Cheap Thrills, but in a Good Way
If driving thrills on a budget is your jam, these cheap sports cars deliver adrenaline without emptying your wallet. Reliable, fun, and often surprisingly stylish, they prove that you don’t need a seven-figure garage to feel like a hero behind the wheel. Buckle up!
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The MX-5 Miata is the poster child for affordable fun. Lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and with a grin-inducing manual gearbox, it’s perfect for twisty roads and sunny weekends. Even older NA and NB models are reliable and cheap to maintain.
Toyota MR2
Toyota’s mid-engine MR2 offers exotic handling at a bargain price. The AW11 is nimble and retro-cool, the SW20 packs a turbocharged punch, and the ZZW30 is a fun, reliable roadster. Rear-wheel drive and perfect weight balance mean the MR2 rewards skilled hands.
Honda S2000
The S2000 is a high-revving, naturally aspirated masterpiece. With a screaming engine and perfect chassis, it’s pure driver-focused joy. Older models can be found under $10K with patience, and while parts aren’t the cheapest, the thrill of a top-down, 9000-RPM sprint makes every penny worth it.
Nissan 350Z
Affordable, rear-wheel drive, and packing plenty of grunt, the 350Z is a modern classic. Its V6 roars and its chassis grips, giving the feeling of a serious sports car without a stratospheric price tag. With a bit of maintenance savvy, the 350Z can provide years of reliable fun!
Ford Mustang (SN95/New Edge/2005–2010)
Mustang magic meets affordable muscle. The SN95 and New Edge models give retro charm, while the 2005-2010 generation blends modern comfort with classic V8 brawn. Rear-wheel drive, plenty of torque, and a chassis that loves a twisty road make it ideal for weekend warriors.
Chevrolet Camaro (fourth/fifth Generation)
The Camaro gives pony car thrills without the price! Fourth and fifth-generation models balance classic style with solid performance, boasting V6 and V8 options that are cheap to maintain. The car isn’t just about straight-line speed - it’s a statement on the street.
Subaru BRZ
Lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and designed for handling, the Subaru BRZ is a driver’s car with modern reliability. Its boxer engine keeps the center of gravity low, making every corner feel effortless. While turbo versions are rarer, the naturally aspirated BRZ still delivers grin-inducing performance and excellent bang-for-buck fun.
Toyota 86
The Toyota 86 is basically the BRZ’s twin, tuned with a slightly different flair. Affordable, balanced, and fun, it rewards smooth driving and clever cornering. Its modest power encourages skill over brute force, and the car’s lightweight nature makes it feel alive.
BMW Z3
The Z3 combines classic BMW charm with fun open-top driving. Its straight-six engines are lively, rear-wheel drive delivers smiles around corners, and parts are generally accessible. While older models need some love to avoid maintenance surprises, a well-kept Z3 provides a sporty, stylish, and surprisingly affordable roadster experience.
BMW Z4
The Z4 takes the Z3 formula and adds modern lines and slightly bigger dimensions. Rear-wheel drive, excellent steering feel, and a range of engines mean it’s both usable daily and exciting on weekends. Affordable models are out there if you hunt carefully!
Porsche Boxster (986/987)
The Boxster is a budget way into Porsche thrills. Mid-engine balance, sharp handling, and flat-six sounds make it feel far more exotic than its price. The 986 and 987 generations are now surprisingly affordable, though maintenance isn’t Toyota-cheap. Still, few cars deliver this level of precision and pedigree for so little money.
Audi TT (Mk1/Mk2)
The TT may look like a style statement, but it hides genuine sports car fun. The Mk1 is a retro-futuristic icon, while the Mk2 sharpened handling and performance. With turbo engines, Quattro grip, and a cockpit that still feels premium, a TT offers German coupe thrills at hatchback prices.
Nissan 240SX
Beloved by drifters, the 240SX is lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and endlessly tunable. Its balanced chassis makes it a joy on twisty roads, and parts support is huge thanks to its cult following. Stock examples are rare, but a well-kept 240SX is still one of the most fun, affordable sports coupes ever built.
Ford Fiesta ST (2002–2012)
Proof that hot hatches can be proper sports cars, the Fiesta ST delivers massive fun in a tiny package. Agile, cheap to run, and with enough punch to keep you grinning, it’s a go-kart with number plates. It’s one of the best bang-for-buck driving experiences of the last two decades.
Mini Cooper S (R53/R56)
Cheeky, quick, and full of character, the Cooper S packs fun handling into a stylish little body. The R53’s supercharged engine is a hoot, while the R56’s turbo engine brings more mid-range punch. Affordable to buy and easy to park, the Cooper S proves small cars can deliver big driving thrills.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Golf GTI is the original hot hatch refined. The Mk4 brought affordability, the Mk5 perfected the formula with sharper handling, and the Mk6 kept the fun alive. Turbo engines, excellent steering, and everyday usability make the GTI one of the best all-round cheap sports cars ever.
Pontiac Solstice
Pontiac’s Solstice was short-lived but sweet. A sharp little roadster with bold styling, it’s rear-wheel drive fun at a bargain price. The GXP version adds turbocharged punch, but even base models deliver joy with top-down cruising and solid handling. Cheap to buy and rare enough to feel special, the Solstice is an overlooked gem.
Fiat 124 Spider (first-Gen & Abarth Versions)
The Fiat 124 Spider shares bones with the Mazda MX-5 but brings Italian flair. Light, nimble, and available with a zesty turbo engine in Abarth guise, it’s a great cheap alternative to the Miata. It’s reliable enough for daily use but stylish enough to turn heads.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Hyundai’s Genesis Coupe surprised enthusiasts with real performance chops. Rear-wheel drive, solid engines (including a turbo four and a strong V6), and bold styling make it a proper sports coupe contender. Prices have dropped into bargain territory, but the driving experience still feels exciting.
Dodge Neon SRT-4
Don’t let the Neon name fool you: the SRT-4 is a turbocharged pocket rocket. With over 200 horsepower and a stripped-back interior, it’s raw and rowdy fun. Affordable to buy and mod, the SRT-4 delivers shockingly quick performance for the money.
Mitsubishi Eclipse (2nd/3rd Generation)
The Eclipse blended style and speed, especially in its turbocharged GSX guise with all-wheel drive. The 2nd-gen is a ’90s tuner icon, while the 3rd-gen softened into a cruiser but remains cheap fun. With plenty of aftermarket support and “Fast & Furious” nostalgia, the Eclipse still shines.
Mercury Capri (1991–1994)
Often overlooked, the Capri is a quirky, affordable roadster. Built in Australia and sold in the U.S., it brought Mazda MX-5 DNA with Ford touches. Available as a turbo, it delivered spunky performance and convertible joy at low cost. Today it’s a left-field choice for bargain hunters.
Honda Prelude (5th/6th Generation)
The Prelude mixed Honda reliability with real sports coupe appeal. The 5th-gen was sharp and elegant, while the 6th (Japan-only) evolved into a rarer sight. Strong VTEC engines, precise handling, and underrated style make the Prelude a budget driver’s dream.
Ford Focus ST (2005–2011)
The Mk2 Focus ST, known as the “ST225,” packs a turbocharged five-cylinder engine with a soundtrack that could belong to a supercar. Affordable, tunable, and grin-inducing on twisty roads, it’s a hot hatch that punches far above its weight.
Renault Clio RS
France’s gift to budget speed demons, the Clio RS is sharp, rev-happy, and thrilling. Light, agile, and bursting with personality, it’s one of the most beloved hot hatches ever made. Cheap to buy in Europe, with motorsport pedigree baked in, the Clio RS delivers pure driver joy for pennies on the pound.
Peugeot 208 GTi
Peugeot’s GTi legacy lives on in the 208 GTi. Small, nimble, and turbocharged, it’s a modern hot hatch that blends daily usability with playful performance. Affordable in today’s market and refreshingly light compared to rivals, the 208 GTi is proof Peugeot still knows how to make fun, cheap sports cars.
Vauxhall Astra GTC
Often overlooked, the Astra GTC offers sharp looks and lively handling at bargain prices. In hotter trims like the VXR, it delivers serious turbo punch and cornering grip, while still being practical enough for daily life. The GTC’s a budget-friendly way into hot hatch territory without breaking the bank.
Alfa Romeo Spider (916)
Italian style for pennies? Yes, please. The Alfa Spider 916 delivers striking looks and soulful engines in a cheap package. While it’s front-wheel drive, the balance and feel keep it engaging, and top-down motoring makes it irresistible. Maintenance can be quirky, but when it’s running right, few budget sports cars feel this special.
MG F / MG TF
The MG F and later MG TF are mid-engine British roadsters that bring fun at a very low price. Affordable to buy, playful to drive, and easy to work on, they’re a great entry into sports car ownership. Quirky, charming, and best enjoyed roof-down, they’re pure fun per dollar.
Toyota Celica (6th/7th Generation)
The Celica evolved from rally hero to sleek front-drive coupe. The 6th-gen had muscular styling, while the 7th-gen was lighter and more agile, especially in high-revving GT-S trim. Affordable, reliable, and fun to throw around, the Celica offers sporty thrills without the sports-car price tag.
Nissan 300ZX (Z32)
The Z32 300ZX brought twin-turbo muscle and stunning looks to the ’90s sports car world. Today, clean ones can be pricey, but project cars still slip through cheaply. Even the non-turbo versions deliver balanced handling and a rewarding drive.
BMW 3 Series Coupe (E36/E46)
The E36 and E46 coupes strike the sweet spot between affordability and driving joy. Rear-wheel drive, smooth inline-six engines, and a chassis built for corners - they’re budget Bavarian fun machines. While M3s fetch big money, the regular 325i/328i/330Ci offer 80-90% of the thrills for a fraction of the price.
Chevrolet Corvette (C4 / C5)
The C4 is America’s bargain supercar: affordable, powerful, and surprisingly capable. The later C5 refined the formula with better handling and reliability, while still being shockingly cheap for the performance on offer. Both generations prove you don’t need Ferrari money for V8 thunder.
Mazda RX-7 (FC/FD)
Rotary engines aren’t for the faint of heart, but the RX-7 offers a driving experience like nothing else. The FC is affordable and tunable, while the FD is more expensive yet still attainable for project hunters. Lightweight, perfectly balanced, and stunningly beautiful, the RX-7 remains one of the most engaging cheap sports cars ever built.
Dodge Challenger (Early V6 / V8 Models)
While Hellcats hog the spotlight, early V6 and V8 Challengers offer muscle car fun for far less cash. They’ve got classic retro styling, comfortable cruising manners, and enough grunt to put a smile on your face. Affordable to find secondhand, they’re proof that American muscle doesn’t always mean breaking the bank.
