In the below $40 price range usually, there are many economy cars or small and medium crossovers. But if you are looking for a fast car, there aren’t many options, but it doesn't mean that with lower than $40,000 you can't get an exciting car.
Today in cars bite car review magazine we are going to introduce you to some fast cars with an MSRP of below $40K. Of course, BMW M4 Competition is not on the list but there are some other affordable cars with plenty of power here.
For the 2022 model year, the GTI underwent a facelift that gave it fresh looks and more contemporary interior features, but it still has the fun-to-drive factor that has made it a performance icon. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque powers the 2023 Golf GTI. Using either a seven-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission, the engine drives the front wheels. VW Golf GTI can hit 100 kph in 5.1 seconds and hit the top speed of 250 kph.
The automatic-transmission version of the Golf GTI is the most economical, with ratings of 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the interstate. Selecting the six-speed manual reduces city fuel economy by 1 mpg.
The recently introduced Honda Civic Type R has an MSRP of $44,000 so it can't be on our list but you can get the previous generation for less than $40k. The Civic Type R is probably the fastest front-wheel drive car in the market.
The latest model is propelled by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the previous model, but a new turbocharger and an improved exhaust system have raised the power output to 315 horsepower and 420 nm of torque.
According to the EPA, the slight increase in horsepower found in the 2017 Civic Type R doesn't come at the expense of fuel efficiency. Cool EPA estimates for the hot hatch's city and highway mileage are 22 mpg and 28 mpg, respectively.
The new Civic Type R doesn't have the same radical styling as the previous model, but it still has a large back wing, other aerodynamic additions, and 19-inch wheels shod with gripping Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tires.
Nissan Maxima is one of the fastest and most fun-to-drive sedans you can get. Although it is not a rear-wheel drive car like the BMW 5-series it has a performance of a sports car. What makes the Maxima a very good option is that besides its performance, it is also a very reliable car to use for daily driving.
The Maxima is propelled purposefully by the 3.5-liter V-6's 300 horsepower and 361 Nm of torque. However, the CVT takes away from Maxima's goal of becoming a sports sedan. Nissan Maxima Platinum reached 60 mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds.
The Maxima's powertrain demonstrates its prowess at fusing performance and efficiency with good fuel-economy figures of 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, as well as above-average scores in our real-world tests.
Although Kia Stinger is reaching its end we can’t deny that it is one of the best affordable sports cars ever built. The Stinger is offered two distinct turbocharged engines, a 368-hp twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6, and a 300-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four. The eight-speed automatic transmission is paired with both engines. The V6 model has 5.9 Nm of torque which gives the Stinger enough push to compete with cars with bigger V8 engines. With a 4.6-second dash to 60 mph, the all-wheel-drive Stinger GT2 has perfected straight-line speed.
With EPA ratings of 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the interstate, the rear-drive, four-cylinder Stinger has the best-predicted fuel economy. Particularly with all-wheel drive, the more potent V-6 engine is less efficient at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, which reduces its estimations to 17 and 24 mpg.
Last but not least is the only pony car on the list, although being the least powerful version of the Mustang, the EcoBoost is still a very fast and powerful car.
A turbocharged Inline 4-cylinder Petrol engine powers the Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost. The highest power output of this engine is 305 bhp at 5500 rpm, while the maximum torque output is 407 Nm between 2500 and 4500 rpm. Rear-wheel drive with a 6-speed manual gearbox transfers power to the road.
The Mustang is one of the finest buys in its price category with a fuel consumption of 9.8 liters per 100 km, 29 mpg in the UK, and 24 mpg in the US, a top speed of 234 km/h, and a curb weight of 1653 kgs.