These Awesome European Sports Cars Can Be Bought For The Price Of A New Prius
For most Americans, the idea of owning a European sports car is a costly decision to make. Many Americans assume that just because it’s European and a sports car, in no way shape or form can they afford to own one of these cars in their lifetime. This could not be any further from the truth. The Toyota Prius is, unfortunately, a bestseller in the US, and it’s a car that many people consider buying when shipping around for a car.
The price of a basic Prius is around $24,525 which isn’t too expensive. For most people, that sure is affordable. Now, what if we said that you could purchase a proper European sports car for the same money. You’d think we’re joking, right? Well, it’s 100{dd7d296f04c8497fbd53789c82c7888820e9ba5c2c0620f7eb01a9d3f7fa072e} true, and these are ten awesome European sports cars that can be yours for the price of a new Toyota Prius.
10 Porsche Boxster
The Porsche Boxster is a textbook European sports car. It was launched back in 1996, and it saved the company from bankruptcy. It’s a bestseller premium European sports car, and it’s the car that many other manufacturers try to beat with their competitors. Almost none of them are anywhere near as good.
You could quite easily and comfortably get an early 986 Generation Boxster for less than a new Toyota Prius. You could probably have three or four 986 generation Boxsters for the price of a new Prius. If you want a newer Boxster, you can have the 987 generation, which is a bit more expensive, but a tad faster.
9 BMW Z4
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The first-generation Z4 was built in South Carolina, which isn’t anywhere near Europe. However, the second-generation car was made in Regensburg, Germany, so it is 100{dd7d296f04c8497fbd53789c82c7888820e9ba5c2c0620f7eb01a9d3f7fa072e} European. The original Z4 was available in coupe or roadster body style. The engine options consisted of 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder units, with an M model also available. These cars can go for under $10,000.
The second-generation Z4 is a far better car. It’s a hard-top convertible that features near enough the same engine choices but with more power. It handles better, looks better, and the build quality is on a different level. If you want a 3-liter version of the second generation car, you could be paying just above $20,000.
8 Mercedes SLK
The Mercedes SLK is a premium sports car that can be yours for less than the price of a new Toyota Prius. It was launched back in 1996, the same year as the Boxster 986. However, unlike the Boxster, it had a metal folding roof, which was a first for any production car.
The first-generation SLK is one of the best-looking Mercedes cars ever made. You can even get a 5.4-liter V8 SLK55 AMG model for less than a new Prius. That car is an absolute pocket rocket, and it is bound to put a smile on your face.
7 Lotus Elan
The Lotus Elan is a pretty rare car in the USA, but you can get one for less than a new Prius. It’s the first front-wheel-drive car on this list, but none of that matters. It’s a fantastic car to drive and under the hood is an Isuzu inline-4 which is a reliable and robust engine.
It’s very easy to drive and live with. Parts aren’t very expensive, and the Elan is pretty good on gas too. Also, the non-turbo model weighs under a tonne, so this car is very light, hence why it doesn’t need a lot of power for this car to go fast. It is an easy car to drive, so if you are an inexperienced driver, then this may just be a good sports car for you.
6 Audi TT
The Audi TT is a very stylish sports car, and it is the second front-wheel-drive car on this list, unless you opt for the Quattro model. The TT was launched back in 1998, and it became an instant hit. It’s based on the VW Golf platform, so it is quite reliable and also spacious inside. The engines too are all from the VW group cars, so parts are very accessible.
An early TT is as cheap as chips. You can get one for less than $10,000. If you want to spend a bit more you can get yourself a 3.2 V6 second-generation model which sounds absolutely mental. That car shares the same engine as the bonkers R32 Mk5 Golf.
5 Fiat 124 Spider
This car is built in Japan, so it’s not 100{dd7d296f04c8497fbd53789c82c7888820e9ba5c2c0620f7eb01a9d3f7fa072e} European. However, the engine is Italian, and the badge is too. Plus, this car was designed in Italy. The 124 Spider is a very good sports car, since it is based on one of the best sports cars ever, the Mazda MX5 Miata. Both the 124 and Miata are built by the same people, and they sure do know how to put together a great sports car.
The 124 Spider is very stylish. The front bumper and rear bumper to an extent homage back to the original 124 Spider. It is a very pretty car, and if it’s elegant classy looks you after, then this car is perfect for you. Unfortunately, it isn’t the fastest of sports cars.
4 Alfa Romeo Spider
Jeremy Clarkson states that you can’t call yourself a true petrolhead if you haven’t owned an Alfa Romeo. The Spider is a true Alfa Romeo, and it is also one of the best cars they have ever made. It was produced from 1966 till 1994, but the cheapest models tend to be the more later cars from the 1980s.
The Spider is a beautiful car, and it was designed by Pininfarina, who at the time also designed Ferraris. This is probably the most exotic sports car on this list, and in some ways the best-looking. It is probably the most unreliable car on this list, but this does make the car more soulful.
3 Porsche 911 996
A Porsche 911, one of the best sports cars ever made (if not the best) can be yours for less than a new Prius. The 996 generation of 911 was the most hated, hence why it’s cheap. The hatred for his car is unjust though, since it is a very good car to drive. It’s everything you would want a sports car to be and more. The handling is fantastic, and the power is instant.
The cheapest 996 models are the Carrera and the Carrera 4. They are very simple cars, but they do pack a punch. Under the hood, as everyone knows, is a flat-6. It’s a 3.4-liter unit with just under 300hp, which isn’t too shabby whatsoever. Just be wary of maintenance costs though, as they can be quite high.
2 Maserati 4200 GT Coupe
The Maserati 4200 GT is an exotic sports car that was built by Maserati between 2002 and 2007. The Coupe model is the cheapest of them all, however, if you do want something a tad sportier you can get the GranSport 2-seater convertible model with the same engine.
Under the hood is a 4.2-liter V8 from Ferrari. It sounds incredible car this with 385hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. It’s a fantastic engine and when you open the hood you can see that the engine covers are red. It is a very sexy, exotic Italian sports car that will surely make you look a lot richer than you actually are.
1 Porsche Cayman
If you want a mid-engined 2-seater Porsche sports car, but you don’t want a Boxster, then the Cayman is the one for you. It’s a Boxster with a roof. Shares the same engine as the Boxster and the same interior. It is better at handling since it has a fixed roof, which increases overall stability.
You can get a good Cayman 2.7-liter model for under $20,000 with a fair amount of optional extras fitted. However, a 3.4-liter S model will cost a tad more, but still less than a new Prius. It is a fantastic sports car, and some enthusiasts report that this is a better car to drive than the 911.
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