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Oct 08, 2023

10 Affordable Performance Car Alternatives To The New BMW M2

The all-new M2 is a phenomenal car, but here are ten affordable high-performance alternatives that give the BMW a run for its money! In many ways, the BMW M2 is one of the best new performance cars

The all-new M2 is a phenomenal car, but here are ten affordable high-performance alternatives that give the BMW a run for its money!

In many ways, the BMW M2 is one of the best new performance cars that money can buy. The baby M car is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six, mated to either an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox. The powertrain produces a respectable 453 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, which is good for a 0-60 mph sprint in 3.8 seconds. But, what if you wanted more? Or what if someone just isn't a fan of how the new M2 looks? Used cars tend to be phenomenal value, so let's explore some of the best high-performance cars that are better than a brand-new M2!

Looking at performance data from Acceleration Times and Zero To 60 Times along with reviews from owners, we have compiled ten of the best affordable performance car alternatives to the mighty all-new 2023 BMW M2 (Starting MSRP: $62,200).

No list of performance cars can be complete without mentioning the modern-day Godzilla. This Japanese sports car is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. This, combined with the abundance of race-focused technology, means that the GT-R can humble even supercars with its mind-boggling performance. It is why the R35 is often called the “supercar killer”!

Since its launch back in 2009, the R35 GT-R has seen several facelifts and upgrades, the newest one being the Nismo: a $220,000 beast. The 2009–2014 models, however, can be had for about as much as the new BMW M2, making the GT-R a great high-performance alternative. Also, just like the M2, the GT-R has four seats!

Engine

Twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6

0-60 MPH

3.0 seconds

Top Speed

201 mph

Curb Weight

3,827 lbs

Horsepower

542 hp

Torque

466 lb-ft

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive

The 996 generation of the Porsche 911 is easily one of the best bargains in the used market today. Despite being a couple of decades old, the 996 Turbo has more than enough power to keep up even with modern sports cars like the BMW M2. It also has the superb handling characteristics that Porsche 911s are known for. And since the 996 was a success, there are plenty of performance mods readily available for the car, too.

Being an older Porsche, it is natural that potential buyers may be worried about reliability and running costs. However, the 996 is quite reliable and affordable to service. And when parts do fail, they are not nearly as pricey as one may imagine for such a high-performance car. The 996 Turbo uses a different engine to the one that was prone to the IMS bearing issue, further improving the reliability and running costs of this four-seat sports car.

Engine

Twin-turbo 3.6-liter flat 6

0-60 MPH

4.0 seconds

Top Speed

194 mph

Curb Weight

3,395 lbs

Horsepower

414 hp

Torque

413 lb-ft

Layout

Rear-engine, all-wheel drive

The R8 stunned the world with its drop-dead gorgeous looks when it first broke cover at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. Since then, the car has aged like fine wine and can still edge out more modern cars in a beauty contest. It is a lot more than just a pretty face, though. Regardless of the powertrain one picks, the car has plenty of power to put even newly-released sports cars to shame. This makes the R8 one of the best options for gearheads searching for a high-performance car.

This Audi is also one of the last supercars to come with a gated manual transmission. In addition to choosing between a six-speed gated manual and a seven-speed dual clutch, buyers also had the choice of either a 4.2-liter V8 or a 5.2-liter V10 (yes, the same V10 as the Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracán). In Spyder guise, the car looks even better and losing the top means that the driver can hear the engine even better.

Engine

Naturally-aspirated 4.2-liter V8

Naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10

0-60 MPH

4.1 seconds

3.5 seconds

Top Speed

188 mph

196 mph

Curb Weight

3,439 lbs

3,571 lbs

Horsepower

424 hp

518 hp

Torque

317 lb-ft

391 lb-ft

Layout

Mid-engined, all-wheel drive

Unlike most other performance cars that are sporty but also comfortable, the Bentley Continental GT is a luxo-barge that happens to have the DNA of a sports car. Luxury cars are not often the choice for enthusiasts due to their weight, sluggishness, and boat-like handling. This Bentley, however, breaks these stereotypes as fast as it can break the speed limit. This mammoth is powered by either a monstrous 6.0-liter W12 engine or a 4.0-liter V8. Both engines get twin-turbochargers and send power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The power and torque on offer ensures that the car retains the brisk acceleration and performance even when all four seats are occupied. Like the Audi R8, the Continental GT is available either as a coupe or a soft-top convertible (called the Continental GTC).

While this Bentley won't break lap records around any track, it will easily keep up with most modern-day supercars and post respectable lap times with ease. In many ways, this really is the ultimate luxury performance car.

Engine

Twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12

Twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8

0-60 MPH

4.4 seconds

4.3 seconds

Top Speed

198 mph

192 mph

Curb Weight

5,115 lbs

5,159 lbs

Horsepower

567 hp

500 hp

Torque

516 lb-ft

487 lb-ft

Layout

Front-engined, all-wheel drive

Related: 10 Luxury Cars With The Best Performance

The Jaguar XKR-S is a criminally underrated performance car bargain from across the pond. The British automaker is known for some of the most iconic cars in motoring history, and the XKR-S feels like yet another future classic in the making. Powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8, this Jag was built for the racetrack. It even came with Pirelli P-Zero tires and a special high-performance braking system, among other upgrades to extract every last tenth from lap times. If you are feeling lucky, you might even be able to snag the XKR Final Fifty edition (just 50 in the U.S.) or the XKR-S GT (even more track-focused with just 30 in the U.S.).

Engine

Supercharged 5.0-liter V8

0-60 MPH

4.0 seconds

Top Speed

186 mph

Curb Weight

4,063 lbs

Horsepower

543 hp

Torque

502 lb-ft

Layout

Front-engined, real-wheel drive

Related: 10 Most Iconic Cars Of All Time

With a Ferrari 4.7-liter V8 under the hood, the Maserati GranTurismo Sport is one of the best bargain supercars money can buy. Admittedly, Maserati is not the first name when it comes to reliability, but newer models come with many changes that make these Italian sports cars easier to live with than one may think. For instance, the 2012-2019 GranTurismo Sport came with a reworked engine, a ZF six-speed automatic transmission, and design changes to improve aerodynamics.

Engine

Naturally-aspirated 4.7-liter V8

0-60 MPH

4.6 seconds

Top Speed

186 mph

Curb Weight

3,924 lbs

Horsepower

454 hp

Torque

384 lb-ft

Layout

Front-engined, real-wheel drive

As hard to believe as it is, this high-performance British grand-tourer can be had for lesser than the cost of a brand-new M2 from BMW. The DB9 is an iconic car in its own right and looks like a work of art, inside and out. Everything about this car exudes quality and makes for a driving experience like no other. The DB9 was available with either a 6-speed ZF automatic or a 6-speed Graziano manual transmission, making it one of the few manual V12 performance cars available in the market today. This Aston Martin is a complete package and one of the greatest modern cars from the British automaker.

Engine

Naturally-aspirated 5.9-liter V12

0-60 MPH

4.4 seconds

Top Speed

192 mph

Curb Weight

3,770 lbs

Horsepower

444 hp

Torque

420 lb-ft

Layout

Front-engined, real-wheel drive

The Audi RS3 is the perfect everyday performance car for a gearhead. The unique, all-aluminum five-cylinder engine combined with a fast seven-speed dual-clutch transmission ensures that the RS3 is blisteringly quick. Audi's legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system ensures that this pocket rocket puts down all 400 of its horses in the most efficient way possible. And since it is an Audi, the interior looks just as cool and sci-fi as the exterior, with plenty of space and practicality. Like the M2, the RS3 has rear seats, but the added rear doors mean that the seats are far more usable here than in the BMW.

Engine

Twin-turbo 2.5-liter 5-cylinder

0-60 MPH

3.5 seconds

Top Speed

180 mph

Curb Weight

3,472 lbs

Horsepower

394 hp

Torque

369 lb-ft

Layout

Front-engined, all-wheel drive

The C7 Corvette Z06 is an all-American supercar that punches well above its weight. The C7 generation of the iconic American sports car brought plenty of changes to improve the car's performance on paper and on the track. This included generous use of carbon fiber and magnesium seats to save weight, and better aerodynamics. The Z06's engine was mated to either a Hydramatic 8L90 eight-speed automatic or a Tremec seven-speed manual transmission.

Engine

Supercharged 6.2-liter V8

0-60 MPH

3.5 seconds

Top Speed

196 mph

Curb Weight

3,523 lbs

Horsepower

650 hp

Torque

650 lb-ft

Layout

Front-engined, rear-wheel drive

The 718 Cayman S is the quintessential modern sports car that can embarrass most supercars with its handling and agility. The S variant offers the best of both worlds: performance and practicality. Despite being Porsche's entry-level sports car, the car has earned the respect of car enthusiasts across the planet. While the M2 does have two more seats, the 718 is easily the better sports car out of the two.

Engine

Turbocharged 2.5-liter flat 4

0-60 MPH

4.4 seconds

Top Speed

177 mph

Curb Weight

3,053 lbs

Horsepower

345 hp

Torque

310 lb-ft

Layout

Mid-engined, real-wheel drive

With over seven years of experience in the automotive space, Krunal has lived and breathed cars since before he could talk. He has worked with several automotive and tech publications and has even worked on campaigns directly with supercar brands as a marketing and PR consultant. When he isn't writing or driving cars, he is planning his next travel adventure. Outside of cars and motorsports, he is a finance educator and is passionate about brands and business.