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Have you always dreamed of owning a sports car? Honestly, now. Most of us have at some point. While the auto industry is dominated by SUVs, family cars and economy vehicles, sports cars still hold a certain allure that most people can’t resist.
But what is it about sports cars that are so appealing to car fanatics, speedsters and every high school boy? I’m glad you asked, because there are actually several reasons, apart from the fact that they merely look cool… Polished metal, shiny rims, wide tires, awesome aerodynamics and perhaps a good-looking driver – who can resist?
Also read: Popular cars for men and why we like them … click here
The Irresistible Attraction of Sports Cars
According to Huffington Post, people like athletic bodies, as they seem more capable of performing certain physical activities better than – uhm – less sleek and lean bodies. Similarly, people are attracted to sports cars as they look aesthetically pleasing and we assume that they are able to deliver great performance on the road. (Sports car fans obviously are less inclined to be Sir Mixalot fans…)
But we digress. It’s not all about that bass. It’s about helping a driver to enjoy an incredible driving experience in which they are as diametrically close to the road surface as possible. Only the most skilled individuals understand the subtle language of sports cars (Vroom-Vroooooom!) and can therefore indulge in what is referred to as the most satisfying driving experience.
What Do You Like?
While crossovers and pickup trucks are large and functional, sports car fanatics still prefer their vehicles and are ready to fork over between $200,000 to $1,000,000 to own a Porsche 918 Spider, McLaren MP4-12C, Lamborghini Gallardo, or a Ferrari 458. That’s a lot of chump change for a car with limited seating space and nearly no cargo space. Is the fact that it can drive fast a good enough reason to spend so much money on it?
Some people are quite satisfied with more affordable sports cars, such as a Mazda MX-5 Miata or a Chevrolet Camaro that goes for under $30,000. Still, why, when you could drive a more “practical” car?
Exclusivity
Sports car manufacturers know that few people can afford it, so they only produce small lines. That means that they apply a high price tag. But that’s not all. Many sports cars are hand-built; manufacturers don’t use factories with machines to produce these vehicles. As such, manufacturers have to employ employees who are highly skilled at doing that.
In addition to this, most sports cars are equipped with cutting-edge technology and that costs money.
If that’s not enough, they use only the highest quality interior finishes and offer almost unlimited customization options. It costs money to implement all of these customization, and cars are basically built to the buyer’s specifications.
Bragging Rights
Owning a sports car gives you a built-in conversation starter. Let’s face it, everyone will be asking questions, and you can revel in your most incredible driving experiences for hours. The crowds will be mesmerized as you recount your most exciting driving experiences. Not everyone has the opportunity to hug highway curves and zooming past slow moving traffic.
A sports car offers amazing driving qualities that you just don’t get in the average car. You can drive for long distances with your foot on the gas while feeling completely in control, thanks to the superb engineering that goes into sports cars. In addition to the incredible gratification, there’s an added feeling of control.
The RUSH!
Let’s be honest for a moment: sports cars are fast and that means that they can be dangerous. Adventurous speed freaks love the thrill of cheating death. It’s as though they are invincible, and that can be addictive. A sports car delivers speed, danger and the thrill of experiencing something mildly life-threatening.
Driving Characteristics
Most cars are designed for function and affordability. Sports cars, on the other hand are designed for performance and driving execution. You might say they cater to the driver, and that holds plenty of appeal. This is something you just don’t get in any car.
Sports cars are all about the driver. With only two seats, half of the cabin exists just for the driver. And underneath all the shiny metal, there’s a powerful engine, and probably a free-flowing exhaust that announces your arrival before your rocket appears on the horizon.
The lightweight body of your fast car allows you to accelerate incredibly fast. Also, very few other cars can keep up, which gives you an added sense of superiority.
These cars have driving management characteristics that allow you to perform under pressure. For this reason, sports cars are suitable to the most discerning drivers.
Appearance
Of course sports cars look fantastic. They are aerodynamically designed to be appealing. However, beauty should not be your number one reason for buying a car.
Thankfully, sports car manufacturers combine beauty with functionality to ensure your automotive investment is worth it.
At the same time, a sports car is exclusive, which only adds to the appeal. Few people can afford them.
However, as I mentioned earlier, there are actually quite a few affordable sports cars on the market these days.
Looking to Buy in 2020?
If you’ve always dreamed about owning a sports car, you might just find the perfect option on this list. Don’t be shy to look into a pre-owned vehicle from a reputable dealer, either. Many models go for as little as $10,000 and with a bit of TLC, nobody would even bother to ask for the year.
However, if you’re looking for a brand spanking new vehicle, check out these options:
Best sports car under 100k
C7 Corvette – Starting from just $65,495, you can get a whopping 460 horsepower rear-wheel drive and manual transmission. For an extra $4,000, the Grand Sport offers a removable roof.
Porsche 911 Carrera T – One of the most beloved sports cars ever, the base starts at $91,100, while the T starts at $102,100. The T, however, is a little more driver-focus, with rear wheel steering and seven speed manual transmission.
Dodge Charger Hellcat – Upwards of $67,000, this awesome sports car combines four-door convenience with amazing muscle-sedan fun.
Best sports car under 50k
Honda Civic Type R – For just under $35,00, you can enjoy some awesome tech and standard features, which does the typical Honda brand proud.
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack – If 485 horses and mind blowing technology turn you on, the Challenger R/T Scat Pack is the way to go. You could even kit it out by including a Shaker hood scoop.
Best sports car under 30k
Nissan 370Z – At a starting price of under $30,000 you can enjoy a 332-horsepower, V6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and a manual gearbox with SynchroRev Match transmission, which you can disable if you wish.
Subaru BRZ – Yes, you can enjoy one of the purest driving experiences for just over $25,000. The BRZ offers 205 horsepower and a four-cylinder manual gearbox.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback – The standard option has a six-speed gearbox and 300 horsepower. A 2019 model will set you back only just over $26,000, while a convertible will put you in the next bracket, starting at $31,895.
Mazda MX-5 Miata – It may be a little slower than some of the other cars on this list, but it is worth every penny of it’s under $30K price tag. It also features tons of awesome technology, including satellite radio, nine-speak Bose audio, a 7-inch touchscreen, and Bluetooth.
Buy a Cheap Sports Car Pre-Owned
There are many options to buy a cheap sports car. Pre-loved is probably your best bet, as buying directly from an owner usually means that they took great care of it, compared to a salvaged auto or a sketchy dealer. Some people have scored some awesome deals when buying pre-owned cars on Craigslist or eBay.
Of course, there are risks involved in buying pre-owned cars, and it pays to be careful.
- Always make sure that you assess the risk of being scammed. We actually wrote an entire guide dedicated to keeping you safe when buying or selling cars online.
- Run a Carfax report to ensure the car has a clean title.
- Know the asking price so that you are not fooled by placeholder tags.
- Find out what the car is worth by visiting the Edmunds site.
- Meet in person in a public place and bring along a friend.
- It’s a good idea to test drive a car.
- Obtain all the relevant and appropriate paperwork, including the title, maintenance records, proof of emissions, bill of sale, release of liability, warranty documents, and as-is documentation when buying a car for sale by owner.
A Note on Buying a Used Sports Car
It’s always a good idea to go for advanced driving lessons, especially if you are looking into buying a sports car. These vehicles do not handle like your economy car or minivan; they are fast and powerful. It’s not advisable to drive long distances until you’ve had an opportunity to get used to being in control of such a powerful engine.
For that reason, it is advisable to have your new sports car shipped to you if you’re buying it from out of town. Nationwide Auto Transportation has 16+ years of experience in shipping sports cars and other high-value vehicles—including transporting imported classic cars—and we will ensure that it arrives safely.
Need it to go to a specialty service center first? No problem. We can ship it between any two destinations in the US.
Typically, we recommend that only people who are experienced with buying cars purchase from out of state.
So you know that you want to buy a car, but have you really given thought to what kind of car you want? Check out our ultimate car buying guide to learn which car types are best suited to your needs and lifestyle. Need your car shipped? Click here for a FREE car shipping quote and 20% OFF your first shipment.
