The Fastest Sports Cars Under $60,000

The chase for speed in the world of performance cars has never been more competitive than it is today. Creating the best sports car possible that delivers the highest levels of performance and blistering speeds has been the goal of automakers for decades. With increasing technological advancements and higher standards of engineering, along with the rising prices of cars in general, the second goal has been developing accessible sports cars that don’t break the bank.

We look a 10 of the quickest cars on the market for under $60,000. These are the fastest affordable sports cars on the market, all of which have one goal in mind, mind-boggling speed. Whether you are looking to spice up your driving experience or looking for an entry-level sports car for the track, these are your best options under the $60,000 mark.

UPDATE: 2024/03/27 12:50 EST

This update freshens up the piece with new entries like the Mustang and Integra Type S, which replace discontinued models like the Kia Stinger and Audi TT. It also updates pricing for the 2024 model year.

In order to give you the most up-to-date information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including HotCars and CarBuzz.

10 Toyota GR 86 Premium

Starting MSRP: $31,900

Toyota’s entry-level sports car may have had a shaky entry into the market, but with updates over the years, it has undoubtedly become one of the best sports cars you can own.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Toyota)

At $31,000, this car is a monster for its price bracket. Its small 2.4-liter four-cylinder packs enough of a punch to shoot its incredibly light chassis around a track. It’s super nimble, and its brilliant manual transmission makes it a blast to drive for new and experienced drivers alike. The only complaint we could make about this car is the cabin noise at high speed and that it isn’t the fastest car out there, but that is if we were to nitpick.

9 Lexus IS 350 F Sport

Starting MSRP: $47,660

The Lexus IS is one of the most impressive sports sedans available, blending pure V-6 power with a refined level of comfort and luxury.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Lexus)

For anyone familiar, the turbocharged four-cylinder in the base level IS is somewhat boring. However, the engaging V-6 in the F Sport model facilitates exhilarating performance. While not as sharp as offerings from German manufacturers like BMW, the IS F Sport is well-balanced, providing excitement on track and practicality during everyday use. Furthermore, being a Lexus, it is one of the most reliable fast sports cars on the market.

8 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Coupe

Starting MSRP: $51,700

BMW’s 2 Series is a great entry-level luxury car that offers some excellent sporty fun as well, especially if you go for the M240i trims. Despite not being a full-on M model, the M240i provides great performance for the price.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: BMW)

This trim level of the 2 Series gets a significantly more powerful engine than its base offering, allowing it to rocket around at a reasonable price. This is one of the fastest sports cars under $60,000, with some really impressive 0 to 60 MPH speeds. The added luxury that BMW offers also means that after you’re done throwing it around, it can also transform into a rather tame daily driver.

7 Acura Integra Type S

Starting MSRP: $51,800

The base Acura Integra, the cheapest new luxury sedan you can buy, isn’t a performance machine. However, at the top of the Integra food chain lies the Integra Type S, one of the best sports cars under $60k.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Acura)

The standard Integra and the Type S are planets apart when considering performance, which isn’t surprising given that the Type S’s engine produces 120 more horsepower. The Type S comes exclusively with a stick shift and performance-enhancing features like larger Brembo brakes and a special exhaust system with three huge center-mounted exhauts pipes.

6 Nissan Z Performance

Starting MSRP: $52,310

The Nissan Z has an immense history behind it – the Z name has graced some of the best coupes to come out Japan, such as the Fairlady Z, the 350Z, and the 370Z. The latest version of the Z looks to the past in a very modern way.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Nissan)

The Nissan Z was one of the most anticipated sports car revivals of the decade. With a history of one of the most iconic designs in the sporting world, Nissan returned to its roots in terms of styling. Under the hood, the twin-turbo V-6 gives the Z the power it needs to achieve some incredible speeds. Along with its massive horsepower, it has some incredibly good handling.

5 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

Starting MSRP: $54,050

The BMW Z4 is one of the best roadsters to ever exist. The German automaker has crafted a finely tuned, affordable sports car that keeps getting better and better.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: BMW)

The roadster’s eight-speed paddle shift transmission is one of the best automatic transmissions on the market. However, if you’d rather have a stick shift, BMW offers a Handschalter package costing $3,500 that adds performance-enhancing parts like stiffer anti-roll bars and a manual transmission. The sDrive30i model fits under our $60,000 budget, but there is also the option of the much more powerful M40i if you have a few thousand more to spend. The sDrive30i still does incredibly well with its peppy turbo four-cylinder.

4 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 35 Coupe

Starting MSRP: $54,950

Turning luxury cars into purebred performance cars is what Mercedes-AMG is all about. Despite the CLA’s sedan styling, it has the powertrain to allow it to tangle with some seriously fast cars.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Mercedes-AMG)

Praise be to AMG for giving us this incredibly well-tuned turbocharged four-cylinder, which allows the car to reach some truly impressive speeds. While not as fast as the pricier CLA 45, which features the most powerful four-pot in production, the CLA 35 is rapid, completing the 60 MPH dash in under 5.0 seconds. This blend of luxury and purebred performance is a true blessing to drive.

3 Audi S5 Coupe Premium

Starting MSRP: $57,500

While the S5 may be hard to tell apart from the A5, the roaring turbocharged V-6 is quick to remind you that this coupe isn’t here to mess around.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Audi)

The S5 has a fairly impressive 0 to 60 MPH time for a luxury coupe, which it achieves thanks to Audi’s launch control system. The S Sport package that the S5 features comes with a torque-vectoring rear differential and adaptive dampers, which make it brilliant for putting your foot down around track corners. While its ride is firm, it’s not so unforgiving that it’s unpleasant to drive daily.

2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Starting MSRP: $58,185

Ford breathed new life into its uber-successful Mustang by introducing a new generation of the iconic car with many style and powertrain updates. At the top of the trim tree sits the Dark Horse, the Mustang’s track-ready variant.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Ford)

For the uninitiated, the Dark Horse is an evolution of the sixth-generation’s Mach 1. It features the same Tremec six-speed manual from the Mach 1 and the axed Shelby GT350. The Dark Horse is the only trim with a 500-horsepower V-8 engine, making it the fastest Mustang variant available. It is rapid without any options added, but if you want to wring every last ounce of performance from this feral machine, consider purchasing the Handling Package.

1 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium

Starting MSRP: $58,550

The Toyota GR Supra is one of the best sports cars you can buy. Despite its obvious BMW heritage and the surrounding controversy, the GR Supra’s performance is undeniable.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Toyota)

The Supra’s home is on the track where it can really showcase its ability to tear through corners and grip onto apexes. The car was undeniably built for enthusiasts. Even the lowest priced four-cylinder option will give you all the speed you want, but if you’re looking for some serious pace, the inline-six in the 3.0 is going to be your best bet.