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The Fastest New And Used Cars Under $40K - Subaru STI, BRZ Are The Best Picks Now

How fast is the Subaru WRX STI? The STI is your best pick if you want the fastest, used sports car under $40,000. The BRZ is a good pick for new sports car shoppers.

If you fantasize about owning a fast car, you don't have to buy an expensive new high-performance sports car in the six-figure range. On the other hand, if you want to avoid settling for a practical vehicle like an SUV, plenty of new and used sports cars can help you live in the fast lane for under $40,000.

iSeeCars identified the fastest new and used sports cars under $40,000. The sports cars that provide an adrenaline rush without the high price tag are listed here.

2020 Subaru WRX STI
photo credit: Competition Subaru

The fastest new sports cars under $40,000

Chevrolet Camaro SS with a 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds, Ford Mustang GT (4.2), Dodge Challenger RT (5.0), Kia Stinger (5.2), Mazda MX-5 Miata (5.7), Subaru BRZ (5.8), Toyota GR86 (6.1), and Volkswagen GTI (6.1).

What is the price of the Subaru BRZ?

The 2023 Subaru BRZ comes in two trim levels with two transmission options. The BRZ Premium with a 6-speed manual gearbox has a starting price of $29,615. BRZ Premium with an automatic transmission starts at $33,115. The Limited (6-speed manual) has a starting MSRP of $32,115. The Limited with an automatic transmission starts at $33,255.

2023 Subaru BRZ

The BRZ is the most satisfying model in Subaru's lineup for some critical reasons. First, the BRZ hits the sweet spot. It's also affordable, fuel-efficient, and fun to drive. The BRZ is in last place in sales performance, but it's first in value and the most loved by owners.

iSeeCars says, "The Subaru BRZ ranks the sixth fastest. After a hiatus for the 2021 model year, the BRZ re-emerged in 2022 with a full redesign. The BRZ has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine with 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive come standard, and a six-speed automatic transmission is optional. The BRZ can go from 0-60 in 5.8 seconds with its manual transmission, while the automatic transmission lags at 7.0 seconds. Like the Miata, the BRZ has one engine, but opting for the Limited trim adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, 18-inch wheels, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, adaptive headlights, and 18-inch wheels."

The fastest used cars under $40,000

2020 Subaru WRX STI
photo credit: Competition Subaru

The 2020 Subaru WRX STI is the fastest used car under $40,000, with a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds. It's followed by the Nissan 370Z (4.8), Audi S5 (4.9), Honda Civic Type R (5.1), Audi TT (5.3), BMW Z4 (5.5), Hyundai Veloster N (5.5), and Mercedes-Benz C-Class (6.0).

What is the price of the 2020 Subaru WRX STI?

Depending on miles and condition, you can purchase a used 2020 Subaru WRX STI for about $39,900. iSeeCars gives the STI an 8.4 quality score, including reliability, safety, and resale value.

iSeeCars says, "The Subaru WRX sports sedan ranks first. Redesigned for 2022, the all-wheel drive (AWD) WRX has a 271-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 258 lb-ft of torque and a six-speed manual transmission. The WRX STI has a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four with 310 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque, and can go from 0-60 in 4.6 seconds."

Subaru has two models that give drivers an adrenaline rush and still provide the best value under $40,000. The 2020 Subaru WRX STI is the fastest under $40,000, and the 2023 Subaru BRZ is the sixth fastest.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru