It’s no secret that the 2022 Porsche 911 isn’t exactly what one might call an affordable car. With over five decades of lineage and critical acclaim leading to the 2022 model year, it’s easy to understand why so many folks dream of owning a piece of this well-planted rear-engined sports car legacy. Unfortunately, its pricing simply puts it out of reach for most of society. However, some lower-cost alternatives will still give drivers an amazing driving experience, from daily commutes to race tracks.

How much does a 2022 Porsche 911 cost?

The lowest-priced option to step into a brand new 2022 Porsche 911 comes in the form of the base 911 Carrera coupe with a starting price of $101,200. Moving entirely up the ladder to the 2022 911 GT3 brings a starting price of $161,100.

2022 Chevrolet Corvette – $62,195 starting MSRP

According to Motortrend, the Corvette and Porsche 911 have been rivals since the introduction of the 911 in the mid-1960s. With a similar price point and a similar intent to give drivers the ride of a lifetime, it’s easy to see why. However, fast-forwarding to the year 2022 brings an enormous gap in price between the two.

The bare minimum to get into a 2022 C8 Chevy Corvette is $62,195. While that won’t get you the most bells and whistles inside, it does still land you a mid-engine sports car with 490 horsepower, superb handling, and a zero to 60 mile-per-hour sprint in just 2.9 seconds.

2022 Ford Mustang GT500 – $74,555 starting MSRP

The 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is another American-made counterpart to the Porsche 911. Though Mustangs throughout history have been far less stellar in corners than Porsche offerings, the GT500 is quite the opposite. Despite being front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, and equipped with a 760 horsepower supercharged V8, the GT500 handles corners with ease. 

According to Motor1, the price of the 2022 GT500 saw an increase to $74,555. After destination charges and a mandatory gas guzzler tax, the total starting price is $78,350.

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster – $60,500 starting MSRP

Both 718 chassis offerings from Porsche, the Cayman and the Boxster, offer a much more affordable entry into the Porsche experience. Though they don’t quite pack the brute force of a 911, they still provide remarkable and refined handling characteristics and power delivery. Furthermore, the Boxster offers a full open-top experience at a fraction of the 2022 Porsche 911 Cabriolet price.

Even the most potent of the 718 offerings, the GTS 4.0, come in well under 911 pricing at $87,400 and $89,500 for the Cayman and Boxster, respectively.

2022 Jaguar F-Type – $71,300 starting MSRP

The 2022 Jaguar F-Type comes standard with a front-mounted V8 engine producing a minimum of 444 horsepower and a rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. At the top of the F-Type food chain is the R model with a supercharged 575 horsepower V8 and all-wheel-drive drivetrain. Bumping up to the R model brings the starting MSRP to $103,500.

Though the F-Type doesn’t have the same on-track pedigree as the 2022 Porsche 911, it does offer a remarkably luxurious interior and driving experience while retaining the dynamic nature of a sports coupe.

A used Porsche 911 – $30,000 and up

What better way to appreciate the heritage and pedigree of the 911’s rich history than diving directly into it? Though buying a used example comes with maintenance costs and the sacrifice of a new car’s warranty, many older generations of the Porsche 911 are available at a tiny fraction of the cost of buying new.

The 996 generation (model years 1997 to 2003 for standard models) is regarded as both the worst looking and best value 911 offering by many. Finding examples with under 50,000 original miles for around $30,000 is not at all uncommon. A simple search with Autotempest points you in the right direction.

Between the 996 generation and now, there are a plethora of used 911 models tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than a 2022 model that will still bring the iconic 911 driving experience.

Enjoy the driving experience without the 2022 Porsche 911 price point

Whether you’re shopping for a brand new car or are open to purchasing a used one, these five options are sure to put a smile on your face behind the wheel. Purchasing one of these options may even leave shoppers with enough money to buy another car for daily use, making their time behind the wheel of their “weekend car” all the more cherishable.