10 of the Best Sports Cars Under $30k

Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean that you have to drive something slow and boring. There are plenty of fun-to-drive models on the market that offer a good combination of power and handling (and maybe even some practicality) at an affordable price.

To help you discover what options are out there, the expert editors at Autobytel have created a list of 10 of the best sports cars under $30,000, sorted alphabetically by manufacturer. Our list includes both two-door and four-door models, an all-wheel drive model, and even a convertible or two, so if you’ve been on the lookout for something along those lines, read on to see if your next car is on our list.

Refreshed for 2019, base Camaros have a starting price of $25,000 and are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 275 hp, though for $28,490 you can get a version with a 335-hp 3.6-liter normally aspirated V6. Both a 6-speed manual and an extra-cost 8-speed automatic are available, and all models are rear-wheel drive only.

We’d go for the cheaper four-cylinder (that can still get the car to 60 miles per hour in around five and a half seconds) in 1LT trim with a manual transmission and add the $4,500 1LE Track Performance Package (which adds up to exactly $30,000) to help make the Camaro handle like a dream.

The Ford Fiesta is one of the smallest cars on our list, but with 197 hp from its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, a six-speed manual transmission that sends power to the front wheels, and a starting price of $21,340, it’s great fun to drive while also being a decent bargain (and fairly frugal at the pump).

With a 0 to 60 mile per hour time of almost seven seconds, the Fiesta ST isn’t particularly quick, but thanks to its relatively light weight and excellent chassis, it will encourage you to keep your foot planted to the floor through the corners to make the most of the power. The main downside is a small interior with quite a few cheap materials lifted from the regular Fiesta.

To keep a Ford Mustang under our $30,000 budget, you’ll need to stick with the $26,120 base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Ecoboost engine, but with 310 hp (and a healthy 350 lb-ft of torque) that can get the car up to 60 miles per hour in just a few ticks over five seconds, that’s no great sacrifice.

A 10-speed automatic transmission is available, but we’d stick with the six-speed manual and add the $2,495 EcoBoost Performance Package that improves handling and cooling, and also helps keep the driver informed with a Gauge Pack consisting of oil pressure and boost gauges. The Mustang offers a surprisingly good ride, and the interior is both modern and retro at the same time.

Starting at $20,495 for a hatchback and $21,990 for a cabrio, the Fiat 500 Abarth gets its power from a 160-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sends power to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission, and can get the hatchback up to 60 miles per hour in just under seven seconds.

That isn’t particularly fast, but compared to a normal 500 you also get bigger front brakes, a lowered suspension, and bigger wheels and tires, all of which work together to make the Abarth entertaining to drive, especially through tight sections. The interior obviously is quite small, but it’s full of style and uses the excellent uConnect infotainment system.

If you’re looking for fun open-top motoring, then the Mazda MX-5 Miata might be just the bargain you’re looking for. With a starting price of just $25,730, you get a lightweight sports car powered by a 181-hp normally aspirated four cylinder engine that sends power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission (the very-similar-under-the-skin Fiat 124 Spider starts at $24,990, and offers a 160-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter engine).

The run to 60 miles per hour in the MX-5 takes just over five and a half seconds. No matter whether you’re a novice or a professional, the MX-5 Miata is amazing fun to drive, providing loads of information to the driver.

Starting at $25,900, the refreshed-for-2019 Mini Cooper S Hardtop two-door offers a 189-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that drives the front wheels and can get it up to 60 miles per hour in 6.4 seconds (unfortunately, the even hotter John Cooper Works model is over our budget).

Both a six-speed manual or optional eight-speed automatic transmission are available, and the Cooper S is good to drive thanks to its nimble handling that encourages you to throw it through the corners. As you’d expect for the price, the Mini has an upscale interior with nice materials, though the rear seats and cargo area are small and the ride might be a bit firm for some.

The Nissan 370Z Coupe just squeaks onto our list thanks to an entry-level version that starts at $29,900. For that money, you get a 332-hp 3.7-liter V6 that’s paired with a six-speed manual transmission, sending power to the rear wheels and getting the 370Z up to 60 miles per hour in around five seconds (a seven-speed automatic is available, but pushes the price past our $30,000 limit).

The engine isn’t always as smooth as you might want it to be, the interior is a bit dated without some of the modern features you might expect, and handling isn’t quite as sharp as you might expect given the car’s exterior styling, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in the 370Z.

The Subaru WRX is the only all-wheel drive car on our list, making it the perfect choice for those looking for an all-weather sports car that can be enjoyed year-round. The WRX starts at $27,195, and provides 268-hp from its 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine (unfortunately, the more powerful STI is out of our price range).

Power is sent to the wheels via either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission, and the WRX can get up to 60 miles per hour in just around six seconds. The ride is firm and the interior isn’t quite as nice as we’d like (it’s pretty much lifted from the cheaper Impreza), but handling is surprisingly sharp, making the WRX fun to drive no matter the conditions.

Starting at $26,455, the Toyota 86 is a small rear-wheel drive sports car powered by a 205-hp normally aspirated 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine (the nearly identical Subaru BRZ also is available and starts at $25,795).

That doesn’t sound like much, but it’s still enough to get it up to 60 miles per hour in just over six seconds, and thanks to the 86’s suspension and chassis tuning, it’s more than enough to have lots of fun (despite having sharp handling and good steering, the 86 purposefully sacrifices some outright grip by using narrow tires to provide some lively handling). The ride is smoother than it was in previous models but can still get a bit rough.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has long provided some of the best bang for the buck when it comes to affordable sports cars, and the newest model with its $26,415 starting price continues the trend.

Power comes from a 220-hp version of VW’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and is sent to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or an optional smooth-shifting six-speed dual clutch automatic (the more powerful all-wheel drive Golf R is well out of our price range). Handling is good and the chassis reacts quickly while inspiring confidence by providing lots of information to the driver. The Golf GTI truly is an affordable sports car that you can have fun driving every day.