“Performance on a budget” is a concept that’s changed quite a bit over the last few years. Back in 2023, HotCars took a look at the 10 cheapest brand-new sports cars on the market, the MSRPs for all but one of which were all below $45,000 USD. Today, that figure has dropped to just five.
In fact, if you’re a sports car enthusiast on a budget today, your options are even scarcer, with just four de facto sports cars available for less than $35,000 (minus the destination fees). And, yes, we did say ‘sports cars.’ Tempting as it was to include the likes of the $32K Volkswagen Golf GTI and/or $34K Hyundai Elantra N, we’ve limited our search exclusively to 2/2+2-seater, front-engined coupes. Fortunately, though the selection is short, the choices are still exceptional.
Following are the last true cheap sports cars keeping gearheads happy in 2025.
All information and MSRPs were sourced from each manufacturer’s respective online media sites, and were accurate at time of writing.
Launched in 1989, Mazda’s MX-5 Miata habitually tops most ‘best sports cars’ lists thanks to its rev-happy, punchy engine, responsive steering, and featherweight underpinnings. And the current fourth-generation ‘ND’ is no different. MSRPs start from a surprisingly reasonable $29,830, and for that, customers can purchase the entry-level Sport roadster (the hardtop RF model will set you back $8,020 more).
Here, your right foot controls a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that sends out a solid, if not exactly robust, 181-horsepower. Combine that with 151 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels only via a six-speed manual transmission, and the MX-5 will hit 60 MPH from standstill from 5.5 seconds en route to a 139-MPH top speed.
Far from blistering pace, granted – the $43K Nissan Z, sales for which are on the rise, will cover the same ground up to two seconds quicker – but it’s in the corners where the MX-5 truly shines, Mazda having provided the ND with a stiff athletic chassis, near-perfect weight distribution, and suspension tailored towards sharp handling. The ride may suffer a bit in consequence, and the diminutive dimensions pose some logistical issues (there are no back seats, limited trunk space, and, snout to tail, the MX-5 is less than four meters long), but few Miata owners have ever truly cared about practicality. As indeed Mazda itself discovered at the recent MiataCon.
Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport (2025)
Engine
2.0-liter four-cylinder
Power
181 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque
151 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission
Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Weight (curb)
2,366 lb
0-60 MPH
Approx. 5.5 secs
Top Speed
139 MPH
Handily, there are three trim levels at or below the $36K mark (the limited-run 35th Anniversary will set you back $36,250 USD). The mid-tier Grand Touring model is the only model specable with a six-speed automatic, but there are still plenty of options available if you opt for the sportier, mid-tier Club upwards. Metallic paint options also range from between $450 to $595, and additional cosmetic accouterments are available from $80 (that buys you an aluminum rest pedal, but customers can go the whole hog, tail-lip spoiler and all, for the $1,560 Appearance Package). More tempting is the sport-tuned suspension and dampers, and the Brembo Package, which, okay, will tip you over the $35K at the very least at $4,900, but this does bring a subtly revised aerokit, heated Recaro seats, and upgraded Brembo brakes to the plate.
MX-5 Miata Sport (6MT)
$29,830
MX-5 Miata Club (6MT)
$33,330
MX-5 Miata Grand Touring (6MT)
$35,130
MX-5 Miata Grand Touring (6AT)
$35,750
35th Anniversary Edition (6MT)
$36,250
RF Grand Touring (6MT)
$37,850
RF Grand Touring (6AT)
$38,520
RF Club
$41,150
Like the Miata, the 86 is usually found at the top of ‘fun on a budget’ lists. Particularly impressive, given that the GR86 is only in its second generation – versus Mazda’s four – and was only introduced in 2011. Coming in $970 more than the Miata at $30,800 MSRP (2025MY examples are available for $400 less), the Toyota features a rear-wheel driving, 2.4-liter flat-four as standard across the board. High-end torque – all 184 lb-ft of it – and 228 hp means the Toyota is a punchy little tyke, hitting the 60 MPH mark in about 6.1 seconds (faster than the Mazda) and a 140-MPH limited top speed.
Again, though, straight-line speed is much-of-a-muchness, as it’s through the corners that the 86 brings back the joy of driving, thanks to its razor-sharp handling and wild but still very controllable bouts of oversteer. Interestingly, the Toyota is longer, wider and taller than the Mazda, with a larger cargo area, and, technically, does have a rear bench, though there’s not much room left after you’ve thrown a packet of raisins on there. Reviewers have even suggested the Toyota’s ride is more supple than the Mazda’s, but again, if it’s practicality you’re after, you’re in the wrong classifieds.
Toyota GR86 (2026)
Engine
2.4-liter (2,387cc) cylinder
Power
228 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque
184 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
Transmission
Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Weight (curb.)
2,811 lbs
0-60 MPH
6.1 seconds (MT); 6.6 seconds (AT)
Top Speed
140 MPH
Options for the GR86 are more limited than the Mazda, with only two additional models to choose from: Premium, and the top-tier – and very yellow – Yuzu Edition. Interestingly though, all three trim levels can be outfitted with the six-speed automatic for a comparatively reasonable $1,100, and two additional metallic paints are available for $475 apiece.
It’s clear that Toyota has opted to preserve the ‘back-to-basics’ approach though, since there’s a solid, rather than overwhelming, selection of accessories available, from the $79 phone mount to the $1,890 GR-spec 17-inch Bronzed wheels. Most customers will look longingly at Toyota’s Performance Package, which throws in Brembo brakes, stiffened SACHS dampers, and 18-inch matte black alloys. Impressively, even with the $1,700 dual exhaust option, your kitted-out, entry-level 86 could still limbo under the $40K mark.
GR86 (6MT)
$30,800
GR85 (6AT)
$31,900
GR86 Premium (6MT)
$33,400
GR86 Premium (6AT)
$34,500
GR86 Yuzu Edition (6MT)
$36,365
GR86 Yuzu Edition (6AT)
$37,465
We could have copy-pasted most of the above and called an early lunch, so closely twinned are the GR86 and Subaru’s BRZ (they share the same chassis, underpinnings, and engine, after all). For the 2021-generation, though, and possibly the brand-new model, Subaru has taken a slightly – ever-so slightly – more premium approach to the BRZ, including a new Sport mode for sharper responses from the six-speed manual gearbox, a rortier engine note, and a $295 upcharge over the Toyota. Make no mistake though, focus is still very much on performance. The Subaru-tweaked four-flat-four kicks out an identical 228 hp and 184 lb ft, which is sent to the rear wheels only via a limited-slip diff. 0-60 MPH times and the top speed are also identical to the 86.
Interestingly, the Subaru’s fuel economy takes a minor – almost negligible – dip compared with the Toyota being nine whole pounds heavier (admittedly, the Mazda top trumps both by more than 400 lbs). The back seat is similarly petite, but some clever packaging means there’s a little more wiggle room for back-seat passengers.
You won’t be hauling any queen-sized mattresses any time soon, but there will be fewer pins and needles (probably) after a long journey. Of course, the multi-time World Rally Championship-winning Subaru hasn’t forgotten its roots, and the rear-wheel-drive-only BRZ is as nimble through the turns as its contemporaries thanks to its well-balanced chassis and bags of feedback from the front wheels. ‘Practicality’ certainly hasn’t compromised the BRZ’s sportiness.
Subaru BRZ Premium (2025)
Engine
2.4-liter (2,387cc) boxer four-cylinder
Power
228 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque
184 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm
Transmission
Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Weight (curb.)
2,811 lbs
0-60 MPH
6.1 seconds (MT); 6.6 seconds (AT)
Top Speed
140 MPH
Interestingly, our most ‘expensive’ coupe so far also offers the least in terms of accessories and options. Three models are available, with the sportiest – the tS, complete with bigger Brembo brakes and STi-tuned suspension – knocking dangerously close to $40K at $38,360 (we’re in entry-level WRX terrain here). The optional six-speed automatic is only available on the mid-tier Limited trim, too, and, bizarrely, there are no bespoke packages available at all. Your options for the Premium trim then range from $105 all-weather floor mats up to a $700 rear diffuser, and additional cosmetic upgrades in between. On the plus side, multiple exterior paints are available for no additional price.
BRZ Premium (6MT)
$31,095
BRZ Limited (6MT)
$33,745
BRZ Limited (6AT)
$34,595
BRZ tS (6MT)
$33,745
All of which brings us to the most expensive, and only American, choice on this list: the Mustang. Sorry purists, but the 5.0-liter V8 is only available from the $46,560 GT Fastback option upwards. But Ford’s 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder still packs an impressive 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque at the absolute least, far more than the Mazda or any of the Toyobaru twins. The Mustang will have completed the 0-60 MPH sprint with at least a second to spare over its rivals (two in the Mazda’s case), and is the only one of the four capable of hitting 155 MPH. In terms of sheer brute force, it’s a cakewalk for the Mustang.
That’s not to say though, that, even with six decades of quarter-mile heritage, Ford’s entry-level muscle car is a wet piece of cardboard through the corners. Performance-tuned suspension dials back the bodyroll without sacrificing ride quality. There’s plenty of useful feedback through the steering column. And Brembo brakes come as standard to reign in that additional power. There’s a rear bench you can actually use. More head and legroom fore and aft. Even the fuel economy is comparatively decent, despite the Ford weighing almost 1,000 lbs more than its Japanese rivals.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost (2026)
Engine
2.3-liter (2,300cc) turbo inline-four
Power
315 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
350 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission
10-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Weight (curb.)
3,588 lbs (est.)
0-60 MPH
4.5 secs (approx.)
Top Speed
155 MPH
It’s there that Mustang aficionados can quickly lose control of their dwindling bank accounts. Want something other than monochrome paint? Metallic finishes range from $395 to $995 (plus $475 if you want the racing stripe, and/or $5,995 for a matte finish). Appearance Packages escalate from between $745 to $1,760, depending on the color you’d like your brushed 19-inch wheels, and there are two dozen interior accessories available from $55 to $495.
The smooth 10-speed automatic gearbox can be swapped out for a 6-speed manual, but you’ll need the V8-powered GT for that, prices for which start from $46K. All that before we even mention the EcoBoost High Equipment Group which throws in a nine-speaker stereo system and power seats for an extra $2,195. Prices for the ‘cheap’ Mustang could easily whip past ‘affordable’ and past the $50K mark if you’re not careful.
Mustang EcoBoost Fastback (10AT)
$32,320
Mustang EcoBoost Convertible (10AT)
$40,120
Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback (10AT)
$36,345
Mustang EcoBoost Premium Convertible (10AT)
$41,845
Mustang GT Fastback (10AT / 6MT)
$46,560
*The GT Premium Fastback, GT Premium Convertible, and Dark Horse models are also available from $51,080 onwards.
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