Best Bang for the Buck: Sports Cars

It looks fantastic, it weighs less than 2,800 pounds, and it's an absolute hoot to drive. But the best part of the Scion FR-S is that it represents a bold move back to basics that should bring hope to enthusiasts everywhere. Featuring a stiff chassis, a front-mounted 2.0-liter boxer engine, an expertly tuned suspension and a 6-speed manual transmission — yes, you could have an automatic, but shame on you for even considering it — the FR-S offers a lower center of gravity than the Porsche Cayman or the Nissan GT-R. Oh, and it costs less than half as much.

Read: Scion Gets Normal

OK, MINI owns the "top down motoring" mantra, but the truth is that the best way to enjoy some old-fashioned British motoring with the top down is to buy a Japanese MX-5 Miata. It's got a near 50-50 weight distribution, which makes it a joy to chuck into the corners. Its 2.0-liter engine makes only 167 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque, but at a scant 2,800 pounds, the car just doesn't weigh enough for that to be a problem. Besides, it's a blast to wring each horse out of the MX-5. Short of a $50,000-plus Lotus Elise, there isn't a more distilled driving experience for sale today.

Read: Car and Driver's 2012 '10Best' Cars

Normally, we'd have a tough time explaining why a $100,000 car is a "great deal." So we'll simply let the numbers do the talking: zero to 60 mph in less than three seconds and a top speed of 196 mph. That's supercar territory at half the price. The Nissan GT-R is equipped with a hand-built twin-turbocharged 545-horsepower engine, a ridiculously sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with lightning-fast shift characteristics. Bottom line: You'd need a $2 million Bugatti Veyron to hang with a GT-R in real-world situations. Oh, and did we mention the GT-R is an ultralow-emissions vehicle that's capable of 23 mpg on the highway?

View Photo Gallery: 2012 Nissan GT-R

The 2013 Corvette Grand Sport has all of the suspension goodies that make its more expensive brother, the Z06, fun to toss around. On top of that, it receives the same aggressive fender flare treatment as big brother. And its 6.2-liter 436-horsepower push-rod V8 engine will make you wonder if you really need the added oomph of the Z06, because all 424 lb-ft of the Grand Sport's torque is available at 4600 rpm, helping it accelerate to 60 mph in less than four seconds. Final point: You get as standard equipment all of the luxuries you might expect for $56K, including heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control and keyless start.

View Slideshow: Cars for the Big & Tall

Engine, engine, engine. We just can't heap enough praise on Ford's latest 5.0-liter V8. Its dual-overhead-cam design allows for 420 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. That's within a hair of the Corvette Grand Sport's 436 horsepower, and it handily outmuscles much more expensive cars such as the BMW M3 and Lexus IS F. Opt for the 6-speed transmission and the 3.73 rear-axle gearing, and you'll have a hard time stifling your cackles when blasting the Ford Mustang GT down the highway. If you're feeling racetrack sporty, you can add features such as Recaro bucket seats and Brembo brakes. Despite the honkin' V8 engine, the standard Mustang GT manages 15 mpg city/26 mpg highway.

Compare: Ford Mustang GT vs. BMW M3 vs. Lexus IS F

Why are we calling the Volkswagen GTI a sports car? Simple: Its tight gearing and quick-ratio steering make it a wild ride on your favorite back road. Its turbocharged direct-injected engine makes 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, and the sporting suspension makes for some entertaining handling. Then there's the practicality. You're in for less than 24 grand, and you've got the cargo room of, well, a hatchback, which means there's room for four occupants plus tons of cargo. Thanks to the aforementioned direct injection, you'll get 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway.

View Slideshow: 10 Best Manual Transmission Cars

The 2012 Subaru WRX is more than a sports car — it's a rally car. Thanks to its all-wheel-drive system, the WRX couldn't care less about the snow or rain. Thanks to decades of rally-racing experience, you can be assured that this is a fast car that can take a beating. The 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine bangs out 265 horsepower and 244 lb-ft of torque. Perhaps more importantly, though, you're looking at nine-tenths of a Subaru WRX STI or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for a fraction of the coin. The aggressively flared and scooped WRX can comfortably seat five, whether you choose the sedan or the 5-door trim.

Read List: Foreign Cars With Muscle-Car DNA

Sure, you can buy a Genesis Coupe for $24,250, and we enjoy the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine you get with that money. But for a little less than $29,000, you get a direct-injected 3.8-liter V6 engine that pumps out 348 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission and the engine's big displacement mean that there's torque everywhere across the rev range. Pair that with a limited-slip differential and rear-wheel drive and you've got a definitive recipe for fun. All this is not to mention that the Genesis is $3,160 cheaper than the less powerful 3.7-liter Nissan 370z.

View Slideshow: Best Bang for the Buck Horsepower

For more information on any vehicle in this slideshow, click the links below:

-Mazda MX-5 Miata
-Nissan GT-R
-Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
-Ford Mustang GT
-Volkswagen GTI
-Subaru WRX
-Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Compare: All 7 Cars

James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side as Senior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trend and European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.

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