Driving fun might be more affordable than you think. When most people think of a fun car, they think of a sports car. However, sports cars are powerful, inefficient, and eye-catching. Those are just three reasons why they tend to be more expensive than other cars. The good news is that some sports cars deliver thrilling performance for $40,000 or less. Let’s take a closer look at three.

2024 Chevrolet Camaro

Believe it or not, you can get a late-model Camaro for a price of around $30,900. The Camaro is an iconic American classic that combines muscle car power with modern styling and affordable pricing. It’s not the most polished sports car out there, but it delivers plenty of power and has fun driving dynamics.

For 2024, Chevrolet discontinued the base turbocharged four-cylinder, so only V6 and V8 engine options are available for this model. However, you can still get the car for under $40,000 if you don’t go overboard on options. RWD is standard and a six-speed manual transmission is also standard. The Camaro still has plenty of user-friendly tech features and a reasonably long list of safety equipment.

2024 Ford Mustang

Another iconic American classic is the Ford Mustang. Like the Camaro, the Mustang boasts muscle car good looks, but it’s also fairly practical for being a fun car. It’s easy to get a Mustang model for under $40,000, especially if you stick with the EcoBoost model featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder.

The EcoBoost is no slouch though, it delivers 315 horsepower as paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. With a starting price of around $31,000, you can add several options and upgrades to your Mustang to make it even more fun. A convertible body style is also available that won’t break the bank.

2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata

It’s virtually impossible to make a list of fun cars without including the Mazda Miata. Hit any sports car forum and you’ll find plenty of Miata fans gushing about how fun this car is to drive. It’s a small and light roadster known for its excellent handling. Even though it only puts out 181 horsepower, the lightness and balance of the Miata make it incredibly quick and agile.

RWD is standard on the Miata and you’ll definitely want to opt for the manual transmission to really enjoy driving it. An automatic is available, however. For a starting price under $30,000, you can search for the Club trim, which adds a limited-slip differential and Bilstein suspension upgrades. The Miata can be had with a hard top or a manual soft top.

Honorable Mentions

These three cars are recognizable top choices for fun sports cars under $40,000, but there are plenty of others to choose from that don’t have the same name recognition. A few of these models include the 2024 Toyota GR86, the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N, and the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla. If you’re wondering what the fastest new car under $40,000 is, it’s the 2024 Ford Mustang with the EcoBoost engine.