Let us just start off by saying that if you live in the States, you should feel fortunate that you can acquire a fairly rewarding and fun to drive sports car for $25,000 (approx. €19,300) or even less if you don’t care much about all the bells and whistles of modern automobiles. If you are wondering why, head over to this post.

Now, with the recent arrival of the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ twins as well as a pricing announcement for the 2013 Ford Focus ST, which goes on sale later this year, buyers searching to buy a sports car for around $25k will have plenty of options to choose from.

The automotive menu at this price point includes front-wheel drive sport hatchbacks such as the MazdaSpeed 3 and VW Golf GTI, rear-wheel drive coupes like the Hyundai Genesis 2.0 Turbo and Chevy Camaro V6 and the Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster.

Naturally, not all of these cars were designed to cater to the same needs nor do they offer the same driving experience, but their respective carmakers are targeting the same market.

We have compiled a basic list with the main choices buyers have in this category along with the basic details on each car. All we want from you is to cast your vote in the poll and if you wish, elaborate further on your choice in the comments area.

SPECIFICATIONS

2012 Dodge Challenger SXT V6

Engine: 3.6-liter V6, naturally aspiratedOutput: 305hp at 6,350rpm and 268 lb.-ft. (363Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpmFuel Economy: 18mpg City / 27mpg HighwayTransmission: Five-speed automaticDrive: Rear-wheel driveCurb Weight: 3,834 lbs (1,739kg)Starting Price: $24,995 (excluding $925 destination)

2013 Ford Focus ST

Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinderOutput: 252hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque.Fuel Economy: Not AvailableTransmission: 6-speed manual gearboxDrive: Front-wheel driveWeight: Not AvailableStarting Price: $23,700 (excluding $795 destination)

2013 Ford Mustang V6

Engine: 3.7-liter V6, naturally aspiratedOutput: 305hp at 6,500rpm and 280 lb-ft (380Nm) at 4,250 rpmFuel Economy: 19mpg City / 29mpg Highway (manual) / 31mpg Highway (automatic)Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox standard, 6-speed automatic optional;Drive: Rear-wheel driveWeight: 3,401 lbs (1,543kg)Starting Price: $22,200 (excluding $795 destination)

2012 Chevrolet Camaro V6

Engine: 3.6-liter V6, naturally aspiratedOutput: 323hp at 6,800rpm and 278 lb-ft (377Nm) at 4,800rpmFuel Economy: 17mpg City / 28mpg Highway manual / 29mpg Highway automaticTransmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optionalDrive: Rear-wheel driveWeight: 3,780 lbs (1,715kg)Starting Price: $23,280 (excluding $900 destination)

2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Turbo

Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinderOutput: 274hp at 6,000rpm and 275 lb-ft (373Nm) at 2,000 rpmFuel Economy: 21mpg City and 30mpg Highway for manual / 20mpg City and 30mpg Highway for autoTransmission: 6-speed manual standard, 8-speed automatic optionalDrive: Rear-wheel driveWeight: 3,362 lbs (1,525kg)Starting Price: $24,250 (excluding $875 destination)

2012 Mazdaspeed 3

Engine: 2.3-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinderOutput: 263hp at 5,500rpm and 280 lb-ft (380Nm) at 3,000 rpmFuel Economy: 18mpg City / 25mpg HighwayTransmission: 6-speed manual gearboxDrive: Front-wheel driveWeight: 3,281 lbs (1,488kg)Starting Price: $24,000 (excluding $795 destination)

2012 Mazda MΧ-5

Engine: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, naturally aspiratedOutput: 167hp at 7,000 rpm (manual), 158hp at 6,700 rpm (auto), 140 lb-ft (190Nm) at 5,000rpmFuel Economy: 21mpg (5sp manual), 22mpg (6sp manual & auto) City, 28mpg HighwayTransmission: 5-speed manual standard, optional 6-speed manual and 6-speed automaticDrive: Rear-wheel driveWeight: 2,447 lbs (1,110kg)Starting Price: $23,470 (excluding $795 destination)

2013 Mini Coupe Cooper S

Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinderOutput: 181hp at 5,500rpm and 177 lb-ft (240Nm) between 1,600 and 5,000 rpmFuel Economy: 27mpg City and 35mpg Highway for manual / 26mpg City and 34mpg Highway for autoTransmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optionalDrive: Front-wheel driveWeight: 2,679 lbs (1,215kg)Starting Price: $25,300 (including $700 destination)

2013 Scion FR-S

Engine: 2.0-liter flat-four, naturally aspiratedOutput: 200hp at 7,000rpm and 151 lb-ft (205Nm) at 6,600rpmFuel Economy: 22mpg City and 30mpg Highway for manual / 25mpg City and 34mpg Highway for autoTransmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optionalDrive: Rear-wheel driveWeight: 2,758 lbs (1,251kg)Starting Price: $24,200 (excluding $730 destination)

2013 Subaru BRZ

Engine: 2.0-liter flat-four, naturally aspiratedOutput: 200hp at 7,000rpm and 151 lb-ft (205Nm) at 6,600rpmFuel Economy: 22mpg City and 30mpg Highway for manual / 25mpg City and 34mpg Highway for autoTransmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optionalDrive: Rear-wheel driveWeight: 2,762 lbs (1,253kg)Starting Price: $25,495 (excluding $750 destination)

2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinderOutput: 200hp at 5,100-6,000rpm and 207 lb-ft (281Nm) at 1,800-5,000rpmFuel Economy: 21mpg City / 31mpg Highway manual, 24mpg City / 32mpg Highway DSGTransmission: 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed dual-clutch auto DSG optionalDrive: Front-wheel driveWeight: 3,034 lbs (1,376kg)Starting Price: $23,995 (excluding $750 destination)