Modern luxury supercars that offer the outrageous horsepower and handling are costly enough to damage one’s bank account. However, there are also a wide range of hot automobiles available, providing a decent get-up-and-go and handling without doing serious damage to the budget. They are called “performance cars”. These cars are practical, cost-efficient and used by daily drivers.
Building outrageously expensive cars is simple. Just drop a few million dollars, and charge a king’s ransom to recover the outgo. These cars are so few numbers that they are hard to find two examples in the same continent.
However, building performance cars on large scale that are both relatively affordable and fun to drive is a tough job. Car manufacturers can’t depend on high-end horsepower engines and exotic materials, so, the considerations are required to make.
Fortunately, various carmakers have already fought their way back in tackling the challenges and started producing some hot versions of brand new models that are not only fun and fast to drive but inexpensive to own.
Performance cars come in a number of brands and models that provide respectable power and level of comforts that also can settle on a smaller budget. When it comes to buying a affordable performance car that takes spending between $20,000 to $30,000, here’s no denying that a significant amount of fun-driving can be extracted out of it.
Here are some of the best affordable performance cars, ordered by their base prices. Let us see what they bring on the table:
Fiat 500 Abarth
Price: $22,000
The Fiat 500 Abarth is a cute Italian supermini car that features a scorpion badge which is the symbol of Abarth. It is turbocharged by 1.4L “MultiAir” four-cylinder engine to put out 160hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Though it takes about 7 seconds to get from 0-60mph, there is a lot of power that comes with this car. This particular example is a go-kart for grown ups offering quite a lot fun factors in accelerating the MultiAir, flinging it into corners, rolling and stopping with authority, etc. In addition, it also gives you a pretty good mileage so the owner can use it as a daily driver.
2014 Ford Mustang
Price: $22,200 (V6); $30,900 (GT)
The Mustang is Ford’s one of the most successful launch that has been in production since 1964 and till now undergone several transformation to its current sixth generations. This unique automobile features sports-cars like coupes with long hood with short deck that created the pony car class. With classic sharp looks, powerful engine, rear-wheel drive, this can comes as an undeniably original performance car. Owner can get a 3.7Lr V6 with 305 hp & 280 lb-ft of torque that takes 5.2 seconds to get from a 0 to 60 mph. There is another upgraded version that comes with GT’s 5.0-liter V8, which has 420 hp, 390 lb-ft, and takes 4.5 seconds to get from a 0 to 60.
Honda Civic Si
Price: $22,715
The Si (Sport Injected) is a four-door sport sedan trim that was initiated for the third generation of Honda Civics. This automobile has been undergone several transformations into its current ninth generation. Its fashionable style and sporty connection make it one of the favorites for hipsters. Powered by the 2.4L turbocharged inline-four, producing 201 hp and 170 pound-feet of torque, the Si offers smoother and quicker power delivery than its other equivalents while taking 6.3 seconds to get from 0 to 60mph. Revving to a hilarious 7000 rmp is made possible by Honda’s VTEC variable valve timing system,
Mini Cooper S
Price: $23,300
The Mini lineup is an iconic small car featuring a number of models produced by BMW since 2000. The lineup has been undergone many body styles: convertible, Clubman, Countryman, Coupe, Roadster and models: John Cooper Works, the basic Hardtop, etc. Powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque that takes 6.6 seconds to get from 0 to 60mph, this New Millennium re-imagining model features a short wheelbase and low curb weight that make its a perfect for go-kart style handling.
2013 Ford Focus ST
Price: $24,115
The Ford Focus line is a hot hatchback model that has undergone several transformations. The Focus ST, a MK.II version of Ford’s sport division, was released in 2005 that reinvented the hatchback style. Under the bonnet is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from Ford’s EcoBoost line. This perfect family compact car generates 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque while taking 5.7 seconds to get from 0 to 60mph. A Torque Vectoring Control system keeps the power under control that is often used in high-end front-wheel drive cars.
Volkswagen GTI
Price: $24,200
The GTI is one of the pioneers of the hot hatchback that have added features like new electronic fuel injection on the original front-wheel drive hatchback. It is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four, producing 200 hp and 207 lb-ft, that takes 6.1 seconds to get from a 0 to 60mph. The new model remains true to its plaid cloth upholstered roots that offer quite a comfortable ride. So, when it comes a performance package that combines practicality, fun and affordability, the GTI can not be ignored.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Price: $24,250
The Genesis Coupe is a rear-wheel drive four-seater coupe that was released in 2008. This unique vehicle shares the basic platform with Hyundai Genesis and Equus sedans. There are two range of engines: a 274 hp, 275 lb-ft with 2.0-liter turbocharged four that takes 5.9 seconds to sprint to 60 mph and a 348 hp, 295 lb-ft with 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 that takes 5.2 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph. So, the Genesis Coupe comes among first when it comes to a reasonably priced reasonably priced rear-wheel drive coupe.
2012 Subaru Impreza WRX
Price: $25,795
The WRX is compact automobiles that have been undergone several versions featuring rally inspired technology that includes turbocharged four cylinder engines, all wheel drive, stiffened suspensions, etc. It is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-four, producing 265 hp and 244 lb-ft that takes 5.0 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph. Buyers can also find another version — an STI model with 305 hp and 290 lb-ft. The All-wheel drive offers extra grip when it comes to tackling rain or snow.
2013 Dodge Challenger
Price: $25,995
The Dodge Challenger is pony car that has been in production since 1958. It has been undergone several transformations into its current third generation. The buyer can choose from Base SXT and Rallye models (305 hp and 268 lb-ft with 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 60 mph in 6.4 seconds) or the R/T (375 hp and 410 lb-ft with 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and 60 mph in 5.1 seconds). With such powerful torques, straight-line sprints can be highly stimulating, although flinging in the corner can be tricky. The Challenger is acknowledged to be the most avowedly retro out of its rivals such as he Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, etc.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Price: $34,995
The Evolution or just the Evo is a high performance sports-car that has been in production since 1992. Turbocharged by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine, producing 291 hp and 300 lb-ft with 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, this sports compact sedan features leading edge technology, including Super All-Wheel Control, dual-clutch automated transmission, etc. This all-wheel drive car is a perfect rival to the WRX STI’s Camaro, the Mustang, etc. The all-wheel drive makes the Evo a perfect car to battle rain or snow.
The above performance cars list features respectable amount of practicality, power, style and handling at reasonable rates.