[ad_1]
While Ferraris have traditionally remained exotic items with matching exotic prices, the world has changed its mind on what looks, sounds, feel, and drives interestingly these days. Culturally, some makes/models have grown in strength over the years, and in some cases, being weird is in. With new manufacturing/fabricating processes, and well-developed engineering, creating groundbreaking vehicles has never been easier for automakers. As such, some incredible models have emerged that shake up the industry from brands not typically associated with competing with the very best. It really is quite the era to be an automotive enthusiast and some of the world’s current offerings will pleasantly surprise the average driver.
While we recognize that not all the models listed are extremely affordable, comparatively to Ferrari’s current lineup and other supercar makers, here is a list of much less expensive, but extremely popular vehicles that will garner attention and most likely spark conversation for a myriad of reasons. These are some of the most talked about vehicles in the world starting at under $100,000, and here’s why they will turn heads just as much as your super exclusive $570,000 Ferrari SF90 Spider. Each one has a unique story leading to their rise to fame (or infamy).
10 Kia Stinger
front 3/4 view of a red 2022 Kia Stinger GT
Don’t forget, Kia still makes interesting vehicles including the stunning Stinger GT. The allure of the Stinger early on was an attractive design inside and out, with a spicy turbocharged V-6 powertrain to match. Add in the face that it was engineered by folks from BMW, and it’s easy to see why the Kia Stinger GT is such an inherent winner.
The car has received a mid-cycle refresh and onlookers still don’t know what it is half the time and are shocked when told it’s a Kia. For shock value alone, the Kia Stinger is worth its relatively low starting price of under $37,000. The Kia may not provide the mind-bending performance of a Ferrari, but it will raise more eyebrows in curiosity as a red 296 GTB leaves very little to the imagination. Get one while you still can because 2023 is the Stinger’s final model year.
9 Toyota Supra
Front 3/4 view of blue 2021 Toyota Supra parked.
It’s tough to argue the Toyota Supra isn’t at least muscular in appearance. Its aggressive stance lends well to the rowdy reputation set by the previous model. The Supra name now carries weight in ways even Ferrari can’t. The older Supras are legends and the new one still causes a stir within the community with its BMW roots.
The truth is, though, the A90 Toyota Supra is a well-engineered machine sticking to its straight-six roots with styling that snaps necks every time. By partnering with BMW everyone wins. Toyota and BMW get to continue selling interesting vehicles, and we get to keep driving/celebrating legends in real time.
8 BMW M2
M2 is back, and whether you like its controversial styling or not, it is making waves with enthusiasts. The F87 or “OG” as it’s called was well received, both by owners and the press, so the G87 had substantial shoes to fill. Luckily, despite its funky bumpers, it is a fully baked M car with reserves of effortless power, giving us a worthy successor to the highly regarded F87.
Particularly in the signature Zandvoort Blue or Toronto Red, it will be tough not to notice the wicked little BMW. There’s no denying the M2 has a unique design that will stand out even from afar leading enthusiasts to point it out with ease.
7 Nissan Z
Front 3/4 view of blue 2023 Nissan Z parked.
The new Nissan Z is genuinely fascinating to look at. It’s a car you can spend hours visually digesting. Rather than creating a radically different design, Nissan drew from all the Z’s greatest hit eras, and it actually worked. The designers executed the retro-inspired form extremely well with proportions that other much more expensive cars couldn’t pull off.
It’s been so long since the last generation car was launched making the new Z something of a treat and occasion to find out in the wild. It has received overall great reviews and being Nissans only new sporty car within the decade makes the new Z a rarer occurrence than some Ferraris.
6 Honda Civic Type R
Side view of white 2023 Honda Civic Type R parked.
The radical looking 10th generation Civic Type R brought the boy-racer Honda back to the States in 2017 and a massive following with it. The last time the USA saw the Type R badge was on the Acura Integra, debuting in 1997. For 2023 we have a new Civic Type R, and an oddly reserved look. It seems Honda is relying less on styling, but rather a well engineered machine to do all the talking.
With its new Nurburgring record, raving press reviews, and reputation for being consistently at the top of its class, the Type R is as hot as ever. Although it’s not as silly in appearance as the last car, the Civic Type R’s reputation precedes it bringing even more attention to Honda as a performance minded brand than ever.
5 Lotus Emira
Front 3/4 view of blue 2023 Lotus Emira parked.
So maybe the Emira isn’t exactly what you’d call “affordable”, but it’s a hell of a lot more affordable than any Ferrari and the McLaren Artura that it so closely resembles (styling-wise). The Emira successes the very lovable Lotus Evora, but brings a desirable interior to an already stellar performance car. The Emira uses a similar powertrain to the old Evora, and Lotus engineers have reworked the entire car to work smoothly, and ultimately drive better.
The Lotus Emira will garner attention out in the real world due to its rarity and being an unexpected gem. Lotus’ edge has always been that it’s the breath of fresh air, an alternative to other predictable choices in its class. It’s a respectable machine that rightfully earns it through its quirky nature and elegant organic shape.
4 Audi RS3
Front 3/4 view of gray 2023 Audi RS3 Sedan parked.
Carrying the Audi inline-5 torch on through the next generation is the Audi RS3. Known for its powertrain, it brings a uniqueness to the brand that has popularized the hot compact into being in the performance spotlight for at least the last 2 generations of Audi. Like the G87 BMW M2, the new RS3 has serious shoes to fill as the previous generation car left a lasting impression on drivers.
With an aggressive new design, exciting color palette, and still sporting the turbo five-cylinder all in its compact four-door platform, the latest RS3 continues to garner attention. Now, the transverse-mounted, front-wheel-biased RS3 can send power to the correct wheels in a dedicated drift mode, as if it needed another reason for enthusiasts to love it.
3 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray
Front 3/4 view of 2023 white Chevrolet Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition parked.
The C8 Corvette may be low-hanging fruit here, but if you’re going to copy someone, copy the best. Chevrolet has, and the Stingray proves that it’s not necessarily who does things first that matters, but who does it better. The C8 Corvette Stingray certainly does many things as good, if not better than the equivalent Ferrari, and at a staggeringly lower price.
The car community is positively on fire about the mid-engined Corvette and for good reason, it manages to absolutely nail the mid-engine perks, while still feeling quintessentially Corvette. Onlookers routinely mistake the humble American for a much more expensive Ferrari, but are confused when they don’t see a prancing horse logo, but rather the Corvette Crest.
2 Vinfast VF8
Front 3/4 view of red 2023 Vinfast VF8 parked.
This one is controversial, but the Vinfast VF8, after receiving countless negative reviews has become infamous. So infamous, in fact, that when seen in person or on social media, attention is immediately paid to how or when it will inevitably go wrong in some way. They say bad press is still good press, but surely Vinfast hoped for a better first impression.
Perhaps the VF8’s questionable quality as a brand-new car being launched in North America was a ploy to garner attention in any way possible just to have conversations sparked about the brand, and here we are, doing exactly that. If Vinfast is serious about entering more markets, the quality is sure to improve, but until then the VF8 proves Vinfast is in its villain era and when you see one on the road (or maybe on the side of the road) you’ll know.
1 Acura Integra Type S
Front 3/4 view of yellow 2024 Acura Integra Type S parked.
Riding hot off the heels of the new Honda Civic Type R, the Acura Integra Type S is the more handsome, but mechanically identical brother to that boy-racer speciaal. We like to thing of the Type S as the “touring” version of the Type R, with less wing, classier styling, but the same impressive performance as the Type R. The Integra name carries weight and a Type S/Type R variant garners supreme attention, so much, that in the 2000s one of the most stolen vehicles was the Acura Integra.
The Type R Integras have continuously remained praised for their intense powertrains. Although Acura has switched to the Type S designation and left Honda with the Type R name, the 2024 Integra Type S picks up where the 1997 Integra Type R left off. In Acura’s stunning Tiger Eye Pearl paint, the Integra Type S is sure to be an instant classic on top of being a high performer in its class.
[ad_2]
Source link