Sports cars may not be as popular as they were just a decade or two ago, but the enthusiasts that appreciate the engineering and performance of a good sports car will never go away. In fact, the global sports car market is projected to reach $67B in 2022, but with new car prices on the rise, most enthusiasts prefer to look for their sports cars on the used market.
This is a wise call since depreciation affects sports cars and supercars more than most other segments, which means that buyers can get the most out of their money when buying used. Even then, some used sports cars are simply better value for the money, owing to their high reliability ratings, build quality, fun factor, and even investment potential.
Here are the best used sports cars a wise budget-minded enthusiast can buy.
9 Chevrolet Corvette C6
The pop-up headlights were phased out in the sixth-generation (2005-2013) Corvette, which saw the introduction of the fixed headlamp style that has persisted to this day. The C6 Corvette marked the beginning of Corvette's notably improved interiors.
This generation of Corvettes is a great performance machine even in its most basic configuration. The LS3, a 6.2-liter V8 with 430 hp, was the base engine in the Corvette from 2008 to 2013. The Corvette is a formidable vehicle for the street or the track when equipped with the Magnetic Ride Control suspension. You can get the 3LT model for $25,000 today.
8 Toyota MR2 (Third Generation)
Following the successful third generation in 2007, the renowned MR2 was retired. The MR2 is among the hallmarks of economy sports cars with a mid-engine architecture and perhaps a manual transmission sending the power to the rear tires.
With a four-cylinder engine producing only about 140 horsepower but a light curb weight of just over a ton, it is surprisingly peppy. The aftermarket industry has enough parts to assist enthusiasts to continue making their MR2s even more vibrant. You can get this 2005 MR2 Spyder for $14,888.
7 2019 Toyota GT 86
The Toyota GT 86 may be worth looking at if you don't care about practicality. It was built to be a sports car from scratch, and it retains the classic sports car recipe: low ride height, small coupe body, and RWD. Because Toyota kept it light, it doesn't require much power either, indicating that 205 horsepower is sufficient to make this coupe a ton of fun on canyon roads.
The model comes stock with relatively narrow 215 mm tires that allow the car to slide in corners. With its modest cost and power output, the GT 86 has a rare appeal. You can get this GT86 without breaking the bank.
6 Porsche Boxster (First Generation)
Have you always talked about wanting a Porsche but thought you couldn't afford one? The First-gen Porsche Boxster is the cheapest way to join the Porsche club. It has a flat-six engine that produces 200-280 hp, depending on the trim level and year.
Porsche fans admired what the company accomplished for the commoner, but the Boxster's value has remained modest. The first-generation Porsche Boxster still offers performance and fun comparable to the best modern economy sports cars but is even better in terms of sportiness.
5 2000 Honda S2000
Among the enthusiasts and media people, the Honda S2000 is as renowned as the Mazda MX-5. Here is another two-seater sports car from a reliable manufacturer to offer the fanatic a thrill that will last a lifetime.
The car puts out 237 hp and weighs just 2800 lbs. The style of the S2000 is as JDM as it gets. Obtaining a quality S2000 will not blow the budget.
4 Ford Mustang (Fifth Generation)
Are you looking for a pony automobile from the United States? The fifth-generation Mustang is a throwback to the original Mustangs, and it's rather nostalgic, to be honest. To live this nostalgia you'll have to pay around $10,000.
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With this Ford Mustang, you can get anything ranging from the base car's V6 claiming as little as 210 horsepower or, with the GT the 4.6L V8 pumping out 300 horses toward the rear wheels.
3 2007 Pontiac Solstice
The Solstice was produced by Pontiac from 2006 to 2010 when the company went out of business. It was designed with the enthusiast in mind and still boasts a devoted following. These convertibles were designed to compete with automobiles like the Mazda Miata and Honda S2000, which indicates it was designed with the driver's enjoyment in mind.
Every enthusiast desires to go around corners, have a powerful engine and have a good time. This is the car for you if you're a gearhead searching for something that speaks the language, walks the walk, and is underappreciated, ignored, and affordable.
2 2013 Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86 are essentially the same sports car, with only minor stylistic and mechanical differences. Hence, it boils down to personal preference or whose badge or dealer you could get your hands on. The 2013 BRZ also seems to be relatively cheaper.
Like its Toyota twin, it features a 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated boxer engine producing 200 hp. So it's not the fastest car on the road, but it thrives on tight roads to guarantee you sporting enjoyment. Both cars offer automatic transmissions, but the six-speed manual is highly preferred because it is much more efficient and enjoyable.
1 2010 Nissan 370Z
The current 370Z generation has been on the market since 2009; however, a 2013 upgrade brought slightly refreshed styling. As its name suggests, the 370Z is driven by a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 332 hp and 269 lb of torque.
The SynchroRev Match was a feature first used on the 370Z. This feature "blips" the accelerator when downshifting, thus providing perfect downshifts without the need for the driver rev-matching on six-speed manual vehicles. This feature has since spread to various other brands, with even BMW using a variant of this technology. This beauty can be yours for just under $20,000!