CHEAP, FAST CARS TO BUY IN 2024

Fast cars don’t have to cost so much that you give up your firstborn, an arm, and a leg just to drive them. If you’re not taking on the top supercars in the world, you can have plenty of power, speed, and driving excitement in sports cars that cost less than $45,000. This is less than the average price of a car in today’s market, which makes the low price of some high-performance models even more enticing.

The cheap, fast cars available in today’s market are exciting and fun. These cars bring a strong blend of power, technology, and comfort to give you the modern driving excitement that makes them a lot of fun on every road. You might not schedule a track day with some of these cars, but you will have a great time when you get behind the wheel.

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Vehicle pricing was sourced from U.S. News & World Report, while vehicle information was sourced from various automakers. This list is sorted by price from lowest to highest.

2024 Honda Civic Si

Price: $29,100

The latest version of the Honda Civic Si is one of the best that Honda has ever offered. This impressive car has everything you’re looking for when you want to tear up the road in a compact sedan while enjoying the practicality of a four-door car.

Performance Specifications

Engine

1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission

6-speed manual

Horsepower

200 hp

Torque

192 lb-ft

Driveline

FWD

Fuel Efficiency

27/37 mpg

0-60 MPH

6.6 seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

You’ll find a spacious, refined cabin with tons of standard equipment when you step inside this performance-oriented Honda. The 9-inch touchscreen is easy to use and has the desired connectivity features to keep you happy during every drive.

Pros

  • Taut and nimble handling
  • Better-than-average fuel economy and cargo space
  • Slick-shifting manual transmission

Cons

  • Noticeable road noise on the highway
  • Mediocre acceleration for a sport compact
  • Missing a few desirable features (heated seats)

2024 Mini Cooper S

Price: $29,100

Among the cheap, fast cars you can choose from, the 2024 Mini Cooper S might have the most personality. This little car is fun and active on any road, giving you a car that doesn’t take itself too seriously while delivering more than enough power to be fun.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission

6-speed manual

Horsepower

189 hp

Torque

206 lb-ft

Driveline

FWD

Fuel Efficiency

23/33 mpg

0-60 MPH

6.2 seconds

Top Speed

145 MPH

The Cooper is well-known for its unique style and variety of great options that ensure you can customize its appearance to give you the desired style. The powertrain can be had with either the manual or a dual-clutch automatic transmission, ensuring this Mini is appealing to everyone.

Pros

  • Quickness and fuel efficiency blended together
  • Nimble handling keeps this car glued to the road
  • Many available add-ons allow for personalization

Cons

  • The ride can be stiff and choppy with larger wheels
  • The rear seats are too small
  • Android Auto isnt offered

2024 Toyota GR86

Price: $29,300

The 2024 Toyota GR86 can be had with a new Performance Package, which improves the brakes and suspension for a more engaging ride. This impressive little Toyota sports car is attractive, fun, and filled with potential, making it a great choice for anyone looking for an exciting drive.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.4-liter 4-cylinder

Transmission

6-speed manual

Horsepower

228 hp

Torque

184 lb-ft

Driveline

RWD

Fuel Efficiency

20/27 mpg

0-60 MPH

6.1 seconds

Top Speed

137 MPH

When you want a great-looking car on a budget, very few models deliver, like the Toyota GR86. This incredible sports car has the look and feel you want to go along with amazing handling dynamics. You don’t have to worry about this car being complicated; it’s simple and easy to drive.

Pros

  • Enjoyable handling for drivers of all skill levels
  • Driver-friendly interior
  • Quick-shifting six-speed manual transmission

Cons

  • Back seats are only suitable for storage
  • High interior noise levels
  • Jittery ride quality at times
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2024 Subaru BRZ

Price: $30,195

Among the cheap, fast cars you can drive, the 2024 Subaru BRZ is particularly interesting. This is the only Subaru without AWD; instead, utilizing a traditional sports car RWD layout. The BRZ fits perfectly in the market for drivers who want a little excitement on a budget.

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Performance Specifications

Engine

2.4-liter 4-cylinder

Transmission

6-speed manual

Horsepower

228 hp

Torque

184 lb-ft

Driveline

RWD

Fuel Efficiency

20/27 mpg

0-60 MPH

6.0 seconds

Top Speed

140 MPH

The sportiness and fun of the Subaru BRZ is unquestioned. This car features a TORSEN limited-slip rear differential, a quick-ratio steering system, sport seats, and a digital instrument cluster with a G-force meter for Sport and Track modes.

Pros

  • Precise handling and steering
  • Simple and driver-friendly control layout
  • The ride quality is pretty agreeable for a sports car

Cons

  • Cramped back seat and tight storage
  • Elevated noise levels on the highway
  • Weak-sounding audio system and lackluster tech interface

2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost

Price: $31,920

The 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost has been redesigned to be an improved car that uses the same platform and engines as before. Slight changes make this new model a little better, but don’t take away the incredible Mustang DNA.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission

10-speed automatic

Horsepower

315 hp

Torque

350 lb-ft

Driveline

RWD

Fuel Efficiency

22/33 mpg

0-60 MPH

4.5 seconds

Top Speed

145 MPH

The EcoBoost model can be upgraded with the High Performance Package, giving this car improved Brembo brakes, summer performance tires, and a TORSEN limited-slip differential. If you want to feel like you’re driving a manual car, the Mustang has paddle shifters for your driving pleasure.

Pros

  • High-tech interior displays are fast-acting and easy to read
  • Strong acceleration
  • Rear seats and a large trunk offer excellent practicality

Cons

  • Not a significant increase in performance for the power
  • Interior fit and finish can feel downmarket
  • Desirable options add a lot to the price

2024 Volkswagen GTI

Price: $31,965

Few cars fit the bill as cheap, fast cars quite like the 2024 Volkswagen GTI. This hot hatch is still the quintessential model that shows excellence and prestige in this vehicle class. The regular VW Golf isn’t solid any longer, but the GTI and R models still are.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission

7-speed automatic

Horsepower

241 hp

Torque

273 lb-ft

Driveline

FWD

Fuel Efficiency

24/33 mpg

0-60 MPH

6.0 seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

The GTI blends performance and practicality to be a comfortable, spacious, and enjoyable hot hatch that fits your needs perfectly. You won’t need a second car if you drive this little VW and let it provide you with the efficiency and driving pleasure you want.

Pros

  • Sporty and fun handling
  • Roomy hatchback design for passengers and cargo
  • Sophisticated ride quality with optional adaptive suspension

Cons

  • Infotainment systems can be frustrating to use
  • Not as much power as some rival hot hatches
  • The interior style was better in the previous generation
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2024 Subaru WRX

Price: $32,735

The 2024 Subaru WRX includes a new TR model that has upgraded suspension, brakes, and performance items. The WRX has been one of the most fun and engaging cars for many years; taking its rally car roots to the road for your driving pleasure.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.4-liter turbocharged flat 4-cylinder

Transmission

6-speed manual

Horsepower

271 hp

Torque

258 lb-ft

Driveline

AWD

Fuel Efficiency

19/26 mpg

0-60 MPH

5.0 seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

The WRX is the most refined Subaru model in the entire lineup, making it easy to toss this car around on any road. The cabin is pretty basic and understated, which makes it less distracting when you’re pushing this fun sedan to its limits.

Pros

  • Standard AWD enhances traction and performance
  • The available 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen is easy to read
  • Stable and engaging handling

Cons

  • Subpar fuel economy
  • Noticeable road and wind noise
  • Sedan-only body style

2024 Hyundai Elantra N

Price: $33,700

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra N takes a sensible and practical car and turns it into one of the best cheap, fast cars on the market. This model has the sedan build and roominess you need but adds a powerful engine and a sport-tuned suspension to make driving more fun.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission

8-speed automatic

Horsepower

276 hp

Torque

289 lb-ft

Driveline

FWD

Fuel Efficiency

22/31 mpg

0-60 MPH

5.0 seconds

Top Speed

143 MPH

The Elantra N might not be everyone’s first choice for speed and performance, but its nimble handling and impressive acceleration will change many minds. This Hyundai is agile and fun, but it does have a bit of a firm ride compared to its mild-mannered sibling.

Pros

  • Engaging steering and handling
  • Quick acceleration
  • Comes nearly fully loaded with features

Cons

  • Above-average wind and road noise on the highway
  • Some interior materials are a bit cut-rate for the price
  • Adaptive cruise control isnt available

2024 Chevrolet Camaro LT1

Price: $38,800

The 2024 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 is one of the final models of this pony car. This car can be had with the new Collector’s Edition package, which symbolizes its final model year on the market. The Camaro is one of the most iconic pony cars, and it won’t break your budget to own it.

Performance Specifications

Engine

6.2-liter V8

Transmission

6-speed manual

Horsepower

455 hp

Torque

455 lb-ft

Driveline

RWD

Fuel Efficiency

16/24 mpg

0-60 MPH

4.3 seconds

Top Speed

165 MPH

The LT1 trim features the power of the SS with impressive handling. You can have this Camaro with a 10-speed automatic transmission, but why ruin the fun of the stick shifter? The LT1 is also available with a performance suspension and Brembo front brakes to be even more exciting.

Pros

  • A proven and sharp-handling pony car
  • Impressive acceleration
  • Relatively smooth ride, especially with the adaptive suspension

Cons

  • Terrible outward visibility
  • Tiny rear seat
  • Limited trunk space with a small opening
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2024 Nissan Z

Price: $42,310

The 2024 Nissan Z is the closest of the cheap, fast cars to the ceiling of $45,000. This impressive performance car carries on the amazing Z car line with styling that nods to some of the previous modes. There’s a higher-performance NISMO model that brings more power, aero, and handling, but it also costs more.

Performance Specifications

Engine

3.0-liter turbocharged V6

Transmission

6-speed manual

Horsepower

400 hp

Torque

350 lb-ft

Driveline

RWD

Fuel Efficiency

18/24 mpg

0-60 MPH

5.0 seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

The dynamic performance and exhilarating acceleration make the Nissan Z one of the most fun cars you can drive. Toss this car into the corner and accelerate on the backside to see just how hard you can push this Nissan sports car.

Pros

  • Lots of torque from the turbocharged V6 engine
  • Comfortable ride
  • A pleasing combination of retro style and modern touches

Cons

  • It is not as satisfying to drive at the limits as other sports cars
  • Requires 93 octane fuel for maximum performance
  • Manual transmission lacks smoothness

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