Choosing a car to drive to the track, set blisteringly quick lap times, and then drive home with the air conditioning on is a tricky proposition. However, even with the industry push for electric vehicles (EVs) and dwindling supply of manual-equipped cars, some road-legal track stars persist. Check out these razor-sharp corner carvers, like the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, Honda Civic Type R, and BMW M2. 

What are the best track cars?

Track cars should be riotous fun, scalpel-sharp, and in some cases, street-legal for the drive home. These five track-ready performance cars are up to the task. 

• Ford Mustang Mach 1
• Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
• Toyota GR Supra 3.0
• Honda Civic Type R
• BMW M2

Can a Mustang be a good track car?

Contrary to the popular sentiment of Mustang critics, some trims of the Blue Oval’s pony car can carve corners. For instance, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach 1 packs performance components from the now-discontinued Shelby GT350 and GT500 to produce an apex-clipping 470-horsepower 5.0L V8-powered track-ready car. 

Moreover, the Mach 1 ditches the GT’s Getrag-sourced manual transmission. Instead, the Mach 1 packs a Tremec manual or quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. However, fans who want track-day smiles will have to go with the Tremec. 

Is Porsche Cayman GT4 RS street-legal?

The 2023 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS isn’t just street-legal; it’s a road car with track credentials so outstanding that the Zuffenhausen automaker may have created a vehicle with its own 911 GT3 in its sights. 

The 493-horsepower super-Cayman clocked a 2:40.5 lap time at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), 0.1 seconds quicker than the venerable 911 model, per Car and Driver. 

What makes a Toyota GR Supra 3.0 an excellent track car?

In addition to the BMW-Toyota collaboration that is the Supra’s turbocharged 3.0L inline six-cylinder B58 engine, the 2023 Toyota GR Supra 3.0’s optional manual transmission makes for an enthusiastic track car. Better yet, the Toyota model starts at around $54,095; it’s more affordable than a comparable BMW M2. 

Is the Honda Civic Type R fast?

The 315-horsepower 2023 Honda Civic Type R is the most potent Type R in the model’s history. As a result, the Civic Type R can knock out a sprint to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. 

Still, while it’s not as fast as a rival hot hatch like the Volkswagen Golf R, it’s a manual-equipped, rev-happy track car. 

Is BMW M2 a single or twin-turbo application?

The 2023 BMW M2 produces 453 horsepower courtesy of a twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six-cylinder engine. Better yet, the M2 offers an optional six-speed manual transmission and tail-happy rear-wheel drive (RWD), which means smiles for miles on any circuit. 

What do you think of these track cars? Tell us in the comments below!