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If you look in the right places, you can easily find a performance car that satisfies your need for speed without breaking the bank.

Most of us develop a need for speed from a young age. Posters of sleek and stupid fast supercars are found on many a teenager's bedroom walls, with dreams of having these things when they grow up. In reality, though, the average man has a better chance of dating a supermodel than owning a $2 million ultra-rare exotic car. That doesn’t mean you should forget the dream of experiencing being behind the wheel of a performance car. It turns out you don’t have to break the bank to own a fast car.

An easy and fantastic option to save your money is to buy a used performance car. If you look in the right places, you can easily find a sports car that satisfies your need for speed without breaking the bank. Also, if your preference is a new car or nothing, we have curated a list of the fastest new sports cars you can buy new for less than $30k.

The turbocharged Mazda 3 provides extra style and sophistication than you will get from other compact sports sedans. It comes with athletic handling and an upscale interior. The 2.5-litre turbo engine makes 250hp and 320lb-ft of torque, with power directed to all four wheels via a six-speed transmission with steering wheel shift paddles.

This power enables the Mazda 3 to launch to 60mph in just 5.6 seconds and reach a governor-limited top speed of 134mph. However, Mazda does admit that the high-performance returns are dependent on using premium fuel. Regular fuel limits the car to 227hp.

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Despite its well-publicized compromises, the Miata is an automotive icon that is close to perfection. It has playful handling and a fitting four-cylinder engine which lets it bomb down a winding road with the roof down, making every sunny afternoon a bliss. With a 2-liter engine, the lighter soft-top trim can deliver a zero to 60mph sprint in 5.7 seconds and a drag-limited 140mph top speed.

The Miata isn’t as fast as a Mustang or a Camaro, but thanks to its agility and supremely lightweight package, it provides as much fun as the mentioned muscle cars. Plus, you can own a Miata for less than $30k.

The Fiat 124 Spider is based on the Mazda Miata's platform, but it has a substantially different exterior appearance, nicer interiors and reduced cabin noise. It is simply a more refined and less focused Miata. The Abarth, the highest performing Spider, features a powerful, turbocharged 1.4-liter engine that produces 164hp accompanied by a lively exhaust note.

However, the 124 Spider isn’t as quick as the Miata and only manages a 136mph top speed. Still, pricing starts at a little less than $30k.

Even with the redesign for the 2022 model year, the BRZ retained its affordable and fun-to-drive identity. It is still compact and light while receiving a more potent and responsive boxer-four engine. Add the delightful handling character, and you have a winner if you are a fan of fun in small packages.

The 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated boxer-four engine generates 228hp and 184lb-ft of torque that launches the 2,800 lbs BRZ to 60mph in about 5.8 seconds. With a firm ride quality with plenty of steering feedback, you can reach up to 140mph. Also, note that the BRZ is very similar to the Toyota 86 as they are practically mechanical twins.

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The Hyundai Veloster N offers a racy car with incredible performance but costs $2,500 over the $30k budget limit. However, the less potent Hyundai’s Veloster Turbo R-Spec stays true to budget and gets us closest to a Hyundai car that tops its category, all without having ‘great value’ as its main feature. Still, the three-door coupe-like R-Spec offers great value with its 201hp generating 1-6-liter turbocharged engine, helping the car to a 145mph top speed.

Throw in high-performance tires, a short-throw shifter and sport-tuned steering, and you have a sporty car to play with for cheap. Also, you get two transmission options; a standard six-speed manual and a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback is one of the fastest cars you can buy on a budget below $30k. It is not as fast as the 760hp Mustang Shelby GT500 that can launch to 60mph in lightning-quick 3.3seconds, but it doesn’t cost $75k either. So the 5.8 seconds it takes to reach 60mph is by far good value for the $27k you pay.

A capable twin-turbo straight-four powerplant produces 310hp and 350lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. You can still add options without breaking the $30k barrier.

While the Camaro is famously known as a muscle car, it is a sports car first. You still get the massive V8 powerplants, but the Camaro’s chassis and handling are its biggest selling point. Now, the 1LT trim doesn’t come packed with the ZL1’s powerful engine, but its 3.6L V6 engine produces enough power for an entry-level sports car. 335hp and 284lb-ft of torque are enough to make for a 149mph top speed.

Modern Camaros feature a competent all-around sports car persona; they have great handling, agility and can still haul ass down the drag strip when called upon.

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Where the Camaro is now more of a sports car, the Dodge Challenger remained a true muscle car through and through. Sadly, Dodge plans to phase out the Challenger and the Charger in favor of electric muscle cars by 2024. Before the inevitable befalls us, the Challenger SXT offers a cheap muscle car option for less than $30k.

The Challenger SXT features a 303hp V6 motor, which helps it to a 156mph top speed. Granted, that's not exactly Hellcat performance, but it's pretty impressive for the money. On top of that, you get a back seat that is actually usable.

The Subaru WRX is one among a dying breed of driver’s cars you can buy today. It offers a rewarding driving experience with agile, surefooted handling and a potent engine whose only flaw is poor fuel economy. But you only buy a WRX with smiles per mile in your mind.

The WRX is powered by a turbocharged 2-liter boxer-four that produces 268hp and 257lb-ft of torque. It enables it to launch like a rocket with a surge of unexpected acceleration with a 155mph top speed. The upcoming 2022 model will feature a more powerful 271hp engine, much less than the 400hp expected from the new track-focused STI model.

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The incoming 2022 VW Golf GTI will be priced higher than the old model, slightly above our $30k budget limit. But the Mk7 qualifies for this list, offering exceeding fun for the $29,690 sticker price. The Golf GTI is arguably the ultimate compact sports car that is very classy and practical.

While you will find cheaper rival hot hatches, the Golf GTI is worth every penny spent. The front-driven icon features a 241-hp turbocharged inline-four, providing good power with instant throttle response and impressive acceleration. As impressive as the 155mph top speed is, it doesn’t beat the car’s brilliant driving experience that has been part of the Golf legend for over four decades.

Sources: caranddriver.com, mazdausa.com, cars.usnews.com, hotcars.com

Bryan is a content marketer who works as a staff writer for HotCars.com where he covers a variety of topics, from the first Motorwagen to the latest Electric vehicles. A writer by day and a programmer by night. When he is not writing about cars, catch him tinkering with his old motorcycle.