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10 Cheap Fast Cars for Enthusiasts on a Budget

You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to experience driving a sportscar. There are tons of fast cars on the market that are also fairly inexpensive. If you are in the market for a cheap, fast car, we’ve discovered some incredible options that offer stellar performance for under $35K!

While it's nice to go joyriding every now and then, getting a car with incredible speed capabilities can also be a matter of safety. When it comes to highway driving, the ability to catch up quickly to the speed of traffic can be a matter of safety. With that being said, any one of these cheap but fast cars may be just the vehicle you need for your daily commuting needs and your weekend getaways.

Toyota GR86

Toyota GR86

The 2024 Toyota GR86 starts at around $28,000. Its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generates a whopping 228 horsepower. While less luxurious than the Supra, the GR86 comes loaded with features at nearly half the cost of a luxury car.

The vehicle has a top speed of 140 mph. And it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds!

Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Subaru BRZ

Subaru BRZ

The Subaru BRZ, also available for around $28,000, is a well-rounded sportscar that is essentially the same as the Toyota GR86. It's not only an excellent cheap car, it's one of Subaru's most popular sports models.

Like the GR86, the Subaru BRZ features a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 228 horsepower and goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds.

Fabian Roudra Baroi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Subaru WRX

Subaru WRX

The Subaru WRX proves a notable upgrade from the BRZ, starting around $30,000. It boasts a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that outputs 271 horsepower

It not only has a higher top speed of 155 mph, but it accelerates faster, too. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds!

Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen GTI

The 2024 Volkswagen GTI has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 241 horsepower.

The vehicle has a top speed of 155 mph and can travel from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. At around $30,000, the GTI may be small but it packs a huge punch.

Volkswagen GTI Edition 35/Autoviva/ CC By 2.0/Flickr

Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Volkswagen Jetta GLI

As the more athletic version of the Jetta, the Jetta GLI features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower. It has a top speed of 126 mph and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds.

It starts at around $28,000, making it comparable to the Toyota GR86 in the price offered for its performance.

Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Turbo

Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Turbo

The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the 2024 Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Turbo achieves up to 227 horsepower at 5000 RPM. It can travel from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 134 mph.

Starting at around $31,000, it's one of the pricier options on this list, but not by much.

(Image via Mazda)

Hyundai Elantra N

Hyundai Elantra N

he base Hyundai Elantra N features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 276 horsepower. It achieves a top speed of 155 mph and can zip from 0 to 60 mph in just under 6 seconds.

The fuel economy is decent, but it won’t blow you away. The Elantra N comes in at around $32,000.

SmackJam, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda MX-5 Miata

This fast little coupe has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates just 181 horsepower but can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

It has a top speed of 143 mph. Get it for around $28,000, but don’t expect many features at that base price. Overall, it's a cute, fast little car that will get you around for a lot less than the cost of a Porsche.

MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

MINI Cooper S

MINI Cooper S

The MINI Cooper S is just about the sportiest version of the Mini Cooper you can get. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generates 189 horsepower, which is slightly more than the MX-5 Miata.

However, while its top speed is also higher at 146 mph, it takes a little longer to accelerate, traveling from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The MINI Cooper S starts at around $29,000.

DiverDan1981, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Chevrolet Camaro

Chevrolet Camaro

It’s the final year for the Camaro in 2024, but it comes in at an affordable $30,000 starting price. The 3.6-liter V6 generates 335 horsepower and achieves a top speed of 155 mph. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. It’s a fitting goodbye to this delectable sports car.

If you are craving speed but at a more affordable price, any one of the vehicles mentioned above would be an excellent choice. You don’t have to spend top dollar for quality performance.

Noah Wulf, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons