Let us just start off by saying that if you live in the States, you should feel fortunate that you can acquire a fairly rewarding and fun to drive sports car for $25,000 (approx. €19,300) or even less if you don't care much about all the bells and whistles of modern automobiles. If you are wondering why, head over to this post.
Now, with the recent arrival of the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ twins as well as a pricing announcement for the 2013 Ford Focus ST, which goes on sale later this year, buyers searching to buy a sports car for around $25k will have plenty of options to choose from.
The automotive menu at this price point includes front-wheel drive sport hatchbacks such as the MazdaSpeed 3 and VW Golf GTI, rear-wheel drive coupes like the Hyundai Genesis 2.0 Turbo and Chevy Camaro V6 and the Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster.
Naturally, not all of these cars were designed to cater to the same needs nor do they offer the same driving experience, but their respective carmakers are targeting the same market.
We have compiled a basic list with the main choices buyers have in this category along with the basic details on each car. All we want from you is to cast your vote in the poll and if you wish, elaborate further on your choice in the comments area.
Which Sports Car Would You Buy for $25,000?
2012 Dodge Challenger SXT V6
Engine: 3.6-liter V6, naturally aspirated
Output: 305hp at 6,350rpm and 268 lb.-ft. (363Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm
Fuel Economy: 18mpg City / 27mpg Highway
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Curb Weight: 3,834 lbs (1,739kg)
Starting Price: $24,995 (excluding $925 destination)
2013 Ford Focus ST
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder
Output: 252hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque.
Fuel Economy: Not Available
Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox
Drive: Front-wheel drive
Weight: Not Available
Starting Price: $23,700 (excluding $795 destination)
2013 Ford Mustang V6
Engine: 3.7-liter V6, naturally aspirated
Output: 305hp at 6,500rpm and 280 lb-ft (380Nm) at 4,250 rpm
Fuel Economy: 19mpg City / 29mpg Highway (manual) / 31mpg Highway (automatic)
Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox standard, 6-speed automatic optional;
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Weight: 3,401 lbs (1,543kg)
Starting Price: $22,200 (excluding $795 destination)
2012 Chevrolet Camaro V6
Engine: 3.6-liter V6, naturally aspirated
Output: 323hp at 6,800rpm and 278 lb-ft (377Nm) at 4,800rpm
Fuel Economy: 17mpg City / 28mpg Highway manual / 29mpg Highway automatic
Transmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optional
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Weight: 3,780 lbs (1,715kg)
Starting Price: $23,280 (excluding $900 destination)
2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Turbo
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder
Output: 274hp at 6,000rpm and 275 lb-ft (373Nm) at 2,000 rpm
Fuel Economy: 21mpg City and 30mpg Highway for manual / 20mpg City and 30mpg Highway for auto
Transmission: 6-speed manual standard, 8-speed automatic optional
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Weight: 3,362 lbs (1,525kg)
Starting Price: $24,250 (excluding $875 destination)
2012 Mazdaspeed 3
E
ngine: 2.3-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder
Output: 263hp at 5,500rpm and 280 lb-ft (380Nm) at 3,000 rpm
Fuel Economy: 18mpg City / 25mpg Highway
Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox
Drive: Front-wheel drive
Weight: 3,281 lbs (1,488kg)
Starting Price: $24,000 (excluding $795 destination)
2012 Mazda MΧ-5
Engine: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, naturally aspirated
Output: 167hp at 7,000 rpm (manual), 158hp at 6,700 rpm (auto), 140 lb-ft (190Nm) at 5,000rpm
Fuel Economy: 21mpg (5sp manual), 22mpg (6sp manual & auto) City, 28mpg Highway
Transmission: 5-speed manual standard, optional 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Weight: 2,447 lbs (1,110kg)
Starting Price: $23,470 (excluding $795 destination)
2013 Mini Coupe Cooper S
Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder
Output: 181hp at 5,500rpm and 177 lb-ft (240Nm) between 1,600 and 5,000 rpm
Fuel Economy: 27mpg City and 35mpg Highway for manual / 26mpg City and 34mpg Highway for auto
Transmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optional
Drive: Front-wheel drive
Weight: 2,679 lbs (1,215kg)
Starting Price: $25,300 (including $700 destination)
2013 Scion FR-S
Engine: 2.0-liter flat-four, naturally aspirated
Output: 200hp at 7,000rpm and 151 lb-ft (205Nm) at 6,600rpm
Fuel Economy: 22mpg City and 30mpg Highway for manual / 25mpg City and 34mpg Highway for auto
Transmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optional
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Weight: 2,758 lbs (1,251kg)
Starting Price: $24,200 (excluding $730 destination)
2013 Subaru BRZ
Engine: 2.0-liter flat-four, naturally aspirated
Output: 200hp at 7,000rpm and 151 lb-ft (205Nm) at 6,600rpm
Fuel Economy: 22mpg City and 30mpg Highway for manual / 25mpg City and 34mpg Highway for auto
Transmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optional
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Weight: 2,762 lbs (1,253kg)
Starting Price: $25,495 (excluding $750 destination)
2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder
Output: 200hp at 5,100-6,000rpm and 207 lb-ft (281Nm) at 1,800-5,000rpm
Fuel Economy: 21mpg City / 31mpg Highway manual, 24mpg City / 32mpg Highway DSG
Transmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed dual-clutch auto DSG optional
Drive: Front-wheel drive
Weight: 3,034 lbs (1,376kg)
Starting Price: $23,995 (excluding $750 destination)
50 Comments:
If it were my own list, I'd put the Abarth on there.
For 25k I can LEASE a STi or evo. They cost 34k but with a few grand down I can lease one for as much as financing a 25k car
I'd buy a better, used car for the money.
I wıll go for Hyundai Genesis because 2.0 274 hp is big deal and in Turkey have an 2.0+ cc car tax ıs too hıgh therefore camaro or mustang etc pony cars not useful for long term
but in japan you can but cheap subaru brz without color bumper or a\c and and you can spend more money too mod and add turbo and ıt wıll be fun
in thıs lıst mını ıs too overpriced but ıt feels lıke an go kart and thıs ıs fun too
and final thıng focus looks good too with 5-door and turbocharge kınd a cool
I like the GTi but it's starting to lag behind in performance numbers.
The Focus ST looks like it will be a top performer but the Genesis 2.0T manual has a longer and wider stance and is only 100 lbs. heavier. Plus, 274 hp from 2.0 ltr. cannot be ignored.
I really wish the FR-S was sold under Toyota umbrella. I think that was a huge mistake.
My brain says the BRZ but my heart screams Challenger!
You can't buy any sports car for $25k in Europe...
Most HP: Camaro - 323 @ 6800Most Torque: Mustang & Speed3 - 280 @ 4250 & 3000Largest block: Mustang @ 3.7LSmallest block: Mini @ 1.6LHeaviest: Challenger @ 1739KGLightest: MX5 @ 1110KGCostliest: BRZ @ $25495Cheapest: Mustang @ $22200Best Mileage: MiniWorst Mileage: Speed3
Of the qualities supplied by Carscoop and listed, the following cars are the ones that matter:
Camaro, Mustang, Speed3, Mini, Challenger, MX5, and BRZ.
Of the qualities supplied by Carscoop and listed, the following cars are the one that don't matter:
Focus, Genesis, FRS, and GTI.
Amazing how similiar the Mazda and Hyundai look, identical design language.
The Focus is the best all-rounder.
Without having driven all of them to do a proper comparison, here's how I would assess it.
The Genesis outclasses all the other vehicles, not only by the numbers, but in performance, handling, comfort, ride, reliability and maintenance record. Nobody who owns one, or who drove one for the weekend, would ever want to exchange it for a Camaro, Challenger or a Mustang. Hell I think it could beat a 600 hp Mustang around the ring. From their I'd say it comes down to the BRZ and the Focus. The Camaro would be in contention if it didn't weigh 3800lb, that's over 4000lb with me in it, same goes for the challenger, these cars would be overweight in 1968, they do not qualify as sports cars. At least the Mustang isn't a total porker, sadly it's probably the worst handling and performing car here, I take the outdated GTI any day over it. Shows you just how far the American manufacturers haven't come in 44 years. Fucking disgraceful. Much as I like the Toyota/Subaru – don't know why two of them are included here since they are basically identical – I think I'd go with the Ford for its all around practicality. It seats four people comfortably with some luggage, and has the torque to move it all properly as well. I'm sure it doesn't weigh more than 3200bs, which makes it a match for even the Genesis. But the Mazda 3 may be a better handling car, and may also be more reliable, so it's just as good for second place. The MX-5 is also a serious sports car, and the only TRUE sports car that is genuinely comparable to the Subaru/Toyota. They are the only two that qualify as PURE sports cars in this comparison The Mini Cooper S seems a step behind.Until the Yotaru gets a turbo it, like the MX-5, is just for young people who have nothing and no one to carry but their boyfriend or girlfriend, some schoolbooks, and are in love with taking corners. When I was 19 I wanted a true sports car, so I bought a Dautsun 240Z, if I was 19 today I'd only be thinking about buying the BRZ. But if I went and drove the Genesis, I'd probably buy it.1st place Genesis2nd place Ford Focus + Mazda Speed 33rd place BRZ/FR-S + Mazda MX- 54th place Mini Cooper S--------------------------------- none of the cars beyond this line qualify as sports cars in my book.5th place Camero6th7th
If they sold the 86 under the Toyota brand instead of Scion I bet this poll would be very different.
Too True
I'll Power:Weight rather than just power. BRZ all the way.
if you had 0-100 for each that may have been the deciding reason for many.
I wish they sold the camaro in my country, for the price of a 1.3 corolla you get 323Hp and it looks superb.
I LOVE SUBARU BRZ
but...
if i have $25.000 i would buy MINI COUPE COOPER BRZ because MINI = MY FAVOURITE CAR ALL OF THE TIME
Yeah I would so buy a BRZ even though people are saying no it doesn't have the power or the speed.
Its the best agile car of the bunch and for a guy that likes to take his car to the mountains I would have the most fun with a --lightweight--- __rear drive__ sports car.
So this cuts almost most except the MX-5. But being I need some comfort and space I would get the BRZ for the space alone.
The Hyundai is just well not worth it for me. I drove the old ones and the new one seems to bring nothing except more HP. I want to know first if they fixed that shitty transmition on the auto and even 6 speed models.
Also I don't get how it produces all that power and doesn't give the performance numbers that it should be giving with that amount of power and weight.
It baffles me that people look at the specs and not the build quality/higher grade parts some of these cars are using.
BRZ all the way and I would put the MX-5 a close 2nd and pick either the Mustang or Camaro as a 3rd options as I do live in an area where there is tons of open space for the mountain roads. But shitty city traffic.
Yep 6spd all the way.
i wonder why peugeot doesnt want to sell their RCZ in usa,
anyway if i were to "recommend" a car, i would definitely recommend the MX5 its faultless and its just an unbelievably good driver's car, BUT i went for the focus, i personally like that car...
Blame VAT.
Yes, same here in Australia, the BRZ will be about 40-45k but a new Challenger imported from USA and converted to right had drive costs about 130k! (at least!)
Even before VAT is added, a base GTI costs more than 25.000 euro ($33.000), add VAT and it's up to 30k euro. And the GTI is probably the cheapest of the lot (or maybe MX5 is?).
Talking about a Camaro, Callenger or Mustang? Entry level ones are about 50.000 euro ($65.000) and if you want a V8 that would cost you close to 100k.
I see that the BRZ is leading the pack. Could be because it is the flavor-of-the-week. But the MX-5 has year in and year out been at the top of the list as a great, affordable driving experience long after many "sports cars" have come and gone. In a fantasy world I would own any of these vehicles such as the BRZ and the Miata, but in reality, and for my needs (read that as practical and fun), I would have to go with a GTI (which I currently own), the Mazda 3, or anything with a truly usable back seat and some cargo carrying capabilities. But if practicality didn't matter, I would choose something like the MX-5 or the BRZ. I wouldn't want a six cylinder "muscle car" such as the Challenger, etc. I'd have to step up to the V-8 in that case. Now, give me a 25k lightweight sports car with a V-8 and I would be all over it. I guess I'll be waiting a very, very long time for that vehicle.
Agreed - if only the Tiburon wasn't so ugly...
Yeah you're obviously out of touch with reality, go drive the Genesis and then come back and run your mouth. There is no other car here in the same class, period.
Since the FRS and BRZ are the same car its 28% lead is waaay ahead of the rest at this point in the poll.
I'm in love with the BRZ. Plus it's going to be so exclusive, if you can actually get one this year, you'll be sure to be one of the only ones driving it.
To Mr. Aaron Brown,
So perhaps the polite Canadian in me has reached a breaking point. I visit Carscoop just about everyday, and have so almost since it's inception - a fantastic site, and my favourite car site. You've discovered it fairly recently as your posts have shown, and i'm glad you seem to enjoy the site too.
I don't like calling people out, but i'm having a hard time with your posts - for a few reasons: They are long, they frequently berate others for their PERSONAL tastes and views, and you seem to love the sound of your own voice/opinions as the posts frequently come off as arrogant and self absorbed - certainly that your OPINIONS are superior... I've tried to overlook them, but their sheer size and the fact that they are on the majority of the articles has made it very difficult. Especially because I love reading people's feedback. I feel like something that I and others get a lotta enjoyment out of is being taken over... And now I'm saying something about it.
I don't imagine this is going to get a good response (in fact I expect to get slimed), but perhaps you might consider toning it down, just a little, as this isn't anyone's personal website, but a public place that the authors work hard on. It's already an angry world out there, please be more respectful.
Carscoop - keep up the good work, i love ya guys!
There are some great cars on this list, but the purist in me still lusts after a V8.
If the poll is about pricing, and it includes other used sport cars, then I'll take none of the above.
Because I saw used M3, Audi TT for the same price.
Hey!!!...What happen with the 1.6L 201hp/195 lb-ft 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo!
We don't have a MSRP yet for the Veloster Turbo
aaronbbrown, as per your overextended post above, you are yet to drive the Genesis...correct?
Sadly, it appears that your opinions are solely based on what you read online, so please do not disclose them with such air of authority.
Scion FR-S. Already on pre-order.
News Flash - the BRZ and FR-S are virtually the same.
It is a Toyota, if your stuck on the badge, you need to get a life. Thats like not buying an Acura cause it doesn't have a Honda badge.
Only one is a true Sports car, the others are performance coupes and sedans with some of the coupes qualifying as GT's.
The traditional language of automotive types is being misused and abused and thereby diminished, and you guys who call yourselves automotive enthusiasts need to get the correct historical nomenclature correct ..4 dr, coupes ..my ass, a sports car.... really?
aaronbbrown drive the car then come type words before you make yourself sound more ignorant then you normally are. You post a lot that's good for community but please understand that not everyone in life is as narrow minded as you are.
What you type is your opinion and it seems to me you haven't driven any of these cars at all.
All you are doing is reading from a spread sheet. Plz don't even consider yourself an enthusiast if you just go on read stats then call people out.
Drive the car then type please. Also read my post. Wtf are you even trying to say. I am with reality.. I live my own reality so don't be trying to dictate anyone that your choice is the only right one. If not please don't even reply. I rather not lower my intelligence trying to type to you again.
I'd either choose the 'Stang or the FR-S (which i can't buy in my country.)
BTW: the Mustang pictured is a pre-2010 one, Carscoop!
So? The Scion looks better. More agressive - and the Toyota doesn't even have a functional spoiler!
The MX-5 isn't a sports car - it's too boxy, slow and cheap. If you want a sports car, buy a 2012 Porsche 911, which is the best car ever.
First of all, there is only ONE four-door car on the list, and no coupés at all!
Second, there aren't any sedans on the list.
And Sports Cars are faster than any car on this list - a true sports car has at least 300 BHP.
Both the green and candy red Mustangs are 2013MY
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/11/refreshed-2013-ford-mustang-unveiled.html
Really, and where on the planet was that rock you climbed out from under? Or are you still under it?
By the way, can we count the number of your contradictions in only 44 words, obviously you can't.
Doesn't the Mitsubishi Eclipse fall into this category (nobody would vote for it but might as well put it in anyways just to be fair).
And suddenly the BRZ seems good value...
Why does the BRZ/FR-S need more power? To go 0-100 faster? I've never been to the track, and I don't intend to, but I drive everywhere just for fun, to explore. For me, the world is my track, and 200HP from a high revving 2.0L boxer engine sounds great to me. With awesome handling, and great looks, RWD, LSD, 6 speed manual. What more could you want? If they add more power, it will also add more weight, and more $$
Though it is not the most popular choice, I’d still go for the Dodge Challenger. I’ve always been spellbound by the classic-looking ones. This muscle car surely won’t fail me, and it wouldn’t be left behind when it comes to speed and agility. Ultimately, I love how it makes it presence felt on the road even if it’s not a really big car. :D
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toyota sells a GT-86 in europe
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