Depreciation might be the enemy of the new car buyer, but it’s definitely a close ally if you’re buying used. And, as our list of the best cheap sports cars shows, you can buy some very tempting metal for not a lot of cash.
There’s something for everyone here – front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, coupes, roadsters, hatchbacks – but what all these cars have in common is character and a level of driver involvement that makes them truly engaging. Beware, though, because there are a lot of poorly maintained examples at the cheaper end of the sports car market, so do your research carefully and have any prospective purchase inspected by an independent professional for peace of mind.
Of course, the kind of money we’re talking about here is never going to buy you something with a high performance V8 engine, or the sports car pedigree of a Ferrari or Lotus. However, read on to discover a collection of used sports car gems that can deliver maximum fun for minimum outlay.
Best Cheap Sports Cars 2023
- Under £2,000: MINI Cooper (2001-2006)
- Under £2,000: Toyota Celica mk7 (1999-2006)
- Under £3,000: Hyundai Coupe (2001-2008)
- Under £3,000: Mazda MX-5 Mk2 (1998-2005)
- Under £3,000: Toyota MR2 Mk3 (1999-2007)
- Under £5,000: Audi TT (1998-2006)
- Under £7,000: Porsche Boxster 986 (1996-2004)
- Under £7,000: Ford Fiesta ST (2012-2017)
- Under £8,000: BMW 330Ci E46 (2000-2006)
- Under £9,000: Nissan 350Z (2002-2009)
Under £2,000: MINI Cooper (2001-2006)
No, it doesn’t look like an affordable sports car, and it's not quite a hot hatchback, but don’t let that you put off as the first (BMW) generation of MINI Cooper certainly drives like a performance car and serves up driving thrills that you just don’t expect at this price tag. With 114bhp from its 1.6-litre engine, it’s not the fastest car in a straight line, but it more than makes up for this when you encounter some corners, feeling very light on its toes and responsive.
You might just find the more powerful Cooper S hot hatch at this price point, but don’t be tempted. It’ll be on its last legs, so it's much better to take your time and find a nice Cooper, and there are lots to choose from. Don’t get too hung up on which options a car has or on a particular colour combination: just buy the best you can afford and one that looks like it’s benefitted from some regular expenditure.
While the MINI Cooper is an absolute hoot to drive, they can be costly to maintain, with the main weak point being the gearbox and the clutch. Your best bet is a car manufactured from July 2004 onwards, which has a much more durable Getrag gearbox. Other points to check are the cooling system and leaky radiators.
MINI Cooper Review
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Under £2,000: Toyota Celica mk7 (1999-2006)
If you’re looking for arresting styling and an enjoyable driving experience on a limited budget, you can’t go too far wrong with Toyota’s Celica. Produced from 1999-2006, there were effectively two models, both fitted with a 1.8-litre engine, with the VVTi developing 138bhp, while the VVTLi offered a more invigorating 188bhp. While you might think the latter model is the one to go for, the additional power could only be accessed over 6,000rpm, so in day to day driving there’s very little difference.
With neat styling and a low slung driving position it feels suitably sporty, and with a slick gearchange and tidy handling, it’s fun to hustle along, too. In many ways, think of this car as an early precursor to cars like the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ. The interior is a little drab and plasticky, and while it does have rear seats, they’re very small so adults won’t feel comfortable back there. For our budget, your Toyota might be a little tired but they’re surprisingly durable: it’s a Toyota, after all.
Watch for problems with oil pumps and valve springs, and check it’s not going rusty underneath that pretty body.
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Under £3,000: Hyundai Coupe (2001-2008)
These days, Hyundai is accepted as a mainstream manufacturer and cars such as the i30 N demonstrate its growing confidence, but 20 years ago when the Coupe was launched, Hyundai wasn’t so well respected. But the car soon made a name for itself with svelte styling, a decent interior and surprisingly good road manners.
Three different engine sizes were available – 1.6- and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines, along with a 2.7-litre V6 – but it’s the 2.0-litre engine that’s the sweet spot of the range. The 1.6 is just a little too pedestrian while the V6 now falls into the highest VED bracket, which means you could spend almost as much on annual road tax as you do on buying the car. The 2.0-litre model also has a leather interior that was an option on the 1.6, which lifts the interior ambiance.
The Coupe was a fun car to hustle along, with nicely-weighted, accurate steering and a neutral chassis balance. Check a prospective purchase for a good history: oil change intervals shouldn’t be stretched, and the cambelt requires replacement every five years or 50,000 miles. Underneath, check for rusty brake pipes and wheel arches, although the Coupe does resist rust quite well for a car of this age.
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Under £3,000: Mazda MX-5 Mk2 (1998-2005)
Had we been contemplating budget best sports cars a few years ago then the first-generation Mazda MX-5 (also known as the Miata) would have been at the top of our list, but it’s developed a cult following and classic status, meaning prices are on the up. Which leaves us with this, the second-generation MX-5, known as the NB.
It’s not quite as sharp or as satisfying to drive as the first generation, but with a wonderful rear-wheel-drive balance, plenty of steering feel and a sweet manual transmission, it’s still among the most involving two-seater sports cars to drive. Two engines were available, 1.6- and a 1.8-litre four-cylinder units. It’s the latter we’d recommend: because the car has a pretty modest kerb weight, its 138bhp is more than enough power to have plenty of fun with.
It’s not all good news, though. The MX-5 NB has developed a reputation for pretty rampant rust issues, so don’t use the entire budget buying your MX-5 as it’s good to have some money in reserve for the inevitable rust repairs. Sills rust from the inside out, so it’s hard to spot, while front chassis rails and rear arches also succumb to tin worm. Look for evidence of regular oil changes and note that the cambelt needs replacing at 60,000 miles. Above all, buy the best you can afford without getting too hung up on colours or specification.
Mazda MX-5 Mk2 Review
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Under £3,000: Toyota MR2 Mk3 (1999-2007)
The third generation of Toyota MR2 has all the right ingredients to make it the perfect little sports car, but for some reason, it’s never captured the imagination in the same way as Mazda’s iconic MX-5. But that’s great news for the savvy used buyer as it means you can have a super little soft-top on your driveway for minimal outlay: no need to spend your entire budget on an MR2.
It’s mid-engined so has virtually perfect balance, and thanks to tipping the scales at less than a tonne, its 138bhp 1.8-litre engine will accelerate the MR2 from 0-62mph in less than eight seconds. It’s a sweet engine, too, with double overhead camshafts and 16-valves, and thanks to a limited slip differential, it puts its power down to the road very effectively and that makes the MR2 an entertaining car to drive. It’ll be nine-tenths the fun of a Porsche Boxster or BMW Z4, but nowhere near nine-tenths of the price. It’ll easily do 35mpg, too, which is another feather in its cap.
Downsides include a very modest luggage capacity and a tendency for the pre-catalyst in the exhaust manifold to break up and enter the engine: the best course of action is to fit a de-cat manifold. Other foibles include a front steering joint that makes for jerky steering and a rear subframe that has a tendency to go rusty, causing the MR2 to fail its MOT test.
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Under £5,000: Audi TT (1998-2006)
It is possible to buy a first-generation Audi TT for far less than our budget, but to our mind, you’re much better off spending a bit more and getting a car that’s been well maintained that will put a big smile on your face, rather than being a constant source of heart (or rather, wallet) break.
Launched in 1998, the TT was a huge hit for Audi, with most commentators reckoning it was one of the best cars to drive that the company had produced, being built on the same platform as the contemporary Volkswagen Golf. The range eventually encompassed front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, coupe and roadster body styles, and a somewhat bewildering array of power outputs from its turbocharged 1.8-litre engine. There was also a 3.2-litre V6 version but that’s out of our price range. Buy the best you can afford and don’t desperately worry about finding a higher powered version, because all TTs are fun to drive.
Look for oil leaks on the engine and make sure the cambelt has been replaced every six years or 60,000 miles, and that the turbo isn't on its last legs. Suspension parts can take a beating so listen for clonks or knocks and be mindful how the clutch operates as they tend to have a 60,000-mile lifespan.
Audi TT Mk1 Review
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Under £7,000: Porsche Boxster 986 (1996-2004)
You can buy a Porsche Boxster for less than £7,000, but you need to be very careful as there are a lot of neglected cars at this end of the market. Find a good one, though, and you will be buying into one of the finest driving experiences at any price point, supercars included.
The Boxster made its debut in 1996 and featured a 201bhp 2.5-litre flat-six engine for a 6.9-second 0-62mph time, but it wasn’t so much the performance that thrilled drivers, it was the poise and balance of its chassis. During its production run the entry-level Boxster would receive an enlarged 2.7-litre engine, and an S model was also produced with a 3.2-litre capacity and 250bhp. At this price point, though, we’d recommend looking for a 2.5-litre car as the earlier engine has proved a little more durable than the later ones.
Despite Porsche’s reputation for reliability, the Boxster’s engine is a little fragile, with leaky rear main oil seals, worn intermediate shaft bearings and cracked bore liners all occurring in significant numbers. The parts aren’t expensive, but labour costs will run into thousands. Have any prospective purchase checked by a Porsche specialist: it’ll be money well spent. Buy a good one, and you can sit back and enjoy one of the finest driver’s cars of all time.
Porsche Boxster Review
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Under £7,000: Ford Fiesta ST (2012-2017)
The Ford Fiesta shows just how bonkers the automotive world can be at times. It’s been the UK’s best-selling car for as long as anyone can remember, with gazillions of the things sold, and yet the model was recently put out to pasture by Ford so the firm’s factories could concentrate on building the Puma SUV. No room for nostalgia in the modern-day car world, it would seem.
The Fiesta as always been a very sharp car to drive, and the nameplate has also been responsible for some fairly game-changing hot hatch variants, and this Mk6 generation of the Fiesta ST was arguably the historical highlight. With just 180 horsepower from its turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine, it didn’t have the outright power of contemporary rivals such as the Peugeot 208 GTI or Renaultsport Clio, let alone bigger, badder hot hatches like the Honda Civic Type R. But it wasn’t about that. The ST was about the sensation and engagement you felt when the road turned twisty, thanks to its balanced, adjustable chassis and its pin-sharp steering, and delivering all that for a price that was realistic for most buyers.
Prices look even more tempting today, when looking at one of these on the used market, and you’ll also notice that the ST is the newest car on our list, and by some considerable distance. This should help provide some peace-of-mind over reliability, but we’d still recommend getting any potential purchase looked over by an independent technician.
Ford Fiesta Review
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Under £8,000: BMW 330Ci E46 (2000-2006)
As an accomplished all-rounder, BMW’s E46 3 Series Coupe is hard to beat in the used sports cars category. It utilises a formula that BMW has been perfecting for decades – svelte styling, an entertaining chassis and some superb straight-six petrol engines – all wrapped up in a package that’s both well-built and surprisingly practical.
Engines in the E46 3 Series Coupe came in all shapes and sizes but the most performance orientated of these is the 330Ci with 228bhp, a sub-seven second 0-62mph time and a top speed of 155mph. With rear-wheel drive, a slick six-speed manual gearbox and a chassis that offers engagement as well as a comfortable ride, the BMW E46 has all the right ingredients for sports car thrills.
You can find cheap ones for sale, but it’s better to spend a little more to bag a good one, and if you can’t quite stretch to a 330Ci then the slightly less powerful (189bhp) 325Ci is also a good choice. BMW build quality is generally pretty good but you need to watch for rust on an E46 coupe: front and rear wheel arches can suffer and sills are vulnerable, too. Mechanically these cars are strong, but cooling systems need to be checked carefully with water pumps, radiators and thermostat housings all being weak points. Look for a full service history and signs of recent expenditure for hassle free ownership.
BMW 3 Series E46 Review
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Under £9,000: Nissan 350Z (2002-2009)
If you’re worried whether we’re going to be able to enjoy our sports cars in the coming years as EVs and hybrids become the norm, then it might be time to invest in a Nissan 350Z, one of the last of the old school performance cars.
It takes its styling cues from Datsun’s Z cars and feels suitably retro – with an almost muscle car feel – although there’s nothing retro about its performance, with its 0-62mph time just dipping under six seconds.
The engine’s a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine with 276bhp and it’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. With entertaining handling and a decent ride along with a sonorous exhaust note, it certainly ticks all the sports car boxes. It doesn't major on practicality, with a fairly small boot and a tight cabin, but the interior is well laid out and the GT package adds plenty of equipment.
It’s also proved to be a reliable and durable machine – it’s Japanese after all – and the punchy V6 has proved to be dependable provided servicing hasn’t been skimped on and oil change schedules have been adhered to. Earlier units can suffer from excess oil consumption, though. Otherwise it’s a case of listening for knocks from the suspension and checking the underside for rust.
Nissan 350Z Review
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