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Best Performance Cars You Can Buy Today Between $100k to $200k

Best Sports Cars Available for Between $100,000 and $200,000

Updated: August 2018

If you are in the market to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a car then firstly congratulations on all the money you have and secondly, make sure you check out our best cars over $200,000 list. For those in a slightly lower car-buying budget, we have compiled all the amazing machinery available between $100,000 and $200,000. We already pulled together the best sports sedans which a lot of people told us was very helpful so this list includes some of those cars as well as some more focused offerings.

It is worth pointing out that despite the fact that we are supercar and sportscar guys (which means the list is biased towards performance cars), there is still a lot of variety and there should be something for everybody.

At this price point we noticed three groupings. Firstly is the “do it all” family car. This is the Mercedes or BMW guys giving you a car that allows you ferry the kids around and still get you excited on weekends with massive power and effortless performance all in one luxury package. The second group is the all-around sports car. A traditional two door sports car from McLaren or Porsche that is primarily a performance car that can still be used easily day to day and is not full of compromises. The third group is the extreme machines. These are the hyper-focused offerings that aim to be the best of the best in one specific area. The Porsche Cayman GT4 is a great example of a car that simply wants to be the most engaging sports car you can buy. At the other end of the spectrum is the Nissan GT-R which aims to outperform every other car in every performance metric you care to name.

We can say with 100% certainty that every car on this is great. You cannot go wrong buying any car on the list. It really depends on your goals for your car. Road or track. Family car or two seater. Luxury performance car or straight up race machine, here’s our list of the top cars you can buy between $100,000 and $200,000

Other Popular Buyers Guides: 

2017 nissan gtr

Nissan GT-R

  • Price: From $101,585
  • Power: 600 hp
  • Torque: 481 lb/ft
  • Engine: Twin-turbo 3.8L V-6
  • 0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
  • Top Speed: 171 mph
  • Summary: It is still Godzilla but this time with some manners.

The Nissan GT-R is still an unfiltered, aggressive and extremely rapid sports car. While other makers have made a lot of progress since the GT-R made its first appearance, make no mistake, this is still the cheapest way to get this kind of speed. Absurd speeds, practicality, price – what isn’t there to like. If you want the fastest car down an unknown road, four-seats and a decent boot with the best four-wheel drive for performance then it is still hard to not consider the GT-R. The engine is the twin turbo 3.8-liter V6 with 550bhp and 466 lb/ft of torque. It’ll do over 193mph, but more than that, use the ‘R-Start’ launch control, and you can get 0–62mph acceleration times below three seconds. That’s not a car, that’s a bullet.

Nissan’s supercar-smashing GT-R has had its biggest update since launch for 2017. Most noticeable is the new interior which is a big step up from last year and is almost worthy of a $100k+ car. The exterior styling has also been updated with a new front face that looks more modern. The Nissan GT-R was already epic and near-perfect. Continued refinement and improvements each year continue to ensure it evolves and stays ahead of the pack. Spectacular all-wheel-drive performance that scares supercars at just over $100k. Not cheap, but still a bargain.

BMW M5

BMW M5

  • Price: From $102,700
  • Power: 617 hp
  • Torque: 553 lb/ft
  • Engine: Twin-turbo 4.4 L V-8
  • 0-60 mph: 2.8 sec
  • Top Speed: 163 mph
  • Summary: Still the executive sedan that does it all perfectly

The new BMW M5 is a return to form for BMWs M division. Powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 with 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque we knew the M5 would be fast, but were pleasantly surprised that BMW found a way to make it fun and sporty again even with the move to all wheel drive as standard. We love the fact that you can disconnect the front wheels and hoon around (sideways) in rear-only drive mode. Subtle design changes and upgraded interior with subtle M5 insignia round out this epic four door family package.

Read more about the M5.

Audi R8

Audi R8 / Audi R8 Spider

  • Price: From $139,950
  • Power: 610 hp
  • Torque: 413 lb/ft
  • Engine: 5.2 L V-10
  • 0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
  • Top Speed: 205 mph
  • Summary: Fabulous, naturally aspirated with wind in your hair excitement

Audi’s R8 coupe and convertible are quiet overachievers. They look modern and beautiful while being practical and epic performers at the same time. The base R8 is powered by a 540-hp 5.2-liter V-10 and you can opt for the upgraded V10 Plus to get the full beans 610 hp. All-wheel drive is standard as is a seven-speed automatic. All weather supercar fun here we come.

Read more about the R8.

McLaren 570

McLaren 570S/570GT

  • Make: McLaren
  • Price: $191,000
  • Power: 562 hp
  • Torque: 443 lb/ft
  • Engine: Twin-turbo 3.8L V-8
  • 0-60 mph: 3.0 sec
  • Top Speed: 204 mph
  • Summary: The perfect everyday supercar. Made by McLaren.

It’s the ultimate sports car experience. Completely driver-centric and performance oriented, the McLaren 570S Coupé is equally at home on the track as it is on the open road. With the lightest weight in its class and the highest power to weight ratio, it delivers supercar punch and thrills that would shame many more expensive rivals.

The real question for people shopping for an everyday supercar is whether the McLaren 570S is in fact better than a 911 Turbo. The answer is a resounding yes. While the Porsche does everything right, the McLaren just does things that little bit better. Even if you take for granted 0-124mph in a scarcely believable 9.5 seconds, nothing prepares you for the thrill of the 570S Coupé’s race-bred dynamics. With a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8, delivering 570PS, performance is nothing short of breathtaking. The Porsche is fast, but the McLaren is on another level dynamically.

Bentley Flying Spur

Bentley Flying Spur

  • Price: From $191,725
  • Power: 626 hp
  • Torque: 590 lb/ft
  • Engine: 6.0 L W-12
  • 0-60 mph: 4.2 sec
  • Top Speed: 202 mph
  • Summary: Effortless comfort and speed

Sure you can have the Flying Spur with a 500-hp V-8, but if you’re buying at this rarified level why not go for it and choose the insane 616-hp twin turbo W-12. If that still is not enough then ask for the S spec and you get 626 hp (every hp counts you know). All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are standard and they combine to give Flying Spur a spirited drive while sticking to its effortless luxury brand promise. As expected there is leather everywhere and everything you touch is special and expensive. This is how the top 0.1% live.

Read more about the Flying Spur.

Porsche 911 GT3

Porsche 911 GT3 / GT3 RS

  • Price: From $144,650
  • Power: 500 hp (or 520hp for RS)
  • Torque: 346 lb/ft
  • Engine: 4L flat six
  • 0-60 mph: 3.0 sec
  • Top Speed: 197 mph

Its a rear wheel drive Porsche 911 GT3. Its perfect. It has a 500-hp 4.0-liter flat-six that howls to a 9,000 rpm redline driven through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or an optional six-speed manual. If you opt to go all out and get the GT3 RS you get some more power (520 horsepower) and 346 lb-ft of torque from the same flat-six. The whole car is heavily based on the GT3 with lots of shared stuff. But it’s the engine that sets the RS apart thanks to an extra 20 horsepower, as well as the fact that you can’t get it with a manual transmission. The chassis setup is also different, so the RS is quicker on the race track. The GT3 RS is 0.1 second quicker than the old GT3 RS to 60 mph, which now happens in just three seconds. The car also gets front brake cooling and new ball joints inspired by the GT2 RS, and a tweaked rear-steering system. If you think of the GT3 RS as a GT3 with more downforce, more power and more grip then you are pretty close to the money.

Read more about the GT3 RS.

Audi RS 7 Sportback

Audi RS7

  • Price: From $139,950
  • Power: 605 hp
  • Torque: 413 lb/ft
  • Engine: Twin-turbo 4.0 L V-8
  • 0-60 mph: 3.2 sec
  • Top Speed: 190 mph
  • Summary: 605 hp sedan with stunning looks and quality

We have never been huge fans of the RS7s looks (we are definitely in the minority), but we have always been fans of the awesome twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. It makes 560 hp and combines with all-wheel drive to rocket you and your kids to hockey practice at serious speed. With all the tech, electronic gizmos and quality you expect from a high end Audi model, the RS7 is true supercar-like performance for the family guy. For the true show off don’t forget to too opt for the RS7 Performance package that gives you 605 hp.

Read more about the RS7.

Jaguar F Type R

Jaguar F Type R

  • Price: From $100,895
  • Power: 575 hp
  • Torque: 516 lb/ft
  • Engine: Supercharged 5.0 L V-8
  • 0-60 mph: 3.4 sec
  • Top Speed: 195 mph
  • Summary: A little bit more power. A lot more speed.

As Jaguar’s most powerful car the F-type R coupe—and convertible—combine brute force with gorgeous sheetmetal. Powered by a 550-hp supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, the F-type R hustles with the best of them.

Read more about the F Type R.

porsche 911 turbo s

Porsche 911 Turbo/Turbo S

  • Price: From $162,850
  • Power: 540 hp (580 hp for Turbo S)
  • Torque: 516 lb/ft
  • Engine: Turbo 4L flat six
  • 0-60 mph: 2.6 sec
  • Top Speed: 205 mph
  • Summary: It’s a 911 Turbo. It is always awesome.

Every Porsche 911 Turbo sports car we’ve ever driven has been awesome. They are one of the best all-around cars you can buy. With a whopping 580 hp in the Turbo S the all-wheel-drive supercar hits 60 mph in less than three seconds.

The most obvious changes are cosmetic with the move to the new 991.2 platform. New headlights, new taillights, a new engine-lid grille and some bodywork changes front and rear. There is a new infotainment touchscreen with online navigation, Apple CarPlay integration, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a smartphone app for remotely checking fuel level and odometer readings as well as remote locking and unlocking of the car.

If you want to race and destroy Ferrari’s on your way to work, you can do no wrong. This is an express train in a suit.

Read more about the 911 Turbo S.

Porsche Panamera Turbo

Porsche Panamera Turbo / Turbo S

  • Price: From $151,050
  • Power: 550 hp (680 hp for Turbo S)
  • Torque: 600 lb/ft (626 lb/ft for Turbo S)
  • Engine: Twin turbo 4.0L V-8
  • 0-60 mph: 3.0 sec
  • Top Speed: 205 mph
  • Summary: The Panamera does it all really well

The new Panamera looks good and drives even better than the first one. So here we have a four-door passenger car that looks great, drives great and is perfect for the family. Our favorite in 2018 is the Turbo S E-Hybrid. The “base” Turbo comes with a twin-turbo V-8 making 550 hp and 567 lb-ft, the Panamera Turbo. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive put power to the ground and it rips to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds flat. Spend a little more for the Turbo S E-Hybrid and you get electric assist which boots power to 680-hp. The E stands for executive and add almost six inches of wheelbase for extra back-seat room. This is the car to take across continents. New for 2018, the plug-in hybrid is the replacement for the last-generation Panamera Turbo S range topper.

Tesla S P100D

Tesla Model S P100D

  • Price: From $135,700
  • Power: 680 hp
  • Torque: 791 lb/ft
  • Engine: Dual Electric Motors All-Wheel Drive (100kWh Batter)
  • 0-60 mph: 2.5 sec
  • Top Speed: 155 mph
  • Summary: World’s Fastest Four-Door is An Electric Sedan
The Tesla Model S P100D features dual electric motors and a 100kWh battery. The range is superb although it is the rocketship acceleration potential that will draw most shoppers to this sedan. Interior quality is improved over the base models although the ride can still be overly firm. A 17-inch touchscreen replaces physical controls (whether you like it or not) and features like a Bioweapon defense mode to block out harmful odors, remote software updates and near autonomous driving capabilities underline this super sedan’s pioneering aspirations.

It’s quick, nimble, and incredibly easy to drive. It is also a tech-fest full of futuristic toys that make driving a totally different experience for those of us used to “traditional” cars. With a new nose, subtly revised headlights, and other tweaks the 2016 Tesla Model S P90D looks as good as ever.

At the heart of this car is the 762-hp electric powertrain with all-wheel drive and Ludicrous mode. This is a serious car with amazing performance. The car broke the 3.0-second barrier for 0-60 times and the instant torque is utterly addictive. The P90D starts life as an already-insane Model S P85D but with the P85D’s 221-hp front and 470-hp rear (691 hp combined) motors swapped for a front motor that makes 259 hp and 244 lb-ft of torque and a rear motor that produces 503 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque. Total output is 762 hp and 713 lb-ft of torque.

2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo

Porsche Panamera Turbo / Turbo S

  • Price: From $151,050
  • Power: 550 hp (680 hp for Turbo S)
  • Torque: 600 lb/ft (626 lb/ft for Turbo S)
  • Engine: Twin turbo 4.0L V-8
  • 0-60 mph: 3.0 sec
  • Top Speed: 205 mph
  • Summary: Finally, The Panamera Looks The Business

The new Panamera looks good and drives even better than the first one. So here we have a four-door passenger car that looks great, drives great and is perfect for the family. Our favorite in 2018 is the Turbo S E-Hybrid. The “base” Turbo comes with a twin-turbo V-8 making 550 hp and 567 lb-ft, the Panamera Turbo. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive put power to the ground and it rips to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds flat. Spend a little more for the Turbo S E-Hybrid and you get electric assist which boots power to 680-hp. The E stands for executive and add almost six inches of wheelbase for extra back-seat room. This is the car to take across continents. New for 2018, the plug-in hybrid is the replacement for the last-generation Panamera Turbo S range topper.

2017 e63

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S 4MATIC

  • Price: $105,395
  • Power: 603 hp
  • Torque: 627 lb/ft
  • Engine: Twin-turbo 4.0L V-8
  • 0-60 mph: 3.0 sec
  • Top Speed: 186 mph
  • Summary: Absurd power & blistering acceleration aren’t it’s only party tricks

The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S 4MATIC’s all-wheel drive system is so adept at managing the 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque from its twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 engine that it hits 60 mph in an incredible 3.5 seconds once launch control has been activated. This puts the E63 AMG S 4MATIC on the same footing as a Porsche 911 Turbo or Chevrolet Corvette. This is one fast sedan.

Mercedes AMG GT-S

Mercedes-AMG GT / GT Roadster / GT S

  • Price: From $113,395
  • Power: 503 hp
  • Torque: 516 lb/ft
  • Engine: Twin-turbo 4.0L V-8
  • 0-60 mph: 3.0 sec
  • Top Speed: 193 mph
  • Summary: Mercedes builds a great modern, fast, and ­comfortable sports car

The GT has a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The steering is perfectly weighted and it drives better than any Mercedes I’ve ever tested. We love the unique look and presence on the road.

Let’s start with the Mercedes-AMG GT S engine because so much of the experience with the GT S comes from that lump up front. It is a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 and it is another cracker from AMG. It has a deep startup growl becomes a quaking rumble when you floor it. This engine proves that turbocharging does not mean the end of awesome engine sound. Forward momentum is instantaneous and intoxicating. Downshifts and aggressive upshifts come with awesome barks and snorts that will wake your entire neighborhood – we love that. Specs and performance are impressive. Power is 503 hp @ 6250 rpm and torque is 479 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm. 0-60mph times are around the 3 second mark. This is one fast car.

If you’re looking for something different than the Porsche 911, this car is perfect. Great balance, beautiful interior, gorgeous exterior and epic performance from one of the best engine’s available today. Mercedes-AMG have built a great modern, fast, and ­comfortable sports car.

BMW M6 Coupe

BMW M6 Coupe

  • Price: $113,700
  • Power: 500 hp
  • Torque: 500 lb-ft
  • Engine: Twin turbo V8
  • Summary: The M6 has always been a big, luxurious grand tourer with plenty of plush power. 2017 takes the cake and sets the standard for this M car.

At this price point the M6 coupe faces serious competition. The sports-luxury segment is filled with solid competition from Jaguar, Aston Martin, Maserati and Mercedes. To be a competitor you need to have luxury amenities and easy to access performance. That means the M6 is less of a traditional M car and more of a luxury car that can still hold its own at stoplight drag races.

With seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and a twin-turbo V8 which generates 560 horsepower at 6000 rpm is no slouch. It rockets off the line and has instantaneous power in any gear. Instead of building up torque slowly, the M6 catapults right into the meat of its 500 lb-ft of torque (available from 1500 to 5750 rpm) in an almighty surge. The V8 sounds awesome from outside the car but is a little too quiet inside.

The M6 coupe is also very practical. Comfortable for four it could be used daily and for long trips. The car also looks beautiful. It has a nice contemporary and elegant look while still adding some aggression. A solid family car with serious acceleration and all the luxury touches.

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

  • Price: From $120,700
  • Power: 450 hp
  • Torque: 405 lb-ft
  • Engine: Twin-turbocharged boxer 6
  • 0 – 60 mph: 3.9 sec (manual) 3.5 sec (PDK)
  • Top speed: 193 mph (manual) 192 mph (PDK)
  • Summary: In terms of personality, the GTS is more Carrera S than GT3.

The Carrera GTS sits nicely between the Carrera S and the GT3. The GTS gets a larger turbocharger and a little more boost than the Carrera S, giving it 30 more horsepower and an extra 37 lb-ft of torque. That means 450 hp at 6,500 rpm and 405 lb-ft of torque between 2,150 rpm and 5,000 rpm. You can really feel and hear the differences behind the wheel, the twin-turbo flat-six is so quick to respond and there is so much power across the rev range. 0 to 60 mph takes 3.9 seconds with the manual gearbox and just 3.5 seconds with the PDK. We say that’s conservative.

The GTS models take the best options you can buy on a Carrera S and are include them as standard. That means the Carrera GTS gets Sport Chrono and the cool different drive settings that come with it. If you opt for dual clutch you also get a cool “push-to-pass” power button on the steering wheel. GTS Coupes get PASM Sport Suspension, which drops the ride height 0.4 inch, though the standard PASM setup is available for those who want the option to dial up a more comfortable ride. Inside, the GTS gets standard four-way power sports seats trimmed in Alcantara, a 14.1-inch sports steering wheel also trimmed in Alcantara, and the Sport Chrono Package, which includes the analogue stopwatch, a performance display on the dash, and the nifty Porsche Track Precision app. There is also a top of the range navigation system and Porsche Connect Plus, which delivers the 7.0-inch touchscreen user interface and onboard Wi-Fi connectivity.

Lamborghini Huracan

Lamborghini Huracan

  • Price: From $199,800
  • Power: 602 hp
  • Torque: 413 lb-ft
  • Engine: V10
  • Summary:  Fantastic noises, exotic styling, a naturally aspirated masterpiece

The Huracán LP 610-4, in both Coupe and new soft-top Spyder versions, replaced the Gallardo as Lamborghini’s “entry-level” super-sports car. Both are powered by a 5.2-litre V10 making 602 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox directs power to all four wheels. Understatedly, the two-seat sports car is quick; zero to 100 kilometres an hour takes just 3.2 seconds (3.4 seconds for the Spyder), topping out at more than 320 km/h.

The LP 610-4’s hybrid chassis is a technical work of art that combines carbon-fibre and aluminum components. The ultra-light chassis forms the basis for the hardtop’s low weight of 1,422 kilograms. The new 2017 Lamborghini Huracan is more than just an Audi R8. Combine that big engine, light weight and all-wheel drive system and you have ferocious acceleration and performance to match those stunning looks.

Aston Martin Vantage

Aston Martin Vantage

  • Price: From $153,081
  • Power: 503 hp
  • Torque: 505 lb/ft
  • Engine: Twin-turbo 4.0 L V-8
  • 0-60 mph: 3.5 sec
  • Top Speed: 195 mph

The entry level Aston Martin is finally the perfect combination of looks and performance. Nobody is surprised that Aston’s second-generation Vantage is a stunning and beautiful looking car. The surprise is that it’s the best sports car Aston has ever built. With a 503-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 coupled with a superb eight-speed automatic and electronically controlled limited-slip differential and adaptive dampers as standard, the car has the right sports car ingredients. With its 0-60 of 3.5 seconds and a 195-mph top speed the numbers speak for themselves and most reviewers who have driven the car say its the best handling Aston they’ve ever driven. Add the Vantage’s usability factor and Mercedes-based infotainment system and electronics and this could be the perfect car.

Read more about the Vantage.

 

2017 acura nsx

Acura NSX

  • Price: $156,000
  • Vitals: 572 hp and 476 lb-ft
  • Engine: 3.5 L V6 Hybrid
  • 0-60 mph: 3.1 sec
  • Top Speed: 191 mph
  • Summary: The successor to one of history’s most beloved vehicles

If you loved the Porsche 918 and can’t afford it, this might just be the closest car for a lot less money. The Acura is highly technical and utterly thrilling supercar that we’ve eagerly been waiting for. This is one complicated machine that has impressed almost all the reviewers who’ve driven it so far.

The NSX has three motors join the mid-mounted, twin-turbo V6 in sending power to all four wheels. The engine is good for 500 horsepower and the motors offer another 73 for a total output of 573 hp. It get the car to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and to a top speed of 191 mph.

The NSX offers pulse-pounding performance paired with everyday usability. A nine-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive are standard. While this car is complicated (for example, the electric motors drive the front wheels, each operating independently to ensure torque goes exactly where it’s needed) as a driver you’re blissfully unaware of what is going on behind the scenes. It just feels like a really well designed sports car with absurd performance. It really is a Porsche 918 for 1/8th the money and that is about the biggest compliment we can pay Acura.

Aston Martin DB11

Aston Martin DB11

  • Price: From $198,995
  • Power: 600 hp
  • Torque: 516 lb/ft
  • Engine: 5.2 L V-12
  • 0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
  • Top Speed: 200 mph

If you’re looking for a that screams British GT look no further than the Aston Martin DB11 Coupe and Volante options from the storied marquee. It looks great, drives well and oozes high end GT. They both come standard with the awesome 503-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, but if you really want to get crazy you can get the coupe with a twin-turbo 5.2-liter V-12 that ups power to 600 hp (or 630 hp). It may be a GT but this GT hits 60 in 3.6 seconds and with torque-vectoring and a much stiffer chassis than before, it is a great sports car when it wants to be. The best of British.

Read more about the DB11.