If you’re anything like us here at Xbox Wire, you’re super psyched about Forza Horizon 2’s huge variety of cars to drive. With one of the largest car lists of any racing game this year, there’s plenty to choose from. Below, you’ll find five quick recommendations for cars that are both fun to drive, don’t require tons of work to get the most out of them (e.g., you won’t need to spend a long time in the garage on customizations to maximize performance), and look frickin’ awesome, too.



Now, as soon as you start Forza Horizon 2, you’re presented with three cars to choose from as your starting ride. You do get to pick from the BMW Z4, the Pontiac GTO, and the Toyota Supra. What you choose here is really down to driving style: If you prefer imports and their drift style, go with the Supra; if you want muscle and acceleration, take the GTO; and if you’d like cornering with good mid-range performance, go for the BMW. None of these cars will remain your primary ride for too long, so don’t sweat it.



Now, once you’ve got a little bit of cash, it’s time to choose from some of the other options. Here are our top five (somewhat) affordable cars to purchase at the outset, to help you prepare for whatever challenges Forza Horizon 2 throws at you.



1) Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z (Class C, 9,000 credits)



I know what you’re thinking: Do I really want to drive the car that the high school bully from every ‘80s movie drove? The answer is: Yes. You will bully your way into a lot of horsepower per weight, great off-the-line speed, and surprisingly decent handling at medium-high speeds with this American classic. On top of that, it only costs 9,000 credits, and it’s one of the easiest cars to customize, so you get some nice bang for your buck from it for the entire game. So embrace your inner badass, and sweep the leg out from the competition with your first purchase.



2) Vauxhall Astra VX12 (Class B, 32,000 credits)



This little number can haul serious ass for its size. Add to that its tight handling and super-responsive drifting capabilities, and you have the perfect car for that hairpin-filled city course. Or, go into the garage and mess with the shocks and ride height, and you’ve got yourself a versatile off-roadster. It’s all possible in this tiny package – and the best part is that you’ll never have trouble finding a parking spot.



3) Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (Class A, 65,000 credits)



As in the real world, the Corvette is one of the best cars for the money you’ll find anywhere. While the 65,000 credit price point might seem high when you first start out, you can earn that money in no time, and the Corvette is worth absolutely every penny. Fantastic top end, acceleration, and power combine with excellent braking and handling to provide a package that’s a blast to drive – and can blast your competition as well. You might be tempted to hold out for the Corvette ZR-1 instead of the Stingray, but at the ZR-1’s higher price point and class, there are probably better options to go with instead.



4) Local Motors Rally Fighter (Class A, 75,000 credits)



This is the best car in the game for off-roading and rally races, period. The Rally Fighter may look a little strange, but the high ride height and the surprisingly good speed make it a killer – especially if you sink some money into a better engine and aspiration system. Intimidate your opponents without breaking the bank, and be assured that you’ll leave all the other pickups, SUVs, and trucks in your dust! The Local Motors Rally Fighter is also available for free via Forza Rewards for Tier 5 players and above.



5) McLaren P1 (Class S1, 192,500 credits)



Yeah, the McLaren is expensive… but for the price, though, it’s the best bang-for-the-buck option at the top of the Forza Horizon 2 chain, and with the right customizations, it can easily compete with the S2-class Hypercars. Plus, it’s got a combination electric and gasoline engine to put you at the top of the technologically awesome heap. This thing handles like a dream, and you can easily hit corners at high speeds without losing the back end. The McLaren P1 is also available for free via Forza Rewards for Tier 6 players.



BONUS: Ferrari Dino 246 GT (Class D, 60,000 credits)



The Dino is one of the most beautiful cars ever made – and the top-handling roadster of its era, bar none. While Forza Horizon 2 features the very limited-edition 1969 model, the Dino has been atop collectors’ lists worldwide, regardless of year. The guys at Turn 10 Studios got that classic Ferrari engine sound exactly right with this car, and it’s a blast to drive when you’re just touring around. At only 60,000 credits, you’d be crazy not to add this beauty to your garage.



You can have all this and more in the brand-new Forza Horizon 2. So what are you waiting for? Grab your copy for Xbox One, and get this sweet car collection started.