Sports cars aren’t exactly known for their affordable price tags. Luckily, not all sports cars are created equal, and there are some bargains on the market.
Chances are you won’t find a cheap and reliable Ferrari anytime soon, but it’s certainly possible to get behind the wheel of a properly fun sports car without spending a fortune.
Scouring used car sites, we’ve come up with 13 used sports cars for the average Joe. Needless to say, prices will vary depending on the vehicle’s mileage, overall condition, and location.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost — $12,000
Muscle car enthusiasts are writhing in agony as we include a four-cylinder “muscle car” on this list, but please hear us out. Unlike classic muscle cars, a modern Ford Mustang can easily keep up with foreign sports cars on twisty roads or around a racetrack.
The EcoBoost is much lighter than the V8 model, which also helps improve handling. In standard form, the turbocharged 2.3-liter also has power similar to the old 4.6-liter V8 used in the fifth-gen Mustang, but it can easily be tweaked to produce much, much more. Some tuners have teased out over 600 wild stallions from it, but at that point, it’s probably cheaper to just buy a V8.
Chevrolet Camaro Turbo — $15,000
Like the EcoBoost Mustang, prices for the four-cylinder Camaro without crazy-high mileage start around the $15,000 mark.
Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine produces 275 hp, which is less than the Blue Oval’s Mustang, but with the 1LE Track Performance Package, it turns into a proper sports car — especially if you add some power-boosting aftermarket parts, too.
Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S — $18,000
While there are some minor details that separate them, this trio of Japanese entry-level sports cars are, for all intents and purposes, identical. Just pick one — they’re all excellent driver’s cars capable of putting a smile on any gearhead’s face.
Under the hood, we find a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four engine producing 200 hp that’s sent straight to the rear wheels. Those looking for more power or aggressive styling will be happy to know there’s a vast selection of aftermarket parts available.
C5 Chevrolet Corvette — $15,000
There are many reasons why we love the 5th-gen Chevrolet Corvette. This is a proper, old-school sports car with a front-mounted V8 engine, a manual transmission, great looks, and pop-up headlights — one of the coolest car features ever!
Even if you buy a base model C5 Vette, you still get 350 athletic horses to play with. Slap on a few aftermarket parts, and it’ll embarrass some unattainable supercars from its era. If that doesn’t make it a bargain, we don’t know what will.
987 Porsche Cayman — $20,000
Nowadays, everybody and their dog wants a classic Porsche, which has caused prices to go a bit silly. We love those old classics, but they’re nowhere near as good as the Cayman in the real world.
With a mid-engine layout, the 987 Cayman offers impeccable handling, and the base model’s 2.7-liter boxer unit produces around 240 hp. It may not be a supercar, but it’s plenty of fun on the right road. Its tin-top construction makes it stiffer and more agile than the Boxster, so it’s the perfect choice for track days or spirited driving sessions.
Nissan 370Z — $15,000
Ever since the original Datsun 240Z was introduced in 1969, Nissan has remained faithful to the traditional sports car setup — front engine, manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive. Thankfully, that’s still the case with the 370Z.
At first glance, the 370Z may look like a facelifted 350Z, but in reality, it’s a whole new car. It’s smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and thanks to the 3.7-liter V6 engine’s 330+ hp, it’s more powerful, too. There’s practically no difference in performance between the 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters and the 6-speed manual, so feel free to go with your personal preference.
E89 BMW Z4 — $15,000
The e89 Z4 is slightly smaller than the current version, and it feels more like a traditional point-and-squirt sports car than a grand tourer.
If you have around $15,000, it’s possible to get behind the wheel of an early sDrive30i with a 255 hp 3.0-liter engine, or a later sDrive28i with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 241 hp. Try them both and go with the one that tickles your fancy.
ND Mazda MX-5 Miata — $15,000
Performance-wise, the MX-5 Miata doesn’t stand a chance against many of the other cars on this list. However, speed isn’t everything, and few cars have the ability to make driving enthusiasts smile like the Miata.
Its 2.0-liter Skyactiv engine pumps out between 158 and 181 hp, depending on the model year. Combined with one of the best chassis in the automotive world, the MX-5 Miata is a bargain sports car for those who prefer to drive rather than show off.
R171 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG — $20,000
Mercedes-Benz launched the second generation Mercedes-Benz SLK two-seater roadster in 2004. There are no prizes for guessing that the SLK55 AMG was the high-performance version, packing a 5.4-liter V8 with 355 hp.
All its power was sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission, and the SLK55 AMG would scramble to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. It also looked much more aggressive than the standard SLK models — even today, it wouldn’t look out of place outside a fancy restaurant.
Toyota MR-2 Spyder — $12,000
With its spartan interior, virtually zero storage space, and well-sorted chassis, the Toyota MR-2 Spyder is essentially a bargain-basement Lotus Elise. It even shared its 1.8-liter 140 hp engine with the Series 2 Elise.
While the MR-2 won’t win any drag races, it can certainly keep up with more powerful machines on a twisty road. If you want more power, people have swapped in other engines, such as the 190-hp 1.8-liter from the Celica, Honda K-series, and even the 3.5-liter Toyota V6.
E92 BMW M3 — $20,000
The E92 M3 is the only M3 ever fitted with a V8 engine straight from the factory. Since it’s unique in that regard, chances are it’ll eventually become sought after by collectors.
The 4.0-liter unit produces 414 hp, and the E92 M3 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds with the DCT transmission. If you want the manual, it’ll take 4.8 seconds.
1st-Gen Audi S5 Quattro Coupe — $14,000
The first-gen Audi S5 Coupe was an absolute gem. In true Audi fashion, the S5 uses the Quattro AWD system, which helps put power to the ground, and the S5 certainly has a lot of power.
Its 4.2-liter engine sends 350 hp to the wheels via a 6-speed transmission. You can buy one of these beasts for under $15,000. We’d spend a bit more on a facelifted car, which still looks modern and stylish today.
2nd-Gen Audi TT — $15,000
Another Audi, this time it’s the second-gen TT, which arrived in 2006 and remained on the market until 2014. We recommend getting one of the Quattro models with either the 3.2-liter or turbocharged 2.0-liter engine.
Since the Audi has AWD, it’ll grip and go no matter the road condition, making it the perfect daily driver and year-round sports car.
Author: Andre Nalin
Expertise: Automotive
