Let's face it. Affording and maintaining all of those performance machines in 2022 requires quite the effort. And that's where the magic of "used cars" come into the picture. Thankfully the performance machines from the times begone have stood the test of time (thank the automakers for building sturdy cars), and are now popping up in the used car space for really affordable prices, we are talking of $20,000 for a proper grin-worthy machine.
We’re going to show you five cool sports cars that pack a punch, cars that can hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds and reach a hefty top speed of over 150 mph, all for under the price of a new 2022 Nissan Kicks! We're talking about some seriously quick rides, which almost trespass in supercar territory.
As we are in the midst of a heavily anticipated climate change emergency, and everyone is scrambling to go electric, much older generation, big-engined, petrol-guzzling sports cars are seeing their values fall. Cars that were considered top of their game when they first rolled out off their production lines but are not yet deemed to be classics.
Updated July 2022: We have updated this article with the latest pricing and info on some of the most affordable used sports cars out there.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at five awesome, sub-$20k, high-speed rides that are currently available on the used car space.
Jaguar XKR
The XKR has to be one of the most exquisite sports cars ever produced by the prestigious British carmaker. With styling that's akin to the legendary E-Type, this is a car that heavily appealed to the professional football community when it was released. And you can see why. It just looks stunning, with its sleek, long sculptured bonnet and clean, crafted lines.
But, it's not just a good looker; this car can offer up some serious speed. When you delve under the hood, the XKR is loaded with a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 engine, packing 410 hp, which can propel the Jag from 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds and push it up to 155 mph. This awesome rear-wheel-drive Brit is seriously fun to drive.
For our money, we’re probably looking at the 1998 to 2006 Jaguar XKR models in the used space. Which, when new, was priced at around $85,000. But looking at today’s second-hand market, surprisingly, you can pick a good condition XKR for around $12,500.
Porsche Boxster 986 3.2S
The Boxster was Porsche’s attempt to bring luxury supercars to the masses. Marketed as the ultimate everyday sports car, it gave many Porsche fans that previously could only drool over them the chance to own one. Porsche reused many 911 parts on it, and the 3.2S is, in our opinion, the best one to go for, if you’re after serious performance.
With a 24 valve, flat-6, 3.2 Liter, 255 hp, mid-engine, it can sprint to sixty in 5.6 seconds and reach a whopping 161 mph at the top end. The Boxster's hydraulic power steering, smooth six-speed manual gearbox, and rear-wheel drive, coupled with its sports suspension, make being behind the wheel a really fun place to be. But please be wary of poorly maintained cars that lack service history.
For our money, we’re probably looking at the 1996 to 2004 models, which were priced at around $60,000 when their paintwork was still drying. Today, you can pick up one of these cool convertible roadsters for at little as $8,000.
BMW Z4 M Coupe
BMW called this car their ‘Pocket-GT’ but the 3.0 Liter Z4M model would be better served to have ‘Pocket Rocket’ for a nickname, for this car is seriously quick. Under the hood, it's hiding a 3.0-liter, 24 valve straight-six engine that uses 265 hp to blast this small coupe from zero to sixty in 5.5 seconds and give it a top speed of 155mph.
So if speed and handling are what you’re after, it's worth considering. With our budget, we’re probably looking at a 2006 to 2008 model, which would have cost around $59,000 on the original forecourts. Today, you should be able to pick up an early model of the Z4M Coupe for around $15,000.
Mercedes-Benz SL 500
The Mercedes-Benz SL 500's 5.0-liter V8 engine is quite the hoot. This unit serves up 306 hp that will get you to sixty in 5.1 seconds, and lift you to 155 mph, making it a very desirable alternative to the mighty 55 With a luxury interior and well-laid-out cockpit, this long, sleek, German roadster is still very capable of turning a few heads.
Its fashionable styling and beefy appearance, in our opinion, make the SL a red-hot rival to its current contemporaries of exotics. For around $15k we're probably looking at the 2002 to 2008 model, which cost in the region of $90,000 when it was new. On the used car market today, you can get hold of one of these gorgeous cars for as little as $7,000.
Nissan 350Z Coupe
The final car in our lineup is the Nissan 350Z, the only Japanese car mentioned, and definitely, one that's worth considering. Also known as the ‘Fairlady Z’, this front-engined, rear-wheel drive ride is very popular with the younger generation. Under the hood, it comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 unit that churns out 287 hp. It can get you to sixty in 5.6 seconds and carry you up to 155 mph.
A popular drifting car, and a star in Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift, the 350Z is like a Japanese Samurai warrior on the road. It's capable of savage things if you push the right buttons. So prices, when new, between 2002 and 2008, would have cost roughly $45,000. Today, you can pick up one of these cool Japanese bad boys for $6,500-18,000.
Source: Nissan, Jaguar, BWM, Mercedes-Benz, Classic Used Car Marketplace