If you want a mid-engine sports car that starts around $60,000, two of the best choices are likely the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and the Porsche 718 Cayman. Choosing may be difficult, but here are some facts about both cars to help you make that final decision before signing on the dotted line.

2020 Chevrolet Corvette

The new Stingray was released July 2020 and consumers are loving it. Consumer Reports, known for its brutal honesty, said, “The current Corvette is very impressive. It is a high-tech sports car, with quick reflexes, sure-footed ability to take sharp corners, and prodigious power. Plus, it’s livable, with decent ride comfort for the class, impressive fuel economy, and weekend-ready cargo space.”

Exterior

Due to the mid-engine, change was a given, but no one could predict what an amazing job Chevy was going to do. The cabin is now in the center of the car, which gives it a longer front end. Kelley Blue Book states, “These proportions, along with signature styling cues like the sharply creased character lines, split front intakes, double roof bubble and horizontal taillights maintain a strong connection with previous generation Corvettes.” A large side scoop in the door frame gives the ‘Vette a more aggressive look.

Engine

One of the first things consumers want to know before buying a new car is, ‘What’s under the hood?’ With the new Chevy Stingray, the answer is ‘A lot.’

This is Chevy’s first mid-engine Corvette, and it’s been a long time in the making. Corvette actually had to delay the release date of the Corvette because the powerful V8 engine actually warped the car frame during testing. It wasn’t just a small dent in the frame. The structural integrity of the Corvette was compromised during testing, forcing engineers to go back to the drawing board.  

Now MotorTrend reports the 2020 ‘Vette has a 6.2-liter V8 that can produce 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. As for speed, Chevy reported that the new Corvette has, “The fastest 0-60 time of any entry Corvette ever — under three seconds when equipped with Z51 Performance Package.”

Interior

The interior is all-new, as is the rest of the C8. In fact, according to Road and Track, the only part that comes from the C7 is the interior door latch. There’s a lot more legroom, making it easier to enter and exit the ‘Vette, and the wrap-around driver control and infotainment center are very driver-focused.

Price

The 2020 Stingray starts just under $60,000, making it one of the most affordable supercars on the market today.

Porsche 718 Cayman

Featured many times in Car and Driver’s 10 Best Cars, the Cayman is everything that a sports car should be: fast, stunning, and sophisticated.

Exterior

Porsche is known for making some stellar sports cars and the Cayman is no exception. With its smooth lines, low body frame, and eye-catching paint jobs, it’s hard not to imagine how smoothly the Cayman will maneuver in curves.

Specs

The Cayman can go from zero to 60 in 4.1 seconds. Car and Driver reports that the Cayman has a 300-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four engine as well as a six-speed manual transmission which helps the Cayman roar around race tracks. It also has great gas mileage at 32 mpg. 

Interior

According to U.S. News, the Cayman is a first-class car that is driver-focused. It’s a two-seater with a lot of customization options including the color of your seat belts. That’s great because it allows you to make the car more personal to you. And since technology is a must in this day and age, the base model Cayman includes an HD Radio, seven-inch touch screen, satellite radio, and two USB ports.

Price

Kelley Blue Book reports that the 2020 Cayman starts at $58,150.