13 Cool Alternatives to the Toyota GR Supra That Won’t Break the Bank

The Toyota GR Supra is an excellent sports car, but it’s not for everyone — especially those on a strict budget.

A brand-new Supra costs around $60,000, and we’ve found used Supras in good condition for around $35,000, but we want to save even more money.

The cars on this list will provide 80% of the fun a Supra provides, but for a fraction of the money you’ll pay for Toyota’s top-of-the-line sports car. Prices will obviously vary depending on year, location, condition, mileage, etc.

E89 BMW Z4 — $15,000

Some car enthusiasts love to talk about how the GR Supra is built on the BMW Z4 platform, so it may seem weird to include the Bimmer on this list. However, this is the previous version of BMW’s roadster, and it’s a whole different beast.

The e89 Z4 is slightly smaller than the current version, and it feels more like a traditional point-and-squirt sports car than a grand tourer. If you have around $15,000, it’s possible to get behind the wheel of an early sDrive30i with a 255-hp 3.0-liter engine, or a later sDrive28i with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 241-hp.

Toyota GR86 — $20,000

We’re not saying the GR86 offers the same performance as the Supra, but if you want a cheaper Toyota sports car that offers a ton of driving pleasure, it’s well worth checking out.

The GR86 replaced the GT86, and it now has a larger 2.4-liter flat-four engine producing roughly 230-hp. With a roof, hood, and front fenders made from aluminum, it has a low center of gravity, and it’s 50% stiffer than its predecessor, making the GR86 the perfect option for driving enthusiasts.

Nissan 370Z — $15,000

Nissan’s sporty coupe, the 370Z, has now been replaced by the brand’s new Z car, but we still think it’s a very competent model that driving enthusiasts should consider. Unlike the tech-laden GR Supra, the 370Z is a bit more old-school, relying on a naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 with 330-hp.

That’s not a bad thing, though, as its lightweight construction, front-mid engine layout, manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive make the 370Z a real driver’s car. As an added bonus, it still looks quite stylish.

C6 Chevrolet Corvette — $20,000

Chevrolet’s sixth-gen Corvette is an absolute bargain right now. Packing some serious American muscle in the form of a 6.2-liter V8 with 430 stallions, it won’t back down when challenged by a Supra at the lights.

Like the Supra, the C6 Vette has a huge selection of aftermarket parts for owners to choose from. If your pockets are deep enough, it can be turned into a twin-turbocharged, wide-body beast capable of embarrassing some of the most impressive supercars.

Jaguar F-Type — $25,000

The F-Type first saw the light of day in 2014, when Jaguar introduced the stylish two-seater sports car as a spiritual successor to the breathtakingly gorgeous E-Type.

Customers could order their F-Type with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but the supercharged V6 or V8 versions are the ones we’d go for. It’s possible to buy a first-gen V8 model if you have around $25,000 burning a hole in your pocket. That gets you 444 British prancing ponies and one of the best soundtracks this side of an AC/DC concert.

2nd-Gen Audi TT — $15,000

Audi sold its second-gen TT from 2006 until 2014, so there’s no shortage of used cars to choose from. While all the TT models are cool, we recommend getting one with the Quattro AWD drivetrain, preferably a car powered by the 3.2-liter or turbocharged 2.0-liter engines.

While neither of those units offer as much power as the GR Supra, the Audi has the benefit of AWD. This thing will grip and go no matter the road conditions. In addition, you can easily add horses to the stable with some quality upgrades and aftermarket parts.

Porsche 987 Cayman — $20,000

The Porsche Cayman is the tin-top version of the Boxster, meaning it has a mid-engine layout, giving it impeccable handling. Even the base model Cayman with a 2.7-liter boxer engine packs a decent punch thanks to its 240-hp.

Since the Cayman is a coupe, its construction is stiffer than the Boxster, making it a better choice for those who enjoy more “spirited” drives. Decent Caymans are available for as little as $20,000, and cars built after 2009 are practically bulletproof, requiring nothing more than regular maintenance and a new set of tires every so often.

1st-Gen Audi S5 Quattro Coupe — $14,000

Since the GR Supra is built on a BMW platform, why not check out a sporty coupe from another German manufacturer?! Audi has built some excellent performance models, such as the first-gen S5, and in true Audi fashion, it has the Quattro AWD system.

With power going to all four wheels, grip won’t be a problem when you floor the loud pedal to wake up the 4.2-liter V8 engine and its 350 wild horses. Incredibly, these can be bought for less than $15,000 right now, but if you have a bit more to spend, you can get the facelift model.

Lexus RC F — $32,000

Want to keep things in the Toyota family? How about the Lexus RC F? We love the standard Lexus RC 350, and it’s certainly no slouch! However, its performance is nothing compared to the high-performance F model Lexus introduced in 2015.

The Lexus RC F is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine that sends 470-hp to the wheels via an 8-speed transmission. Coming in around $30,000, the RC F isn’t cheap, but it’s still roughly half the price of a brand-new Supra, and you also get the famous Lexus reliability.

Ford Mustang EcoBoost — $15,000

We know muscle car enthusiasts prefer the V8-powered Mustangs, but if you’re in the market for a sports car, you shouldn’t turn your nose up at the EcoBoost ‘Stang!

Its 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder can be modified to produce much more power than the 310 ponies it left the showroom with. In addition, it’s lighter than the full-blown muscle Mustangs, which makes it more agile and corner-friendly.

Chevrolet Camaro Turbo — $15,000

Like the EcoBoost Mustang, prices for the four-cylinder Camaro without crazy-high mileage start around the $15,000 mark.

Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine produces 275-hp, which is less than the Blue Oval’s Mustang, but with the 1LE Track Performance Package, it turns into a proper sports car — especially if you add some power-boosting aftermarket parts, too.

FK8 Honda Civic Type R — $29,000

For less than half the price of a new GR Supra, you can become the proud owner of a Honda Civic Type R. Yes, it’s a sedan. It’s also front-wheel drive. But none of that matters, as the CTR is a blast to drive — just ask wrestler, actor, and gearhead John Cena.

In 2018, the FK8 Civic Type R set a new front-wheel drive Nürburgring record, running a 7:43.8 lap, and it took a year before the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R finally beat it.

E92 BMW M3 — $20,000

The E92 BMW M3 is the only mass-produced M3 ever fitted with a V8 engine straight from the factory. Because it’s unique in that regard, we suspect collectors will soon start buying the nice, low-mileage examples.

The M3’s 4.0-liter unit produces 414-hp, which is obviously sent to the rear wheels, because that’s how the Bavarians like it. Those opting for an M3 with the DCT transmission can expect a 0 to 62 mph time of 4.6 seconds, whereas owners who prefer to row their own gears via the manual transmission will need 4.8 seconds.