Sports Cars
These days affordable sports cars are fewer and further between with the brand-new sports coupe or convertible with the manual transmission and a price under $30,000 becoming more difficult to find. Thankfully, there are a few left and you can sample them back-to-back with Cartrast. Despite there being fewer choices, today’s affordable sports cars are refined enough to be used as daily drivers, delivering exceptional ride comfort and fuel economy, while delivering an engaging driving experience.
Please note: As our focus is on sports cars that are attainable in the $30,000 range, the cars available for test drives at Cartrast will not be equipped with a V-8 engine. Call us at 669-222-9588 if you have any questions.
Mazda MX-5
Mazda’s MX-5 has long been a favorite of those looking for an engaging driving experience both on the road and track. Available with either a soft top or retractable hardtop (RF), the sole engine is a 4-cylinder generating 181 horsepower paired to either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. Standard features include LED headlights and 16-inch alloy wheels. Those looking for more performance equipment can specify the Brembo/BBS/Recaro Package with Recaro leather seats, front Brembo brake rotors, and 17-inch BBS forged wheels.
Toyota 86
The 86 is an affordable 2+2 rear-wheel drive sports coupe that focuses on the driver receiving effective balance and feel. For 2020, Toyota has introduced a Hakone Edition of the 86, with a unique green color and bronze wheels. All 86s have a 4-cylinder boxer engine making 205 horsepower with the 6-speed manual transmission and 200 horsepower with an available automatic on the base 86 and midrange 86 GT trim. The 86 GT brings dual-zone climate control and heated seats for more comfort.
Dodge Challenger
The Challenger is Dodge’s rear-drive performance muscle car. The GT and SXT models come with a 305-horsepower V-6 and are available with all-wheel-drive. The R/T gets a 375-horsepower V-8 with the R/T Scat Pack getting a larger 485-horsepower V-8. The SRT Hellcat has a supercharged V-8 making 717 horsepower while opting for the Hellcat Redeye increases horsepower to 797. A manual transmission is standard on Challenger R/T, Scat Pack, and SRT Hellcat models with an automatic optional. Challenger SXT, GT, and SRT Hellcat Redeye come with the automatic only.
Ford Mustang
Being the world’s best-selling sports coupe, the Mustang provides an image no other vehicles can match. Customers can pick between coupe and convertible body styles and 5 trim levels: EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and BULLITT (coupe only). EcoBoost trims come with a 310-horsepower 4-cylinder, but a new High Performance Package ups the power to 330. GT and BULLITT versions come with a V-8 making 460 horsepower in the GT and 480 in the BULLITT. All Mustangs (except BULLITT) are available with a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. Options include a 1,000-watt B&O sound system and an active-valve exhaust system on V-8 cars.
FIAT 124 Spider
FIAT’s 124 Spider delivers an Italian take on the roadster experience. The 124 Spider is available in 4 trim levels: base Classica, style-oriented Urbana, comfort-oriented Lusso and, for performance enthusiasts, Abarth. The top-end Abarth gets performance upgrades such as a Bilstein sport suspension, limited-slip differential, front strut tower bar, and sport-tuned exhaust. A Brembo braking system and Recaro seats are optional on the Abarth. All Spiders come with a 4-cylinder engine making 160 horsepower in the Classica and Lusso trims and 164 in the Abarth. A manual transmission comes standard with an automatic optional.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is known for its balance of driving fun, refinement and value. Customers can choose between coupe and convertible body styles as well as four different models: LS, LT, SS, and ZL1. As for engines, the LS and LT come standard with a 4-cylinder making 275 horsepower with a 335-horsepower V-6 an option on the LT. Going for the SS nets a V-8 making 455 horsepower while the ZL1 gets a supercharged V-8 putting out 650 horsepower. All Camaros are available with the choice of a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission. For track use, owners can specify the 1LE package, available only on manual-equipped cars.
Subaru BRZ
The BRZ is Subaru’s fun to drive sport coupe, available in 2 trim levels: well-equipped Limited and track-oriented tS. The engine is a turbocharged 4-cylinder making 205 horsepower when paired to a 6-speed manual transmission and 200 horsepower with an optional automatic on the BRZ Limited trim. Buyers who choose the Limited can specify an optional Performance Package, with Brembo brakes and SACHS Performance shock absorbers. The tS comes solely in white with matte-bronze wheels. A total of 300 BRZ tS cars will be produced for 2020.