Best Sports Cars You Can Own for Less Than $30,000: Toyota GR 86 vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata

Price range around $30,000
Two types of cost-effective sports cars
Toyota GR 86 vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata

Thanks to technological advancements, many cars can now deliver higher outputs compared to the past. In response to eco-friendly policies, manufacturers reduce engine displacement while maintaining high-performance levels through turbochargers or narrow the gap with high-performance models by utilizing electric motors to deliver powerful performance in electric vehicles.

However, enjoying driving involves more than just high output. It includes various elements that stimulate the driver’s senses, such as agile driving, responsive handling through the chassis and suspension, and a design that evokes emotions.

The rear-wheel-drive coupe GR 86 is famous due to its reasonable price.

However, to provide all these elements, the realistic burden increases as the price goes up. This article will introduce two reasonably priced sports cars that can be purchased for around $30,000. The first is the Toyota GR 86. It’s difficult to find an affordable rear-wheel-drive coupe in today’s market. Meanwhile, the starting price for the GR 86 is $33,395.

Subaru’s D-4S 4-cylinder boxer engine is installed in the powertrain case. This produces a maximum output of 228 horsepower and a maximum torque of 25.4 kgf.m. A 6-speed manual transmission is installed as standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission can be selected as an option. The time taken to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill was approximately 6.2 seconds for the model equipped with a manual transmission and 6.7 seconds for the model equipped with an automatic transmission.

Sharp driving sensation and traditional sports car design

When equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, fuel efficiency was recorded at 8.9 km per liter (20.9 mpg) in the city and 13.2 km per liter (31.0 mpg) at high speeds based on EPA standards. The 6-speed manual transmission has lower fuel efficiency: 8.5 km/l (20.0 mpg) in the city and 11.5 km/l (27.0 mpg) on the highway. In the case of GR 86, it has the advantage of providing powerful engine sound and a sharp driving sensation while providing a ride that is not too hard through a stable suspension configuration in everyday driving areas. The interior is configured for four people in a 2+2 layout equipped with an 8-inch infotainment display.

In terms of exterior design, it features the look of an authentic sports car. The headlamp that extends sharply toward the upper side, vertical thin air intake, and angled bumper design give a sporty impression. A sleek spoiler connected to the trunk lid and tail lamps with angled ends were applied in the rear.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata offers agility due to its lightweight

Next is the Mazda MX-5 Miata. It is a compact, lightweight roadster with an agile yet sporty driving feel. The body size is 3,951 mm (155.6 inches) in length, 1,735 mm (68.3 inches) in width, 1,225 mm (48.2 inches) in height, and 2,310 mm (90.9 inches) wheelbase, and the curb weight is only 1,030 kg (2,271 lbs). The powertrain is equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline naturally aspirated engine, producing a maximum output of 184 horsepower and a maximum torque of 20.9 kgf.m.

It is divided into soft-top and hard-top models, and a 6-speed manual transmission is standard. Although the small body size may disappoint in interior space, trunk space, and convenience, it is evaluated as having sufficient basic features for fun driving. The basic sports trim starts at $30,170.