The dream of owning a sports car exists in the mind of any self-respective automobile enthusiast, and in 2024, living that dream isn’t as impossible as you’d think! There are (surprisingly) many quality sports cars boasting MSRPs below the magical $100,000 mark, with a few favorites that can be found for around the same price as a typical understated sedan or crossover. Today, we’re looking at eleven of the best vehicles that can be purchased for less than $100,000, serving as the most affordable path into sports car ownership.
1. Dodge Viper SRT-10
Let’s be honest: Any “Best sports cars under 100k” list should begin (and arguably end) with the Dodge Viper SRT-10. Although the Viper was last produced in 2017, the car still packs a mighty wallop in 2024 and can be found under $100,000 if you don’t mind an odometer reading of around 15-25,000 miles. The Viper’s specs are impressive, to say the least: You’ll be zooming around your neighborhood with over 600 horses powering the engine, and the Viper’s trademark supercar styling means your neighbors will begrudgingly accept your greatness.
2. BMW M2
As one of the leaders in the performance automobile front, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that BMW boasts a sports car that is more than capable on the open road. The 2024 BMW M2 scratches the sports car itch for many BMW owners, but what’s surprising is the vehicle’s starting MSRP: $63,200. That’s an astonishingly affordable price for a BMW coupe that lives up to the company’s reputation as producing “ultimate driving machines.” The turbocharged inline-six under the hood sends the M2 from 0-60 in just over three and a half seconds. Not bad at all.
3. Ford Mustang Mach 1
While the base model Ford Mustang usually signifies that the driver is driving the wimpiest, cheapest wannabe sports car currently offered in the United States, the Mustang Mach 1 represents true American muscle in every way. The premise of the Mach 1 is straightforward: it provides a fantastic driving experience and plenty of horsepower for an affordable price. I’d say Ford succeeded on this front, as the Mach 1’s starting price of $55,570 makes it one of the most sensible sports cars to buy on this list!
4. Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet finally introduced a Corvette with a proper mid-mounted engine with the 2020 model, giving diehard Corvette fans what they’d been clamoring for for years. The sports car has been around in some shape or form since 1958 and is regarded as one of the true remaining American muscle cars on the market. With a starting price of only $69,995, along with its bone-rattling 490 horsepower V8 engine, buying a 2024 Corvette is one of the easiest ways to get into the habit of annoying your neighbors with the growl of a sports car engine.
5. Maserati Ghibli
I once had the pleasure of driving a 2021 Maserati Ghibli on a trip from San Diego to Los Angeles. Simply put, the raw power at my disposal was awe-inspiring and turned a lot of heads. Maserati uses many of the same engine components as Ferrari, so it shares lots of supercar DNA with its Italian cousin. However, Maserati Ghiblis suffers from massive depreciation due to its high repair costs (say hello to $600 oil changes), so prepare yourself for buyer’s remorse down the road. At $85,300 for the 2023 base model, buying a Ghibli is the closest to driving a Ferrari without mortgaging your house for one.
6. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Forget about the base model Camaro; the Chevy Camaro ZL1 is an exhilarating sports car that can be found well under $100,000. In 2024, $72,100 gets you 650 horsepower and the classic aggressive Camaro styling that won the hearts of countless drivers in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. With a design that harkens back to the glory days of American muscle cars without sacrificing modern amenities and flourishes, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Camaro ZL1 is on this list!
7. Porsche Taycan
In the eyes of many, Porsche is the only name that matters when it comes to sports cars. Over the years, Porsche has developed a brand synonymous with speed, luxury, and styling. Although the company has many offerings with starting prices well into the six-figure range, the Taycan is a (relatively) affordable option at $90,900. The 2024 is fully electric, which means Porsche has evolved the Taycan for a modern driving world. Don’t worry; it hasn’t compromised any of its trademark speed and power.
8. Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio; it’s how this sports car makes you feel that matters! This beauty is the latest sports car offering from the Italian automaker that historically has put luxury and speed on a pedestal. Boasting a 505 horsepower engine and handsome modern styling, the Giulia Quadrifoglio starts at $81,870. Its appearance goes a long way in hiding the power underneath the hood! Make no mistake: This car can fly.
9. Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak
If you thought the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio was a tongue-twister, I’d like to introduce you to the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. Although it has one of the laughably worst names in automotive history, the car’s specs are deadly serious. Boasting a ridiculous 797-horsepower 6.2 liter V8 engine and a sub-four-second 0-60 time, this Challenger is the coup de grace for countless automobile enthusiasts. At an MSRP of $91,295, it also stays under the all-important 100k mark.
10. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Billed as a true “driver’s” car, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been around for decades, offering unparalleled speed and maneuverability. Unencumbered by trivial things by excessive weight and technology, the tiny convertible is inarguably one of the most fun cars to drive, especially with the top down on a sunny day! The best part is the MX-5 Miata’s price: The 2024 model has a jaw-dropping MSRP of only $28,985, making it one of the best deals in the automotive industry today.
11. Toyota GR Supra
From 1978 to 2002, Toyota offered the Supra, their rally-inspired coupe that made many car enthusiasts turn their heads. After lagging sales, Toyoyta mercifully ended production in 2002, only to bring the Supra back to a far more welcoming market in 2019! Much like Ford’s mission with the Mach 1 version of the Mustang, the current GR Supra represents affordability, value, and raw sports car power in a highly appealing overall package. The $46,440 base model is an attractive proposition, but upgrading to the phenomenal 45th-anniversary model keeps the price firmly in the $65,000 area, meaning high-end power is increasingly affordable for many!
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