Do you often find yourself fantasizing about the open road ahead? Dreaming of days where you can slip behind the wheel, shift your car into gear, and push that accelerator pedal to the floor? If you do dream of hitting the road behind the wheel of a fast car, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, not all sports cars are affordable. In fact, some are downright expensive. The good news is that iSeeCars recently set out to identify the fastest cars under $30K. Let’s talk about their top picks for the fastest, most affordable sports cars.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is an affordable sports car

If you’re in the market for an affordable sports car, you really can’t go wrong with the Mazda Miata, iSeeCars reports. Buy a new Mazda Miata, and this affordable sports car will have you spending approximately $26,830. Upgrade to the Club or Grand Touring model, however, and you will be spending more than $30K on this year’s new Mazda Miata.

And if you find yourself asking how fast the Mazda Miata is? At the heart and soul of it is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Churning out 181-hp, this year’s Miata can move from zero to 60 in just 5.7 seconds, making it no surprise iSeeCars included it among its picks for the fastest cars under $30K. According to iSeeCars, this year’s Miata also boasts a maximum speed of 135 mph. If you’re longing for plenty of thrills every time that you get behind the wheel, that figure is nothing to scoff at. 

The Hyundai Veloster N is one of the fastest affordable cars

The Mazda Miata isn’t the right fit for every driver. Fortunately, iSeeCars also included the Hyundai Veloster N among its top picks for the fastest cars under $30K. The Hyundai Veloster N churns out an impressive 275-hp via its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and can move from 0 to 60 mpg in just 5.5 seconds. It also boasts a top speed of 155 mph. This affordable fast car is also standard with a manual transmission. 

Much like the Mazda Miata, the Hyundai Veloster N is an affordable fast car too. Opt for a base model, and you’ll find yourself spending approximately $32,350. While that is slightly above $30K, it’s not prohibitively expensive for many new car shoppers. If a $32,3250 starting price is too costly for you, consider opting for a used Hyundai Veloster N instead. 

The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the fastest affordable cars

The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the fastest affordable cars too. It comes driven by a 275-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and goes from zero to 60 in a mere 5.4 seconds. According to iSeeCars, it also reaches a max speed of 155 mph.

And if that’s not enough power for you? The Chevrolet Camaro is also available with a 335-hp 3.6 liter V6 that moves from zero to 60 in five seconds, a 355-hp 6.2-liter V8 that can reach 60 mph in four seconds, and a 650-hp 6.2-liter V8 that will have you moving from zero to 60 in just 3.5 seconds.

As for how much the Chevrolet Camaro costs? Opt for a base 2021 Chevrolet Camaro, and this year’s model will cost you $25,000. Upgrade to a more well-outfitted trim level, and you should expect to spend significantly more on this year’s Camaro. In fact, at its most expensive, the Camaro will have you spending at least $63,000. For those in the market for the fastest cars under $30K, that price tag is definitely on the most expensive side of things.

The Dodge Challenger is a cheap muscle car under $30K

The Dodge Challenger secured a spot on iSeeCars’ list of the fastest cars under $30K too. Though, it’s no surprise as to why. The Dodge Challenger is a cheap sports car that provides plenty of thrills. In fact, it comes equipped with a 303-hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine that boasts 303-hp to its name and can reach a maximum speed of 156 mph. It’s also available with a 375-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8, a 485-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8, and a 717-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8.

The Dodge Challenger is an affordable muscle car too. This year’s model starts at $28,870. Opt for a Challenger GT model, and you’ll find yourself spending slightly more than $30,000. At its most expensive, the Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock will have you spending $82,270. 

The Ford Mustang is the fastest car under $30K

When it came to choosing the fastest car for under $30K, iSeeCars chose none other than the Ford Mustang. This affordable sports car starts at $27,205. The Ford Mustang is available in several additional trim levels. However, most will have you spending over $30K. 

The good news is that the Ford Mustang makes nary a compromise when it comes to what’s under the hood. In fact, standard is a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 310-hp. With this engine under the hood, the Mustang will have you moving from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. For even more power under the hood, consider a Ford Mustang equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 engine, which reaches 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. It also reaches a maximum speed of 180 mph.

What is the fastest car for under $30K?

There’s no beating around the bush here. The Ford Mustang is the fastest car for under $30K. But if it isn’t quite your style? The good news is that iSeeCars included several other affordable sports cars among its list of the fastest cars under $30K.