Sports cars are a broad segment with a narrow focus — performance. If there’s one thing a car like the naturally-aspirated Mazda MX-5 Miata shares with blacktop-burning quad-turbos like the Bugatti Veyron, it’s the goal to thrill and engage the driver.

This is a particularly exciting time to look at buying a sports car. Gas-wary politicians and consumers alike have forced unprecedented innovation out of automakers across the board in recent years.

In the performance driving segment, where mileage is typically an afterthought, we see cars coming from all outrageous power and fuel economy that would have been unimaginable only a few years ago.

Ford’s storied Mustang GT muscle car dawdled like an undisciplined child well below the 300-horsepower mark until 2010 when the Chevrolet Camaro SS returned to glory. Now both cars manage more than 400 horsepower, a figure not terribly far from the 8.0-liter V10 Dodge Viper claimed a decade ago.

Not only that, but combinations like variable valve timing, direct injection and forced induction are pushing power out of small and efficient engines like the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T. It offers 14 more horsepower than a Mustang GT did until after 2004. Best of all, the entry-level Genesis starts at $24,250, which makes it a fantastic choice.

Still, it can be heavy in the corners and somewhat imprecise. If that doesn’t suit you, consider the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, both of which will debut this year. Toyota and Subaru co-developed the nearly-identical cars that share almost everything but badges and pricing which are defined by precise handling.

Both cars can be had for less than $30,000, but people who want more power might do better to look at a Ford Mustang GT or Chevrolet Camaro SS, though the Mustang is probably the best bet with a lower price tag and comparable horsepower.

Discerning drivers with a bigger budget might not be happy with the Mustang’s live rear axel and relatively unrefined power. Depending on how much you can spend, one of the several choices from BMW’s M Division might be a good fit.

The M3 offers a mix of luxury and track-stomping performance and the X6 M crossover that beat the M3’s lap times on the legendary Nurburgring circuit in Germany. Of course those cars start around $60,000 and $90,000 respectively, which could buy several “lower brow” options.

At that price level, you could also start thinking about the legendary Porsche 911, which starts around the same as the X6 M, but can’t stack up in practicality.

With so many options in the sports car segment, your best bet is to prioritize a few factors: initial cost, power, refinement and practicality. A Chevrolet Corvette can be a great value, but it only has two seats. It also drinks gas, but something with a four cylinder like the FR-S will be a blast to drive and easier at the pump.

If cost isn’t such an object, start looking at which car offers comfort and performance in one package. Mercedes’ AMGs, the BMW M Division and Audi’s RS variants all offer fantastic combinations of both.