Sports cars aren’t exactly known for their reliability and affordable price tags. Luckily, not all sports cars are created equal, and there are some reliable bargains on the market.
While you won’t come across a cheap and reliable Ferrari anytime soon, it’s certainly possible to get behind the wheel of a Porsche without spending a fortune.
Scouring used car sites, we’ve come up with 24 reliable, used sports cars the average Joe can afford to buy. Prices will obviously vary depending on the vehicle’s mileage, overall condition, and location.
Mazda Miata — $10,000
Let’s just start with the most obvious choice — the Mazda Miata. We can’t think of many cars that offer the same driving pleasure as the Mazda roadster. It’s been around since 1989 and has gone through four generations — all of them living up to Mazda’s “Jinba Ittai” ethos, meaning horse and rider as one, or in plain English: it’s an excellent driver’s car.
We’d either opt for the second-gen Miata, which had 1.6 or 1.8-liter engines, or the relatively unloved third-gen that was available with a 2.0-liter.
Fiat 124 Spider — $12,000
In 2016, Fiat launched a new version of its little 124 Spider sports car, but this time, the Italians built it on the ND Mazda MX-5 Miata platform. Whereas Mazda went with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine, the 124 Spider uses the 500 Abarth’s turbocharged 1.4-liter.
Although it’s based on the same platform, the Fiat doesn’t really feel the same as the Miata when you’re moving. That’s partly due to the turbo engine, but also the different suspension setup. If you want a compact grand tourer, the Fiat 124 Spider is definitely worth a look. As for reliability, it’s not something Fiat is normally associated with, but the 124 Spider is practically trouble-free. Probably because it’s built at the Mazda factory.
Toyota MR2 Spyder — $10,000
Almost 20 years have passed since Toyota discontinued the mid-engined MR2 in the States, with the last cars arriving in showrooms in 2005. The third-gen MR2 is an overlooked gem. It certainly isn’t practical, as it has virtually zero cargo space, but it is a ton of fun.
Behind the driver sits a 140 hp 1.8-liter engine from a Corolla. Early models had some issues, but find one from 2003 or newer, and you’ll be laughing. For $10,000–$15,000, the MR2 Spyder is essentially a Lotus Elise for the budget conscious driving enthusiast.
Toyota Celica — $10,000
If you like the idea of the Toyota MR2, but need a car that’s more spacious, or you’re not comfortable driving a mid-engined car as they have a reputation for snap oversteer, the Celica is the perfect option.
In its final guise, the Celica had a front-mounted 1.8-liter engine producing 140 or 190 hp, that went to the front wheels. While it’s not the fastest sports car, it still offers plenty of laughs, and will practically last forever if you take care of it.
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 will be happy to know there’s a vast selection of aftermarket parts available.
987 Porsche Boxster — $15,000
In the last decade, classic Porsche prices have gone through the roof. The second-gen Boxster isn’t a classic, yet, and prices probably won’t drop much lower than where they are now, which means you can potentially sell it for a profit in a few years if you buy one now.
With the engine mounted in the middle, the Boxster offers exquisite handling. It’s no supercar, but the base model’s 2.7-liter flat-six engine produces 245 hp, which is enough to launch it to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. Early Boxsters suffer from the infamous IMS issues, but Porsche eliminated that in the 987.2 made after 2009.
Porsche Cayman — $20,000
If you prefer a more performance-oriented ride rather than feeling the wind in your hair, Porsche makes a mid-engined car for you, too. The Porsche Cayman is the tin-top version of the Boxster, but it has a few hp more and it’s stiffer, making it a better option for spirited driving or track days.
Reliability-wise, the Cayman is practically bulletproof, with many owners reporting they’ve only done regular servicing and changed tires.
Mk2 Audi TT — $12,000
Audi introduced the second generation TT coupe in 2006, and to ensure it was suitable to a broad audience, they made it available with a range of engines. You can choose from turbocharged 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder units, a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five, and a 3.2-liter VR6. If you live in Europe, there’s even a 2.0 turbodiesel available.
If you don’t mind high-mileage or a car that needs some work, it’s possible to get your hands on an Audi TT for under $10,000. We recommend that you spend a bit more and get yourself a decent TT Quattro for that authentic Audi AWD experience.
BMW Z3 — $6,000
BMW’s Z3 was a massive hit, but not everyone likes its styling. Beyond that, it’s an excellent sports car for those on a budget, and even the base model offers tons of driving pleasure — although it’s a bit underpowered. Opting for a higher-spec Z3 model, such as the 2.8-liter, will get you behind the wheel of a proper driver’s car for a bargain price.
There’s still room for improvement, and all Z3 models, except for the M version, will benefit from a decent aftermarket suspension setup. There’s no denying that Bimmers from this era have a somewhat sketchy reputation regarding reliability, but if it’s been maintained and cared for, the Z3 is fairly bulletproof. The previous owners really are the biggest issue, as is the case with all old and affordable sports cars.
E85 BMW Z4 — $10,000
If you have around ten grand burning a hole in your pocket, you can get your hands on a first-gen BMW Z4 with the 3.0-liter engine. It’s a better car than the aforementioned Z3, and price-wise, there’s not much that separates them.
The Z4 has aged surprisingly well, and most non-gearheads would probably guess that it’s newer than it actually is. In front of the driver, there’s a 3.0-liter engine that packs a decent punch, sending between 220 and 230 hp to the rear wheels. That means it’ll scramble to 60 mph in roughly 6 seconds. While they’re fairly bulletproof when well-maintained, it may be wise to walk away if it hasn’t been properly serviced.
4th-Gen Mitsubishi Eclipse — $5,000
Being on a very tight budget isn’t an excuse for not owning a sports car. It’s possible to purchase a fourth-gen Mitsubishi Eclipse for a fistful of dollars, making it one of the few Japanese sports coupes from this era that’s still affordable. However, since these cars are so cheap, many of them are abused and neglected, so it’s worth paying more for a well-kept example.
They’re powered by a four-cylinder 2.4-liter or a 3.8-liter V6, and the 162–263 hp are sent to the front wheels. Many car enthusiasts don’t like FWD cars, but at least the Eclipse was offered with manual transmissions.
C5 Chevrolet Corvette — $14,000
If you’re on a shoestring budget but want a powerful sports car, the 5th-gen Chevrolet Corvette is easily one of the best options available. It has the iconic LS V8 engine, which churns out 350 hp in stock form, but you can easily add more horses to the stable by slapping on some aftermarket parts and getting it tuned.
The final C5 Vette rolled off the production line in 2004, making it the last car sold with pop-up headlights. We think that alone makes it worth every penny! Speaking of money, it’s possible to get behind the wheel of a clean C5 Vette for less than $15,000, making it a proper performance car bargain.
C6 Chevrolet Corvette — $20,000
Even the sixth-gen Corvette is a bargain on the used car market. It’s an excellent option for those who don’t like pop-up headlights or if you just want a newer Corvette with more power but don’t feel like paying a premium for the C7.
Those with $15,000 burning a hole in their pocket can get their hands on a high-mileage C6, but we recommend spending a bit more upfront to avoid spending money on repairs. Even if you buy a base model C6 Vette, you still get a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 430hp, which is enough for most everyday scenarios.
Lexus RC 350 — $20,000
Those who like their performance with a side order of reliability should definitely check out the Lexus RC 350, as the Japanese brand is consistently ranked at the top of reliability ratings.
The RC is Lexus’ entry-level sports coupe, and seven to nine-year-old cars are now around the $ 20,000 mark. Annual maintenance costs are around $700, which means the RC 350 is an absolute bargain and will last you a lifetime. While it’s the brand’s entry-level sports coupe, it still packs a decent punch thanks to the solid 2GR-FSE 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 315 hp.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe — $12,000
Even the Koreans know how to build a reliable sports car. Twenty-five years ago, nobody would’ve believed that. While the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is largely overlooked by car enthusiasts, that’s actually good news for us, because it means we can easily find a cheap one.
We’ve found Genesis Coupes for sale for less than $5,000, but since those covered around 200,000 miles, we’d rather increase our budget and get a lower-mileage car. However, that proves that these cars can last a long time. While power isn’t everything, the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 churns out 348 hp, making the Genesis Coupe lots of fun to drive.
Nissan 350Z — $11,000
Nissan has kept fine-tuning its Z car formula ever since the 240Z emerged in 1969. Some models used a turbocharged engine, others were naturally aspirated. However, certain things never changed. The lineup always used a front-mounted engine, manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive, and that’s also the case with the 350Z.
It has a 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood, and around 300 hp ensures that you can have some fun on both the road and track. If that’s not enough power or you want beefier looks, the 350Z has a huge selection of aftermarket parts. In recent years, Japanese sports car prices have gone through the roof, but a good 350Z can still be found just north of $10,000. There’s no guarantee things will remain like that for long, though.
Nissan 370Z — $15,000
At first glance, you may think that the Nissan 370Z is just a slightly updated 350Z, but that’s not the case at all. The 370Z is actually shorter, lower, and wider than its predecessor, and since Nissan used lightweight materials, it’s also lighter. The final nail in the 350Z’s coffin is the engine, which has been increased from a puny 3.5 liters to a 3.7-liter V6 with around 330 hp, making it more powerful as well.
It’ll only set you back around $15,000 if you want one of these sporty, powerful, RWD driver-focused cars. However, if you decide to spend a bit more, you’ll get a clean, low-mileage car.
F22/F23 BMW 228i — $15,000
We’ve heard countless gearheads rave about how awesome the BMW M2 and 240i are. And we agree. While it’s possible to argue that they’re bargains for what you get, those cars aren’t exactly cheap. Instead, we’d look for a BMW 228i instead.
This model is often overlooked, and that makes it a bargain. Some may argue that it’s not a proper sports car but a compact sports coupe. However, it has 240 Bavarian horses, a six-speed manual, and will reach 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. BMWs often suffer from some reliability issues, but the 228i has a J.D. Power Quality And Reliability Score of 84/100, meaning it’s possible to buy a fast, reliable, and affordable Bimmer.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost — $12,000
Muscle car enthusiasts are writhing in agony as we include a four-cylinder “muscle car” on this list, but 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 track.
The EcoBoost is much lighter than the V8 model, which makes it handle even better. In standard form, it also has similar power to the old 4.6-liter V8 used in the fifth-gen Mustang, but can easily be tweaked to produce 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.
5th-Gen Chevy Camaro ~ $12,000
If you prefer the Bow Tie brand over the Blue Oval, the fifth-gen Camaro is an excellent option to the Mustang. It’s possible to buy the 3.6-liter V6 version with 312 hp for less than $10,000.
Those who desperately need to feel that V8 rumble can find themselves behind the wheel of a high mileage 5th-gen V8 Camaro for around $12,000. As long as it’s been properly maintained, you can enjoy it for years to come.
Lexus SC430 — $8,000
Years ago, Top Gear declared that the Lexus SC430 was the “Worst Car in the History of the World,” and it seems many car enthusiasts actually believed them. If you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled ride, it’s certainly not the best sports car, but if a super-reliable grand tourer is your thing, the SC430 is worth considering.
Those who’ve owned one will rant and rave about the SC430’s bulletproof reliability, excellent V8 engine, and stylish design — at least when the top is down. $10,000 gets you a solid car, and that’s a bargain if you ask us.
Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170) — $6,000
Mercedes-Benz built and marketed the first-gen SLK from 1995 to 2004, and during those years, they sold over 300,000 of them. We agree that it looks a bit dated, but getting it professionally cleaned and polished and fitting a nice set of wheels does wonders.
Those willing to look past its slightly dated exterior will discover a solid sports car, and the engines keep running for hundreds of thousands of miles. The M-B SLK helped pioneer the folding metal roof on convertibles, so it’s even ok to drive in cold weather conditions.
E46 BMW 330Ci — $8,000
We don’t know any BMW enthusiasts who don’t like the E46 M3. It’s heralded as the peak of the M3, and to many, it’s the second-most desirable version — after the original E30. Unfortunately, M3 prices have shot through the roof, so unless your pockets are lined with cash, it’s not an option. However, the E46 330 coupe or convertible offers 80% of the performance and style for a fraction of the price.
If you want a two-door E46 330, we recommend buying one now, as prices for good examples are already on the rise. One top tip is to spend a bit more and get a car that’s in good condition, enjoy it, take care of it, and you can still get all your money back if you want to sell it a few years down the line.
Acura RSX — $10,000
Right now, Acura RSXs are all over the place. You can find them from $5,000 to over $20,000, but if you have around $10,000, it should be possible to buy a well-maintained and fairly solid car. Since they’re so cheap, and it being a Honda, there’s certainly no shortage of abused cars with cheap aftermarket accessories.
And yes, it’s a Honda. It may have been an Acura RSX in North America, but in other markets, it was sold as a Honda Integra, one of the Japanese carmaker’s most iconic nameplates, and it also has one of Honda’s best engines, the awesome K20 unit.
Author: Andre Nalin
Expertise: Automotive
