Cars from the 2000s can be considered modern classics by now, and plenty of bargains are available from that era if you’re looking for a performance car.
American muscle, European luxury, and Japanese reliability are all on offer, so you can pick and choose depending on your preferences.
We’ve gathered a list of some excellent performance cars from this era. While some require deeper pockets, they’re all relatively affordable. However, in many cases, prices are already on the rise and will probably skyrocket in the not-too-distant future.
Chevrolet Corvette C5
The C5 Chevrolet Corvette was the last car available with pop-up headlights; if you ask us, that alone is a good enough reason to buy one. However, if you need a bit more convincing, how about the fact that it has an LS V8 engine, a manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive?
The Corvette has always been capable of upsetting contemporary supercars, and that was also the case with the C5—especially in Z06 guise, as it could reach 60 mph in under 4 seconds. A base-model C5 ‘Vette can be found for less than $15,000, making it a proper performance car bargain.
Porsche 987 Boxster
The original 986 Porsche Boxster was launched in the ‘90s and lasted to the mid-2000s, so it still counts as a 2000s car. If you want the cheapest possible boxer-engined Porsche, that’s the one to go for.
However, its successor, the 987 Porsche Boxster is a better car in every way, so if you have a bit more cash, you’ll definitely want that one. Thanks to its mid-engine configuration and near-perfect weight distribution, it handles like a dream as well.
S197 Ford Mustang GT
Riding the retro-styling wave of the 2000s, Ford introduced the stunning fifth-generation S197 Mustang in 2005. It resembled the original ‘Stang from the 1960s but was packed with modern tech.
Early Mustang GTs had the modular 4.6-liter V8, which was replaced by the 5.0-liter unit in 2010. Power increased from 300 horsepower to 420 wild stallions, but later models come with a substantial price hike. Thanks to a massive selection of aftermarket parts, it’s possible to modify the older cars to produce ridiculous amounts of power as well.
E46 BMW M3
The E46 is arguably the best and most popular BMW M3 generation. Granted, the E30 is more desirable, but prices for those have skyrocketed, making them unobtainable for all but the wealthiest enthusiasts.
With a naturally aspirated 3.2-liter inline-six engine producing between 338 and 360 horsepower, the E46 M3 can reach 60 mph in under five seconds. It has been around for close to a quarter of a century now, but it has aged well and still looks great today.
Nissan 350Z
Nissan went back to basics with the excellent 350Z, and the car was much better because of it. Whereas its predecessor, the 300ZX, was stuffed to the rafters with fancy tech, the 350Z was simple—a big, naturally aspirated V6 at the front sent its power to the rear wheels via a manual transmission.
With around 300 horsepower, the Nissan 350Z is in a different league than most Japanese sports cars from this era, such as the Miata, Celica, and MR-2 Spyder. Mazda’s RX-8 could match it, but it’s among the least reliable cars ever. The later 350Z facelift models saw some improvements, so go for one of those if you have the money.
Honda S2000
As good as the Nissan 350Z is, the Honda S2000 is a much better option if you want a more visceral driving experience. When it arrived with a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter in 1999, it had the highest specific power output of any naturally aspirated engine, and even today, those are solid numbers.
The S2000 isn’t the most comfortable car to drive, and you need to rev it out in every gear in order to get the most from the engine. If that’s not what you want, get an ND MX-5 Miata instead. If you want to own a real Japanese sports car legend, be prepared to fork out a small fortune for a well-kept S2K.
E85 BMW Z4 M
The E85 BMW Z4 M succeeded the BMW Z3, and just like its predecessor, it’s something of a parts-bin special. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s an excellent German sports car.
Basic models are great alternatives to the Mazda Miata, but the Z4 M is a proper performance car with tons of potential. Under the hood, it has the same inline-six engine as the E46 M3, which translates into a 0 to 60 mph time of just 4.8 seconds.
W204 Mercedes C63 AMG
If you really want an RWD sports car but need something a bit more practical, the W204 Mercedes C63 AMG is worth looking into. As an added bonus, it has a massive, roaring V8 engine that produces 450 German stallions, and that means it’ll reach 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.
Unfortunately, a proper Mercedes performance car will never be cheap to own. Thanks to all that power, the C63 is known to eat rear tires and drink gasoline. While the handbuilt V8 engine is near-bulletproof, it requires a lot of attention and meticulous maintenance to remain that way. That said, find a good one, and it’ll last you a lifetime if you take proper care of it.
Audi S5
Surprisingly, many gearheads forget about the first-gen Audi S5 when looking at used performance cars. Granted, it doesn’t have the driving dynamics of the contemporary BMW M3 or the lunacy of the Merc C63 AMG, but it’s special in its own right.
A naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 with 354 horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque should be plenty for everyday use. Thanks to Audi’s Quattro AWD system, the S5 doesn’t have any problems transferring that power to the road, either.
997 Porsche 911 Carrera
Porsche has perfected its rear-mounted boxer engine formula for the iconic 911. With the 997, Stuttgart’s finest addressed most of the issues from the 996, reverting to the more traditional design in the process.
The 3.6-liter flat-six engine produces plenty of power, and when mated to the 6-speed manual transmission, it’s a proper driver’s car. Everyone recognizes the Porsche 911, so you won’t have to explain what it is to your non-gearhead friends or curious people at the gas station.
Pontiac GTO
Pontiac’s last GTO was massively overlooked when it arrived in the mid-2000s. Enthusiasts didn’t like that it was just a rebadged Holden Monaro from Australia and refused to buy it. However, the badge-engineered GTO still comes with proper muscle car credentials.
Early models were packing a 5.7-liter LS1 V8, and in 2005, it was upgraded to a 6.0-liter LS2 V8 straight from the C6 Corvette. The LS2-powered versions will sprint to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, which is still respectable today. The Pontiac GTO is a performance car bargain that punches far above its price.
Audi R8
Audi’s first supercar, the R8, was a total game-changer for the German brand, as it set them apart from the competition, such as BMW and Mercedes. Buying a used R8 is, in most cases, cheaper than a Lambo or Ferrari while packing similar performance.
The Audi has more tricks up its sleeve, as it’s a better daily driver, and there’s no shortage of Audi dealerships that can service and repair it. That last one is important when you spend this kind of money on a car. Audi made both a 4.2-liter V8 and a 5.2-liter V10 version, and there are pros and cons to each, meaning the one to go for is pretty much down to personal preference.
Toyota MR2 Spyder
If you want a mid-engined sports car but can’t afford the Audi R8, don’t worry; there are still options out there. Many gearheads ignore the MR-2 Spyder, saying its Corolla-derived engine is underpowered and there’s virtually zero storage space. Those things are true, but there’s another way to view the little Spyder.
Think of it as a bargain Lotus Elise with Japanese build quality. Add the fact that there’s a massive selection of aftermarket parts available, and you can end up with a truly special sports car.
