Fast carsdon’t have to come with a sky-high price tag or crazy insurance premiums. Whether you’re after weekend thrills or a fun daily driver, there arelegit options out therethat won’t empty your wallet.
We rounded up 10sports carsunder $30,000 that offer the fun, style, and performance you’d expect from something twice the price. Some are virtually brand new, others are solid used buys, but all are seriously worth a look.
General vehicle information and performance data have been sourced from automakers and other authoritative sources, including CarBuzz, Car and Driver, Kelley Blue Book, and MotorTrend. This list is sorted by average used price, from highest to lowest. The prices quoted are based on Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price (National Average), with the models referenced being the newest available for under $30,000.
102018 Audi TTS Coupe
Average Used price: $29,948
The 2018AudiTTS is what happens when sleek styling meets all-wheel-drive grip and turbocharged speed. With nearly 300 horses under the hood and Quattro keeping things planted, it’s quick, confident, and looks way more expensive than it is.
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
6-speed automatic
292 hp
280 lb-ft
All-wheel drive
0-60 MPH
4.6 seconds
155 mph
(Data was collected from Audi)
Inside, it’s all clean lines, upscale materials, and Audi’s super-cool Virtual Cockpit display that replaces old-school gauges. This is a total sleeper pick if you’re after a fast car that also feels premium.
92018 BMW M240i xDrive Coupe
Average Used Price: $29,763
Think of the M240i xDrive as a mini rocket ship in luxury coupe clothing. It’s got a smooth inline-6 with 335 horsepower, all-wheel drive for grip, and that signatureBMWsteering feel.
3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6
6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic
335 hp
369 lb-ft
4.2 seconds
(Data was collected from BMW)
The interior hits that sweet spot between sporty and refined, with just enough tech to feel modern without overcooking it. It’s the kind of car that’s fun to thrash around, but chill enough to daily.
82024 Subaru BRZ Premium
Average Used Price: $29,442
TheSubaruBRZ keeps things simple in the best way—rear-wheel drive, a lightweight body, and just the right amount of power to keep you smiling through every corner. It’s not about crazy speed; it’s about having fun behind the wheel.
2.4-liter Boxer 4-cylinder
6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
228 hp
184 lb-ft
Rear-wheel drive
140 mph
(Data was collected from Subaru)
The Premium trim adds nice touches like sporty seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, and some modern safety tech. It’s a great pick if you want a near-new sports car that’s built to be driven hard and loved.
72018 Nissan 370Z Touring Sport Roadster
Average Used Price: $29,341
If you want top-down fun with real muscle under the hood, theNissan370Z Roadster’s got your back. The 3.7-liter V6 makes over 330 horsepower and sounds awesome doing it—plus the Touring Sport trim gives you upgraded brakes and a limited-slip diff.
3.7-liter V6
6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic
332 hp
270 lb-ft
5.0 seconds
157 mph
(Data was collected from Nissan)
Sure, the interior’s a bit dated, but you get legit sports car feel, good comfort, and that wind-in-your-hair experience. It’s raw, fun, and feels like an old-school roadster in the best way.
62014 Porsche Cayman Coupe
Average Used Price: $29,264
Yeah, it’s a 2014—but it’s still aPorsche. The mid-engine Cayman is one of the best-handling cars you’re able to get, period, and even this older model feels like something special every time you drive it.
2.7-liter flat-6
275 hp
213 lb-ft
5.7 seconds
165 mph
(Data was collected from Porsche)
The interior is clean, classy, and still holds up today. If you’re cool with going used, you can get a truesports caricon without spending new-Porsche money.
52024 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport
Average Used Price: $28,396
The Miata is the definition of “less is more.” It’s super light, super fun, and that 6-speed manual makes every drive feel like a mini adventure.
2.0-liter 4-cylinder
181 hp
151 lb-ft
5.5 seconds
137 mph
(Data was collected from Mazda)
You’re not getting fancy gadgets here, but you do get modern must-haves likeCarPlayand LED lights. It’s all about that wind-in-your-face, corner-carving joy.
42023 Toyota GR86 Coupe
Average Used Price: $27,984
TheToyotaGR86 is all about that rear-wheel-drive balance and sharp driving feel. Now with a bit more torque than the older model, it’s got just enough power to keep things lively without overwhelming you.
6.1 seconds
(Data was collected from Toyota)
The design is clean and aggressive, and inside, it’s all focused on the driver. If you’re after pure driving fun at a good price, this is one of the best newish cars out there.
32018 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe
Average Used Price: $26,902
This one’s all about raw muscle. TheCamaroSS packs a massive 6.2-liter V8 with 455 horsepower—yes,455—and that rumble is addictive.
6.2-liter V8
455 hp
455 lb-ft
4.3 seconds
180 mph
(Data was collected from Chevrolet)
It’s surprisingly composed around corners, too, especially with the right tires or optional performance bits. You’ll get modern tech inside and a whole lotta power for the money.
22023 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Coupe
Average Used Price: $25,388
Don’t sleep on the EcoBoostMustang—it may not have a V8, but 310 horsepower from a turbo-four is nothing to scoff at. It’s quick, efficient, and still very much a Mustang at heart.
2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4
6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic
310 hp
350 lb-ft
5.1 seconds
121 mph (145 mph EcoBoost Performance Package)
(Data was collected from Ford)
You also get a solid interior with good tech and room to stretch out. It’s the smart way to get into the Mustang game without stretching your budget.
12022 Hyundai Veloster N Coupe
Average Used Price: $23,805
TheHyundaiVeloster N is wild in all the right ways—275 horsepower, rev-matching, an exhaust that pops, and a chassis tuned by actual racers. It’s a hot hatch that’s way more serious than it looks.
260 lb-ft
Front-wheel drive
(Data was collected from Hyundai)
Plus, it’s practical, with real cargo space and good tech. It’s kind of a unicorn: fun, fast, functional, and affordable.
