10 Sports Cars Under $40K That Enthusiasts Actually Recommend

Sports cars like the BMW M3 are some of the primary reasons why driving is so enjoyable. Yet, as amazing as a 2026 BMW M3 Sedan sounds, its $79,300 starting price is completely out of reach for most driving enthusiasts. As a solution, we have constructed a list of ten sports cars that are half the price of a new BMW M3, about $40,000. While that is still a good chunk of change for a sports car, the vehicles featured on our list are among the best money can buy at this price. For further variety, we have split the list in half: five new models and five used models that can be found under this price point. Curious to know which cars made the cut? Follow along as we break down each entry one by one.

2008 Honda S2000

Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price: $21,900

The 2008 Honda S2000 is simply put, one of the purest driver’s cars ever produced. Yet, don’t take our word for it. A 5,000-mile review from a new owner, UTexas S2K, back in 2012 still rings true today. They stated this concerning the S2000’s drive: “I have driven several cars in the past; everything from Mazda MX-5s to Nissan 350zs to BMW M3’s and to this day, I have to admit that I have never driven any car quite as perfect as an S2000. From the very first time I drove one, I was immediately hooked. I must have driven over 30 S2000s before I purchased one because I was so addicted to the feeling of the car!”

I love hopping in the car every morning, hitting the start button and listening to the car turn over. Rowing through the gears, you immediately realize how perfect this gearbox is. To this day, I have yet to find a gearbox that truly rivals this one. When driving the car, you feel so connected to the road; the car just begs to be pushed around corners. The engine yearns to be revved. Having a bad day? No problem. Just hop into one of these and mash the throttle all the way up to VTEC range and you’ll begin to feel all of your problems just slip away. This car is like a drug: you’re kind of nervous to take it at first but as soon as you realize what it will do for you, you keep wanting more and more — UTexas S2K, S2KI Member

2011 BMW M3 Sedan

Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price: $21,500

While a new BMW M3 sounds cool, what if we told you one of the older ones was better? The 2011 BMW M3 Sedan is often considered the last analog M3 model, yet, we think you should hear it directly from a long-term owner, Mike’s Steering Column: “More than anything else, I loved its maniac engine, which felt ripped from a racecar. Nearly as great were its feelsome steering, balanced chassis and handsome looks. And it was practical too!”

For daily driving, the orange seats — the most comfortable seats of any car I’ve owned — and woven “carbon leather” trim added upscale and light-hearted touches to the interior. The adjustable suspension calmed down enough for around-town use, and the well-insulated cabin kept out the wrong noises and let in the right ones. With comfortable seating for four and a generous trunk, it was hard to fault!

At the racetrack, the V8 screamed to the redline with urgency: the final 2k RPM was an eye-widening delight. Its steering and chassis twittered with telepathic feedback. (Especially when compared to BMW’s modern, and mute, EPAS steering.) The M3 and I were in our happy place when flying past apexes with poise…and sometimes with heapings of oversteer — Mike’s Steering Column

2019 Ford Mustang GT Coupe

Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price: $25,600

The Ford Mustang has been the go-to car for low-cost fun for decades and that still is true of the 2019 Ford Mustang GT Coupe. This is especially true when one is equipped with PP2 (Performance Package Level 2), which adds serious handling capabilities to this powerful platform. Here are a few excerpts from a two-year ownership review by Greg Kachadurian, a Hooniverse forum member: “Now while road trips and Friday commutes to work are fine and dandy, there were three reasons why I bought my Mustang with PP2: mountain roads, Atlanta Motorsports Park, and Road Atlanta. A separate track review is coming, but 99 percent of my spirited driving takes place in the mountains. I knew that would be the case, so its performance here was most important to me. My usual stomping grounds are a series of fast and medium-speed sweepers with a few switchbacks thrown in. On these roads and everything else I’ve taken it to thus far, this car is truly outstanding.”

The steering is remarkably precise even with the less aggressive tires and the car is eager to change directions. The back follows the nose just fine, but I still get the feeling that there’s some excess movement in the rear. It feels like a little shimmying going on in the rear subframe if the road isn’t very smooth. It’s amplified if I’m on power when I come across a mid corner bump. On most roads though, it flows through sweepers beautifully as long as I manage the throttle correctly. I can aggressively apply throttle towards the end of the corner and the tires never slip. The car responds well to mid corner throttle adjustments and trail braking is a breeze. I never have an issue placing the car exactly where I want. That’s useful because the car’s width makes lane placement especially important – Greg Kachadurian, Hooniverse

2012 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe (C6)

Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price: $25,600

Perhaps the ultimate bang-for-buck performance ever produced is the Chevrolet Corvette. The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe still offers one of the greatest value propositions of any sports car on the market in both base and Grand Sport (GS) configurations. Yet, hear it from an owner review from 2019 by Hooniverse member Ross Ballot: “In a straight line, the dry-sump LS3 is satisfyingly strong. It’s not extreme to the caliber of what today’s internet deems normal, but it’s still 430 horsepower and nearly the same torque. The multi-tiered traction control system, though antiquated compared to current tech, makes easy work of managing the power and the steamroller-like 325-section rear tires provide excellent traction. Acceleration in the first three gears is violent. At full throttle it’s not so much driving the car as it is pointing and hanging on. Every sensation is further exaggerated with the roof off, the exhaust’s bellow amplified as the wind rushes by overhead. It’s intoxicating.”

The forward thrust isn’t much when compared to modern offerings. The handling, however, is still outstanding. Exploring the top third of the Grand Sport’s capability on the street simply cannot be done; the grip is absolutely phenomenal. Even with the side bolsters fully extended the seats don’t stand a chance of holding the driver in place when cornering with the vigor that the GS can manage.

Steering feel, too, is solid. The small dead spot on-center is only noticeable just before the front tires grab a section of road and tramline the car off its intended path. Under load the front end provides good feedback and equal steering weight. Every fragment of what’s happening isn’t transmitted but inputs result in the tires doing exactly what they’re told – Ross Ballot, Hooniverse

2026 Toyota GR86

Base MSRP: $31,200

The first new model on our list is the 2026 Toyota GR86. Since the debut of the latest generation for the 2022 model year, the Toyota GR86 has been praised among enthusiasts for the quality of its driving experience. Here is an honest review from a new owner, mmalik85, posted on GR86.org in 2022: “I love the car overall and would 100 percent buy it again. Do NOT get this car if you care about your car being fast or if you want straight-line speed, most new minivans will be able to beat this off the line. Do not buy this car if you care about luxury, a fancy interior, or having a quiet cabin. Do not buy this car if you prefer auto over manual. Buy this car if you love an engaging drive and if you want to be a better driver.”

Buy it if you need a car that you can daily drive and have a blast each time you drive it (on turns and twisty roads mainly). To me driving this to work is like playing a video game. Getting that perfectly smooth rev match or heel-toe down shift is satisfying. Toyota and Subaru joined forces to build a car that prioritizes fun in the corners over hp/torque. If acceleration and power is what’s fun for you, skip this car. If handling is fun for you, buy it. And last but not least, I always turn around after parking to appreciate how good it looks — mmalik85, GR86.org

2026 Honda Civic Si Sedan

Base MSRP: $31,495

Another enthusiast-focused new model is the 2026 Honda Civic Si Sedan. Honda is one of the few automakers still offering manual transmission vehicles built specifically for driving enjoyment. Yet, hear it from sackofcheese, a new owner who did a 1,000-mile review of their 2022 Honda Civic Si on CivicXi.com: “For spirited driving the chassis balance is downright epic. The car encourages you to drive harder and faster. The auto-rev match system works near flawlessly, and even without it, it’s super easy to heel toe. The shifter is a joy to use. Well defined gates and a good shape knob. It does require a little heft but is so fun to operate. The way Honda tuned the engine, it pulls all the way to redline, add in the short gearing and it feels much faster than it actually is.”

People on the internet are complaining that 200hp isn’t enough, but honestly it feels like a good amount. I like being able to wring out the car without breaking the speed limit too much. Plus, it still has enough power to get around just about anything. When it’s put into sport mode you get pumped in audio that I actually think sounds decent. The steering is super precise and the way the car builds confidence in you, it’s just fun. The diff is magical too, but I’m sure that’s any helical LSD in a FWD car. It genuinely shocked me but down my favorite local twisty road, the Si was able to be just as fast as my MK7 GTI. The way the car allows you to carry speed is wonderful. Unlike that GTI you don’t have to fight the car either. It seems like it is eager to have fun. The GTI was very German and would shut down any fun, even with ESC coded to be fully off – sackofcheese, CivicXi.com

2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Base MSRP: $31,665

The quintessential affordable sports car is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Yet, how does it compare to an AP2 Honda S2000? Grassroots forum member, roninsolder83, provided a comprehensive comparison of the two sports cars in a 2025 post: “Around town, the ND2 has noticeably more low and mid-range pull. I can put my foot down in the ND2 at ~3500rpm and it at least moves as though it has a sense of a purpose. Try that in the S2000, and you’re likely going to miss that hole in traffic that you were shooting for.

From a low-rolling start, say 5mph, pulling away from a traffic light, the ND2 feels like the quicker of the two cars, or at least until you hit VTEC in the S2000. I can see why their 0-60mph times are comparable, but that’s assuming someone launches the S2000 and keeps it in VTEC. From 5-60mph, the ND2 is rated at being about a half a second quicker; which I think is about right. On the street, at lower speeds, in more situations, the ND2 is quicker, more of the time.”

Which of these cars is more fun? Man, that’s a tough one. In town, I would say the ND is more fun to drive, more of the time. On an open canyon road, I might switch my decision and go with the S2000. Assuming you fit and enjoy tiny Japanese roadsters, I don’t know that you can go wrong with either of these cars — roninsolder83, Grassroots Motorsports

2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Base MSRP: $34,590

The 2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI is a versatile hot hatch with good looks and performance. Though it doesn’t move numbers like it used to, there are still many enthusiasts this platform appeals to. Hear it from owner navsjab, who posted an extensive review about his Mk8 Golf GTI in 2023 on team-bhp.com: “the driving experience is absolutely the vehicle’s forte. Equipped with a 2L 4-cylinder turbo making 241 bhp and 370 Nm, managing a 0-100 kmph at 6.4 seconds, the GTI is fun to drive, to say the least. The top-of-the-line GTI comes with a dynamic chassis control and a driver select mode, you can change the stiffness of the ride, make it stiff and sporty or soft and comfortable depending on your usage preference. There are pre-sets that make adjustments for you as well. With the sport pre-set, not only does the sound, steering and chassis change, but the vehicle can also do pops and bangs without any tunes.”

The paddle shifters are extremely thrilling to use. Be it D or S mode, if you want the adrenaline rush, just drop the gear and disappear. The response is quick and satisfying. Cornering, even while giving power into the front wheels is confidence inspiring, thanks to the VAQ Limited Slip Differential – navsjab, team-bhp.com

2026 Hyundai Elantra N

Base MSRP: $35,100

The hottest variant of Korea’s staple sedan, the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N, has been making a name for itself among enthusiasts since its debut in 2021. Still, is it the driver’s car it’s been cracked up to be? Here is a perspective from owner Wild24EN, who posted their thoughts on the Elantra N subreddit after eight months of ownership: “This car is extremely fun to drive. Both in stock form and with all the mods. The sounds it makes, the way it handles, takes turns is unlike any other car I’ve ever drive. The price was a huge selling point of this car is being able to be a CTR competitor at a much lower price and being able to be sold at MSRP or less.”

The bucket seats are amazing. I’ve driven 2–3 hours in them with no breaks and didn’t feel any fatigue. They hold me in place very well especially when taking corners quickly. The mods I’ve installed are all in hopes of making the car feel even better than stock. The bushings, tune, and exhaust took everything that was already great with the car and made it even better. I live in Alberta and we’re now experiencing -15 Celsius (5F). Our winters usually reach around -40 Celsius (-40F) during peak winter days. The car has handled really well in the snow and cold, running stock rims and Kumho Winter tires – Wild24EN, Elantra N subreddit

2016 Porsche Cayman

Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price: $36,000

One of the best driver’s cars you could buy under $40,000 is, without a doubt, the 2016 Porsche Cayman. With stunning mid-engine chassis balance, precise and playful steering, and a high-revving engine that is to die for, the 981 Porsche Cayman can do no wrong. Yet, let owner Alex Dunlop chime in on his two-year, 20,000-mile review of his manual 981 Cayman on Rush Magazine UK: “The overall driving experience was wonderful – a flat-six that makes all the exotic noises, spectacularly well-judged control weights, and chassis balance that feels telepathic to your inputs. On the right road, you flow with the car and enter a rhythm without even thinking about it. The car loved to carry speed into corners and the way it could rotate and tighten its line under trail braking was utterly delectable.”

It was all the sports car you would ever need, wrapped up in a surprisingly practical package. Having two boots is by far the best feature of the Cayman – you would not believe the crap they can hold. You can easily get four bags of compost in the frunk, much to the amusement of onlookers in the garden centre car park…It is almost annoying how good Porsche can engineer a car – almost to the point of it becoming a little cold-feeling. You want it to be a little more off the wall and endearing, but instead it just does the job you thought it would — Alex Dunlop, Rush Magazine UK

Sources: OEMs, S2KI, Hooniverse, Grassroots Motorsports, GR86.org, CivicXI.com, Elantra N subreddit, Rush Magazine UK, team-bhp.com, Mike’s Steering Column