10 Undervalued Used Sports Cars You Can Actually Afford, According To Car Expert Doug DeMuro

Don’t have money — like $50,000 or $100,000 — to blow on a sports car?

That doesn’t mean you can’t get behind the wheel of a fun, unique, even exotic sports car — if you’re willing to buy used and double check its condition.

On his YouTube channel, car enthusiast Doug DeMuro broke down ten of his favorite bargains on used sports cars right now. He was quick to note that these cars won’t necessarily appreciate in value, but they do offer great bang for your proverbial buck.

DeMuro listed these in alphabetical order, rather than ranking them. Without further ado, consider taking one of these affordable sports cars out for a test drive.

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Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin makes luxury sports cars and some of their cars tilt more toward either luxury or sport.

The DB9 favors luxury and you’re more likely to find it with an automatic transmission. Even so, it still comes with a purring V12 engine that doesn’t exactly lag.

You can find an early model (mid-to-late 2000s) DB9 in good condition for around $40,000.

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage

The V8 Vantage feels more like a sports car, with a little less beauty and a little more punch. You can more easily find it in a manual transmission and you can buy a similar vintage in the same $40,000 range.

DeMuro notes that Aston Martin suffers an undeserved reputation for poor reliability. When maintained well the DB9 and V8 Vantage both offer better reliability than their reputation. That opens the door for a lower resale price — without leaving it with a mechanic for six months out of the year.

Still, don’t expect perfect reliability either. You’re buying an older model exotic car, so budget for some maintenance costs each year.

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Audi RS5

The Audi RS5 offers plenty of performance for a relatively modest price tag.

You can buy one of these beauties for around $25,000, depending on the condition. For that, you get a 450-horsepower V8 engine with all of the elegance you’d expect from a German luxury automaker.

Audi only produced the original RS5 line for three years in the U.S., from 2013 to 2015. While not “young,” it’s certainly not ancient either and these cars may not require massive maintenance each year.

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Audi TT RS

The Audi TT has a reputation for being a soft car with soft curves, but the RS trim delivers plenty of strength.

Its 360-horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder engine packs in the power you want from a true sports car. You can easily find it in manual transmission, for a muscular, fun, high-performance ride.

BMW E82 1-Series

Living up to BMW’s reputation, the 1-Series offers great handling and performance for the price. And it won’t break the bank, either.

On the low end, you can find an automatic transmission vehicle with high mileage for as little as $10,000. Bump your budget up to $15,000 and you can find a lower-mileage car with manual transmission in better shape.

BMW produced these in the U.S. from the late 2000s through around 2015. Just beware that these cars — and BMWs in general — often come with some maintenance issues. They offer a great option for hobbyists who enjoy tinkering with their cars themselves and don’t mind rolling up their sleeves.

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Chevrolet C5 Corvette Z06

With its V8 engine blasting over 400 horsepower, the C5 Corvette Z06 lives up to its reputation as a fun track car. It offers great cornering and handling to match the powerful engine.

The Chevys are also surprisingly reliable, at least as used sports cars go. You can buy one for around $20,000 and if you’re willing to spend closer to $30,000 you can buy one in outstanding shape.

Dodge Viper RT10

With its distinctive look and massive engine, the Viper RT30 is absolutely a throwback to the ’90s.

Everything about it create a raw automotive experience, from the 450-horsepower V10 engine to the lack of a sturdy roof and windows. That latter means you likely need a garage, as the roof can easily leak.

It’s not the most practical car — but it’s a fun one to drive.

ND Mazda Miata

Like the Audi TT, some people scoff at Miatas. But they clearly don’t know the ND version firsthand.

It’s small and lightweight, which helps the handling. Don’t expect a massive engine, but it’s still a delight to drive.

You can find a manual transmission ND Miata in good condition for around $20,000. Later models pack on some more horsepower and offer a handsome folding hard top roof, but they cost significantly more to buy second hand.

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Nissan 350Z

First released in 2003, the 350Z delivers around 300 horsepower from a V6 engine. It never evolved into an expensive collector’s car, despite the sporty look, strong performance and great reliability.

You can find a manual 350Z for a modest $10,000 today.

996 Porsche 911

Sold from around 1999 to 2005, these classic cars offer a fun, exciting car to drive with sharp steering.

They never became a collector’s favorite like the previous 993 model, which is why you can pick them up relatively cheaply today. For around $15,000 you can find an automatic, while $20,000 can put you into a manual transmission model. At $30,000 you can buy one in great condition.

Just beware that they’re not the most reliable cars in the world — or even on this list. Regardless of which of these cars you explore, do your homework on Carfax before committing to a used sports car.

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