When buying a sports car, there's a lot to consider. Many desire a new model with the latest and greatest amenities. But if you're not bothered by fashionable gadgets and simply want an affordable sports car that works well, the used car market has plenty of options for you.
To help make choosing the right model easier for you, we've compiled a list of the 10 best sports cars you can afford, based on Edmunds and TrueCar estimates. The vehicles on this list all have the key ingredients of a great sports car. They are affordable, relatively cheap to run, easy and fun to drive, as well as practical, guaranteeing loads of purposeful driving experience. We've ranked these cars based on their starting prices, from the most expensive to the cheapest. Read on to find out what nice cheap sports cars made our list.
10 2012 Audi TT – $18,995-$23,500
The 2012 Audi TT certainly appeals if you're considering a cheap sports car with an upmarket interior, an efficient powertrain, a quick-shifting transmission, and high-end cabin materials. Under the hood, you'll find a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain connects to a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Braking is also robust, with the 2012 Audi TT needing only 111 feet to go from 60 mph to zero.
Along with the good performance, the Audi TT offers an impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 23 mpg in city driving situations, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.
9 2017 Subaru BRZ – $17,889-$28,998
With a starting price of $17,889, the 2017 Subaru BRZ is one of the best sports cars under $30,000. Handling is absolutely phenomenal, plus the 2+2 sports car boasts excellent safety scores and an impressive array of standard amenities such as dual-zone automatic climate control, a 6.2-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, an eight-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, and USB ports.
With regard to output, the BRZ's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generates 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque, with the run from zero to 60 mph requiring 6.2 seconds. The 2017 BRZ features a Torsen limited-slip differential that makes it less prone to slippages, providing added control on uncertain surfaces.
8 2019 Toyota 86 – $16,491-$34,995
The Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are twins, so expect many similarities. Both cars are built in the same factory, ride on the same platform, have similar drivetrains, and look almost identical. So, if the BRZ's $17,889 starting price is too much for you, you can save on upfront costs by purchasing the 2019 Toyota 86 instead. For $16,491, the Toyota 86 offers 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, keyless entry, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, air conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, as well as an eight-speaker sound system.
Under the hood, you'll find a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with either 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque (when mated with a manual transmission) or 200 horses and 151 lb-ft of torque (when mated to an automatic transmission).
7 2017 Fiat 124 Spider – $14,230-$21,397
Some call it the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s twin, and it's easy to see why. The Fiat 124 Spider and Mazda MX-5 Miata are closely related in many respects, as the 124 Spider is based heavily on the MX-5 Miata. In fact, the only major differences you'll find is in the Fiat 124 Spider's design, engine, reinforced shock absorbers, and slightly bigger body. That means the Fiat 124 Spider benefits from the Mazda MX-5 Miata's excellent platform, mechanicals, and interior, which is exciting, considering how much of a great car the MX-5 Miata is.
The Fiat 124 Spider indeed proved to be an excellent vehicle. It is an everyday sports car with an attractive design, comfortable cabin, fun-to-drive attributes, and a dependable 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 160 hp (164 hp in the Abarth variant) and 184 lb-ft of torque.
6 2016 Chevrolet Camaro – $13,995-$43,221
If you're willing to overlook its cramped interior, tiny trunk, and poor visibility, the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is one of the best used sports cars you can buy. It's got a nimble, precise handling, quiet ride, a wide array of powertrain options, a distinctly eye-catching design, excellent stability and traction in everyday driving, and an easy-to-use infotainment system.
Base 2016 Camaros feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 hp, while higher trims come with either a 335-hp 3.6-liter V6 or a 6.2-liter V8 that develops 455 hp. Every 2016 Camaro has a six-speed manual transmission as standard; an eight-speed automatic featuring steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters was offered as an option.
5 2016 Scion FR-S – $12,562-$24,360
2016 was the Scion FR-S' last year before it morphed into the Toyota 86 for the 2017 model year. Fortunately, the 2016 Scion FR-S was indeed a great way to end it all for the Toyota-owned youth-oriented brand. It offers a contemporary style and solid stance, superb agility and driving dynamics, supportive front seats that offer excellent everyday comfort, as well as an efficient powertrain.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder mill, producing 200 horses and 151 lb-ft of torque. The 2016 Scion FR-S engine is mated to either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters and rev-matched downshifts.
4 2015 Dodge Challenger – $11,995-$62,879
Another fine used sports car under $20,000, the 2015 Dodge Challenger, is an enthralling pony car with loads of thrills and great everyday usability. It offers a reasonably spacious interior that provides comfortable transport, a sizeable trunk, a straightforward infotainment system, and a great reliability rating, scoring 83/100 in J.D. Power's reliability survey.
Of course, output is also substantial. Entry-level 2015 Dodge Challengers have a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. If that still needs to be better for your application, there's a robust V8 engine offering 375 and 485 horsepower. Those wanting even more oomph should seek the Challenger SRT Hellcat, which features an adrenaline-pumping 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with an astounding 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
3 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata – $11,449-$20,975
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has broad appeal to customers due to its wonderfully precise steering system, confidence-inspiring handling, affordable running cost, and low price. The 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata fulfills all these points and remains an excellent used car option more than a decade after its introduction. For around $11,449, you will find a well-maintained 2010 MX-5 Miata with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates up to 167 horsepower, 140 lb-ft of torque, 16-inch alloy wheels, power mirrors, comfortable seats wrapped up in cloth material, a leather-covered steering wheel, air-conditioning, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD/MP3 player.
If you desire better amenities, consider the Touring model, which offers 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, and a leather-wrapped shift knob. There's also the 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring, which has heated seats, leather upholstery, silver interior accents, automatic climate control, and a seven-speaker Bose audio system.
2 2010 Nissan 370Z – $7,999-$29,995
Starting at $7,999, the 2010 Nissan 370Z is hands down one of the best used sports cars under $10,000. Like the 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata, it comes in many versions (Base, Touring, and Nismo), so there's plenty of choice. The base trim has 18-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, xenon headlights, keyless ignition and entry, a manual driver seat, automatic climate control, a tilt steering wheel, as well as a four-speaker audio system with a CD player.
Stepping up to the 370Z Touring gets you leather and faux suede upholstery, heated seats with power adjustments (the roadster has heated and ventilated seats), rear cargo cover, and a high-end Bose stereo. The track-tuned 370Z Nismo, meanwhile, features special 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires, stiffer suspension tuning, improved brakes, a limited-slip rear differential, and a larger rear wing.
The 2010 Nissan 370Z is also plenty powerful. It boasts a standard 3.7-liter V6 with 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque on the base and Touring models, while the 370Z Nismo features an upgraded version of the same V6 engine boosted to provide 350 hp and 276 lb-ft of torque.
1 2010 Ford Mustang – $4,942-$44,900
The 2010 Ford Mustang is a sensible option for drivers who are in the market for the best used sports cars under $5,000. It's got a great dependability score (87/100 from J.D. Power), a quiet ride, a decent trunk space (13.4 cubic feet), and striking styling.
And, although the 210-hp, 4.0-liter V6 is dull and doesn’t inspire many drivers, it should be good enough for your daily driving needs. That's not to say the 2010 Ford Mustang generally lacks gusto. The Mustang GT has a gutsy 4.6-liter V8 good for 315 horsepower, and if more oomph is needed, the Shelby GT500 Mustang might be worth a look, as it features an even brawnier 540-hp V8 engine.