While most of the world’s mass-produced automobiles have the engine in the front, many high-performance sports cars have the engine in the middle of the car. The advantage of this design (engine behind the driver) is better weight distribution and handling. For anyone looking to purchase a mid-engine sports car, there are many different options to choose from across a wide variety of price points, ranging from $200,000 and up to less than $25,000.
$200,000 and up – Most Ferrari models, most Lamborghini models, Porsche 918, McLaren, etc.
$100,000 to $200,000 – Ford GT, Acura NSX, Audi R8
$50,000 to $100,000 – Chevrolet Corvette C8, Factory Five GTM, Grullon GT8, Lotus Exige, Alfa Romeo 4C
$25,000 to $50,000 – Lotus Elise, DeLorean DMC12, Porsche 914
$25,000 and Under – Pontiac Fiero, Toyota MR2, Fiat X1/9
The cars in this last group – the Pontiac Fiero, Toyota MR2, and Fiat X1/9 (or even a very ratty Porsche 914) are the most accessible to car enthusiasts. There are many examples of these cars available to buy under $25,000 – which sounds like a lot for a project car, but is actually quite affordable in the world of mid-engine cars. Indeed, Fieros are commonly available for $10,000 or less.
But now, there is a new contender in the mid-engine car market. Meet the DF Goblin from Red Oak, Texas (a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area). The Goblin is a kit car – you assemble it yourself using parts from a donor car.
While other donor cars use parts from high performance cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette or Ford Mustang, the Goblin is based around the 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5. Yes, the cheap commuter car that replaced the Cavalier. THAT Cobalt.
The philosophy behind the Goblin can be summed up in three words: low, light, and quick. While the base model Cobalt had a 2.2L Ecotec engine that produced 155 horsepower, the manufacturer states that 155 horsepower feels incredibly quick in a car that weighs just 1500 lbs (680 kg).
The car is designed to be affordable and easy for a DIY mechanic to build in their home garage. The kit is $6,800 and a donor car can be purchased for $500-1000 in many cases. The Goblin kit includes a fully welded mild steel chassis with no welding or fabrication skills required. A person with regular tools can swap over the engine and transmission, wiring harness, suspension, brakes, steering and fuel system from the donor car to the Goblin chassis.
Owners looking for more power can scout for a Cobalt SS (which was supercharged in 2005-2007 and turbocharged from 2008-2010). However, the company emphasizes building a base model Cobalt to start with and that bolt ons can be added later as needed.
I saw one of these kits completed at a local Cars and Coffee event in Scottsdale. I have to say that it sounds very appealing, given the abundance of cheap Chevrolet Cobalts out there.
While it’s easy to dismiss the car as a knockoff of the Ariel Atom, keep in mind that the Ariel Atom 4 starts at $74,750 – nearly 10 times the cost of the Goblin kit. The Goblin, very similar in appearance, can be built for a fraction of the price.
To be fair, the Ariel Atom makes 320 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.0L Honda engine, compared to the Goblin’s 155 HP (or 260 HP with Cobalt SS donor car). The Atom 4 will do 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, whereas the Goblin does 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Both are significantly faster than say, a 2019 Toyota 86, which does 0-60 in 6.4 seconds.
For the price, I would say that the Goblin is in a whole new class of its own: Mid-Engine Sports Cars for Well Under $25,000. It seems like an incredible value for the money. I would love to take a spin in one and see how much fun they are!
For the off-road enthusiasts, be sure to check out the Goblin A/T, an off-road version which is a modern interpretation of the VW-based rail buggy cars.
