New car prices are hitting record highs, and sports cars seem more out of reach than ever. But driving something fun, fast, and stylish doesn’t have to mean shelling out fifty grand or more. In fact, with a little patience and a good eye, you can find a great sports car for less than the price of a used SUV. Whether you want something track-ready, cruiser-friendly, or just plain fun, these used options prove you don’t have to spend a fortune to smile behind the wheel.
If you’re struggling to justify a sports car purchase in the current economic climate, you’re not alone, and we hear ya.
However, if you allow us to give you an ever-so-slight nudge, you might find that it’s not necessary to hawk vital organs on the black market to get behind the wheel of a stylish coupe or convertible. As it turns out, plenty of bargains are available for those willing to look at the used car market. Now, let us point you in the right direction.
Our Selection Process
Kelley Blue Book data has put average new vehicle transaction prices around the high $40,000s and even above $50,000 at points in 2025, and sports cars tend to be even more expensive.
For this article, a sports car is defined as a two-door vehicle capable of being driven spiritedly on either the road or track, meaning hot hatches and sports sedans have been left out.
To gather the models and prices, I scoured car marketplaces, such as Cars.com, and reviews on U.S. News. All the performance stats are either from the manufacturers or enthusiast publications, like MotorTrend and others.
2010 Mazda Miata — $5,871 – $7,603
We might as well start with the most obvious option, the Mazda Miata. The 2010 is a 3rd-gen model, which isn’t as loved by enthusiasts, and the prices probably reflect that.
Still, according to U.S. News, buyers can enjoy a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 167 horsepower when paired with one of the manual transmissions, which is still a must for sports car. As far as driver’s cars go, it’s practically unbeatable, especially at this price point.
2010 Ford Mustang — $5,878 – $9,581
If you prefer a more muscular, sporty car, the Mustang is an excellent choice. Millions of buyers can’t be wrong, and Ford has said the Mustang has been the world’s best selling sports car for multiple consecutive years based on IHS Markit registration data.
Under the hood, this retro-tastic beast packed either a 4.0-liter six-cylinder mill churning out 210 hp or a 4.6-liter V8 engine with 315 American thoroughbreds. Both can be equipped with a manual gearbox. U.S. News says the average purchase price is now somewhere between $5,878 and $9,581.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro — $7,516 – $8,587
Those who prefer the bow-tie brand to the blue oval have no reason to feel left out. Both the Mustang and Camaro are fairly practical as far as performance cars are concerned, offering decent trunk and interior space, at least for the front-seat passengers.
MotorTrend says the Camaro’s performance is courtesy of a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 304 hp and a 6.2-liter V8 that made 426 hp with the manual transmission or 400 hp with the automatic, so both offer more ponies than the Mustang equivalents. According to U.S. News, these cars are currently selling somewhere between $7,516 and $8,587, that’s most likely the V6 models, though.
2011 Dodge Challenger — $8,622 – $10,610
As the saying goes, good things come in threes, and since we included the other two muscle cars, we may as well add the Dodge Challenger, too. It’s not the best choice if you enjoy tackling corners at high speeds, but it is the most spacious model in its class, U.S. News reports it’ll easily seat five people.
Under the hood, you’ll find a 305-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine as standard, but the R/T model has a 376-hp 5.7-liter V8, and the SRT8 is packing a 6.4-liter that produces a whopping 470 hp. Unfortunately, the V6 didn’t even have a manual option, and while an automatic was standard, manual availability depended on trim. U.S. News claims average selling prices are now between $8,622 and $10,610.
2010 Nissan 370Z — $7,051 – $9,731
Let’s go back to the Land of the Rising Sun for a bit. In 2009, Nissan introduced the 370Z as the 350Z’s successor, and while it may look like it’s just a mere facelift, it’s actually a brand new model that’s shorter, wider, and lighter — and U.S. News says it has a 3.7-liter engine with 330+ hp!
It’s not the most comfortable or practical sports car, but it’s fun and affordable, making it a perfect second car for sunny days or a track toy.
2016 Scion FR-S / Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ — $14,783 – $18,400
Toyota and Subaru got together to create a fun driver’s car that didn’t cost an arm and a leg, resulting in the excellent GT86/BRZ/FR-S. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, as they’re largely the same and offer plenty of thrills for a mere fistful of dollar bills.
U.S. News claims the 2016 Scion FR-S currently sells in the region of $14,783 to 18,400, and its athletic handling, upscale interior, and great safety and reliability ratings are the main selling points.
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata — $14,958 – $18,013
Another Miata? Yes, but this time it’s the latest generation, the ND. While it stays true to the Miata formula of a lightweight 2-seater roadster with excellent handling. In fact, some will say it’s now better than ever.
If you want a fun car that can handle practically anything you throw at it, the ND MX-5 Miata is an excellent choice. However, if you’re tall or need something that’s at least slightly practical, you’re better off looking elsewhere. According to U.S. News, it’s possible to get behind the wheel of the MX-5 Miata for less than $15,000, and that makes it an absolute bargain in our eyes.
2020 Ford Mustang — $19,165 – $60,825
We also have another Mustang, this time in the form of the 6th-gen model. U.S. News says prices range from just over $19,000 to a rather steep $60,000+.
The cars in the lower price range will most likely be the EcoBoost model powered by the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, but don’t let that scare you away. This unit is light and highly tunable, and while it doesn’t emit a V8 rumble, it’s the perfect base if you want a car that can be whipped around the corners without plowing into the nearest crowd.
2020 FIAT 124 Spider — $13,174 – $14,729
Meet the Miata that’s not a Miata. That’s right, the Fiat 124 Spider is based on the Miata platform, and according to CarBuzz, the two were even built at the same factory.
That said, British car enthusiast site Pistonheads confirms that they offer very distinct driving experiences thanks to different suspension setups and the fact that Fiat decided to use its own turbocharged 1.4-liter instead of Mazda’s naturally aspirated 2.0-liter. U.S. News also gave it a mostly positive review and claims average prices are now hovering around $13,174 and 14,729.
2009 Mazda RX-8 — $5,053 – $6,792
The Mazda RX-8 has received a lot of negative attention, and deservedly so… for the most part. While buying an RX-8 is a relatively cheap affair, keeping it running is a different story. These engines are designed to be revved and taken to the limit, which means they’ll chug premium fuel — that’s not cheap. Alternatively, you can drive it like a granny and rebuild the engine before it hits 100k miles.
If not for the reliability issues, the RX-8 would be one of the most sought-after cars from the early 2000s. Since it’s so cheap, it may still be worth buying though. According to U.S. News, it’s possible to pick up a 2009 model for as little as $5,000. Just make sure you have some leftover cash for maintenance. And yes, we are aware it has 4 doors, in a way. Rear doors are small and are rear hinged so we think it deserves a place on our list.
2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse — $3,324 – $5,541
By 2012, the Mitsubishi Eclipse was just a shadow of its former self. A couple of generations ago, it reached iconic status thanks to the Fast & Furious movies and the Need for Speed Underground video games, but now, it has become bloated and underpowered.
You may wonder why it’s featured here, and the answer is simple. The Eclipse was always a favorite among the import tuner crowd, and while the standard 2.4-liter with 162 hp isn’t much to write home about, slap on some bolt-on parts, upgrade the suspension, and you have a bargain canyon carver! U.S. News claims it’s possible to get behind the wheel of one for just over $3,000.
2009 Pontiac Solstice — $6,196 – $10,201
U.S. News confirms that the Pontiac Solstice suffers from some annoying issues, but I think it looks great, so I’m willing to forgive some of its flaws. Many car enthusiasts will tell you it flopped, but according to MotorTrend, Pontiac built nearly 66,000 cars over four years, and for a tiny sports car, that’s a very respectable production run.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter GXP version is the one you want, as it pumps out 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. That’s a lot of fun for less than $10,000.
2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe — $11,414 – $14,359
A few years ago, the Korean carmakers snatched up some designers and engineers from Audi and BMW, and since then, Hyundai has built some excellent driver’s cars under its N performance brand.
However, Hyundai began its quest for performance long before that! The Genesis Coupe has aged well, and U.S. News says it has a punchy 3.8-liter V6 with a whopping 348 hp, so its performance easily matches the looks.
2007 Saturn Sky — $5,556 – $7,752
Underneath the sheet metal, the Saturn Sky is essentially the same car as the Pontiac Solstice mentioned earlier. Like Pontiac, Saturn figured a sports car for the masses was the Hail Mary that would save them. It didn’t.
U.S. News states that Saturn did get some things right with the Sky, though, especially the Red Line model with the 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter. It’s not as well-sorted as the Miata, but it has more power and probably stands out more, so if that’s your thing, go for it!
2009 Jaguar XKR Coupe — $13,900 – $29,995
If you’ve got a soft spot for British cars, the Jaguar XKR Coupe is worth a look. It blends classic English elegance with serious performance, think less tea and crumpets, more refined power and polished style.
According to U.S. News, it’s not as sporty as the competition, but it’s one of the best grand tourers you can buy for this kind of money. With a 420-hp 4.2-liter V8, it’ll launch you across the continent in style and comfort. Several XKRs are currently listed on Cars.com, with prices ranging from absurdly cheap to relatively affordable.
2014 Jaguar F-Type — $18,000 to $30,000
You want something British, but the Jag XKR isn’t sporty enough? No worries, we’ve got your back. How about the excellent F-Type, the spiritual successor to the iconic E-Type?
It was offered with a trio of supercharged engines. The base model has a 340-hp V6. The F-Type V6 S has the same engine but with 380 hp, and there’s the ridiculous V8 S pumping out 495 wild horses accompanied by a whining, burbling, popping, and banging soundtrack, as shown by Tedward on YouTube. With roughly $20,000 to $30,000 in your pocket, depending on mileage and condition, you can often get behind the wheel of a V6 base model.
2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 — $19,000 – $30,000
Okay, no more bangers and mash as we move on to a sports car that’s as American as apple pie… although that’s apparently British as well, guv’nor. Anyway, a lightweight fiberglass body, two seats, a big V8 engine, and pop-up headlights can only mean one thing: the iconic Corvette!
In 2004, the fifth-gen ‘Vette was among the last production cars to feature pop-up headlights, which is a good enough reason to buy one. Opt for the Z06 version, and you’ll get the LS6 5.7-liter V8, rated at 405 hp. At the time of writing, there are plenty of 2004 Z06 examples listed across major marketplaces, including Cars.com.
2015 Audi TT Coupe — $12,675 – $15,520
In the U.S., the 2015 Audi TT was still the second-generation model, and it leaned more toward being a refined all weather cruiser than a razor sharp sports car.
In the U.S., the 2015 TT came with quattro all wheel drive, so it has plenty of grip and can tackle slippery roads with ease. Under the hood, we find a turbocharged 2.0-liter pumping out between 211 and 265 hp, depending on the spec, so it’s far from slow.
2008 Maserati GranTurismo — $18,500 – $24,900
Now, I don’t really recommend that you run out and buy an old Maserati GranTurismo… unless you have plenty of money to spend on repairs and maintenance or you’re prepared to tell the kids you can’t help pay for their college.
Aside from the maintenance woes, the GranTurismo is stunning in every way imaginable. It sounds like a pack of howling banshees, it looks like it was designed by sculptors, and it handles like it’s on rails. Currently, there are a handful of GranTurismos for sale on Cars.com, and if you have around $20,000 burning a hole in your pocket, one of them can be yours.
2006 Porsche Cayman — $18,600 – $30,000
The Porsche Cayman is the tin-top version of the infamous Boxster, infamous because purists didn’t think it was a “real” Porsche and because of the reliability issues related to the IMS bearing.
However, with both the Cayman and Boxster being mid-engined, they handle as well as, if not better than, their bigger, more famous sibling, the 911. They’re also much more affordable and just as much fun. At the time of writing, there are plenty of first-gen Caymans available for around $20,000 on Cars.com.
2005 Acura RSX Type-S — $14,500 – $21,000
The Acura RSX Type-S might not be a coupe in the classic sense, it’s technically a hatchback, but don’t let that fool you. With sharp handling, a high-revving 2.0-liter engine, and a slick 6-speed manual, this front-wheel-drive performer feels every bit like a proper sports car.
What makes it really shine is the 210-hp VTEC engine that begs to be redlined. It’s got Honda reliability baked in, plus a lively aftermarket community that makes it a favorite for tuners and weekend track warriors alike. The RSX Type-S is light, nimble, and engaging, offering the kind of analog driving feel that’s becoming harder to find.
If you want something that’s fun, affordable, and built to last, the RSX Type-S is one of the best coupes still flying under the radar.
Affordable and Attainable Performance
While both new and classic car prices have skyrocketed in recent years, that doesn’t mean driving something exciting is off the table. You don’t need to spend luxury money to get a car that looks great, handles well, and makes every drive feel special.
As this list shows, there’s still a surprisingly deep bench of stylish, fun-to-drive sports cars out there, many of them priced well below the average used SUV. Whether you’re after raw speed, refined cruising, or just a weekend toy that puts a grin on your face, there’s something out there that fits your budget.
So, before you write off your dream of owning a sports car, take another look at the used market. You might be closer than you think to the keys.