Sports Cars under $35,000

2008 Ford Mustang
Ford & Shelby Automobiles announced the launch the 2008 Shelby GT500KR, the most powerful Mustang to date. Inspired by the 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR, this “King of the Road” will offer about 540 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, thanks to revised ignition & throttle calibration and a cold air intake system that replaces the stock unit. The 2008 Ford Mustang is available as a V6 & GT in both Deluxe and Premium trims. This year also marks the reintroduction of the Bullitt trim. Though this review only covers the Mustang coupe, it’s also offered as a convertible. A high-performance Shelby GT 500 is also available.

MSRP: $19,650 - $27,420; Invoice: $18,256 - $25,248

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The MX-5 Miata Special Edition* is proof that the best in life still has much to offer. Based on the refined features of the Grand Touring, the exclusively unique Special Edition is a stunningly exquisite upgrade. For the USA, the engine is the new 16-valve, 2.0 L (120 cu in) MZR I4, producing 166 bhp (124 kW) & 140 ftlbf (190 Nm) coupled to either a 5-speed or a 6-speed manual transmission or 158 bhp (118 kW) with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission.

MSRP: $20,635 - $28,060; Invoice: $19,068 - $25,908
Mazda MX-5 Miata Features: [= Show =]

2008 Nissan 350Z Roadster
The 350Z Roadster ranks near the top of its class for its sporty, yet practical, handling, comfortable bucket seats & long list of features. Its limited visibility and low grade materials, however, detract from its overall appeal. 2008 Nissan 350Z Roadster offers a thrilling sports car performance, as well as an eye-catching top-down cruise. Forbes says the 350z Roadster is a good choice “if you want a quick nimble & fun open-air sports car that’s comfortable enough for daily driving and highway cruising; you’re a fan of the original 240Z & appreciate the 30-year heritage that traces back to it from today’s Z car.” Still, the 350Z is not perfect. Its front end is difficult to see from the driver’s position, and its cabin is plagued by difficult access & sub-par materials.

MSRP: $36,280 - $41,980; Invoice: $33,603 - $38,874

2008 Honda S2000
The 2008 Honda S2000 is built for speed & in fact, it leaves most of its affordable sports car and two-seat convertible competitors in the dust. Test drivers find the S2000’s 2.2-liter 237-horsepower I4 engine to be a good fit for the job. The current 2.0L engine found in the Australian version has 176kW of power & 208Nm of Torque. The 2.2L engine in the S2000 CR has 176kW of power but increases torque to 219Nm. While power maybe lacking in the low rpms, it drops jaws once revved high. According to the EPA, the ‘08 Honda S2000 nets 18 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city & 25 mpg on the highway. The new full-body body kit reduces lift through large and highly-tuned front & rear spoilers. The S2000 CR also gets quicker steering ratio, Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires (same as the ones found on the WRX STi), a wider rear tire size, firmer springs & dampers, larger stabilizer bars and a new wheel design in a dark gray color.

MSRP: $34,300 - $37,300; Invoice: $31,055 - $33,766

2008 Pontiac Solstice Gxp
Unlike the Mazda MX-5, Pontiac Solstice brings some visual aggressiveness & a potent attitude to the marketplace. It’s far from cute, & it’s available with a high-performance turbo engine that delivers 260 horsepower alongside upgraded handling and brakes. Pontiac asserts that the Solstice GXP can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Still, the Solstice receives a low performance score compared to most of its affordable sports car competitors. Distinct good looks, precise steering, strong brakes, supple ride & superb exhaust note make it all the more palatable. The Solstice GXP wins big points for its handling and dynamics, which see sharp reflexes delivered alongside a notably comfortable ride.
MSRP: $22,455 - $28,135; Invoice: $21,220 - $26,588

2008 Saturn Sky
2008 Saturn SKY is a fairly new model — just introduced to Saturn’s lineup for 2007 — & it shares a mechanical platform with the Pontiac Solstice. The 2008 Saturn SKY’s 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder Ecotec base engine gets mixed reviews. 2008 Saturn SKY with a manual transmission at 19 miles per gallon in the city, 25 mpg on the highway. With an automatic, the SKY receives a rating of 19 mpg in the city & 24 mpg on highways. The engine 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque gets you from a standing start to 60 in what Saturn says is 5.5 seconds.

MSRP: $25,855 - $30,115; Invoice: $24,174 - $28,15

2008 Hyundai Tiburon
The new Tiburon is more than likely going to keep the same powertrain options, meaning that the same 138HP 2.0-Liter Inline-4 & 172HP 2.7-Liter V6 will be available. The new model has more of a modern, modified look which looks great, especially on this blue. It keeps the dual-exhaust, & has the tips flowing with the body more than the previous model. Reviewers find the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon to be a sporty-looking car with a reasonable price tag. The Tiburon is available in GS, GT, GT Limited and SE trim levels. The 2008 Hyundai Tiburon comes with one of two engines — a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 138 horsepower & 136 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.7-liter V6 that makes 172 horsepower & 181 lb-ft of torque.

MSRP: $17,025 - $22,525; Invoice: $16,338 - $21,085

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
A 263 hp 3.8-liter V6 engine powers the GT & the SE-V6 and comes with a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. Standard safety features include frontal-impact, side-impact & side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, & a tire pressure monitoring system. The Eclipse has four trims: GS, GT, SE & SE-V6. A 162 hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic with manual shift mode. 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse is part of Mitsubishi’s “Project America” platform, featuring other front wheel drive vehicles like the Endeavor a& the Galant.