Best sports cars under $50,000 for 2024

New sports cars generally are not cheap, but that doesn’t mean you can’t scoop up a really good one for a solid price. The best sports cars under $50,000 are what we’re bringing to you here, and the list is full of spectacular choices, though you won't see any luxury sports cars here – those will need to wait for another list.

How are we defining a sports car in this list? Well, by traditional means. There are tons of sporty or performance cars that aren’t included, but we’re sticking with two-doors that were exclusively designed from the outset to fill the role of a stereotypical sports car. So yes, while enthusiast darlings like the Honda Civic Type R or Toyota GR Corolla might make us happy like these others do, they’re technically hot hatches based on more pedestrian vehicles, not sports cars.

The cars in this list prioritize sultry shapes, send their power to the rear wheels and don’t concern themselves with such trivial things as cargo room or (for some) even the presence of backseat. They were designed with fun in mind, and that’s what makes them the best sports cars under $50,000.

It doesn’t really get much better at the BRZ’s starting price point of just over $31,000. You get a high-revving boxer-four, notchy six-speed manual transmission and a simply joyous chassis. Amenities and tech features are predictably on the low side of things, but that’s not what you’re paying for in this low-slung 2+2 sports car. The debate between the BRZ and its sister car (next on this list) the GR86 will rage on, but we tend to prefer the BRZ for its improved ride quality versus the Toyota. Regardless of which you choose, though, the BRZ and GR86 are going to bring a lot of smiles for not a lot of money.

Most of what we said about the BRZ above applies to the GR86, too. Pick your badge preference, or maybe just pick your favorite color, and go! The GR86 is every bit as fun as the BRZ, and its stiffer rear end may just be to your liking depending on your car setup preferences. Some of the Toyota’s special editions may just be enough to swing favor in its direction, but don’t forget about the extra-spicy BRZ tS either. If you want a (semi-useless) rear seat and a respectable