The 2022 Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ twins are back in their second generation and ameliorate than ever. Given that cars are getting more and more than expensive, information technology's expert to run across manufacturers are all the same willing to brand cars that more than people are able to purchase. The GR86 and BRZ take a bigger 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated apartment-iv with 231 horsepower and 184 pound-anxiety (249 Nm).

With that existence said, the new BRZ even so costs $28,845 and the GR86 around $31,000, which is more money than some people are willing to part with. Luckily, in that location is a surprising amount of alternatives out there that can provide similar levels of fun at a lower price.

Mazda MX5 / Miata

You probably expected this. Mazda'due south little roadster has always been the closest modern-day alternative to the "Toyobaru". Compact, lightweight, rear-cycle-drive, and powered by a normally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, both cars are the paradigm of simplicity and fun.

Nevertheless, the Miata makes upwards for information technology with lightness. At 2,271 pounds (i,030 kg) it's significantly lighter than the 2,800-pound (1,270 kg) Toyota GR86. Considering of this, the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) dart is dealt with in just 5.7 seconds – 0.5 seconds quicker than the GR86's half dozen.2-second time. The little Mazda starts at $24,051, which as well makes it a lot cheaper. If you want to go the used motorcar route, earlier examples of the Miata first from as piffling equally $5,000.

Mazda MX-five Miata specifications

Engine

2.0-liter normally-aspirated inline-iv

Power

184 HP

Torque

151 LB-FT

Weight

2,271 pounds (ane,030 kg)

0 to 60 mph

v.7 seconds

Cost

$24,051

Read our full review on the Mazda MX5 / Miata

Honda S2000

When we talk compact ordinarily-aspirated sports cars, the Honda S2000 is often the start to come to heed. It's basically a Mazda MX5 turned to xi. Although it went out of production more than a decade agone, the automobile is however highly sought-after by enthusiasts and for a skillful reason. In addition to having a fun and capable chassis, the Japanese roadster boasts ane of the all-time high-revving, naturally-aspirated inline-four engines always made.

Earlier cars had a displacement of 2.0 liters and produced 240 horsepower and 153 pound-feet (208 Nm). Even more impressive was the nine,000 RPM redline. In 2005, the S2000 received a facelift, which also bored out the engine to two.2 liters and improved low-finish torque. The roadster had a dry weight of 2,776 pounds (1,250 kg) and could dart to sixty mph (97 km/h) in merely five.8 seconds. While earlier examples can be found for around $twenty,000, yous'll have to prepare at least $25,000 for a after one in pristine status. Prices are steadily going up, so now is the time to get one.

Honda S2000 specifications

Engine

2.2-liter, 16-valve DOHC VTEC 4-cylinder

Power

237 HP @ 7,800 RPM

Torque

162 LB-FT @ 6,800 RPM

Weight

two,776 lbs (ane,250 kg)

0 to 60 mph

v.8 seconds

Price

$xx,000-$25,000

Read our total review on the Honda S2000

Nissan 370Z

If you desire to become more car for your money, but retain the same normally-aspirated, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, it doesn't become much amend than the Nissan 370Z. Produced for more than a decade, the Z34 is finally getting a replacement, which ways information technology's going to get fifty-fifty more affordable in the near hereafter. With this, you are getting into a completely dissimilar performance segment.

Despite weighing in at 3,358 pounds (ane,523 kg), the "Z" manages a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just iv.vii seconds. You can get a well-sorted one for under $14,000 and fifty-fifty the actually good, later ones are around $25,000.

Nissan 370Z Nismo specifications

Engine

iii.7-liter VQ37DE Five-6

Power

332 HP

Torque

272 LB-FT

Weight

3,358 lbs (i,523 kg)

0 to sixty mph

4.7 seconds

Price

$14,000 - $25,000

Read our full review on the Nissan 370Z

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

In 2009, Hyundai entered the globe of rear-wheel-drive sports cars. The Genesis was best described as a nice middle-footing between the Pony cars such as the Mustang, and Japanese performance cars like the 370Z. Similar the GR86/BRZ, the Genesis gives you lot rear seats, although they are almost as useless. You also go engine choices. If yous fancy a turbo-four, y'all can get the 2.0-liter variant with 213 horsepower (274 for the facelift) and 223 to 275 pound-anxiety (309 - 373 Nm).

Later versions (2012 - 2017) give the V-six direct injection. The Genesis is one of the bigger and heavier cars on the listing, with a dry weight of 3,393 to 3,483 pounds (one,523 - 1,580 kg). Depending on the engine, you'll hit 60 mph in vii.0 to 4.eight seconds. Prices kickoff from as little as $vii,000 for an before ii.0 turbo, while subsequently V-vi models currently go for around $22,000.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe specifications

Engine

3.8-liter Five-6

Power

306 - 348 HP

Torque

266 - 295 LB-FT

Weight

3,393 to 3,483 lbs (1,523 - one,580 kg)

0 to 60 mph

7.0 - 4.eight seconds

Price

$7,000 - $22,000

Read our full review on the Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Porsche Cayman (987)

Did you know you tin can get a mid-engine Porsche for less than what you would pay for a brand new Toyota GR86? Now, you practise. The 2006 to 2012 987-generation of the Cayman is one of the purest compact sports cars you tin can get. Currently, the prices have dipped below the $xx,000, and yes, this includes the more potent Cayman S, which is powered by a three.4-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six with 295 horsepower and 251 pound-feet (340 Nm), later replaced by a iii.6-liter unit of measurement with 320 horsepower and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm).

The "lesser" versions take either a 2.7 or a two.9-liter flat-vi with up to 265 horsepower and 221 pound-feet (300 Nm). At around 2,865 pounds (1,300 kg), the Cayman is very light, which is why the sprint to lx mph takes from 5.ix to 4.2 seconds, depending on the version. Earlier 987 Caymans tin can cost equally little equally $14,000, while the Cayman Southward will gear up y'all dorsum around $20,000.

Porsche Cayman 987 specifications

Engine

ii.7 - 2.9-liter flat-half-dozen

Power

265 HP

Torque

221 LB-FT

Weight

two,865 lbs (1,300 kg

0 to lx mph

5.9 - four.two seconds

Price

$xiv,000 - $20,000

Read our full review on the Porsche Cayman (987)

BMW 128i & 135i (E82)

The first BMW 1-series showed that BMW can yet make compact rear-wheel-drive cars similar they used to. If you don't mind a chip of forced induction and tin can appreciate a potent inline-6 engine, this is the i you should get. The BMW E82 came with a variety of 3.0-liter inline-six engines. Fifty-fifty the normally-aspirated 128i produced a very good for you 230 horsepower, which is enough for a v.9-2d sprint to threescore mph.

BMW 128i specifications

Engine

3.0-liter inline-vi

Power

230 HP

0 to 60 mph

5.9 seconds

Step up to the 135i or 135is, and you get 306 – 320 horsepower and 300 pound-feet (407 Nm), from either the N54 or N55 engines. The turbocharged inline-six unit allows for a 4.9-2d sprint to threescore mph (97 km/h). Prices start from effectually $7,000 for a decent 128i, while a well-sorted 135i tin cost you around $13,000.

BMW 135i specifications

Engine

3.0-liter inline-six

Power

306 - 320 HP

Torque

300 LB-FT

0 to 60 mph

4.9 seconds

Price

$7,000 - $thirteen,000

Read our total review on the BMW 128i & 135i (E82)

Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ / Scion FRS

If yous really want to have the GR86 or BRZ without paying the sticker price, the previous generation is as close as yous can get. Sure, the previous generation had less ability, producing just 205 horsepower and 151 pound-feet (205 Nm), which immune for a 6.viii 2d time to threescore mph, but the character is withal in that location. The biggest complaint with these cars was the lack of power. That 2.0-liter ordinarily-aspirated flat-four really needed some neck-ringing, in gild to give y'all that power, and at low RPMs, there was literally no ane dwelling house.

The good thing is they've become so affordable it hardly matters. Before examples can exist found for as fiddling as $ten,000, while subsequently ones volition toll you around $16,000. Moreover, information technology's a very good platform and specialized tuners have figured out how to reliably utilize forced consecration, bringing ability well over factory figures. This also gives you a take a chance to make the car truly your own, while still paying less than the cost of a new ane.

Toyota GT86 specifications

Engine

two.0-liter unremarkably-aspirated flat-four

Power

205 HP

Torque

151 LB-FT

0 to 60 mph

6.eight seconds

Cost

$10,000 - $16,000

Read our full review on the Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ / Scion FRS