Although sports cars aren't as practical as other vehicles, they are pretty fun to drive. These are cars built to offer unadulterated thrills on the road. And while many enthusiasts would like to have a taste of what these speed demons have to offer, owning a sports car can be an expensive endeavor. Straight from the factory, sports cars are among the most costly new vehicles ever. Apart from their massive initial costs, living with a performance car is a costly undertaking. They are not the best fuel-efficient cars, and their insurance premiums are also high.
Updated February 2023: Are you in the market for a reliable used sports car under $30,000? If so, you'll be happy to know we've updated the content of this list with several incredible sports cars and other performance models to look out for in 2023.
The good news is that the used car market offers a good selection of sports cars at relatively affordable price tags. And although many used cars are in perfect condition, it is advisable to have one inspected by a pro and trusted mechanic before purchase. That said, here is a closer look at some of the most reliable, well-maintained sports cars under $30,000.
10 2019 Ford Mustang – $25,437
Kickstarting the list is one of America's favorite muscle cars of all time, the Ford Mustang. The base-model Mustang comes with a 2.3-liter 310-horsepower turbocharged engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. Performance-minded enthusiasts wanting more oomph should consider a Mustang GT or Bullitt, which feature a 5.0-liter V8 making 460 horsepower in the GT and 480 horsepower in the Bullitt. Want even more grunt? A Mustang GT350 or GT500 might be right up your street (assuming you're willing to overshoot your budget). The GT350 comes standard with a 526-hp, 5.2-liter V8, while the GT500 has a mighty 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that pushes out 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque.
That said, if you're a fuel-economy-conscious buyer, it's best to stick with the entry-level EcoBoost, as this engine gets an EPA-rated fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway in Mustang Coupe equipped with the manual transmission; versions with the automatic transmission get 21 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
As for reliability, the 2019 Ford Mustang scores an impressive 87 percent from J.D. Power, making it one of the best used sports cars under $30,000 in terms of dependability. Hence, buying this car means you do not have to trade power for reliability. And as a popular daily driver, it commonly accrues high mileage for the sports car class and is pleasurable to drive due to its superb handling.
9 2018 Chevrolet Camaro – $25,985
Commonly referred to as "Everyman's sports car," Chevy revived the fifth-generation Camaro in 2010, and it has been a good car ever since, offering great handling, excellent ride quality, and exciting engine options. The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro, for one, has a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. If that's not good enough for your application, consider a 2018 model with the available 3.6-liter V6, which makes 335 hp and 284 lb-ft.
A well-maintained 2018 Chevy Camaro is one of the best sport cars under $30,000 today, especially when you consider that it is extremely reliable, boasting a J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 85 percent.
8 2020 Honda Civic Si – $22,388
For just under $30,000, buyers can find a nearly new Civic Si, loaded with options, either as a coupe or sedan. The Civic Si comes powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that churns out a decent 205 horsepower and 205 hp, 192 lb-ft. A standard six-speed manual transmission puts this power on the front wheels.
The 2020 Si is also a practical sports car, with usable rear seats and a fuel economy of 38 mpg on the highway. Its interior is well-thought-out and offers entertainment amenities such as touchscreen infotainment, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
7 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata – $25,000
The Mazda Miata falls in the category of fast and sporty vehicles. For those looking to buy a used Miata, a budget of around $25,000 brings home a well-equipped 2019 model. And with a 181-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the MX-5 Miata is an excellent performance car with a thrill.
In addition, the MX-5 is also one of the most affordable points of entry to rear-wheel-drive roadsters. Mazda fans opting to buy the MX-5 should find it very reliable as it offers excellent fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Moreover, its parts are widely available and inexpensive. Although any Miata model will be a good buy, we strongly recommend the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata, as that model has an outstanding reliability score of 86 percent.
6 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI – $25,000
While the Volkswagen Golf is technically not a sports car, the Volkswagen Golf GTI deserves consideration for its performance. The hot hatch comes equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-four engine that puts out a healthy 220 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and its handling is agile and responsive around corners.
For around $25,000, you can own a 2018 Golf GTI, which, for the price, is a bargain. Moreover, the GTI is a beautiful choice for a classy, economical daily driver or tuner car. It comes standard with heated front seats, a leather-covered steering wheel, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more.
5 2018 Subaru BRZ / Toyota GR 86 – $26,499
Before the all-new Toyota GR 86 came to the US, the BRZ and its twin Toyota 86, the latter also known as Scion FR-S, were the ultimate contenders in the slow-car-fast category. The 2018 BRZ came with over 200 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and delivered point-and-shoot driving dynamics.
The BRZ also offers reasonable practicality, thanks to rear seats that fold down to accommodate more items. Not to mention, this car has a decent fuel economy rating of 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Hence, for under $30,000, buyers should be able to find a used 2018 BRZ with relatively low mileage. Moreover, with newer models continually hitting the streets, second-hand markets are likely to offer excellent value.
4 2016 Audi TT – $28,990
Currently in its third generation, the Audi TT is an incredible sports car. It has been in the market since 1998. The Audi TT has a rich history, and the used-car market has plenty of pristine models to offer at affordable prices. The TT features stylish exterior cues, cutting-edge technology, and an all-wheel-drive system.
Under the hood, the 2016 Audi TT has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, enough to push it from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. This performance was greatly attributed to the Quattro AWD system, which gave it athletic and superb handling.
3 2012 Chevrolet Corvette – $27,990
It's not hard to see why the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette is so desirable. Reviews suggest it delivers superb power, rapid acceleration, and predictable handling to go along with its exceptional braking ability. The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette also offers a reasonable amount of space for cargo, all for around $28,000.
Under the hood, this car has a 6.2-liter V8 that generates a massive 430 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque, with that power channeled to the wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic is available. From a standstill, this 'Vette sprints to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The powertrain provides 16 mpg in the city and 26 mpg highway, which is pretty reasonable fuel economy considering its robust performance.
As for dependability, the 2012 Corvette scores 81 percent for reliability from J.D. Power, making it one of the most reliable sports cars under $30,000.
2 2016 Nissan 370Z NISMO – $25,000
For the ordinary driver who desires to hit the road with a top-performance ride, the chances of driving the current 370Z Nismo are pretty slim. However, with a budget slightly below $30,000, the used-car market offers excellent options in the form of a 2016 Nissan 370Z NISMO. This car comes standard with a 3.7-liter V6 making 350 hp and 276 lb-ft of torque, with that power sent to the wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match. Search extensively, and you might find a used Nissan 370Z NISMO with the optional seven-speed automatic transmission.
The Nismo has a decent fuel economy of 19 mpg and 26 mpg on the highway. As these cars advance in age, expect the value of a used NISMO to continue to drop further.
1 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack – $29,990
For $29,990, a used 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack could be yours, giving you the biggest bang for your buck. For the price, this pony car offers a 6.4-liter V8 that's good for 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, a standard six-speed manual transmission (some models feature the optional eight-speed automatic), Brembo performance brakes, a performance exhaust system, and a heated sport steering wheel.
Not only is the 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack one of the best under $30,000 sports cars, but it is also one of the most reliable, with a reliability score of 86 percent from J.D. Power.