10 sporty cars which cost about $100k each

Here are 10 sporty second-hand cars for your consideration if you have a budget of around $100,000, which would otherwise just buy a Cat A COE.

With COE prices holding steady at historic highs, we asked ourselves - what sporty cars are out there which provide the sportiest bang for your 100 thousand bucks?

We dived into our mListing platform and shortlisted 10 sporty cars under $100k (at the time of this article publication). From hot hatches to sleek coupes, there is something here for all needs and wants.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35 (Mk 6)

The Volkswagen Golf is a popular hatchback that you often will see on the roads. However, the Mk 6 GTI E35 is much harder to spot.

The Edition 35 (E35) is not a simple cut-and-shut "special" edition model with random parts lumped together by its manufacturer to create a meaningless and potentially disappointing machine. This 2012 Golf GTI is actually more than meets the eye.

Instead of the GTI's standard-issue EA888 two-litre turbo four-cylinder, the E35 runs on the EA113 engine from the Golf R, albeit without 4Motion all-wheel drive and also factory-detuned to give less horsepower. Nevertheless, the E35 is quoted to have 25 bhp more than the garden-variety GTI of the same Mk 6 generation.

The E35 also features a more bespoke cockpit, complete with "35" badging on the seats, door sills and fenders.

What's great: This Mk 6 "Gran Turismo" has been "Injected" with more power and special details to make it even more compelling to the petrolhead who thinks every expressway is an Asian autobahn.

What's good: Plenty of 2-litre turbo power, without excessive road tax or ridiculous fuel consumption.

What's not good: It is a four-cylinder with the same price tag as the five-pot Audi RS3 and six-pot BMW M135i.

Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 manual (ZC33S)

The latest (at time of writing) ZC33S Swift Sport is still a great back-to-basics hot hatch.

The ZC33S replaces the naturally-aspirated engine found in the previous two generations with a turbocharged 1.4-litre unit. It is available with a 6-speed manual transmission, which is an increasingly rare piece of equipment in modern performance cars.

This swift and sporty Japanese hatchback would suit younger (at heart) drivers with its compact size, easy handling and punchy performance.

What's great: Today's Swift Sport retains the traditional hot-hatch elements in a contemporary model.

What's good: Obligatory hatchback functionality that bread-and-butter car buyers like, and economical in terms of road tax, maintenance and fuel consumption.

What's not good: The annual depreciation of this particular Swift Sport ($16,595 per year) is much higher than the Golf GTi E35 listed above ($13,574 per year).

Subaru WRX 2.0 manual (VA)

If hot hatchbacks are not your cup of hot tea, these sport saloons from Subaru (here) and Honda (below) could win you over with their superior blend of space and speed.

The VA-generation Subaru WRX is a continuation of the famous nameplate that started in 1992, keeping its iconic traits of turbocharged flat-four engine, grippy all-wheel drive and rally-refugee street cred.  

This generation of WRX is also the last to use Subaru's revered EJ-series boxer engine, which has been beating from 1989 to 2021. The current WRX now uses a different motor, meaning the VA Subaru WRX is the final entryway into EJ boxer power..

This WRX appears to be a modified unit, with both cosmetic and engine upgrades. The exterior is said to feature a S209 bodykit and ESR wheels, while the engine compartment includes is an AEM intake and upgraded charge pipe, radiator and intercooler. However, the interior has been kept stock.

What's great: Classic WRX recipe of turbo flutter, flat-four rumble, and driver grinning from ear to ear as he is gunning from point to point.

What's good: Six-speed manual gearbox for hardcore petrolheads, plus Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive to get you out of muddy situations (figuratively and literally).

What's not good: The macho S209 kit may be a magnet for boyracers and Traffic Police officers.

Honda Civic Type R 2.0 manual (FD2R)

The FD2R Civic Type R is another one of Honda's greats, being a spruced-up Civic with go-fast elements like chassis improvements, tuned VTEC engine, and racy red accents in the cabin and on the engine cover.

The heart of the car is a 2-litre K20A outputting about 221 horsepower, with a redline of 8,600 rpm. The engine features the legendary Honda DOHC VTEC system, activating at 5,700 rpm and accelerating all the way until the redline, changing gears courtesy of a 6-speed manual transmission.

Honda did more than spice up the engine. The FD Civic Type R also received spot-welding and a revised suspension configuration, making its handling just as hot as the engine.

Because of the Civic's sedan format, passengers seating in the rear will have less issues entering and exiting compared to the three-door hatchback shape that the Civic Type R was before the introduction of the FD2R generation.

This Civic Type R is said to be modified. Its mods include a full Mugen bodykit, SSR Type F wheels and Cusco two-way coilovers.

What's great: The Civic Type R can be used as both a pragmatic daily driver and a dramatic track weapon.

What's good: There is an abundance of community support for the Honda Civic, with plenty of replacement/performance parts available locally, whether aftermarket or OEM (original equipment manufacturer).

What's not good: You may become the target of noise complaints if you drive/blast through residential areas with total disregard for civic behaviour.

Porsche Cayman 2.7 manual (987)

Maybe Japanese sedans are not your cup of sporty tea, or perhaps you already have a daily runabout, therefore you're looking for something more purpose-built for high performance. 

The 987 Cayman is quite an underrated model in the Porsche family, because it tends to be overshadowed by the 911 and possibly the Boxster too. However, this 987 Cayman 2.7 could be a good starter Porsche for enthusiasts entering the Porsche world for the first/fast time.

The 987 Cayman was a hit for driving enthusiasts in the 2000s, thanks to its mid-engine configuration and lighter kerb weight than the 911 of the time. These and other Teutonic engineering choices made the Cayman a very capable sports car, with some drivers even believing or proving that it could be faster than the 911 on a circuit.

This particular Cayman is a 2.7-litre coupe with 6-speed manual transmission, which is a rare powertrain combination that would certainly improve the driving engagement. While the higher-spec Cayman S has roughly the same depreciation, it did not commonly feature a manual option in Singapore.

What's great: It's a manual Porsche that is way less expensive than a 911 S/T, yet its chassis is just as capable as any 911 of similar age.

What's good: Mid-engine layout allows for a trunk to pair with the frunk, allowing more storage capacity than expected in a pure coupe.

What's not good: Porsche enthusiasts are usually much more interested in the 911 than the Cayman.

Lotus Elise Sport 135 1.8 manual (S1)

The Lotus Elise is one of the purest roadsters ever from Britain, yet it is less impractical than a Caterham. 

The Elise achieved success by becoming a brilliant "baseline" sports car that would form the basis for other, later models for Lotus.

This Series 1 (S1) Elise is a Sport 135, the only Elise (out of six) in Singapore equipped with the factory-specified tuning kit, which enables the 1.8-litre Rover K-series engine to make 133 horsepower, slightly more over the standard Elise.

What's great: The Elise is a no-nonsense sports car that mandates driver engagement above all else. 

What's good: It is a unique design that still turns heads on the road, despite being almost 30 years old.

What's not good: It sacrifices creature comforts for low weight and sky-high enjoyment.

Range Rover Evoque 2.0A (L551)

Maybe the earlier pair of two-seaters (Elise and Cayman) cannot fit your lifestyle as your go-fast ride also needs to be a do-it-all. Here, then, are two sporty yet sensible passenger cars for your consideration - the Evoque here and the Stinger thereafter.

Should you die-die need a SUV but still want something that excites, this Range Rover Evoque 2.0A might be just the ticket.

The Evoque features a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 234 horsepower, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission that will always keep peak power on standby. 

In addition to its powerful powertrain and sleek SUV styling, the Evoque also has a proper 4x4 system with supportive driving aids for off-road usage, making it a truly versatile vehicle for roving the land in Singapore and Malaysia. 

What's great: The Evoque features a hot-hatch powertrain in a practical SUV body.

What's good: This is a true sports utility vehicle with real off-road capability, plus a luxurious interior for on-road comfort.

What's not good: The Evoque won't be as exciting as a proper hot-hatch.

Kia Stinger 2.0A GT-Line (CK)

If you want Asian four-door functionality with some European flair, the Kia Stinger 2.0A fits the bill as a premium Korean choice with German engineering overtones.

The Stinger is available as a 2-litre four-cylinder or a 3.3-litre V6, with both engines assisted by twin-turbochargers. The 2.0L is undoubtedly a more cost-effective proposition than the 3.3L, with cheaper road tax and all, whilst offering the same well-developed chassis and suspension.

What's great: The Stinger is a worthy Korean competitor to the more common German machines.

What's good: The Stinger model life is still fairly young, being six years old.

What's not good: The depreciation of the Kia stings more than that of the Range Rover Evoque (previous entry) - $21,997 versus $18,105 per year. 

BMW M3 4.0A (E92)

Perhaps you don't need a car with four doors. You may choose to consider these German coupes built for thrills, staring with the Bimmer here.

The BMW M3 4.0A comes with a 3,999 cc V8, producing as much ear-pleasing noise as it has horsepower. Sending its muscle-car power to only the rear wheels, the M3 driving experience could be both a dream and a nightmare. 

It's a dream because of the easy-to-use dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), and it's also a nightmare if you use too much throttle for your skill level and oversteer into oblivion.

This M3 is finished in red as shown, which is a rarer colour for the series in Singapore.

What's great: The E92 M3 sports a muscle-car configuration that few cars can offer - V8 powering/overpowering the rear wheels.

What's good: Always a head-turner for enthusiasts and uniquely the only M3 generation with an eight-cylinder engine.

What's not good: It drinks petrol like plain water, averaging 6 to 8 kilometres per litre.

Audi RS5 4.2A FSI quattro

If the BMW M3 is too raw for you, the Audi RS5 might be a more refined alternative that still retains a throaty V8.

The RS5 is equipped with a naturally-aspired eight-cylinder engine which is just as exotic as the one in its Teutonic V8 compatriot. But, thanks to Audi's signature quattro all-wheel drive, the RS5 has better traction than its key rivals. 

The RS5 is also a more cushy affair, with luxury features dotting the coupe cabin. Its grand-tourer elements occupy the middle ground between full-fledged sports car and long-distance cruiser. 

If driving like a madman every day and everywhere isn't your preferred mode of getting around in a German machine, the Audi RS5 may serve you well with its blend of modern comfort and old-school V8 power.

What's great: A high level of luxury in the cabin, along with high performance from the V8 engine.

What's good: A certain classiness in the sportiness that differentiates the Audi RS range from BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. 

What's not good: Punitive road tax of over $6,300 per annum.

Read More: The most driving fun you could have for $60k in Singapore

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