Just like athletes tend to be attractive, fast, and powerful, so do sports cars. The thrill and performance sports cars deliver are why millions of gearheads love them more than the everyday car. But the thing is, buyers are now looking for something that's beyond fun. They are in search of sports cars that offer maximum reliability without them having to break the bank. While you may find a new, reliable sports car from $60,000 - $200,000, not everyone has such an amount of money lying in their bank account.
Thankfully, there are tons of affordable and reliable used sports cars in the market. But then, the wide range of options becomes a stumbling block because not everyone knows what to consider when buying a reliable sports car.
To help you make an informed decision, here are the 10 most reliable used sports cars you can buy for $20,000.
10 2009 Pontiac Solstice
The 2009 Pontiac Solstice has a J.D. Power reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 on Car.USNews, making it a pretty reliable sports car. The Pontiac Solstice comes in convertible and coupe versions, with two engine options: standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Pontiac offers 2009 Solstice owners the opportunity to choose either manual or automatic transmission for any type of engine.
Although the 2009 Pontiac Solstice has two National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalls for airbag and electrical system problems, many owners believe that it's among the most reliable sports cars out there. In terms of performance, the Saturn Sky is a formidable competition for the Pontiac Solstice.
9 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse
If you are big on an inexpensive, modern sports coupe that brings back memories of the Toyota Celica and Acura RSX, the 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a reliable option. It also comes in a convertible form, if you have a thing for a radically raked windshield, and curvaceous rear-end sports cars.
Going by the assessment from J.D. Power, the 2011 Eclipse has a reliability score of 8 out of 10, which places it among the most dependable sports cars. Also, there hasn't been any recall of the 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse by the NHTSA for safety concerns.
8 2013 Chevrolet Camaro
When we say the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro is a reliable muscle car you can trust to serve you well, even if it's a used version, don't just take our words for it. Over 80% of reviewers on Car.USNews say that it's better than most sports cars when it comes to the question of reliability.
Although the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro does not have a spacious cabin, the raw engine power from the supercharged 6.2-liter delivers 580 hp and a torque of 556 lb-ft. On the Car.USNews reliability scorecard, the 2013 Camaro has a five-star rating, while on iSeeCars, its reliability score is 6.6.
7 2009 Nissan 370Z
As a beginner sports car driver, if you need a performance car that makes you feel like a professional, the 2009 Nissan 370Z is designed specifically with you in mind. The 2009 370Z checks all the boxes for what makes a great sports car, with its wedge-like body style, 3.7-liter V-6 and front seats.
According to Car and Driver, the 2009 Nissan 370Z is arguably one of the best sports cars in the world for the price it goes for. In addition, the 2009 370Z has a J.D. Power score of 8.5/10, and there has not been any NHTSA recall.
6 2013 Subaru BRZ
While reliability is the focus of this post, it would interest you to know that the 2013 Subaru BRZ does not only score high on the reliability metrics, but also on performance, cost of ownership, critics' rating and safety. If you are in search of a sports car for everyday use, the 2013 Subaru BRZ would be a great pick, if you can't afford the 2013 Ford Mustang.
With a reliability score of 4.6 on a scale of 5 on cars.com, it's a steal, getting a used version of the 2013 Subaru BRZ for less than $20,000. In fact, a reviewer on the platform mentioned that he has been driving his used 2013 for over a year, and he has no intention of getting rid of it.
5 2011 Dodge Challenger
Before we dive into the reliability metrics of the 2011 Dodge Challenger, it's worthy of note that the performance-driven car is the only one of its class that can accommodate up to five persons. Under the hood of the 2011 Challenger, you will find a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces a horsepower of about feet 305. The muscle car can function with four cylinders to save fuel, thanks to its cylinder deactivation technology.
With over 70 consumers reviews on cars.com, the 2011 Dodge Challenger has a reliability rating of 4.6 out of 5. Also, over 92% of the reviewers are willing to recommend the muscle car to someone else.
4 2015 Scion FR-S
If you want a vigorous, compact performance car that won't break the bank, go for the 2015 Scion FR-S. Also, the sports car is suitable for everyday use and on track. The Scion FR-S is quite similar to the Subaru BRZ, with the only noticeable differences in suspension tuning and exhaust notes.
Although according to Consumer Reports, the Scion FR-S performance car has three recalls by the NHTSA, it still ranks high as a reliable vehicle, with a J.D. Power score of 8.4 out of 10.
3 2010 Ford Mustang
Over five decades after the first Ford Mustang hit the sports car market, the automotive world is still very much in love with the model. The 2010 Mustang comes with an improved suspension and enhanced navigation features, so it's not much of a surprise that J.D. Power considers it as the third-best midsize sports car in its model year.
When it comes to reliability, the 2010 Mustang exceeds our expectations, with a J.D. Power score of 8.4 out of 10. Also, on iSeeCars, the 2010 Ford Mustang has a reliability rating of 8.3/10.
2 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
With the 304 hp and torque of 410 lb-ft that the 3.6-liter V6 engine generates, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro gets enough power to ride softly over rough, steep terrains. If you desire a ride that's suitable for not just everyday driving, but also drag battles, the 2010 Camaro is your best bet, even if you can only afford a used one.
From the available data on Consumer Reports, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has been recalled three times due to electrical problems. But that doesn't put a dent on its reliability, as the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has a J.D. Power rating of 8.7/10.
1 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranks #1 on many lists, including the 2010 Best Compact Sports Car in terms of J.D. Power rating, and Best Used Sports Cars in 2021 by Car.USNews. The 2010 MX-5 Miata, which is available in convertible and coupe forms, features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. With a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine can produce 158 hp, but you can increase the power rating to 167 hp if you pair the engine with a manual transmission.
The J.D. Power reliability rating of the 2010 MX-5 Miata is the same as the 2010 Ford Mustang, and it has no safety recalls.