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The Porsche 911 is heralded as one of the most venerable sports cars on the planet. It’s no surprise, considering the 911 offers razor-sharp handling characteristics, 379 hp, and a 0-60 mph time in the four-second range. It’s quick and luxuriously sporty, but it also costs well over $100,000. If that’s out of your price range, here are three cheaper alternatives with enough power to give you the driving thrills you want.

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman — $68,300

A blue Porsche 718 Cayman drives on a roadway.
Porsche 718 Cayman | Porsche

The 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman is the 911’s little brother. With a starting price of $68,300, the Cayman is far more affordable and almost as powerful. Under the hood of the mid-engine sports car, you’ll find a turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four engine that pushes out 300 hp. It can also get the car up to 60 mph from a stop in only 4.9 seconds, which is only slightly slower than the 911.

If more power is desired, the Cayman S is a viable choice. It’s motivated by a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that makes 350 hp and drops the 0-60 mph to 4.4 seconds. Best of all, it still costs less than $100,000 (starting price is $82,400) and provides much of the same performance and panache as the almighty 911.

2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 — $79,420

An overhead shot of a red 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 | Ford

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is a unique alternative to the Porsche 911. What it lacks in performance finesse, it makes up for in brute power. The Shelby GT 500 is powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine that generates a whopping 760 hp and 625 lb-ft of torque. That’s nearly twice the power of the 911.

But that doesn’t mean the Shelby GT500 is only good in a straight line. It has an independent rear suspension and a double-ball-joint Macpherson front suspension with a MagneRide damping system in all four corners. This sophisticated suspension system allows for agile cornering and adequate ride comfort when driving around town. The Shelby GT500 may not be as refined as the 911, but it’s a great alternative.

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray — $64,500

A blue Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray sports car drives on Willow Springs Raceway.
C8 Corvette | General Motors

It’s no surprise that the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is a great alternative to the Porsche 911. With its 495-hp V8 engine, mid-engine layout, and spry handling, the Corvette Stingray is a formidable sports car that’s worth some attention. Chevy says it can reach 60 mph from a stop in only 2.9 seconds, which is far quicker than the 911.

It also costs nearly half the price of the German sports car and provides a surprising amount of comfort for a budget-friendly supercar. We reviewed the Corvette Stingray last year and were impressed with its road manners and tremendous power. Lastly, it has a rear and front trunk, which makes it more practical than the Porsche 911.

The 2023 Porsche 911 is an amazing sports car, but there are cheaper alternatives

Although the Porsche 911 is one of the most respected cars on the planet, it’s not the only car capable of blistering performance and handling. These three cars may not carry the same panache as the 911, but there’s no denying that they are viable and fast alternatives.

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