3 Used Sports Car Options for 3 Different Price Points

The snow is melting and temperatures are rising, which means sport car season is finally approaching. Opting for a brand new sports car can be costly, however, and the “budget options” are pretty much limited to the Mazda MX-5, Ford Mustang EcoBoost, and Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ. 

Looking on the secondhand market may be more tempting for some drivers because of the abundance of options and the cost savings. Buyers can benefit from vehicle depreciation, especially if searching for something more exotic. 

When shopping for a secondhand car, especially a sports car, it's important to consider the condition. Buyers should seek vehicles with detailed service records, lower mileage, and no modifications. Finding a car that has been cared for is the optimal approach.

Here are three unconventional used sports car options for three different budgets and what to look for if you’re shopping around. 

$15,000 Budget

Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ 

The Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ are great options for those who want a small, fun rear-wheel-drive coupe. The sports car was developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru, and before it was called the Toyota GR86, it was called the Scion FR-S, but the Toyota offshoot brand was discontinued in 2016.

All BRZ/FR-S models came with a peppy flat-four engine producing around 200 hp, plenty of power for the lightweight sports cars. Most models came with manual transmissions and the cars are engaging and agile.

Prices start at around $8,000 for rougher, higher-mileage examples, while nicer examples can be purchased for around $12,000. This platform hasn’t seen much change since it was launched and brand new versions of the car still use a very similar powertrain. The BRZ/FR-S is a fun, reliable, fairly modern sports car that's not too different from its contemporary equivalent. 

Pontiac Solstice 

Now a forgotten two-seat sports car from the first decade of the new millennium, the Pontiac Solstice was originally intended to rival the unbeatable MX-5. While it was a bit larger than the Mazda, it used a similar formula as a rear-wheel-drive roadster with a small engine

Multiple versions of the Solstice are available, either coupe or convertible, with both manual and automatic transmissions. There were also two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.4L four-cylinder making 177 hp, and a 2.0L turbo making an impressive 260 hp. Solstice prices vary depending on which version you go for, with manual turbo versions fetching the most. Regardless of which one you opt for, $15,000 gets you a unique sports car, and if the looks aren’t quite to your taste, the Solstice has a good-looking sister car, the Saturn Sky. 

BMW Z4

BMW is known for making balanced rear-wheel-drive performance cars, which is exactly what the first-generation Z4 is. All Z4s in this price range come with either a 2.5L or 3.0L straight-six engine. Power ranges from 189 hp to 228 hp, with power always going to the rear wheels, no exception in old-school BMWs. The Z4 also shares its engine with many of other BMW models from the time, so parts should be readily available. The Z4 can be found in nice shape in the $12,000 to $15,000 range with middling mileage, with automatic transmissions being the most common. This is a solid option for those who want a good sounding, long-hood roadster with excellent driving dynamics. It's a small, tossable little roadster that doesn’t fail to deliver an affordable thrill.  

$30,000 Budget

Honda S2000

One of the best roadsters from the 2000s, the S2000 is coveted for delivering an incredible driving experience alongside excellent reliability. Its naturally aspirated 2.0L engine revved up to an impressive 9,000 rpm and produced 240 hp, and as a bonus, only manual transmissions were available. 

The S2000 rivalled the Z4 and Porsche Boxster, and it certainly stepped up to the plate. It was considered by many driving enthusiasts as the superior option of the time, and it had clean, charming looks to match. Of all 2000s roadsters, the S2000 retained its value far better than the rest, likely due to its reliability and its continued desirability for enthusiasts. Prices sit in the $25,000 to $40,000 range, not far from its original MSRP of $32,000. Not bad for a 25-year-old Honda. 

Mercedes SL (R230)

The Mercedes SL is one of the most luxurious options on this list. Why settle for a small four-cylinder engine when you can have a V8 or even V12? Secondhand buyers can easily find nice examples of the R230 generation (2002 to 2011) SL in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. Most options are 550s with a naturally aspirated V8 producing 383 hp. For those who seek more performance, 55 AMG performance models can also be found with a supercharged V8 engine producing around 500 hp. There are even some twin-turbo V12 600 models that can be found in the same price range producing 500 hp. All models of the SL came with an automatic transmission and a metal folding hardtop. This makes the SL less of a performance sports car and more of a grand tourer designed to get you to your destination in comfort, luxury, and speed.  

987 Porsche Boxster/ Cayman 

Second-generation Porsche Boxsters make for an incredible $30,000 purchase. Compared to the first-gen, the second-gen models are more refined, faster, and have much cleaner styling. All Boxters/Caymans come with a flat six-cylinder engine mounted in the middle, with manual transmissions being a common option for these cars. Power varies from 237 hp up to 291 hp in Caymans. This power may not sound like much, but it's important to remember these are light cars, weighing around 1,300 kg. Porsche is known for its driving precision, and the mid-engined Boxster and Cayman provide an engaging, balanced experience, making it a great choice for those who want a Porsche but don’t have new-Porsche-sized bank accounts. 

$50,000 Budget

BMW M4

The BMW M4 is the most practical offering on this list because it can somewhat comfortably seat four people and has a decently sized trunk. Regardless of these perks, the M4 is a thoroughly competent performance car. The models from 2014 to 2017 use a twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine producing 425 hp. All M4 models from this era are RWD and had the option of a six-speed manual. 

The benefit of the M4 is usability; it's one of the more modern options on this list, and with more contemporary infotainment, it can be used as a daily driver without too many sacrifices. There is also the choice of body style, with either a metal-folding hardtop or coupe available. Those who really seek practicality can opt for the M3, the four-door sedan version. 

Most models that can be bought within the budget range from 2014 to 2017 model years with mid-range mileage, with some higher-mileage options hovering around the $35,000 price point. It's a compelling price for a relatively modern, high-performance BMW M car.  

Jaguar F-Type 

Jaguar is one of the luxury brands that suffer the most from depreciation, which means secondhand shoppers can find amazing deals on what were once very expensive cars. The F-Type is a gorgeous, rear-wheel-drive two-seat sports car that can be had for a surprisingly reasonable budget.

For around $50 000, buyers can have either the supercharged V6 or V8 engine – they both sound incredible and are worth the price of entry alone. 

In this price range, buyers can also find top-of-the-line R models that have an astounding 550 hp. Most F-Type models came with automatic transmissions, however, the odd manual can be found. Some might be concerned with the reliability of a used British car, but as a summer sports car that will likely be put away for the winter, there’s a good chance it won’t be a huge deal. Considering how pretty the F-Type is and how good it sounds, it’s a tempting used sports car purchase.

Aston Martin Vantage 

Aston Martin is the most exotic name on this list, and for $50,000, you can get a 2000s V8 Vantage. These Aston Martins have dropped in price significantly, with the original MSRP being $130,000 about 20 years ago. The Vantage is a two-door, rear-drive, V8-powered sports car originally meant to rival the Porsche 911. The Aston Martin. however, is far more exclusive than the 911, produced in lower numbers and seen far less often on the road. 

At this price point, buyers can expect mid-mileage Vantages in either coupe or convertible body styles. They all had V8s with between 380 hp and 420 hp depending on the year, with manual transmissions being offered but not that common. Every version of the Vantage is still extremely cool, has gorgeous styling, and an incredible sound. A used Vantage provides an experience that punches far above its price point.