Yeah, we know that you want a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series after we told you just how awesome it is. Unfortunatly, you, like us, probably can't afford it. We'd be happy with half the performance, at a 20th of the price.
Luckily, those cars for the proletariat do exist. You can get speed, style, and handling for a price that can be afforded by people who aren't named "Drake." Here are our picks for 10 Great Used Sports Cars for Less Than $10,000.
- Mitsubishi 3000GT
The Mitsubishi 3000GT doesn't seem to get as much love as it should from the import-obsessed crowd, and that is good for us. Why? Because that means that a 3000GT can be found for cheap, and we love twin-turbo V6s and AWD on sleek coupes. Be warned though, this is not a tall man's car. I'm 6'1" and I straight up just don't fit.
- Nissan 350Z
The 350Z is a great little sportscar, with a smooth V6 and lively handling, and while a new 370Z might be getting a little too expensive for most people at this point, a decent 350Z can be had for a much easier to attain $10k. We love the small size, which adds to the maneuverability, and the fact that you can get a modern, 300-ish horsepower for this cheap is awesome.
- V8 F-Body Camaro
Want power? Yes, of course you do. The same goes for that wonderful American V8 sound, and cheap parts for when your aging performance car decides that it's going to fire the whole transmission out the exhaust even though that doesn't make any sense.
If that's what you want, a V8 F-Body Camaro will be your new best friend. Just ask our own Tony Markovich if you want to hear someone sing praise about this car.
- BMW Z3
The BMW Z3 was a brilliant car. Yes, the Z4 can be had with newer technology, but the tiny size and brilliant chassis of the Z3 make it a true classic. Rear drive, a quick-revving engine, and a manual transmission all work together to make the driver a very happy person.
The added bonus is that you're not going to find a cheaper car that James Bond drove.
- Honda S2000
We've taken to calling the S2000 the "dearly departed" because we wish Honda still made this awesome roadster so much. It was tiny, it was light, and it came with an engine that, at the time produced more naturally aspirated horsepower per liter than any other engine in the world. That little I4 wasn't beaten until Ferrari released the 458 Italia.
That and we love any car that revs all the way up to 8,800 rpms.
- E36 BMW M3
Yeah, this is the golden standard of cheap sports cars. It's precise, produces enough power to be seriously fun, built on a brilliant chassis, lightweight, comes with a fantastic manual transmission, and has awesome steering feel. This was when BMWs really were "ultimate driving machines." The fact that the internet has spawned a cult of E36 also really help for finding spare parts and owner's advice.
Some E36 M3s that have been restored or carefully maintained are fetching upwards of $30,000, but if you look hard enough you can find a decent high-milage one for ten grand.
- Subaru WRX
Rallycross is one of the most accessible and cheapest kinds of motorsport to engage in, as long as you have a car that's tough enough to handle it. The WRX will happily tear up some dirt courses at your local rallycross events, do quite well on a track, and even be genuinely practical, especially if you get a hatchback. Race-bred, four doors, and a lot of cargo capacity; this one is for the badass dads out there.
Be careful though, a lot of WRXs have been hooned really hard, so be sure to get a good inspection before dropping $10k on one.
- Porsche Boxster
Yeah, $10k for a Porsche can be done. Not only do you get a smooth flat-six engine behind your seats and really, really crisp handling, but you also get a car that works. Porsche is regularly listed as one of the world's most reliable automakers by Consumer Reports, and that means that this $10k sports car is probably actually just a damn good buy.
- Mazda Miata
You knew this was coming. The Miata is a well-made, reliable little roadster that handles brilliantly and has tons of tuning potential. If sporty isn't enough for you, we've even seen race-ready Spec Miatas on eBay for under $5,000. You could go racing with the SCCA for a few grand.
- Mazda RX-7 or RX-8
Want a powerful, high-strung maniac of a car that will probably cost you a significant amount of money in the long run but will smoke much, much more expensive cars? Get a Mazda RX-7.
Want a good sports car with decent power and great handling that won't cost you as much in the long run that has two doors and two half doors? get a Mazda RX-8.
Seriously, both are great cars, and the novelty of the Wankle engine never wears off.
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