There is no denying that the Chevrolet Corvette C8 does represent very good value for money for a sports car when you look at what it can do. With an MSRP of $68,300 for the new Stingray, some fantastic track chops, an aggressive style, an available 0-60 MPH time of just 2.9 seconds, and an available top speed of 194 MPH, it does take some beating from the rest of the 2025 sports car market.
But a starting price of just shy of $70,000 is still a lot of money, plus, even though you can use the Corvette to tour, there are certainly more comfortable options out there. We have found ten cars that cost less than a new Chevrolet Corvette (what we mean when we say ‘affordable’) that can all either sprint to 60 MPH in similar times, boast more luxurious and comfortable features, or outpace them at the high end.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Chevrolet and other authoritative sources, including Kelley Blue Book, fueleconomy.gov, JD Power, and Classic.com. Models are listed from the highest auction price to the lowest.
2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR
Average Auction Price: $66,636/Top Speed: 200 MPH
- Base Trim Engine
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5.0L Supercharged V8 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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575 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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516 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
With obvious styling cues from the iconic Jaguar E-Type, when the F-Type hit the U.S. market back in 2014, it showed that Jag still had some grit. At stock level, the F-Type has been near-constantly revered for its beautiful silhouette, potent mills, and driving fun, but then there is the F-Type SVR.
Under the illustrious hood lurks a supercharged AJ133 V8 that is a clear upgrade from what was found in the same year’s F-Type V8 R, with 575 horsepower over the V8 R’s 550 horsepower. 0-60 MPH times have been recorded at around 3.5 seconds, but top speeds of 200 MPH are far superior to what the C8 Corvette can shift out.
The SVR also boasts a titanium and Inconel exhaust setup, which is lighter than what is found in the other 2017 F-Types, while a split muffler is utilized to make it look better, to reduce backpressure, improve underbody aerodynamics, and give the SVR a raucous note from the rear. You also get all-wheel drive for sticky track fun and all the power sent through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission that has been set up for lightning-quick changes.
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2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Average Auction Price: $66,473/Top Speed: 198 MPH
- Base Trim Engine
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6.2L Supercharged V8 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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650 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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650 lb-ft @3600
Currently, the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has an average auction price of $66,473 or, in value-for-money terms, $102 per horsepower. Under the hood, you get a 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 that can spit out a square amount of horsepower and torque, and gets you and the 3,820-pound Camaro ZL1 to 60 MPH in approximately 3.5 seconds. That may be slower to 60 than a new Corvette, but where the ZL1 comes into its own is at the top end, with a top speed of 198 MPH.
While the Corvette is no doubt a track monster, the ZL1 can offer a lot of sporty chops away from straight-line speed in the shape of Magnetic Ride Control; Brembo six-piston brakes, which provide intense stopping power, an electronically-controlled limited-slip diff that takes care of traction in the corners, 11 heat exchangers and coolers to keep the monster of a V8 at the right temp, and 20-inch forged alloys wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires.
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2014 Aston Martin Rapide S
Average Auction Price: $62,087/Top Speed: 190 MPH
- Base Trim Engine
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6.0L V12 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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550 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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457 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Blending a sleek four-door sedan feel with snarling performance chops, a used 2014 Aston Martin Rapide S could be an option to save your wallet on upfront costs compared to a new Corvette. With an average used price of just north of $62,000, it is still a fair amount of cash for an 11-year-old British sports sedan, but it does show its caliber.
Under the hood sits a 5.9-liter V12 that can push out 550 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, which is a healthy amount more than what the older Rapide can muster. 0-60 MPH times are nowhere near as quick as the C8 Corvette (five seconds), but the 190 MPH top speed says a lot about the legs of the V12 and the pull of an Aston Martin.
But what you get in the Rapide S far trumps what the Corvette can offer in levels of luxury. All of which you’d expect from the British marque. It is a classic Aston Martin with long, flowing lines, a dramatic hood, a huge full-face grille, hand-stitched leather upholstery inside, carbon fiber accents, and rich-looking materials everywhere you look.
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2013 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500
Average Auction Price: $60,450/Top Speed: 202 MPH
- Base Trim Engine
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5.8L Supercharged V8 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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650 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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600 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
As possibly one of the best Ford Mustangs ever made, the 2013 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 is a living legend and should definitely be kept on the short list of C8 Corvette alternatives. Firstly, it is equipped with a 5.8-liter supercharged Trinity V8 that is good for 662 horsepower and 631 pound-feet of torque, and 0-60 MPH times of around 3.7 seconds.
Secondly, all the power is sent through a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual box, which boasts heavy-duty internals and a large dual-disc clutch; the massive front intake and upgraded coolers mean you can gun it all day, and the Brembo brakes on all four corners can bring you from 60 MPH to a standstill in 101 feet.
Thirdly, while the Corvette is undoubtedly an all-American hero, nothing quite compares to the Ford Mustang, the muscle car that has outlasted the lot of them. Plus, for all that power and street kudos, it is nearly $8,000 cheaper than an ‘entry-level’ C8 Stingray.
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2010 Nissan GT-R
Average Auction Price: $59,512/Top Speed: 194 MPH
- Base Trim Engine
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3.8L V6 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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485 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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434 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
As an undeniable JDM icon, the 2010 Nissan GT-R “Godzilla” is everything great about Japanese performance cars; it is relatively cheap for its caliber, it looks fantastic, and it can really perform. At the center of everything great about the GT-R is one of Nissan’s finest engine creations, the VR38DETT. This twin-turbocharged V6 can spit out a conservative-in-comparison 485 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, but that doesn’t count for much in relation to what it can actually do.
The V6 is paired with a rapid-changing six-speed dual-clutch transmission and Nissan’s ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which ensures you can hit 60 MPH in just over three seconds and top out at 193 MPH. Handling is taken care of by Bilstein DampTronic adaptive suspension, massive Brembo brakes, and Bridgestone tires, so not only would you be driving around in a bona fide legend, but one that can really stick it to higher-priced models.
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2010 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed
Average Used Price: $58,900/Top Speed: 200 MPH
- Base Trim Engine
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6.0L Turbo W12 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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552 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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479 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
There aren’t many brands that can dictate a head-turn like Bentley, and regardless of what auto circles you run in, you are likely to turn around when you see or hear a Bentley rolling down the road. With an average used price of ‘only’ $58,900, the 15-year-old Continental Flying Spur Speed handles both the luxury side of things and the power side of things in equal measure.
In the cabin, you get lavish hand-stitched leather, real wood veneers, polished metal accents, four-zone climate control, acoustic glass, comfortable seats in the front and rear, and 41.5 inches of front legroom and 38.6 inches of rear legroom. It is proper Bentley luxe.
But the real pull towards the Flying Spur Speed is the mammoth 6.0-liter bi-turbo W12 under the hood. It is good for 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, and despite the Bentley’s nearly 5,400-pound curb weight, it can shift the Flying Spur Speed to 60 MPH in 4.2 to 4.6 seconds and to top speeds of 200 MPH.
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2018 Mercedes-Benz E63 S 4MATIC+
Average Used Price: $56,475/0-60 MPH: 2.9 Seconds
- Base Trim Engine
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2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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9-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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241 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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273 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm
Thankfully, for those of us who are looking for a used luxury performance sedan, they do not retain their value well. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E63 S 4MATIC+ is a living example of that; only five years ago, it would have cost just shy of $108,000. Today, its average used price is $56,475.
Like all great AMG models, the 2018 E63 S is fully-equipped to deliver on-road and on-track fun. It boasts a 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 that can kick out 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque; you can hit 60 in as little as 2.9 seconds, and you can stretch its legs all the way up to 188 MPH.
You can cruise in relative comfort down the highway in it, or you can really put it through its paces thanks to the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ AWD system, which gives you epic torque distribution and enhances traction on both the road and over some loose stuff. Plus, if you want to stick the back end out, you can, thanks to the Drift Mode. Luxury isn’t overshadowed by the sportiness, though, and you still get Nappa leather upholstery, the MBUX infotainment system, AMG sports seats, and a Burmester surround sound rig.
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2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10
Average Auction Price: $56,159/Top Speed: 190 MPH
- Base Trim Engine
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8.3L V10
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-speed manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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500 HP @5600 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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525 lb.-ft. @ 4200 RPM
There isn’t much more of a raw American sports car experience that you get than in a Dodge Viper SRT-10. It is unfiltered American road mania in one aggressive and sleek package. The best part about it is that, because of their age and some of their more well-known foibles, you can pick one up for an average auction price of $56,159.
What makes the SRT-10 such a beast is the 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V10 it boasts. This pure monster can kick out 500 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque and send you to 60 MPH in around 3.9 seconds and top speeds of 190 MPH.
Though it may be challenging to drive at first, because of the lack of ABS and traction control, once you master driving a Viper, you won’t want to ever get rid of it. It makes you drive it properly and learn how to handle a properly engaging supercar, but once you have tamed the power from the V10, the wide stance, grippy tires, and long wheelbase make for very precise driving and a very hands-on experience behind the wheel.
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2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
Average Auction Price: $55,582/Top Speed: 199 MPH
- Base Trim Engine
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6.2L Supercharged V8 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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707 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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650 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
When the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat was released, it helped to redefine American muscle cars by offering awesome performance guts at a relatively affordable price point. Today, the price is even better, and the performance (in well-looked-after examples) has stayed the same.
The SRT Hellcat comes equipped with a 707-horsepower/650-pound-foot 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 that boasts forged aluminum pistons and a compression ratio of 9.5:1, which can send the 4,449-pound Hellcat to 60 MPH in as little as 3.6 seconds. At the time, this HEMI V8 was Chrysler’s most powerful factory engine, and on top of the impressive dash times, it can get you to a top speed of 199 MPH.
Unlike this year’s Corvette, the SRT Hellcat is all about classic, aggressive, and muscular design cues. It pays homage to the classic muscle car world while adding its own modern twist. The prominent hood scoop, the quad-LED headlights, the cutting body lines, the noise of the V8 rumbling through the Borla Cat-Back exhaust system, and the wide face all give it a classic look to go alongside the modern performance specs.
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2015 BMW M5 Competition
Average Used Price: $53,592/Top Speed: 190 MPH
- Base Trim Engine
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4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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7-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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560 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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500 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
With a now-reasonable ballpark price south of $54,000, the 2015 BMW M5 Competition is becoming an increasingly affordable luxury performance sedan. Like a luxury sedan should have, the M5 Competition showcases a plush and comfortable cabin that also gives you the feel of driving something very athletic.
You get 20-way power-adjustable front seats; leather upholstery wraps the cabin; a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio setup provides crystal-clear sounds; the iDrive infotainment system handles all the techy things you need, and, if you look for used examples that have been originally kitted out with the Executive Package, you also get a HUD and soft-close doors.
So, the M5 Competition is certainly more comfortable than the Corvette, but what about its performance? Yes, it is still good. 0-60 MPH times of 3.6 seconds aren’t at Corvette level, but the top speed of 190 MPH certainly is.
The huge top speeds and still rapid sprint times are courtesy of the 4.4-liter bi-turbo V8 that it boasts. The M5 Competition’s mill is good for 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque and boasts BMW’s Valvetronic VVT and direct fuel injection. It is mated with a standard-fit seven-speed dual-clutch auto box, but if you want a more hands-on feel, there are used models out there with a six-speed manual transmission fitted.
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