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.
Providing the ultimate balance between performance and practicality, here are 10 sporty cars that make for ideal daily drivers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Resale value and depreciation go hand in hand. Factors causing greater depreciation of vehicles also reduce resale value.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.