While the world is still a tad crazy about front-wheel-drive sports cars, mostly because they come affordable, RWD sports cars come with plenty of benefits. Namely, better handling, superior acceleration, and better braking power too.
Maintenance is easier for RWD sports cars too, and there is better drivability on the whole with better control over steering. There is also no torque steer that some FWD sports cars have, meaning no telltale veering to the left or right during acceleration.
On the other hand, RWD sports cars might be a little tougher to drive, and also come a little more expensive than FWD sports cars. There may also be lesser interior and trunk space in RWD sports cars, although sports cars are notoriously low on the same.
If RWD sports cars are where your heart lies, then this list features 10 of the coolest ones, all under $5,000, for loads of thrills minus any spills. Which of these will be your used car buy?
10 1993 Chevrolet Corvette (C4): America’s Darling RWD Sports Car
The C4 Corvette never got the admiration that it deserved. That’s why some trims, if not all, are great bargains in the used car bazaar and come as low as under $5,000. One clean 1996 example with around 144,000 miles on the odometer went for under $5,000 about a year back.
These RWD sports cars carried a newly-introduced 5.7-liter high-performance GM LT1 small-block V8 under the hood, cranking out a massive 300 horses and 335 lb-ft of torque.
9 1991 Nissan 240SX: A JDM Fan Favorite
The Nissan 240SX isn’t a collector’s car but a feast for the JDM fans. It’s got a bevy of strong followers who are both driving enthusiasts and diehard drifting fanatics. The 240SX is a hot commodity in drifting circles, and you get a lot of aftermarket backing for all kinds of modifications.
A pristine condition 240SX for under $5,000 may be scarce, but they’re still out there, for they are powerful RWD sports cars. Like this one sold for under $5,000 on the Facebook marketplace. It’s a modified 1991 model armed with a 2.4-liter inline-4 under its hood.
8 2001 Mercedes-Benz SLK 320: A Thunderous RWD Sports Car
For 2001, the first-gen SLK roomed an all-new 3.2-liter V6 mill under its hood that hammered out a whopping 215 horses, 25 more than the supercharged inline-4 engine it carried before. Plus, it boasts 229 lb-ft of torque.
Paired with an automatic transmission, this RWD sports car achieved a 0-to-60 MPH time of just 6.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 152 MPH. This V6-powered SLK 320 also had a more impressive exhaust note for this extra power but can be had for less than $5,000 today.
7 1984 Nissan 300ZX: An RWD GT Sports Car
Another RWD sports car that can be bought for less than $5,000 and makes for a classy and reliable ride is the Nissan 300ZX. If you’re a Z-car enthusiast then this is a steal for this price because under the hood lies a naturally-aspirated VG30E single-overhead-cam 3.0-liter V6 mill pumping out 160 horses.
It was introduced in 1983 in the US. One of these Z31-generation 300ZX was sold for just $3,900 a couple of months ago at Hemmings.
6 1983 Porsche 944: Not So Posh Sport Car
The 944 was Porsche’s mid-level model, produced between 1982 and 1991. Unlike its rear-engined siblings, it featured a front-mounted engine in both coupe and cabriolet forms. The 944 may not be the most popular Porsche, but it's a reliable machine.
Nowadays, it's up for grabs for less than $5,000. One was sold for just $4,500 last year. Under the hood of this 63,800-mile 1983 Porsche 944 is a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter inline-4 putting out 147 horses and 137 lb-ft of torque.
5 1987 Toyota MR2: Reliable Japanese RWD Gem
If you're looking for a first-, second-, or third-generation MR2 go for it, as they’re extremely reliable. Plus, they make for easy pickings in the used car bazaar. One such single-owner 1987 MR2 was recently sold for less than $5,000.
This first-gen MR2 has got a 1.6-liter DOHC inline-4 power plant mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The engine coughs up 112 horses and does a 0-60 mph sprint in 8.1 seconds. These high-revving RWD sports cars are shockingly affordable at under $5,000 and should be at the top of your car shopping list.
4 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Affordability Rules
This reliable little roadster has ruled our hearts for more than 33 years in a row. It always carried an affordable price tag and came with all the sports car paraphernalia one could think of. Plus, it outclasses most of its rivals as the most buck-worthy sports car on the market these days.
You can have one for less than $5,000 if you’re low on budget. A single-owner 1990 Miata went for $4,800 at Hemmings. It carried a solid 1.6-liter twin-cam 16-valve inline-4 mill making 116 horses and 100 lb-ft of torque.
3 1999 Porsche Boxster: Cheapest, Best Sports Cars
Another iconic Porsche that’s always been dubbed as an affordable choice, the older examples of the Boxster can be bought for less than $5,000 these days. Since the award-winning Porsche Boxster made it to several top lists since its debut in 1997, it makes for one of the best RWD sports cars on the used car mart.
The first-gen Boxster was powered by a 2.5-liter flat-6 thrashing out 201 horses and 177 lb-ft of torque. These roadsters have a 6.9-second 0-to-60 MPH time with a top speed of 149 MPH and are currently available at rock-bottom prices.
2 2004 Mazda RX-8: The Last Of Wankel Power
The Mazda RX-8 had its highs and lows during a decade-old production run and was the last of the rotary-powered wonders. It has not been able to hold on to its values all that well, considering one example sold for just $2,100 about a year ago.
Remembered for its freestyle rear doors, this RWD sports car is also memorable because of the 1.3-liter Wankel rotary engine that made 189 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque. It sprinted 0-to-60-MPH in 6.1 seconds and at top speeds of 146 MPH. While the RX-8 carried forward the legacy of the RX-7, that’s where it all stopped.
1 1991 Honda Beat: Pure JDM RWD Sports Car
Tiny, cute, and a head-turner, the Honda Beat is a mid-engine, convertible, two-door roadster Kei car, made from 1991 to 1996. A total of 33,600 Honda Beat JDM models were made, and can now be imported into the US.
The 656cc (40 cu in) engine made all of 60 horses and could do top speeds of only 84 MPH on a manual transmission. Yet, it came with great handling as well as air conditioning, power windows, driver's side airbags, and more. If it looks cool enough for a buy, the Honda Beat can be yours for under $5,000.
Sources: Hemmings, Facebook, CarGurus, Classic.com, JDMBuySell