Four Surprising Performance Cars That Won’t Break the Bank
Most of the readers and writers at this site are gearheads, obviously. How else can one explain their continued presence around here, other than a serious case of Stockholm Syndrome? Whatever the case, we tend to believe one needn’t turn in their driver’s card just because they’re on a budget.
This list assembles a quintet of new cars which achieve that goal. While the headline calls them ‘surprising’, some are nothing of the sort.
[Images: Manufacturers]
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Mazda MX-5
Starting with this one, of course. It’s an old trope that ‘Miata is always the answer’, though we need to point out its name is literally an acronym for that statement. Coincidence? Maybe. These days, the MX-5 makes 181 horsepower from its pert 2.0L engine, all funneled to the rear wheels through a snick-snick manual transmission (don’t even think about spec’ing the auto unless you’ve one leg in which case you have our condolences). A starting price of $29,530 remains a great deal.
Toyota GR 86
This half of the twin set gets the nod thanks to a price tag of $30,000 and bevy of available colours even in its base trim. A recent revamp did nothing to blunt the sporty experience, a treat in this world which usually delivers cars bigger and heavier with each passing generation. Those 228 horsepower are a hoot in a car this size, though we must say the cabin is creatively engineered so even this 6’6” author can fit behind the wheel.
Hyundai Elantra N
The sporty and roarty compact sedan is alive and well with the Elantra N, putting forth 276 horsepower and a pop/snarl exhaust note for $34,350. Lightweight sport bucket seats hold front row passengers tighter than a naughty co-ed, while the so-called N Corner Carving Differential actually does bring the goods and help the driver look like a hero in the twisties.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
How can a list of affordable performance cars pass without mention of the car which arguably started an entire segment? It can’t, which is why the GTI secures a place here. These days, the GTI is a model all its own with three trims, the least expensive of which is a $32,445 S model. A trick diff lives up front, headlamps respond to steering inputs, and 241 horsepower are hove from its turbocharged engine. We won’t mention the absence of a manual transmission. Wait, we just did.
