When you hear the word “sports car,” your brain might jump to posters of cars in rooms like Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini. These cars are not available as new and don’t become very affordable as you get older. But you don’t have to pay for your child’s college education to enjoy driving.
There are a few sports cars available, but they are not as affordable as they used to be. And some of them are all new in 2022. If you can promise to pay around $30,000, which is a lot cheaper than the current average price of a new car, you can get a high quality manual transmission driver’s car. Impressive handling and ideal performance on public roads. We know we spent a lot of time taking almost all of them through science.
Best cheap sports car
Chevrolet Carom 1LT 2022
The Camaro is Chevrolet’s iconic vehicle. As GM turns into an electric vehicle maker, it’s about to go out the door in 2024. But as long as it remains, it may still be the best sports car on the market.
Pros: The Carom sounds like a sports car. It has powerful V6 and V 8 engines. You can buy it for less than $30,000 and $40,000 respectively. The addition of the ALE package makes it an underrated track performer. A manual transmission can be installed with all three engine options.
Cons: The Mustang looks good, but the Camacho’s design lacks visibility. These factors are enough to prevent transactions for many buyers.
Power train: 3.6-liter V6; 6-speed manual (10-speed automatic); rear drive
Strength: 335
Torque: 284 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 5.2 seconds
Fuel economy: 18 mpg city, 29 mpg highway.
Starting price: $28,490
Ford Mustang Eco Boost 2022
The Ford Mustang is an icon. The Mustang Eco Boost is an entry-level model with a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that costs less than $30,000, about $10,000 less than the V8 GT model.
Pros: The Mustang Eco Boost is lighter and more nimble than the GT and has better weight distribution. The 4-piston engine continues to pull with 1 ton of torque. You can level up with the high performance processing package. And you can get it with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Cons: Rollins 5.0 is a bit more fun. Eco Boost is not a 5.0-liter V8 engine. It doesn’t look like a 5.0-liter V8. And you will remember this every time you are in the car.
Power train: 2.3 liter turbocharged I-4; 6-speed manual (10-speed automatic); rear-wheel drive
Power: 310
Torque: 350 ft lbs
0-60mph: 5.0 seconds
Fuel economy: 21 mpg city, 32 mpg highway
Starting price: $ 27,205
Hyundai Starve 2022
The Ergosterol N is Hyundai’s compact 3-door hatchback coupe. This is the only second generation version of Starve still sold in the United States.
Pros: Ergosterol N is very fast and agile. In the best way, it sounds mania. “Wet” dual clutch automatics can be better than manuals. There is also a custom “N” performance mode.
Disadvantages: The Starve N looks very strange and has a three-door body that isn’t practical (this is the only Starve left for a reason). The ride is sometimes quite uncomfortable.
Power train: 2.0 liter I-4 turbo; 6-speed manual (8-speed dual clutch automatic); front
Power: 275 horsepower
Torque: 260 ft-pounds
0-60mph: 4.8 seconds
Fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway
Starting price: $ 32,500
Honda Civic March 2022
The Honda Civic Si is a sportier version of Honda’s new Civic, which made the GP100. The compact lift back sits between the base Civic and the next 11th Generation Type R.
Pros: The Civic Si only comes with a short range manual transmission. Suitable for accurate, dynamic and sporty driving. Honda added a combination of revs and fixed rate dampers from the Civic Type R and adjusted it to lower torque. It’s more practical than I expected.
Disadvantages: Civic Si has only one level. 11. Due to the stiff suspension, it’s uncomfortable to drive on bumpy roads every day when you don’t want to be sporty. There are sports cars suitable for driving in the winter.
Powertrain: 1.5 liter turbocharged I-4; 6-speed manual; front
Power: 200
Torque: 192 ft-pounds
0-60mph: 6.8 seconds
Fuel economy: 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway
Starting price: $ 27,500
2022 Mazda MX-5 Mia ta
The MX-5 Tatami is Mazda’s classic 2-door, rear-wheel drive lightweight roadster. This is the purest embodiment of the Mazda Jinan Pitta philosophy of unity between horses and riders. We also accept classic British roadsters, but they are better and more reliable.
Pros: Mazda maintains the pure vision of this car. He kept the lead. Please make it lighter. It offers some of the best dynamic performance available outside its price range. You can drive to the limits of public roads. It looks like part of a cool sports car.
Disadvantages: The MX-5 is small and impractical, so it cannot be used as a daily car driver. It has less horsepower and torque than many similar sized crossovers.
Power transmission: 2.0 l I-4; 6-speed manual (6-speed automatic); rear drive
Strength: 181
Torque: 151 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 5.7 seconds
Fuel economy: 26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway.
Starting price: $27,650
Subaru BRZ 2022
BRZ is Subaru’s compact sports coupe. They are Toyota GR86 twins: they share a Wikipedia page and both can be called Toyota Barr. 2022 is something completely new.
Pros: Subaru has upgraded the next generation engine to one with more power and better mid-range torque. Be respectful of him. Driving on a normal road is a pleasure. And BRZ still offers manual transmissions.
Drawbacks: Toyota and Subaru don’t add turbochargers. The BRZ is more practical on truck day than a baby with a small backseat: it has four spare wheels in the cargo area.
Transmission: 2.4-liter Boxer-4; 6-speed manual (6-speed automatic); rear drive
Power: 228
Torque: 184 ft-lbs
0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds
Fuel economy: 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway.
Starting price: $27,995
Subaru WRX 2022
The WRX is Subaru’s all-wheel drive sports sedan. The WRX is a descendant of the Impreza, which was the brand’s rally champion in the 1990s but is now a different model. 2022 is something completely new.
Pros: Subaru’s superior all-wheel drive system gives the WRX incredible traction and all-weather performance. The direction is well thought out. The manual transmission runs smoothly. The interior is ergonomically suited for sporty driving. It’s surprisingly simple by today’s standards.
Cons: Ride can be bumpy. You can’t get better options with a manual transmission. There was no significant power improvement over the previous generation (and there was no STI to fix it). Fuel economy is disappointing. Doesn’t look as good as the previous generation. And with the WRX’s reputation, it can be hard to convince others that you’re no good.
Powertrain: 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-4 engine. 6-speed manual (CVT); four-wheel drive
Strength: 271
Torque: 258 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 5.2 seconds
Fuel economy: 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway.
Starting price: $29,105
Volkswagen Golf GTI 2022
Volkswagen GTI is an original and legendary hatchback. VW introduced the new Mk8 model in 2022. The base MK8 Golf is not sold in the US and is currently VW’s base hatchback.
Pros: The Mk7 GTI was one of the easiest cars to drive on the roads. VW somehow made the handling of the Mk8 even better. Take more powerful hits than previous generations. This is a good transition to becoming a regular, practical daily driver on a real road. Manual transmissions are still available.
Cons: VW cuts inside corners. The seat and steering wheel are luxurious. Everything else inside is disappointing, from tactile buttons to cheap materials and backward and sub-optimal infotainment systems.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4; 6-speed manual (7-speed automatic); FORWARD
Strength: 241
Torque: 273 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 5.1 seconds
Fuel consumption: 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway.
Starting price: $29,880
2023 Acura Integra
Acura has revived the iconic Integrate nameplate as an entry-level sports car for the 2023 model. This was originally a coupe. This model is a 4-door lift back that replaces the ILX sedan. I haven’t had a chance to ride yet.
Strengths: The Integrate is affordable for luxury brands and also offers a 6-speed manual transmission with a limited slip differential.
Weaknesses: Acura did little to distinguish it from the Honda Civic Si except for the price.
Power unit: 1.5 liter I-4; 6-speed manual (CVT); front
Power: 200
Torque: 192 ft-pounds
0-60mph: undecided
Fuel economy: undecided
Starting price: $ 30,800
2022 Toyota GR86
The Toyota GR86 is Toyota’s entry-level sports car. GR stands for Kazoo Racing. It is a new double Subaru BRZ in 2022. I haven’t had a chance to ride yet. But Car and Driver, along with the BRZ, named it the 10th best pick of the year.
Strengths: Toyota has added more horsepower with the new engine and solved the mid range torque curve problem compared to the previous model.
Disadvantages: Toyota does not add a turbocharger for more power. The back seats are not comfortable for children.
Power train: 2.4-liter horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder; 6-speed manual (6-speed automatic); rear-wheel drive
Power: 228HP
Torque: 184 ft-pounds
0-60mph: 6.1 seconds
Fuel economy: 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway
Starting price: $ 27,700
