13 Sports Cars That Won’t Break the Bank
Since the pandemic, it seems most cool cars have become unattainable to the average Joe. Cars that used to offer cheap thrills now cost a fortune as collectors and nostalgic enthusiasts scoop them up.
Luckily, if you know where to look, there are still some excellent sports car bargains out there.
We’ve created a list of 13 sports cars that are perfect if you want to drive fast and pay less. The prices are from reliable sources, such as used car sites and Kelley Blue Book, but they will obviously vary depending on the vehicle’s mileage, overall condition, and location.
Toyota GR86 — $25,000
The Toyota GT and GR86 are the spiritual successors to the AE86 Corolla from the 1980s. In 2012, Toyota introduced the GT86 and Scion FR-S as entry-level sports cars alongside the practically identical Subaru BRZ. The first-gen cars had a 2.0-liter boxer engine with 200 horsepower (hp); those who wanted more power could turn to the massive aftermarket.
The second generation, now named GR86, was released in 2021. Its engine is now a more substantial 2.4 liters and produces 230 horsepower. It also has an aluminum hood, roof, and front fenders to lower the weight and center of gravity. First-gen cars can be found for around $15,000, and the second-gen is available for $25,000.
Toyota MR2 — $10,000
Toyota hasn’t sold the MR2 in the States since 2005, but there are still plenty of them available on the used market. As cool as the first-gen is, it’s underpowered and overpriced, so we’d leave that one for the real enthusiasts.
That leaves us with the excellent second-gen, which is also becoming expensive — especially the Turbo model — and the third-gen roadster. The third-gen MR2 Spyder is an overlooked gem. It has a 140 hp 1.8-liter engine from a Corolla and practically zero storage space, but it’s essentially a poor man’s Lotus Elise and can be found for $10,000–$15,000.
BMW Z4 — $5,000+
If you prefer a German roadster over a Japanese one, look no further than the BMW Z4. We’d steer clear of any cheap Z4 M, as that’ll most likely bankrupt you in the long run. With three generations of the Z4 to choose from, plenty of cars are available.
First-gen models with the 2.5-liter engine can be picked up for $5,000, second-gen models start at $10,000, and third-gens can be found for around $25,000. They’re all good sports cars, but as with any BMW, make sure it’s been properly maintained.
Nissan 350Z — $10,000
Nissan’s 350Z uses the traditional sports car formula — a front-mounted engine, manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive. What’s not to love? Its 3.5-liter V6 engine churns out around 300 hp, and those who want more can turn to the vast selection of aftermarket parts.
Most Japanese sports cars from this era have seen their prices skyrocket in recent years, but it’s still possible to snag a 350Z in good condition for less than $10,000. We don’t know how long that’ll last, though, so if you want one, now’s the time to buy it.
Mazda Miata — $5,000+
Mazda introduced the little Miata roadster in 1989, and the sports car world was forever changed. It offered the driving dynamics of classic British sports cars but with Japanese reliability.
Right now, the NB and NC Miatas (second and third generations) are the most affordable, but even the latest Miata is a steal for what you get. The NB generation was available with 1.6 and 1.8-liter engines, and the later NC generation offered a 2.0-liter. Since the NC is the least loved generation, it’s possible to bag yourself a bargain, but it doesn’t matter which generation you buy; they’re all great fun to drive.
Audi TT — $5,000+
Audi debuted the first TT in 1999, and it was an immediate hit. There were some aerodynamics-related problems with the early cars, but that was sorted out by Audi a long time ago, and there’s nothing to worry about today.
There are three generations and a bunch of powertrains to choose from, so it should be possible to find something that suits your budget and hunger for power. First-gen cars can be bought for less than $5,000, second-gen models start around the $10k mark, and even third-gens are available for under $20,000.
Ford Mustang — $12,000+
While older versions of the Ford Mustang handle like the stereotypical muscle car, the latest generations can easily keep up with foreign sports cars on twisty roads.
Mustangs with the EcoBoost engine are available for $12,000, and if you think the turbocharged four-cylinder unit with 310 hp is a joke, you should know that some people have teased out over 600 wild stallions from that engine. Granted, it would be cheaper to buy the V8 than take the 2.3-liter to that level, but it’s possible.
Chevrolet Corvette C5 — $15,000
Chevrolet’s Corvette has been slaying supercars for decades, and the 5th-gen Chevrolet Corvette is a bargain if you want lots of power and style.
Pop the hood, and you’ll see a 350-hp, rumbling LS V8. This was also the last car to feature pop-up headlights — one of the coolest car features ever. There are C5 ‘Vettes available for under $15,000, and if you buy a decent aftermarket exhaust, you won’t find a better-sounding car for this kind of money.
Chevrolet Camaro — $10,000+
Like the Mustang, later Camaros offer sports car-like handling and more power than you’ll ever need to keep within the speed limit.
If you don’t need that rumbling V8 and think you’ll be satisfied with the V6 engine’s 312 horsepower, you can find yourself behind the wheel of a fifth-gen Camaro for less than $10,000. If the V8 is a must, a high-mileage car can be picked up for around $12,000 — just make sure it’s properly maintained.
Nissan 370Z — $15,000+
While the Nissan 370Z looks like a slightly updated 350Z, it’s a whole different beast than its predecessor. The 370Z is shorter, lower, and wider. Thanks to the lightweight materials used to construct it, it’s also lighter, and the 3.7-liter V6 with around 330 hp is more powerful than the 350Z’s 3.5-liter.
For under $15,000, you can own one of these sporty, powerful RWD driver’s cars. Spend a bit more, and you’ll get a clean, low-mileage example.
Porsche Boxster/Cayman — $15,000+
The first-gen Porsche Boxster was one of the cars that saved the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer in the late 1990s. It looks a bit dated today, and its performance is on par with an average SUV. These cars are cheap, though, and easily available for under $10,000.
Move on to the second-gen Boxster and first-gen Cayman, and you’ll get a much better sports car that still looks modern. These Boxsters can be found for $15,000, and Caymans are around $20,000; you just have to decide whether you want a roadster or a coupe. Both cars are mid-engined and offer excellent driving dynamics.
Fiat 124 Spider — $15,000
Fiat’s little 124 Spider is actually built on the same platform as the ND Mazda MX-5 Miata, so it’s guaranteed to be a fun car to drive. Mazda went with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine, while Fiat grabbed the turbocharged 1.4-liter from the 500 Abarth.
Are you still reading? That must mean you’re a bit intrigued by Fiat’s open-top sports car! Well, let us remind you that the 1.4-liter unit is a peach, and it’s also very tunable — Abarth teased out 180 hp from it, and that was with a factory warranty. More is definitely doable with aftermarket parts. For $15,000, this is one of the cheapest Italian sports cars you can buy.
Mazda RX8 — $10,000
Practically every gearhead knows the Mazda RX-8 suffers from plenty of serious issues. However, if you’re a decent mechanic and don’t mind working on your car, the RX-8 can be a real bargain.
Cars with around 50,000 miles on the odometer need a rebuild, and you can buy one of these low-mileage cars for $10,000. That kind of money also buys you a higher-mileage RX-8 that’s been rebuilt once or twice already. Finally, you can pay around $5,000 for a high-mileage car needing a rebuild. There are plenty of aftermarket parts out there, so you can turn it into a proper missile if you like.
