The world of sports cars can well be a confusing place. It is no secret that many, many different kinds of sports cars have come out over the years from all manner of car manufacturers and some have proved more popular than others.

When the thing we always look at when buying a car is the price, and it is no different when buying a sports car. And perhaps more so if we want a bargain, as we look through the classifieds.

This list contains 19 sports cars that could be purchased on the cheap, one or two surprisingly with quite recent models.

But there are always bad apples somewhere and in this list, you will find one sports car, that is cheap, that you most certainly should avoid.

You will find out which one that is as you get to the end of the list, but it is a bad one so no wonder they can go for quite cheap prices.

20 Honda S2000 – 2000 - 2005

Yellow 2002 Honda S2000
via Bring a Trailer

The Honda S2000 is one of the best sports cars in the last twenty years or so. It was stylish, comfortable and has become a bit of a classic. The Mazda MX-5 seems to have sadly stolen some of its thunder. You can very much pick one of these up for around $22,000 dollars.

19 Mazda MX-5 – 1990’s onwards

1995 mazda mx-5
via Bring a Trailer

Despite having stolen the thunder of the S2000, the MX-5 is still a great little car. Even if it is perhaps not as exclusive or cool as the Honda. Modern versions can go for under $30,000 but if you want a true classic go for a mid 90’s model, which would be about half the price but twice the cool.

18 2013 BMW Z4

2013 BMW Z4 in White
BMW

I am not talking about nag up to date Z4’s here. The BMW Z4 is a great modern sports car, although the latest does fall short against the new Toyota Supra. But used models can go for good prices, and a 2013 edition can be got for about $15,000. It is still a good drive at that price it will just lack some of the more modern tech goodies.

17 1990’s Mazda RX-7

viz Zomb Drive

Perhaps one of the best Mazda’s of the 1990s, the RX-7 with its fabled Rotary engine became a classic very quickly and is now really desirable. More so if you can pick one up in good condition. Some of the earlier 1980’s models can go for under $10,000 but the best ones to go for are from the 1990s. You aren’t looking at much more than $15,000 for one of those.

16 2008 Ford Mustang GT

2008 Ford Mustang GT
via Bring a Trailer

A modern For Mustang GT would set you back at around $60,000 but a 2008 edition will go for a reasonable $20,000. Over time the Mustang GT has become one of the best muscle cars out there, and more affordable new than most as well. Plus, it’s a Mustang. And everybody loves a Mustang.

15 2010 – 2013 Honda Civic Si

Red Honda Civic SI
via YouTube

Whilst not as sporty as some cars on this list, the Civic SI still boasts good looks and some very capable performance figures. Naturally, you are not going to get a new one for a super deal but a 2018 edition could be picked up for under $20,000 if you are lucky. If not, a 2010-2013 edition could go for around $15,000.

14 2017 Nissan 370Z

White 2017 Nissan 370Z
via Edmunds

Whilst the Nissan 350Z was a bit of a let down in some areas, the more high-end 370Z has become very popular both on the new and used markets. As 2019 draws to a close some 2019 models are being listed for around $30,000 but if you don’t mind an older one, a 2017 edition might only cost $20,000. Which is a pretty good deal.

13 Mid 2000’s Lotus Elise

2005 Yellow Lotus Elise
via Bring a Trailer

The Lotus Elise is a fabulous little sports car. One good thing about Lotus’s is the handling, and this might lose out compared to some cars on the straights but you will claw that back in the corners. You aren’t going to get a brand new one cheap but mid-2000’s models go for a respectable price of around $15,000 - $20,000.

12 Porsche 911 (966)

Porsche 911 (966)
via Classic Digest

The Porsche 911 is undoubtedly one of the greatest sports cars ever made. Its popularity goes a long way to giving it that status. One of the best editions of the car to go for is the 1997 – 2006 edition, called internally the 966. Condition depending, you can get them for below $10,000 or around $15,000.

11 1990’s Honda/Acura Integra Type R

Yellow Integra Type R
via Road and Track

The Acura Integra Type R does seem to be clouded in the shadow of its more famous cousin, the Honda NSX but the Integra Type R was still brilliant, VTEC boosting machine. You are going to be looking at around $30,000 for one that is in really good condition. But a standard Integra could only be around half of that.

10 2011 Subaru WRX

Subaru Imprezza WRX 2011
via New Cars

The Subaru WRX is aimed to appeal to those who enjoy a bit of rallycross. Hence the WRX, which stands for World Rally Cross. Subaru is a household name in rallying and for around $15,000 you can pick up a pretty nice 2011 edition WRC and for that price, you really can’t go wrong at all.

9 2010 Mazda RX-8

Blue 2010 Mazda RX-8
via New Cars

The Mazda RX-8 is certainly an attractive machine and definitely reminds you of the RX-7, which is in effect the car it is replacing. Brand new you aren’t going to be buying one of these on a tight budget but used, you could get a 2010 edition for just a shade under $15,000 and perhaps around the $14,000 mark.

8 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth

Fiat 500 Abarth, 2015 Black
via 95 Octane

I’ll admit, I personally am not a big fan of the Abarth. Nor am I really a fan of the revitalized Fiat 500 as a whole, it feels like an insult to the original. However, many people enjoy it so I will just keep this simple really. A 2015 Abarth 500 can be picked up for $15,000 if you think that’s necessary. I told you I didn’t like it.

7 2017 Toyota 86

Red Toyota 86 2017 Model
via Cars

The Toyota 86 seems to divide opinion for some reason. Some people think it’s an awesome car, others say it is a bit of a letdown. Perhaps it will now be overshadowed by the new Supra. Until then, if you want one a 2017 edition was recently for sale for just over $16,000. I think it’s a good sports car, so why not go get it?

6 2015 Chevrolet Camaro LS

Red 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
via Buy Sell Search

One of the best of the modern breed of muscle cars, the Camaro has certainly caught a lot of people's eyes in its modern history. Affordable when new and affordable now, mint condition 2015 editions could set you back around $30,000 but you could go a bit older and get one for around $20,000.

5 2016 Dodge Challenger

2016 Blue Dodge Challenger
via Car Gurus

Another modern muscle car that is certainly very popular, the Challenger is one hell of a mean machine. You will certainly think twice about being in its way. If you are lucky you could get a 2016 edition for about $26,000 which is a pretty good return for a car with a lot of life left in it.

4 2012 Audi TT Roadster

White Audi TT Roadster 2012
via The Car Connection

The TT Roadster is not really a car I am much of a fan of either. I don’t think it looks good and it just seems to be a little bit underwhelming. No matter, others do like it and again I shall keep this simple. 2012 edition your after? Be prepared to pay up to $20,000 for a good one. Right, moving swiftly on.

3 2019 Ford Fiesta ST

Red Ford Fiesta ST
via Car Magazine

The Ford Fiesta ST may seem to be a bit of a mundane sports car but it is no less sporty than others on this list. It certainly looks the part and you can chuck it into cars without a care in the world. If you are lucky you may well pick up a 2019 edition for around $22,000. If that is an end of year deal then you might want to hurry up about it!

2 Mid 2000's Subaru Impreza

2001 Imprezza Station Wagaon
via Cars Guide

Another Subaru made famous thanks to its exploits in rallying, the Impreza reminds many people of the legendary Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz Sr. Depending on what vintage you are after a mid-2000’s one can go for under $10,000 and one from around 2013 more like $15,000. It’s all personal preference really at the end of the day. You can also get in sedan or station wagon form!

Bad One

1 2002 Ford Thunderbird

Black 2002 Ford Thunderbird
via Car Scoops

Bloody avoid this thing if you can. The 2002 Ford Thunderbird was meant to hark back to the old days of muscle cars but it really, really didn’t. It looked like a conventional car jazzed up with some weird grill. It was also slow and rubbish. You can get them for anything from $7,000 to $22,000 but why would you want to?