The Best Value in Sports Cars
Posted on 01. Feb, 2012 by Auto Mack in Cars, Fast Cars, How to Buy, Posts, Sports Cars
Sports cars that are built for performance are a dream to drive. With a little research, buyers can find fast cars at affordable prices.
Performance and Value
Every car enthusiast dreams of the perfect ride. Cars with power and speed that can also handle those tight curves. Car manufacturers still compete for the most horse power, fastest acceleration times, and most precise steering, in their sports car models. Some staples of the fast cars genre have been around for decades. These include the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and the Corvette. In recent years, Dodge has brought back its Challenger and Charger models. These all remain relatively affordable when compared to foreign car makers such as Porsche and Lamborghini.
With so many options, it’s important to look at the performance verses price. This way a buyer can get the most bang for a buck. There are many fast cars with high performance for buyers on a budget.
Best of the Classic Models
The Ford Mustang takes the prize for best value in the classic-brand sports cars category. The 2012 model comes with a base price of just $22,310. The Mustang has received praise by reviewers for its top-level performance and good gas-mileage ratings. It gets 19 MPG in the city and 29 MPG while on the highway. It may not be the most responsive car on the street, but it beats out competitors such as the Camaro and Challenger when it comes to steering and handling. It’s also the cheapest of the true American muscle-cars, making it a great value. The Camaro and Challenger are no slouches, however, and offer comparable performance and beautiful exterior styling for only a bit more money.
Fast and Affordable
For drivers who are on a serious budget, there are a lot of options for going fast without breaking the bank. The 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2012 Nissan 370Z, and 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, are all excellent choices for under $30,000. The 2012 models of the Honda CR-Z, Mitsubishi Eclipse can both be bought for under $20,000. The Eclipse is a real gem in this price range and the cream of the crop for budget sports cars.
The 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse will be the last model of the Eclipse ever produced. It was introduced to the world over two decades ago and is going out with style. This latest model combines sleek and aggressive styling with excellent performance. Best of all, the MSRP starts at just $18,900. For the best performance, the 3.8-liter V6 version is the way to go. It delivers 265 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 262 lb. per ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. It has decent fuel economy at 17 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway with an automatic transmission. It may not be the turbo-charged, AWD Eclipse of the 1990′s, but this model still packs a lot of punch for a low price.