20 Of The Sickest Used Sports Cars That Cost Less Than $20,000 (2023)

Whoever said top-notch sports cars were unaffordable for the average Joe hasn’t looked hard enough in the pre-owned market. Sure, there's a whole other charm driving straight off the showroom, but doing so with iconic brands like Mustang, Camaro, Porsche, and Audi will end up costing you an arm and a leg.

Updated February 2022: With rising inflation, car prices continue to shoot up. However, the used car market has changed a lot in just the last few years, and plenty of new bargains are now available for surprisingly cheap. That being said, some new players have joined this category, and we've refreshed the article with new, up-to-date cars and information.

In fact, many car enthusiasts specifically opt to look for these lean, mean-driving machines in the used market. There are a few reasons for this, but most important values; many of these cars depreciate quickly. Another reason is the love and care most enthusiast owners show their sports cars compared to more traditional family sedans and SUVs. In the end, while many modern cars end up having long-term issues with some bells and whistles associated with electronics, in most cases, engine life is retained for the long haul.

When scouring the used market for used cars under $20,000, we find a fair number of options across makes, both foreign and domestic. While some are hallmark brands that offer the very best in engineering like the BMW 3-Series, others offer pure and raw performance like the Mustang GT and the Camaro SS. There are even a few options from an optics perspective with the Jaguar XF and the Porsche Boxster.

20 2016 Ford Focus ST

Ford’s answer to the Honda Civic Si and the Volkswagen GTI was the Focus ST, based on the Focus hatchback (and earlier, coupe), which dates back to the late 1990s. The Focus ST is now in its second generation for 2018, and a new one can be picked up for about $31,000. That means you can easily source a low-mileage model, from say... 2015, for significantly less.

Armed with a turbocharged and an intercooled inline-four, the ST packs over 250 horsepower in a 104-inch wheelbase-sized package.

While its 0-60 mph time is nothing to brag about, the ride quality is good, the fuel economy still decent at about 24 mpg in the city, and it has more room than the more diminutive yet zippy Fiesta ST. Even better is modifying them!

Related: Here Are The Coolest Mods For Your Ford Focus ST

19 Honda S2000

You have to turn back the clock for this one. It was in 1995 that Honda showcased an exciting and electrifying new sports convertible at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Honda S2000, as it was called, finally hit the roads in 1999 but was discontinued just a decade later. With a rich history under its belt, going back to the 1960s with the S800 roadster, Honda is rumored to return with a new roadster in the coming years.

Because the S2000 has been retired for so long, finding a used one for under $20,000 is child’s play. While you can get one on the cheap, what you get in terms of performance is terrific. From its rear-wheel drivetrain and that surprisingly zippy 2.2L four-cylinder, you get 237 horsepower and precise, near-race-car-like handling.

18 Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ

If you're looking for great build quality, a long-lasting engine, and a stylish appearance that will age gracefully, look no further than the Toyota 86. Looking to get some more assurances given Toyota’s lack of present-day experience in consumer-grade sports cars? Well, rest assured because the 86 was co-developed by Subaru that knows a thing or two about building fun, modern-day sports cars.

Formerly known as the "Scion FR-S" before the brand was retired, the 86 is about the most affordable rear-wheel-drive coupe you can find that still offers sharp handling and a relatively roomy interior for its class. The same car, different badge, all three are very, very similar (Subaru BRZ, Toyota 86, and Scion FR-S).

17 VW Golf GTI

There isn’t all that much to be said about the Volkswagen Golf GTI that hasn’t already been said. As a favorite among hot hatch owners, the GTI has been around since the 1970s and has picked up several performance awards along its way. So remarkable and consistent is its performance that it's repeatedly won a place on Car and Driver’s 10 Best Cars—for 12 straight years!

While a new Golf GTI starts at a little over $27,000, you can source a used one by dipping your toes in the used car market.

It won’t be easy, though, as these cars aren't all that easy to find. The GTI features a turbocharged 2.0L making 220 hp and offers one of the best chassis dynamics you'll find out there. The car is lightweight, fun, and agile all paired with a speedy manual option for more enjoyment.

16 2015 Honda Civic Si

While all the talk has been about Honda’s latest Civic generation and its power powerful Si and Type R brethren, many forget that the underpinnings and foundation are still very much the same as the older-generation Civic.

The Civic Si (2015 or so) can be found for around the $18,000 mark, a testament to the great value held by Hondas the world over.

While it offers less torque and is likely to be left behind by the competition, the Civic Si still offers excellent ride quality and high-revving bliss, which is part of a 30-year formula that's worked wonders for the Japanese automaker.

15 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Another car with a fairly long history is the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a very willing and able-bodied compact sports car that's available in both two-door coupe and hard-top formats. The Miata is a real enthusiast's sports car, one that you won’t find in too many driveways.

The Miata offers sublime handling, great fuel economy, and one of the smoothest-shifting manual transmissions you'll find. While the cabin may be a tight fit, the internal styling is pleasant and will age well as simplistic exterior designs usually do. Powering the Miata is a surprisingly well-mannered 2.0L four-cylinder that outperforms expectations that its 155-hp displacement would suggest.

14 BMW 335i F80

The BMW 3-Series continues to be an excellent choice for people looking to get a sports car for good value. Despite stiff competition from Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4, BMW holds its own with an excellent array of meaty turbocharged engines, very good fuel economy, and typically agile BMW handling.

The 3-Series’ options don’t end with a variety of engine displacements. It also comes in both rear- and all-wheel-drive options paired with a six-speed manual or a silky shifting 8-speed automatic. The interior, too, is nicely equipped with standard features that include BMW’s iDrive infotainment, leather upholstery, and dual-zone climate control. Extras you could possibly find included in some models includes blind-spot monitoring, a Harman/Kardon audio system, and even a head-up display. All this can be picked up for $19,000 on Carfax.com (2014).

13 2012 Audi TT

Powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder is Audi’s compact sports car, the famous TT. Equipped with all-wheel drive as standard and mated to a six-speed automated manual transmission, the TT delivers enough power for most situations.

Despite lacking a manual transmission on the base trim, the automatic shifts nicely enough, making that turbo lag feel almost unnoticeable.

The interior, with an overtly premium feel, is among the best in its class. The fuel economy is also terrific, comfortably beating out the Porsche Cayman, and is at par with the excellent F-Type. For a car with a base price that's nearly $40,000 new, picking one up for sub-$20,000 is a real steal and yet very common.

12 Mazda RX-8

Weakened rotary engines aside, the now-discontinued Mazda RX-8 is a great choice among those who are looking for a stylish sports car that can actually seat four passengers quite comfortably. There are a few 2011 model year options available, and given that was the last year of production, you're effectively getting the latest model.

The RX-8 offers nimble handling and rear-wheel-drive tail-spinning fun despite an underwhelming 212 hp produced from the base 1.3L rotary engine. The more powerful variant produces a mere 20 hp more, but with the pairing of the six-speed manual, when revved hard, it's enough to thrill most.

Related: Mazda RX-8: Costs, Facts, And Figures

11 2011 BMW Z4

In typical BMW fashion, the Z4 offers several engine options, including an all-new high-performance-tuned variant in 2011. In fact, almost everything about the Z4 improved around this time, making it an excellent buy in the used car market. Finding one under $20,000 won’t be a problem either, and for a $50,000 MSRP car, that's terrific.

While the Z4 won’t handle as well as the Audi TT or the Porsche Cayman, it's very good-looking and has more than enough power to thrill, even with its 255 hp base engine variant. What’s more, is that it offers a hard-top retractable roof and an ever-improving iDrive infotainment system which offers CarPlay in newer models.

10 Pontiac G8 GT

Perhaps one of the best used sports cars isn’t even in production anymore. In fact, the brand was altogether retired. That car is the muscle-car-styled Pontiac G8. Right off the bat, the G8 features a powerful V6, producing a solid 256 horses.

However, given the depreciation most Pontiacs have seen since the band folded, you can probably find a GT trim, which has a sublime V8 with 361 hp, on the market. A bit harder to find is the top-of-the-line GXP, which was added in the final production year 2009. That features a tuned V8 that makes 402 hp that's sure to leave even the 5.7L V8 Dodge Charger behind.

Related: The Story Of The Korean Pontiac LeMans Hatchback

9 Nissan 370Z

Nissan hasn’t done much to transform the 370Z over the years. Design changes have been subtle, and the 3.5L V6 engine has remained unchanged. It has a great way of being cheap, fast, and well-handling.

The engine, for starters, is good enough to smoke most cars in the segment, notably the Mazda Miata, the Subaru BRZ, and the Toyota 86.

The popular VQ series engine produces 332 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, which, by the way, is good enough to lift off in second or possibly even third gear. That bodes really well for more docile city driving.

8 Subaru WRX STI

On the outside, the Subaru WRX STI looks like your typical compact sedan: four doors, subdued headlights, and a side profile that can be easily confused for just about any other sedan in the segment. Under the hood is where the real magic happens.

Unchanged for many years is the formidable 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four, which boasts a wonderfully tuned 305 horses and 317 lb-ft of torque at a mere 3,200 rpm. That means the WRX STI is loud and brash. In short, it’s exhilarating. It'll do 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, making it just about the quickest in the segment. Best of all, you can get your hands on one for under $20,000.

7 2008 DODGE CHARGER SRT 8

Even with massively inflated car prices in 2022, 10 years later, the Charger can easily be found for under $15,000 in great shape! An SRT8 being the top-end of the time, and with prices up, is a little harder to come by (but still totally possible). Why this and not a Challenger? Because the Chargers come in AWD. This results in a uniquely track-capable American pony car with an impressive 420-470 horsepower! Trust us, these cars aren't just fun to drive... they grow on you. As a little bonus, you're opened up to the wide world of Mopar for increasing performance, and without you can still go 0-60 in a mere 4.9 seconds.

6 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII Onwards

Back when this article came out in 2018 you could've and should've picked up a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X (10). They were possible to find in a good range for $20,000 or so. Now we have been unable to find a good one under $30,000! The discontinuance of their best-performance car made Mitsubishi's hot AWD sedan skyrocket with some going for over $60,000! There are still clean high-performers that you can grab (and if you're at all investment-minded we recommend you do) for under $19,000. The one we found is a 2008 "Lan Evo" GSR, capable of 0-60 in 5.2 seconds but more importantly... AWD, manual, affordable, and 291 stock horsepower. It's no wonder these challenged the Subaru STI so well.

5 2004 BMW M3

Yes, we do have a 3-Series on this list, but the M badge gives this one the performance touch of BMW. A 2004, for example, can be found for $20,000, and older for even cheaper. That being said, this car is a hit-or-miss... you can either have one that's premium, well taken care of that will last ages or one that was neglected and will betray you the first chance it gets. The benefits make it worth finding the good ones, however, because these manual coupes and sedans can do 0-60 in under 4 seconds making it one of the very fastest on this list!

4 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Finding a 2013-and-up Ford Mustang GT for under $20,000 isn’t easy, but there are a few out there. With ever-so-slightly refreshed styling, this GT has a significantly meaner-looking front fascia, thanks to those massive grille-embedded fog lights. Under the hood is the monstrous 5.0L V8, which was increased over the outgoing model and makes 420 hp as well as a tail-spinning 380 lb-ft of torque.

Unlike some competition, the Mustang can still squeeze in 2 smaller adults in the second row but lacks any real frills within its relatively drab interior. For those who are unconvinced that bells and whistles add any real purpose to the driving experience, this older-generation Mustang GT is sure to excite.

3 2008 Chevrolet Camaro SS

As far as rivalries go, none have been as exciting to see unfold as the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. Having already covered the Mustang GT as a great all-American muscle car, let’s look at the equally exhilarating Camaro SS.

Starting at just $26,900 for the base model, you're likely to find the older-generation sport-tuned trim for sub-$20,000. It offers aggressive styling and rear-wheel-drive bliss without the risk of poor handling or steering. The Camaro SS features a sultry 6.2L V8 that produces 426 hp and is paired to either a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission. About the only drawback is poor rear-window visibility, making it a challenge to see the dust you’ll leave envious onlookers in. If you wanted a brand-new one and could spare $5,000 more, there is a four-cylinder option for $25,000 brand new.

2 Porsche Boxster S

The epitome and pinnacle of success, as measured by most, is to own a Porsche. It matters not whether your purse strings can only afford a pre-owned model. To that end, look no further than the second-generation Boxster, which bears only minuscule visual differences with the first generation: headlights and larger intake vents.

Finding a 2011-2012 Boxster for under $20,000 should be simple, and for that, you get a base 2.7L flat-six engine, or, if you’re fortunate enough to find one, the Boxster S gets you a 3.4L V6 with 276 hp. As far as marriages go, Porsche offers about the best engine-to-transmission relationship out there with the formidable 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual, coined "PDK." That culminates into a brisk 0-60 mph acceleration of just 4.2 seconds, the crispest of crisp shifts, and outstanding handling.

1 Chevrolet Corvette C5

One of the best used cars for under $20,000 is the excellent fifth-generation Chevrolet Corvette, the C5, as it's lovingly known to car fanatics. Produced from 1996 to 2004, Chevrolet totally overhauled the chassis as well as the engine and transmission arrangement to offer more stability and power.

The base trim offers a 5.7L V8 that produces 350 hp and propels the iconic sports car to 60 mph in just over 4 seconds. It was also during this generation, specifically in 2003, that the Corvette hit a famous milestone: a half-century of production. To honor the moment, a 50th Anniversary Edition was released. Even if you can’t get your hands on the limited-edition model, simply owning a 2003 Corvette means you’ve got a real piece of automotive history in your driveway.