If you’re looking for a stylish, fun-to-drive coupe or convertible and your budget reaches its limit at $30,000, you have a lot of great options. From American muscle cars to European luxury cars, $30,000 can go a long way when shopping for a used sports car.
Here are the 10 best used sports cars you can find on Autotrader under $30,000.
1. 2014 Audi TT
The Audi TT is a stylish, luxurious grand touring car as competent in the corners as it is in long-distance cruising. It’s loaded with desirable standard features like quattro all-wheel drive, Bose premium audio, and much more. It also has top-notch interior quality adding to its value. See Audi TT models for sale
2. 2014 BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is a sporty 2-seater that actually has decent seating space. The luxurious interior makes it feel more expensive than it actually is on the used market. This luxury sports car is comfortable enough to drive every day, making it more practical than you might expect. See BMW Z4 models for sale
3. 2018 Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevy Camaro is pretty affordable when new, so it’s not hard to find a used model at this price point. No matter which engine is under the hood, the Camaro is enjoyable to drive, and its muscular styling turns heads. It also comes with one of the most user-friendly infotainment systems in any sports car. See Chevrolet Camaro models for sale
4. 2010 Chevrolet Corvette
The Corvette to buy in this price range is the C6 generation. It has a stellar standard V8 engine delivering outstanding performance even by today’s standards, and it has a strong reliability record. This Corvette continues the nameplate’s legacy as a highly appealing alternative to a much more expensive exotic sports car. See Chevrolet Corvette models for sale
5. 2018 Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang got a mid-cycle refresh in 2018, making it a good model year to shop for. The Mustang has a well-deserved reputation as a stylish performance car that’s a blast to drive at a great value. Most Mustang models you find in this price range have the turbocharged EcoBoost engine, which is powerful and efficient. See Ford Mustang models for sale
6. 2015 Lexus RC
The Lexus RC is a sporty luxury rear-wheel-drive coupe that’s available with all-wheel drive. It has impressive agility and, in classic Lexus fashion, outstanding safety scores. The infotainment system has a learning curve, but this is a great luxury sports car once you figure it out. See Lexus RC models for sale
7. 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The lightweight Mazda MX-5 Miata is an icon in the world of affordable sports cars because of its sheer bang-for-the-buck factor. It’s easy to argue that no other car offers as much fun for the money as the Miata because of its superb handling, lively engine, and attainable pricing. The ND generation delivers modern tech features while retaining the Miata’s character. See Mazda MX-5 Miata models for sale
8. 2016 Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z has eye-catching styling that still looks futuristic today. It doesn’t just look cool — the strong V6 under the hood delivers satisfying performance. You could also consider this a grand touring car because of its smooth ride and premium available features. See Nissan 370Z models for sale
9. 2011 Porsche Boxster
A used Boxster is the best value for drivers who want a Porsche sports car on a modest budget. You can get one for under $30,000 that still feels like a modern luxury sports car with the engaging performance to match. If you’ve always wanted a Porsche, this is a good way to get into the club. See Porsche Boxster models for sale
10. 2018 Subaru BRZ
You might associate the Subaru brand with all-wheel-drive crossover SUVs, but the BRZ is something different. It’s a small, stylish, agile sports car. The handling is excellent and the interior is pretty nice, especially if you get one with the available 7-inch infotainment system introduced in 2018. See Subaru BRZ models for sale
I’ll take 10 Shelby 500’s for under 30,000🤣🤣😂
I’ve been watching Corvette’s for over a year now looking for that “right” one. I’ve yet to find a 2010 ‘Vette for under $30k unless it was a base model and had over 100k miles on.
It seems Corvette owners think their’s is worth anywhere from $3k – $10k more than Edmunds, Kelly, NADA, Hagerty, etc. indicate they are.
So far in the last year, I’ve found one that met my requirements at a fair price and that was a 2004 model from a private seller in my state of MI. The several others that met my needs were priced far above their real value.
Your article may be correct with the other vehicles listed, but I find it not so true when it comes to the Corvette.