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Looking for a performance car with the optimal balance of power, weight and price? Our maths suggests these 10 should be on your shopping list.

Whereas a normal, unfiltered list would see McLarens, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and other exotics come out on top, we’ve divided each car’s power-to-weight ratio by its recommended retail price, resulting in a curated selection of the best affordable performance cars on sale, offering potent power, modest mass and a sharp sticker price in equal measures.

Despite approaching 14 years since it made its global debut, the soon-to-be-replaced 370Z sports car lands in seventh, thanks to its 245kW/363Nm 3.7-litre naturally-aspirated V6 engine, six-speed manual and $50,490 before on-road costs starting price – the latter significantly lower than the $67,990 tag applied to the current Z when it launched locally in mid-2009.

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