M/T: Top 10 affordable sports cars under $40k

[kevm14]

https://www.motortrend.com/news/top-10- ... E7D13BBCD4

Honda Civic Type R
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Subaru WRX
Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ
Ford Mustang
Fiat 124 Spider
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Chevrolet Camaro
Hyundai Veloster R-Spec and N

This could have been a lot more interesting if someone did a little work. My suggestion would be for each car, list a few pieces of information:
Highest performance capability under $40k, the price, 1/4 mile, figure 8 and so on
Then they can list the base price or something near the base, and the performance that offers.

What they had to say about the Mustang was fairly generic:

A longtime favorite, the Ford Mustang gives you muscle car looks and sports car performance without breaking the bank. A base EcoBoost Fastback starts under $30,000, and if you're careful with how you option it, you can get all the go-fast goodies and it'll still be one of the most affordable sports cars you can buy.

For the Camaro, a more specific take, which comes closer to how an enthusiast may view things:

You don't need to get a V-8 in order for your Chevrolet Camaro to be fun. A nicely equipped Turbo or V-6 Camaro 1LE with the standard six-speed manual are some of the best bargains among sports cars when carefully configured. Both the Camaro Turbo 1LE and V6 1LE are on the lighter end of the spectrum, ideal for drivers prioritizing handling over outright performance or brute force.

I do think that's fair because I do not think Ford has even attempted to match what the lower level 1LEs are capable of (just the GT with whatever pee-pee pack). I feel like an entry level Mustang makes a nice rental car where you're like "Hey, that Mustang was pretty cool, way better than the Elantra I got last time." Whereas one of those 2.0T or V6 Camaro 1LEs (besides not being available as a rental car in the first place) is more like "holy shit, this is the budget Cayman that Porsche won't build." Side note, a base Cayman which I assume no one actually wants, costs $58k and has a 300 hp 2.0T. I would LOVE to see what a Camaro 1LE would do against a base Cayman for literally half the price on a Lightning Lap or something.

[kevm14]

I do think that's fair because I do not think Ford has even attempted to match what the lower level 1LEs are capable of (just the GT with whatever pee-pee pack). I feel like an entry level Mustang makes a nice rental car where you're like "Hey, that Mustang was pretty cool, way better than the Elantra I got last time." Whereas one of those 2.0T or V6 Camaro 1LEs (besides not being available as a rental car in the first place) is more like "holy shit, this is the budget Cayman that Porsche won't build." Side note, a base Cayman which I assume no one actually wants, costs $58k and has a 300 hp 2.0T. I would LOVE to see what a Camaro 1LE would do against a base Cayman for literally half the price on a Lightning Lap or something.

Speak of the devil.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/ford/mu ... 735EC64393

Can I just first point out that I still find this awkward:

First came adapting the 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 from transverse orientation for front-wheel drive application, to longitudinally mounted and sending juice to the rear wheels. Initially proven in the base Mustang EcoBoost, the next step was bringing the power closer to RS levels. That involved modifying the engine block with high-tensile cylinder liners, improving piston rings, and designing a bespoke cylinder head. A new head gasket handles the increased pressures created by an enlarged turbocharger cramming 22 psi into the intake and reduced 9.37:1 compression ratio. The result is 330 hp at 6,000 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm.

Why? Because that is a lot of engine work to get from 310 to 330 hp. And everyone acts like all turbo engines just need small things to add 50, 100 or more HP. Well, Ford doesn't agree. If there was really soooo much margin in these engines, Ford would have just added like 2 or 3 psi in the tune and called it a day. Lest we forget, there is still the whole engine fiasco with the Focus RS so that makes this even more questionable.

The article doesn't really answer any of my questions. How serious of a car is it really, when compared to something like the gen 6 Camaro 1LE? Also it costs $33,405. A 2019 Camaro V6 1LT 1LE is $31,990 with 335hp and I'd assume less weight.