The 10 Most Fun Used Sports Cars Under $30k

Discovering an exciting sports activities automobile doesn’t have to empty your financial savings. In in the present day’s used market, a funds of $30,000 opens the door to a powerful vary of efficiency machines that ship pleasure with out the eye-watering price ticket. From nimble coupes to drop-top roadsters, these vehicles show you possibly can take pleasure in real driving enjoyable whereas staying financially wise.

For fanatics, the candy spot usually lies in pre-owned fashions which have already taken their largest depreciation hit. Which means you could find autos with sharp dealing with, participating transmissions, and highly effective engines for a fraction of their unique sticker value. Whether or not you crave exact cornering, fast acceleration, or simply the enjoyment of an open highway, the choices are surprisingly wealthy.

This information highlights ten of the very best used sports activities vehicles obtainable for beneath $30,000, chosen for his or her mix of reliability, driver involvement, and pure leisure worth. Every presents a unique taste of efficiency, however all assure a smile each time you get behind the wheel.

To be able to provide the newest and correct data doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with TopSpeed and the EPA. Fashions are ranked based mostly on their common record value, with all costs sourced from Edmunds.

10

2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK

Common Used Worth: $20,236

Whereas the SL-Class was the extra fascinating roadster within the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the SLK truly did not sit that far behind. For those who’re in search of a luxurious cruiser, then this convertible will go well with you properly. Not solely is it exceptionally fashionable, however it comes very well-equipped for a automobile that’s now ten years outdated.

Efficiency Specs

There are a selection of various powertrains obtainable for the SLK, however probably the most reasonably priced would be the four-cylinder. You could possibly as an alternative take a look at an older or greater mileage SLK 350, with a 302-horsepower V-6, when you’re keen to spend extra of the $30,000 funds. The SLK might not be as centered as a few of its rivals, however it finds a pleasant stability of consolation and sportiness.

9

2016 BMW Z4

Common Used Worth: $23,863

Direct competitors to the SLK, the BMW Z4. It might not be as onerous edged as a few of the German model’s different sporting vehicles, however it delivers greater than sufficient thrills by way of twisty sections of highway. What we love in regards to the Z4 is simply how versatile it’s, with it being a fairly simple automobile to drive day by day.

Efficiency Specs

The Z4 is available in three totally different flavors, with the four-cylinder sDrive28i being probably the most reasonably priced. For those who’re after some extra energy, BMW does supply an inline-six, producing 300 horsepower within the sDrive35i and 335 horsepower within the sDrive35is. We might go for the center of the pack mannequin for the very best stability of affordability and efficiency.

8

2020 BMW 2-Collection

Common Used Worth: $25,292

Whereas the Z4 is interesting to those that desire a basic roadster, the 2-Collection higher appeals to these after a 2+2 coupe. It’s the more practical sports car. It’s simply one of the participating trendy coupe on the market and delivers a fantastically rewarding driving expertise.

Efficiency Specs

Essentially the most reasonably priced model of the 2020 2-Collection Coupe is the 230i, which comes with a fairly spectacular and environment friendly four-cylinder engine. For those who had been desirous to nab your self a M240i with the 335-horsepower turbocharged inline-six, you’d possible have to interrupt funds, however solely by a number of hundred {dollars}.

7

2004 Honda S2000

Common Used Worth: $25,815

For a lot of, the S2000 is the holy grail of driver’s cars. For those who’re an fanatic in search of a pure and analog driving expertise, you are not going to search out significantly better than this Honda roadster. Whereas later mannequin years fetch greater costs, you will get the primary mannequin 12 months of the second technology for properly inside our funds.

Efficiency Specs

For the second technology of the S2000, Honda dialed issues in even additional within the efficiency division. The primary improve was a bigger and extra highly effective four-cylinder engine. Whereas it might not have been as highly effective as a few of the different vehicles on this record, its sub-3,000-pound curb weight helps it really feel lots perky.

6

2020 Ford Mustang

Common Used Worth: $27,955

The Mustang has all the time been top-of-the-line vehicles when you’re in search of the best quantity of energy to your cash. They’re incredible worth, particularly on the used market, and the large availability of components makes them a very easy and reasonably priced automobile to take automobile of. You can too select between the coupe styling or get your self a convetible.

Efficiency Specs

Individuals nonetheless dunk on the Ecoboost Mustang as a result of it would not have a V-8, however we expect its foolish to disregard simply how good the entry-level powertrain actually is. For those who actually need to get your self a V-8, you are going to have to return a great couple of mannequin years for it to value lower than $30,000.

5

2018 Audi TT

Common Used Worth: $28,118

It’s far too usually that the Audi TT will get missed within the dialog about reasonably priced sports activities vehicles. It might be a small and nimble sports activities automobile, however its cabin is well-equipped, and it rides significantly better than you’d count on. You’ll be able to go from snug cruising to excessive engagement canyon carving in a coronary heart beat.

Efficiency Specs

The usual Audi TT comes with the two-liter TFSI engine, producing greater than sufficient energy to get it off the road shortly. The TTS will get a 292 horsepower engine as an alternative, however you could have to make some compromises to search out one inside your funds. Whereas engaging, the TT RS might be out of funds most often.

4

2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Common Used Worth: $28,152

Arguably one of the beloved nameplates within the automotive world, the MX-5 is a real driver’s automobile. Its philosophy of pure, uncompromised driving has captured the hearts of fanatics for generations. Whereas any Miata is an efficient Miata, shopping for a more recent mannequin comes with the advantages of higher assist and an extended lifespan.

Efficiency Specs

The MX-5 shouldn’t be a automobile you purchase if you wish to go extremely quick. The present ND technology is certainly faster than its predecessors, however its actual attraction is its uncooked driving dynamics. It’s sharp and keen, able to deal with any variety of corners with confidence. Above every part else, the Miata is all about enjoyable.

3

2023 Subaru BRZ

Common Used Worth: $28,248

After fairly a very long time of Mazda dominating the small sports activities automobile market, Subaru and Toyota teamed as much as create the BRZ and the 86. The 2 are mechanically the identical, however the Subaru badge means you get a slight low cost on the used market. It simply challenges the Miata with a incredible driving expertise.

Efficiency Specs

Beneath the hood of the BRZ is a fairly properly calibrated horizontally opposed engine. It’s extra highly effective than the MX-5, which means it is a bit faster off the road regardless of weighing extra. The place the Miata is likely to be the marginally extra enjoyable automobile to drive, the BRZ is the extra centered machine.

2

2020 Nissan 370Z

Common Used Worth: $29,818

The 370Z is a incredible sports activities automobile with a extremely highly effective engine for the worth you pay. The 2020 mannequin 12 months was the final, earlier than the brand new Z took over, and we expect it is positively price taking a look at older fashions to get a greater value. Remember that, though the 2020 is simply 5 years outdated, it was already a fairly dated automobile again then.

Efficiency Specs

The 370Z shouldn’t be a automobile that can really feel notably centered or participating. Whereas it’s a modern, low-profile Japanese coupe, it is higher to consider it as a muscle automobile. You get a ton of energy, and it feels very responsive and keen while you put your foot down. That is additionally a terrific automobile to get when you’re in search of one thing to show right into a drift automobile.

1

2007 Chevrolet Corvette

Common Used Worth: $29,833

The Corvette has all the time been a supercar killer. Regardless of a comparatively humble price ticket, it throws down efficiency that’s on half with vehicles tens of 1000’s of {dollars} dearer. The C6 appears to be like the half too, with styling that’s on par with a few of the most unique automobile on the market.

Efficiency Specs

Getting the extra highly effective and extra fascinating Z06 is likely to be properly exterior our funds, however for $30,000 you actually cannot complain in regards to the base mannequin’s efficiency. It is likely to be outdated now, however it nonetheless places out efficiency that’s on par with rather more costly trendy vehicles. It additionally handles corners as properly at it does the quarter mile.