR86
Professionals: Extremely fun driving in all situations; smooth and powerful engine; very accessible
Cons: Rough riding on bad roads; the interior is basic and looks cheap
Read our Toyota GR86 review
Most of what we said about the BRZ above also applies to the GR86. Choose your badge preference or maybe just pick your favorite color and go! The GR86 is just as much fun as the BRZ, and its stiffer rear end might just appeal to you depending on your car setup preferences. Some of Toyota’s special editions might be enough to turn it around, but don’t forget about the ultra-spicy BRZ tS. If you want a (semi-useless) back seat and a respectable amount of boot space, this car might win you over the next one on this list, which doesn’t even bother with its utilitarian leanings.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Professionals: Pure fun at every corner; super light; great manual transmission; beautiful design
Cons: The interior feels its age; the automatic is on the boring side of things
Read our Mazda MX-5 Miata review
This is the oldest sports car meme on the books ever: The answer is always the Miata. And frankly, there’s a lot of truth to that. If you don’t need the coupe body and rear seats of the Toyobaru twins, the Miata will probably make for a better pure sports car experience. Its engine is surprisingly powerful, and its lightness makes it move like a toy that you can practically do anything with. You get an engaging and happy manual transmission, and while the tech takes a bit of a back seat, it’s hard to care too much. It has all of the above, plus you can put the top down to bring nature even further into the equation. And don’t forget about RF, which may be the best option if bad weather is a problem where you live.
Ford Mustang
Professionals: Great engine options; above middle management; classic and attractive design
Cons: The interior is on the cheap side; automatic could be much better; technology will not be for everyone
Read our Ford Mustang review
The Mustang began its transformation into a sports car in its previous generation, where it switched from a solid rear axle to an independent rear suspension design. This elevated handling to an elite level for American muscle cars, and with variants like the Shelby GT350, GT500 and more, you can fully and truly call the Mustang a sports car. That’s true of its latest generation as well, and while the best Mustangs are above our $50,000 limit, even a regular GT or a well-optioned EcoBoost model will be an impressive driver. To get the most bang for your buck under $50,000, we’d recommend going standard GT, then adding the $4995 Performance package to the car, which handles all the high-powered goodies you can get.
Nissan Z
Professionals: Extremely powerful engine; one of the best designs on sale now; great technique
Cons: It’s not as fun as the Supra; lots of old/carried over 370Z parts; The sports model is underequipped
Read our Nissan Z review
You’ll have to stick with the base Sport model to stay under the $50,000 limit for the Z, but at just over $43,000 you’re getting a heck of a lot of car. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is a seriously powerful engine for the money, and you get a lovely blank canvas that can easily be modified after purchase. Stepping up to the $53,450 Performance will get you a much more complete package, though, so if you can stretch it, we’d definitely recommend splurging on this model. And in case you’re curious how it compares to the Supra, we’ve already done the dirty work for you.
Toyota GR Supra 2.0
Professionals: Light and playful chassis; the engine has a lot of power; spectacular appearance
Cons: The engine lacks sound and character; poor infotainment interface that doesn’t have Android Auto
Read our Toyota GR Supra 2.0 review
Unfortunately, the GR Supra 2.0 is the only version of the Supra that comes under the $50,000 maximum, but it’s still good enough to deserve a spot on this list. You only get it with an automatic transmission (the inline-six can be specified with a manual), but the eight-speed and 2.0-liter turbo engine make a wonderful combination. It’s lighter than the 3.0 and a lot cheaper at a starting price of just $47,535. It’s true that the Z looks pretty good when you compare it to the four-cylinder Supra, but the Toyota’s handling might be enough to put you off in front of the Z. To be honest, though, we’d be more tempted to back off the price bracket is pretty high and go for the GR86 if you’re looking for pure sports driving on a budget.
Honorable – Just Discontinued – Mention: Chevrolet Camaro
Unfortunately, Chevy just killed off the Camaro and the last one has already rolled off the line. That said, we’re still seeing some new ones for sale online, and any list of affordable sports cars should include a Camaro if there’s a way to include it. GM’s Alpha platform has spawned great handlings like this Camaro and many Cadillac sport sedans that simply outperform numerous competitors from Germany and elsewhere. Loaded with performance-enhancing goodies, the SS isn’t exactly a sleeper, but we can guarantee you it’ll surprise others (and maybe yourself) on track day with how ridiculously good it really is. We’re sad to see it go, but for anyone who ends up picking one up here, know you’ve got a proper performance weapon.
Related video:
