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Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Cars That Rival the Porsche 911 Without the Price Tag
The Porsche 911 has long been a symbol of refined performance, timeless design, and motorsport pedigree. But these days, it feels like everyone has one. If you want something that stands out, delivers thrilling performance, and doesn't cost six figures, you're in luck. Numerous high-performance alternatives offer similar (or even better) power, driving enjoyment, and personality, often at a significantly lower price. Whether you prefer sharp European handling, American muscle, or track-ready engineering, these cars challenge the 911 from every angle. Some are rear-engine legends in their own right, while others offer raw horsepower or under-the-radar charm. Best of all, they let you drive something remarkable without blending into a sea of 911s at Cars and Coffee. We sought vehicles that match or exceed the Porsche 911's performance benchmarks in key areas, including horsepower, 0-60 mph times, driving engagement, and price. We prioritized current or recently discontinued models that offer strong value, unique character, and a fun-to-drive factor. Each car on this list brings something compelling to the table, whether it's a lightweight chassis, a screaming V8, or a surprising amount of refinement for the cost. Want Porsche pedigree without the price? The 718 Cayman is mid-engined, beautifully balanced, and delivers the purest driving feel in the Porsche lineup. Even the base model offers enough turbocharged grunt to be genuinely quick, with razor-sharp handling that makes it a favorite among enthusiasts. Unlike the 911, the Cayman feels more intimate and connected to the road. It may be less powerful, but on twisty roads, it's often the more rewarding car to drive. Outright sports car performance in a more refined coupe body is where the CLE 450 is at. At first glance, you might dismiss the German coupe as just another luxury rep-mobile, but look closer, and Mercedes has pulled off a masterstroke of less is more. Lurking beneath a svelte, business-like exterior is a powerhouse of performance and speed, begging to be set free. Mercedes's dependable M256 3-liter straight six, augmented by a turbocharger and mild-hybrid system, produces 375 hp, promising a dash to sixty in 4.2 seconds. While its weight will be an issue on a twisty track, you'll be hard-pressed to find a faster point-to-point sports car for daily use. Often-troubled carmaker Lotus has been on a roll recently, finally shedding its reliance on the Elise and Exige. In their place, the Emira has big boots to fill; Lotus' latest sports car is also the carmaker's final foray into internal combustion. Fortunately, as a swansong to gasoline, Lotus has nailed the balance between agility and speed. Naturally, on a budget, Lotus steers clear of building its engines and instead buys units from Mercedes and Toyota to suit different owners. The Emira will set you back $102,500 at the lower end, which comes with a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder courtesy of Mercedes. Despite a lower cylinder count, the Mercedes-AMG four-banger pumps out 360 hp and hits sixty in 4.2 seconds, nearly identical to its bigger V6 sibling. Sportscar or rip-snorting coupe? The BMW M4 is another example of the German carmaker's niche-blurring speed machines. More and more BMW M-Sports tear up the rule book, offering 911-matching performance for a fraction of the asking price. Currently, BMW USA lists the M4 at $79,000. Like the Mercedes CLE 450, the M4 shares its DNA with lesser models, including a turbocharged 3-liter straight-six. The same engine powers the Supra, although gearheads benefit from a helpful power hike to 473 hp and 406 ft-lb of torque in the M4. The gains speak for themselves, with the M4 posting a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and eventually reaching 180 mph. The ultimate thrill ride experience, Atom, is a sports car with a difference. Forget for a moment a total lack of bodywork, comfort, and practicality; Ariel is about speed and nothing else. Despite its familiar exoskeleton appearance, the fourth-generation Atom is all-new, better in every direction. However, face-changing acceleration remains the car's party trick. Ariel does offer a windshield, but at high speeds, any bugs in the Atom's path become one with its occupants. It's one of the reasons Ariel rose to fame at the hands of Jeremy Clarkson. In addition to the size gains, Atom also features a change in power delivery. Out goes the old supercharged Honda unit, and in comes a Type-R turbocharged engine rated at 320 hp. Put down $23,000 and invest some time into hiding away in a garage at the weekends, and the Type 65 Coupe is the most remarkable sports car you could wish for. Billed as a complete kit, gearheads get everything required to handcraft a faithful replica of the Daytona Coupe. The only extras needed are time and a suitable engine and transmission. Even budgeting for a crate motor from Ford or GM leaves the Type 65 well within reach. However, if the thought of bolting together a potentially 200 mph sports car is too daunting, there are plenty of choices to pick up a ready-to-run example in the classifieds. Adding NISMO upgrades might seem redundant, considering the Nissan Z already ships with a potent 3-liter turbocharged V6. But more is always better, and the tweaks go deeper than a quick engine remap. Nissan's sporting department has uprated the Z in almost every area, delivering a more driver-focused, sharper sports car. A flatter torque curve ensures the Z is responsive in any gear, with 384 ft-lb of twist available between 2000 and 5200 rpm. Further changes occur at each corner, and new suspension and tires help keep everything under control. On its debut in 2022, gearheads remained divided. Some raved about the new Z, while others were unconvinced about its performance numbers. Either way, the Z in any trim level is a fantastic, budget-friendly sports car with impeccable reliability. Not to be outdone, Toyota had its revival. Since the 90s, the Supra has been a fan favorite thanks to its bomb-proof, turbocharged drivetrain. Although the 2JZ is no longer produced, a BMW-sourced straight-six engine has proven itself a worthy successor, capable of impressive power numbers. Entering production in 2019, the fifth-generation Supra has undergone engine revisions, with the most recent update claiming a 382 hp output. A certain amount of mystery surrounds these figures, especially regarding performance. Toyota claims a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds, backed up by a top speed of 161 mph. Are they geared for acceleration, or are there some misleading power claims? With classic proportions, a snarling V8, and curvy British styling, the F-Type turns heads wherever it goes. It also offers strong performance thanks to a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 in the R-Dynamic trim. While it leans more grand tourer than track weapon, the F-Type has plenty of old-school charm mixed with modern tech. It's not the sharpest in the corners, but it's immensely satisfying to drive. The Dark Horse is Ford's latest Mustang special edition. While it won't win any creativity awards for its name, it is a surefire winner for the biggest bang for your buck. Despite being a limited edition, Ford kept the price low, offering gearheads 500 ponies for under sixty grand. Value for money has always been a Mustang's strong point: it is an honest worker's car. The Dark Horse builds on that, adding a 5-liter naturally aspirated Coyote motor. There are no blowers or exhaust muffling turbos, just a deep, booming soundtrack, just the way every sports car should be. It is little wonder that Ford still sells the Mustang. Compact, powerful, and incredibly fun to drive, the M2 is one of BMW's best driver's cars. It features a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that shares DNA with the M3 and M4, but is packaged into a smaller, more agile platform. If you want rear-wheel-drive thrills and a manual transmission, the M2 is one of the last places to get both. It's a modern muscle coupe with just enough finesse to hang with pricier competition. How the mighty have risen. Once a basic front-rear drive sports car marred by poor handling, the current C8 Corvette is a genuine mid-engine supercar that competes with more expensive exotics. Ticking all the performance and handling boxes, it comes as a surprise that Chevrolet delivers nearly 200 mph for such a low price. In part, exotic rivaling performance is courtesy of a lightweight glass fiber body over an aluminum spaceframe construction process, saving vital kilos. However, including a naturally aspirated 490 hp 6.2-liter V8 is the C8's ticket to supercar status. The Audi RS5 blends sleek coupe styling with serious performance. With its muscular lines, carbon fiber accents, and high-tech interior, it offers the kind of luxury and refinement you'd expect from a grand tourer, without sacrificing speed. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6, the RS5 delivers 444 horsepower and a 0-60 time under four seconds. Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system provides confident grip in all conditions, while the chassis is tuned for a smooth yet capable ride. It's fast, composed, and easy to live with, making it one of the most well-rounded 911 alternatives on the road. At over $100,000, value for money doesn't appear near the top of Lexus's target list. But dig deeper, and the add-on track edition parts make sense. Aside from a visually more aggressive body kit complete with a carbon rear wing, Lexus has been hard at work under the skin. Starting the braking system, carbon fiber discs front and rear rein in the car's 472 hp naturally aspirated V8. Elsewhere, monotube dampers paired with Lexus F-Adaptive suspension ensure body roll is kept to a minimum, keeping the RC-F's Michelin Pilot Sports tires firmly planted on the road. The only downside is that Lexus artificially capped performance at 168 mph. Blending luxury and speed, the Audi RS5 offers a twin-turbo V6, Quattro all-wheel drive, and a tech-filled interior. It's not the sharpest in corners, but it's blisteringly quick and easy to live with. For those who want everyday usability with understated style and serious straight-line pace, the RS5 makes a strong case. The Porsche 911 is a benchmark, but it's not your only option. Whether you want raw power, sharp handling, or something that turns more heads at a meet-up, these cars show that high-performance driving comes in many forms. You don't have to spend six figures to enjoy world-class performance. These 911 alternatives prove that with the right car, you can enjoy just as much fun behind the wheel, sometimes even more.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sutherland, Morales Williams among Canadians to hit qualifying times for track worlds
Canada's Savannah Sutherland, shown in this 2024 file photo, won the women's 400m on Sunday at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational, and hit the world standard in the process. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press - image credit) Several Canadian track athletes achieved world championship-qualifying times this weekend, ahead of this summer's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Three of those marks were set on Sunday at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational, with Savannah Sutherland and Christopher Morales Williams recording season-best times, while Audrey Leduc bettered her own national record. Advertisement Sutherland, the Borden, Sask., native who's had an incredible season in the women's 400-metre hurdles, won the 400 flat on Sunday in 50.62 seconds, clearing the world standard of 50.75. The 21-year-old finished her collegiate career by setting a new NCAA record in the 400m hurdles in June, and on Friday, Sutherland announced she signed a pro contract with Adidas. Leduc, of Gatineau, Que., had already matched the women's 100m standard of 11.07 at a meet in Baton Rouge, La., in late April, but she ran a new personal-best 10.94 in Edmonton during a qualifying heat. That also bettered her own Canadian record by one-hundredth of a second. The 29-year-old also won Sunday's final with a time of 11.06. Advertisement Morales Williams, of Vaughan, Ont., won the men's 400m event at Foote Field in 44.85 seconds, equalling the world standard. Two other Canadians hit their respective world standards earlier in the weekend. On Friday, Toronto's Gabriela DeBues-Stafford finished her women's 1,500m race in 4:01.19 at the Morton Games in Dublin. The next day, Matthew Erickson, of Nelson, B.C., reached the mark in the men's 800m, running to a personal best of 1:44.49 at the Sound Running Sunset Tour in L.A.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
World-class track and field athletes bring tough competition to Edmonton
Elite track and field athletes from around the world congregated in Edmonton on Sunday for an international invitational track meet. CBC's Sam Brooks was there to take in all the action.
CBC
3 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
World-class track and field athletes bring tough competition to Edmonton
Elite track and field athletes from around the world congregated in Edmonton on Sunday for an international invitational track meet. CBC's Sam Brooks was there to take in all the action.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Gout Gout wins again in Monaco as Jess Hull and Peter Bol break national records
The remarkable Gout Gout story speeds on with the Australian producing another blistering performance to further his European track education in Monaco. Guesting in an invitational 200 metres at the prestigious Diamond League meeting at the Stade Louis II in the Principality during his school holidays on Friday, the teenage phenomenon raced away to another striking win in 20.10 seconds into a headwind. The 17-year-old Queenslander, who had enjoyed a remarkable European debut when he clocked an Australian record 20.02s in the Czech town of Ostrava just over two weeks ago, may have challenged the 20-second barrier again if not disadvantaged by the 1.9m/s wind in his face. But he was delighted to maintain his European unbeaten record as he sped away off the bend to leave South African Naeem Jack (20.42s) and Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinatshipi (20.28s) trailing in his wake. 'My top-end speed is my secret, so I've just got to focus on the first 100, first 50, and once I get out of that bend, I know I can run people down,' Gout said afterwards. 'So stay relaxed, stay focused, and just power through.' The youngster will now head back to school in Queensland after his enjoyable first experience of top European meetings, with his first trip to a senior world championships in Japan in September very much still on track. 'I am pretty satisfied, I just got told that it was into a headwind,' he said. 'I ran pretty decent so I am happy with that. I haven't competed much this season since I have to go to school, I will be back on Monday. During the holidays is the time to compete for me.' Just like your average teenager, Gout Gout used his school holidays to make his Diamond League debut 😉 Hear the global sensation talk about his win in the Men's Under-23 200m. #AthleticsNation This was Gout's first taste of the atmosphere at a big Diamond League meeting, one of the most high-profile on the circuit, but he had no intention of making his debut in the League 200m race, which was won by Olympic 100m chapion Noah Lyles in a sizzling 19.88s, also into a slightly less strong 0.8m/s headwind. 'I didn't compete in the main race because I just want slowly to get used to it, there is no point putting me in big races when I am running at the world championships,' Gout said. 'The goal now is to go out there and have a little bit of fun.' Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion Gout's run was just one of another series of impressive outings by Australian athletes as Jess Hull and Peter Bol both shattered national records. Twelve months to the day since breaking the 2000m world record at the same meeting, Olympic 1500m silver medallist Hull finished third in the 1000m behind Kenyan Nelly Chepchirchir in 2:30.96, beating the previous national mark by two seconds. In one of the fastest 800m races in Diamond League history, Bol was fourth in 1:42.55, improving his own Australian record by more than a second, as Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi clocked a world-leading time of 1:41.44 and the top five, remarkably, all went under 1:43. 'I'm resilient, I've always been,' Bol said. 'I've overcome a lot over the last few years, they were pretty bad for me, but I'm back and I'm better. An Australian record? I can't be any happier.'
