The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car, but with a legendary status comes a high price tag. If you’re looking for an exhilarating driving experience without breaking the bank, many other fantastic sports cars offer a thrilling ride. We take a look at 21 cool alternatives to the Porsche 911 that won’t cost you the earth.
Nissan 370Z
A long-standing favorite, the Nissan 370Z boasts a powerful V6 engine, sharp handling, and a timeless design. It’s a fantastic choice for purists who crave a no-frills, driver-focused sports car experience.
Ford Mustang
This iconic American car offers a thrilling V8 engine option, rear-wheel-drive handling, and a surprisingly comfortable interior. With various trims and customization options, a Mustang suits almost any taste and budget.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Mustang’s fiercest rival, the Camaro, offers similar performance and muscle car thrills. It’s available in a coupe or convertible body style, with various turbocharged and V8 engine options.
Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86
These rear-wheel-drive twins offer agile handling, a high-revving naturally-aspirated engine, and a focus on driver engagement. They might not have the most power, but these cars make up for it in pure driving fun.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda is the world’s best-selling roadster and is famous for its lightweight design, lively handling, and drop-top driving thrills. It’s a fantastic choice for those prioritizing agility and open-air motoring over sheer power.
Dodge Challenger
Another popular muscle car is the Challenger, which offers a retro design, a powerful V8 engine, and many features. It’s not the most agile car on this list, but it delivers a unique blend of power, comfort, and style.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
This discontinued gem from Hyundai offered a powerful turbocharged engine, rear-wheel-drive handling, and a surprisingly luxurious interior at a very competitive price. You might be able to find a great deal of used Genesis Coupes on resale sites near you.
Kia Stinger GT
Another discontinued model, the Kia Stinger GT, was a surprising performance bargain. It offered a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, rear-wheel-drive handling, and a luxurious interior rivaling German sports sedans. According to True Car, the average cost of a used Stinger GT is $14,000 to $47,991.
BMW M2
The smallest M car, the M2, packs a serious punch with a powerful turbocharged engine and sharp handling. It’s a fantastic option for those who want a compact, high-performance BMW like a Porsche without a high price tag.
Audi TT
The Audi TT is a stylish and sophisticated coupe that offers a range of turbocharged engines and all-wheel-drive grip. It’s a great choice for a luxurious, comfortable sports car with impressive performance.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the quintessential hot hatchback, offering practicality, performance, and affordability. It’s a fantastic daily driver that can also hold its own on a winding road.
Ford Fiesta ST
Another discontinued hot hatch, the Ford Fiesta ST, was a joy to drive. It had a small but punchy engine, sharp handling, and a fun-to-drive character, making every commute feel like a race track. You might be able to find a used Fiesta ST for a steal, but make sure you do thorough checks or ask a mechanic friend to help you view it.
Honda Civic Si
A legend in the sport compact segment, the Honda Civic Si offers a high-revving naturally-aspirated engine, accurate handling, and Honda’s renowned reliability. It’s a fantastic choice for those prioritizing fun and engagement over outright power.
Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is another legend in the sport compact segment. It offers a turbocharged engine for explosive acceleration, an all-wheel-drive grip for all-weather performance, and a spacious interior that can accommodate passengers or cargo. It’s a fantastic choice for a versatile and practical performance car.
2007 Infiniti G37/Q60
The 2007 Infiniti G37 is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine, known for its robust performance and smooth power delivery. This engine produces an impressive 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The car’s rear-wheel-drive layout contributes to its sporty handling and balanced driving dynamics, giving the 911 a run for its money.
2005 Alpina B5
The heart of the 2005 Alpina B5 is a supercharged 4.4-liter V8 engine. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a ZF six-speed automatic transmission, which Alpina specially tuned for quicker and smoother shifts. The B5 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph.
2006 BMW M5
The fourth-generation BMW M5 was a true game-changer with a bespoke 5.0-liter V10 engine built specifically for this high-performance sedan. In normal mode, it unleashed a formidable 400 horsepower, but a simple press of the “power” button unleashed an additional 100 horses, bringing the total to a staggering 500 horsepower.
2008 Mercedes C63 AMG
The 2008 C63 AMG is powered by a hand-built 6.2-liter V8 engine known as the M156. With a 7-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, making it one of the quickest cars in its class.
2004 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG
This engine on this car produces an impressive 493 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 5-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission, the SL55 AMG can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. The supercharger delivers immediate power, ensuring thrilling acceleration and robust performance across the RPM range.
2007 BMW M6
With a 5.0-liter V10 engine paired with a 7-speed SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) transmission, the M6 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The engine’s high-revving nature and sophisticated engineering provide a thrilling driving experience. The car features BMW’s variable M differential lock, which enhances traction and stability during aggressive driving.
2009 Maserati GranTurismo S
The Gran Turismo S was low-slung, with curvaceous bodywork and a timeless elegance that surpassed even the Porsche 911. The 4.7-liter V8 engine, developed in collaboration with Ferrari, generates 433 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed automated manual transmission, known as the MC-Shift, which offers quick gear changes and a sporty driving experience.
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