10 Affordable Sports Cars For New Car Enthusiasts On A Budget (2024)

Looking for 10 affordable sports cars for new car enthusiasts on a budget? We have got you covered with a wide selection of makes and models from BMW to Toyota, all under the $30,000 price point. We have taken a further step by keeping the average used price of all the cars on our list under $20,000. Since spending over $30,000 can easily get you a new sports car in 2024, that price point is a completely different market altogether. Spending more than $30,000, especially on a first sports car, is not often the smartest decision for the budget-minded enthusiast.

Thus, we have sourced the average prices for these 10 selected models using Classic.com's average sale price based on the last five years of data. Let's not forget that our budget is the focus, so the cheaper the deal you can find, the better. An important consideration is that the prices presented in this list are dynamic and depend on a range of factors.

These price averages only consider vehicles featured on Classic.com and are not holistically representative of the entire used market. The models featured on Classic.com tend to be among the cleanest top 1 percent examples available anywhere in the U.S. Local listings and a variety of online marketplaces will offer comparatively mixed quality at often lower price points.

10 BMW 328i (E36)

Average Used Price: $10,510

If there is a car that deserves a spot on every starter sports car list, it is the BMW E36 328i. The E36 3-series is a simple, yet expressive blend of performance, style, and luxury.

Performance Specifications

While often a premium compared to lesser models, the 5-speed manual 328i model is the best overall E36. Yes, it is not the E36 M3, but it doesn't need to be. The 328i is a great car, cheap compared to an M3, and still fun to drive.

Pros

• An enjoyable blend of performance and luxury
• Amazing parts availability and aftermarket support
• Cheap compared to M3 and newer BMWs

Cons

• Not too fast
• Clean examples are rare
• Rust

9 Mazda Miata (NB)

Average Used Price: $12,565

The definitive entry-level sports car is the Mazda Miata. No generation is more alluring than the first-generation NA Miata. Yet, nowadays, the average NA model is so poor quality-wise, that we rather recommend its more refined successor, the NB.

Performance Specifications

We believe spending a little extra on the niceties of the NB over the NA is 100 percent worth it. The 2001 and newer model years saw a facelift with several upgrades to both interior and exterior. These model years are the most desirable of the generation and the ones you should be considering as well.

Pros

• Nicer than an NA Miata
• The quintessential sports car
• Cheap to maintain

Cons

• The low-hanging fruit of sports cars
• Automatic models
• Hardtop prices

8 Ford Mustang GT (SN-99)

Average Used Price: $13,739

Our first American entry is none other than the SN-99 Ford Mustang GT. The 1999 model year and newer Mustang models received a facelift for this generation, and they are known as "SN-99" variants.

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Performance Specifications

Of all the available models of the updated fourth-generation Mustang, the V-8-equipped GT model with the 5-speed manual is the obvious enthusiast pick. These bare-bones V-8 models are far from perfect, but they are serious fun.

Pros

• Simple and fun
• Amazing aftermarket support
• Cheap parts and plentiful availability

Cons

• Interior leaves to be desired
• Non-existent gas mileage
• Harder than it should be to find a clean example

7 Toyota MR2 Spyder

Average Used Price: $14,884

The W30 Toyota MR2 Spyder is a car filled with charm and that is obvious by its looks alone. Yet, with its mid-engine layout, the Spyder remains a unique outlier with no modern equivalent.

Performance Specifications

Although the MR2 Spyder never sold anywhere near the figures of the NB Mazda Miata, it is still a solid competitor that offers its unique perspective in the battle between cheap and fun driver's cars. At the minimum, the W30's insane 2,195 pound curb weight is a performance figure that will never be matched in the modern era of automotive obesity.

Pros

• One of the lightest modern chassis ever
• The most affordable mid-engine car ever
• Miata, but more interesting

Cons

• SMT transmission should be avoided
• Limited availability and support compared to its main competition
• Value per dollar is debatable

6 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0i (E85)

Average Used Price: $15,371

The E85 BMW Z4 Roadster is the last drop top of the list. The E85 Z4 marked the end of an era as it was one of the last naturally-aspirated BMW models.

Performance Specifications

In 2006 and newer model years, the Z4 Roadster 3.0i offered BMW's last naturally-aspirated inline-six engine, the N52. The N52 is regarded as BMW's most reliable naturally aspirated inline-six.

Pros

• Roadster styling aged well
• The perfect proportions for a sports car
• As reliable of an inline-six as you will get from BMW

Cons

• Electric power steering rack
• Interior lacks flavor
• Random issues can still be expensive to fix

5 Honda Civic Si (FA5)

Average Used Price: $15,828

Our first Honda on the list is a serious winner, the FA5 Honda Civic Si sedan. Featuring the 8,300 rpm redline K20Z3 inline-four, this Civic's engine is one of Honda's best efforts.

Performance Specifications

The eighth-generation Civic would mark the end of the golden era of Honda as its high-revving engines would never return again in any future generation. This makes the FA5 Civic Si sedan a great blend of the original raw Honda ethos and modern creature comforts.

Pros

• As fun to drive as RWD competition
• Last of the high-revving naturally-aspirated Civics
• Nimble and fast chassis

Cons

• Non-existent low-end torque
• Overpaying for what is still a Civic
• Common theft target

4 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ

Average Used Price: $17,172

Before there was a Toyota GR 86, there were the "Toyobaru Twins", consisting of the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Aside from confusing naming practices, these modern lightweight sports coupes are among the best driver's cars available.

Performance Specifications

The Subaru-designed flat-four engine will leave something to be desired, especially earlier models which suffer from the notorious torque dip. We'll be honest, even with the torque dip fixed, these engines still have no torque. That's okay though, because as far as cheap and easy to drive sports cars go, few are as solid as the Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ.

Pros

• Amazing driving dynamics
• Simple and fun
• A great blend of modern and analog

Cons

• Underwhelming engine
• The backseats add extra weight
• Common issues in the earlier model years

3 Nissan 350 Z (Z33)

Average Used Price: $17,179

One of if not the most polarizing cars on our list is the Nissan 350 Z. Despite its lacking community reputation, the 350 Z's overall performance capabilities are undeniable.

Performance Specifications

A quick gander at your local marketplace and you'll find Nissan 350 Z models a dime a dozen below $10,000. This is because most of them are pre-facelifted models that have been beaten and thrashed. If you can find an unmolested 2007+ example with a manual transmission and the HR motor, the price you find may very well make you cry.

Pros

• Amazing and capable performance platform
• Wide aftermarket support
• Unmatched performance per dollar

Cons

• Negative stigma icon
• Poor quality examples dominate the used market
• The sound of trumpets cannot be beautified

2 Chevrolet Corvette (C5)

Average Used Price: $17,179

Is it a good idea to use any Corvette model as a gateway drug into sports cars? We'd say no nine times out of ten, but it's possible.

Performance Specifications

If we were going to choose any Corvette for this questionable task, it would be the base model C5 Corvette. As rowdy as a C5 Corvette can be, this Chevy sports coupe is impressively comfortable and easy to drive. We suggest a handful of autocross events early on in ownership in order to get familiar with the car's limits and capability. If not, don't be surprised when a concrete wall teaches you the same lesson with much more expensive consequences.

Pros

• The LS1 engine is the genesis of GM small-block dominance
• Amazing dynamic and capable chassis
• Best overall performance on the list

Cons

• Pushing the limit of what can be considered "budget or beginner friendly"
• Good mpg for what it is, but still terrible overall
• Interior leaves to be desired despite modern tech options

1 Acura Integra (DC2/DB8)

Average Used Price: $27,093

If there was ever a fun, simple, and reliable driver's car that punched above its weight, it is the third-generation Acura Integra. The sky-high average price you see is because of the ultra-rare Type R model being included in the calculations.

Performance Specifications

Yet, our model of focus is not the Type R, but the GS-R, which still provides the experience of a classic high-revving Honda engine. These GS-R are getting harder to come by, but still can be found often for under $15,000.

The B18C1 inline-four found in the GS-R doesn't have much power and offers even less torque. Yet, the Integra is so lightweight that the 8,300 rpm redline makes you feel like you are going twice as fast as advertised.

Pros

• Old school high-revving B18C1 engine is magic
• Among the best FWD chassis ever
• Amazing aftermarket support

Cons

• Common theft target
• Settling for less than a GS-R
• Expensive USDM to JDM conversions