In 2025, it’s super easy to get discouraged and believe that you’ll never be able to afford a cool sports car. Bring a Trailer is selling ’90s whatever cars for six figures. Things have gone crazy. However, there is still hope if you are willing to search for something that hasn’t hit yet.
So don’t think driving a future collectible means you’ve got to sell a kidney. You can snag a car today for under $30,000 that practically gives off collectible vibes — the kind of car that makes other gearheads nod in respect at a stoplight. Strap in, because some of these options won’t stay this cheap for long.
To provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, this article uses data sourced from various manufacturers and authoritative sources. Models are listed from the lowest average used value to the highest.
Mazda RX-8
Average Used Price: $10,000 – $17,000
- Base Trim Engine
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1.3L Rotary Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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212 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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159 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
16/22 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Mazda
- Model
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RX-8
The RX-8 is the wildcard of the list — part fanatic’s dream, part maintenance gamble. Its rotary engine is odd, high-revving, and full of character. And those rear “suicide” doors give it a quirky twist.
Rotaries demand respect: oil, tuning, cooling — you can’t ignore them. But when it’s dialed, the RX-8 offers a silky-smooth powerband and a light, agile chassis that’s rare in cars this cheap. And because they’re already under the radar, you get a bit of “underground classic” status. It’s not a mistake — it’s a character piece. If you like weird, rewarding, evocative machines, this car is for you.
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Nissan 350Z
Average Used Price: $12,500 – $21,000
- Base Trim Engine
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3.5L V6 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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306 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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268 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
18/25 MPG
- Make
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Nissan
- Model
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350Z Coupe
- Segment
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Sports Car
This car is direct, simple, and fun in a visceral way. A V6, rear-drive, manual — none of that hybrid nonsense. It’s raw, loud, and totally fast. You’ll find 350Zs with modded suspension, worn interiors, or straight stock — enough variety to let you pick a sleeper or a show car.
In many markets, they still fall under $20,000, although low-mileage, original cars are already starting to see prices creeping up to $30,000, especially the 2003–2008 models. It’s the kind of car you drive when you want to feel mechanical; to feel the machine, not just the touchscreen and digitized driveline.
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Audi TT Quattro
Average Used Price: $12,000 – $15,000
- Base Trim Engine
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2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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265 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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221 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
21/29 MPG
- Make
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Audi
- Model
-
TTS Coupe
- Segment
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Sports Car
Now we step into “designer cool.” That first-gen Audi TT still looked like it zapped from the future in 2000. Throw in all-wheel drive and turbo punch, and you’ve got a car that’s fun in sun or rain. Something about the look of these cars is captivating.
It’s not a track monster, but it’s an interesting blend: quirky design + solid engineering + enjoyable drives. The rarity and style factor help it feel like a hidden gem rather than a daily driver. It’s the kind of car you drive to coffee so people pause. And that pause — that moment — is part of what collectible status is all about.
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Fiat 124 Spider
Average Used Price: $15,000 – $20,000
- Base Trim Engine
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1.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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160 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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184 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
26/35 MPG
- Make
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Fiat
- Model
-
124 Spider
- Segment
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Sports Car
Sharing its bones with the Miata (though with its own Italian flair), the 124 Spider gives you turbo torque, sharper styling, and a bit more uniqueness for similar money. It’s rarer than a Miata, which helps it feel more “special” at a glance.
Yes, reliability is less predictable (Italian — remember?), but treat it well, and you get a rewarding drive with character. Because fewer were made, fewer survive, which gives it that subtle collectible aura before demand spikes. Not to mention they look like a million bucks.
If you want all the joy of a Miata but with more personality and slightly less “been there, seen that” vibe, this might be your sweet spot. The initial lack of popularity made these rare to find, but they are still cheap. The Spider might be a headache, but it’s the perfect model to hunt and collect.
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Mazda MX-5 Miata
Average Used Price: $15,000 – $25,000
- Base Trim Engine
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2.0L Inline-4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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181 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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151 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
26/34 MPG
- Make
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Mazda
- Model
-
MX-5 Miata
- Segment
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Sports Car
You know the drill: this lightweight, rear-wheel drive, drop-top road blaster should come as no surprise as to why it’s included on this list. The Mazda MX-5 is the blueprint for what a small sports car should be. The simplicity, balance, and joy of driving it make even mundane roads feel epic. It’s not about brute horsepower — it’s about finesse.
It’s also a brilliantly engineered little machine, proving that a sports car doesn’t need to be powerful to be qualified as such.
– William Clavey, TopSpeed journalist
Because Miatas are everywhere and parts are cheap, you can find clean ND, NC, or even older NB examples in the $15,000–$25,000 zone (sometimes dipping below; sometimes creeping above depending on mileage and condition). That makes them one of the best cars you can buy that feels exciting and collectory, but without selling your soul. This is a car you don’t babysit. And when that little engine sings and every bump informs you, it feels like something special, not just another used car.
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BMW Z4
Average Used Price: $16,000 – $25,000
- Base Trim Engine
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3.0L Inline-6 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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255 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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220 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
19/28 MPG
- Make
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BMW
- Model
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Z4 Roadster
- Segment
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Sports Car
Once the price climbs, we’re in borderline territory — but certain E85/E89 BMW Z4s (with decent miles) can still land in the under-$30,000 stratosphere. And for what you get — German flair, responsive chassis, decent performance — it can feel like a bargain collectible.
The styling is classic, the proportions are sporty, and the experience is more mature than the bare-bones models on this list. It’s less raw, more elegant, but still with teeth. It’s a car for someone who wants both smiles per mile and weekend sophistication.
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Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ
Average Used Price: $17,000 – $23,000
- Base Trim Engine
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2.0L Flat 4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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205 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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156 lb-ft @ 6400 rpm
- Fuel Economy
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21/28 MPG
These twins are modern sports car pragmatism. Not fire-breathing beasts, but beautifully balanced, fun-to-drive, and with a purity you won’t get in most war-tuned daily drivers. The chassis is begging you to explore corners and flirt with oversteer.
Again, though, this car isn’t about brute force. It’s one you’ll enjoy driving with finesse—slicing and dicing your favorite twisty two-lanes at high average speeds.
– Lyndon Conrad Bell, TopSpeed journalist
Because they’re younger and more common, you’ll find many clean 86/BRZs well under $30,000, and they’re still rising in reputation. They already feel like the kinds of cars future purists will hunt for. They teach you control. And with aftermarket support through the roof, you can tweak them into sweeter versions without losing the original soul.
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Chevrolet C5 Corvette
Average Used Price: $17,000 – $25,000
- Base Trim Engine
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5.7L V8
- Base Trim Transmission
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4-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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350 HP @5600 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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360 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Chevrolet
- Model
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Corvette
A 5.7-liter V8, pop-up headlights (for many), and beefy American muscle under a sports car skin has all the hallmarks of something people will want to put in a shiny-floored garage. For the money, you rarely get this much engine and prestige.
In some rare instances, some higher-optioned Corvette C5s in really good condition already push past $30,000 — but many still hover around $20,000. It’s one of the strongest bargains for performance per dollar on the American car market. It may not be as exotic as some, but that V8 rumble and that straight-line authority make it feel like a real collectible in a way few others can match.
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Porsche Boxster (986/987)
Average Used Price: $20,000 – $30,000 (Slightly Over In Rare Cases)
- Base Trim Engine
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2.9L Flat 6 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-Speed Manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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255 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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214 lb-ft @ 4600-6000 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
19/27 MPG
- Make
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Porsche
- Model
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Boxster
We’re pushing the boundaries here — but early Boxsters (986 especially) can still slip under or near $30,000 in good condition. And it’s one of the best bargains in the sports car world if you can manage upkeep.
Mid-engine balance, classic Porsche handling, and that badge all combine to give you a legitimate taste of the marque. It’s not cheap to maintain, but the driving feel rewards you. It’s a car enthusiasts talk about. It’s a car that brings you in. It’s a threshold car between affordable fun and serious collectible territory.
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Honda S2000
Average Used Price: $28,000 – $33,000 (~ $32,600)
- Base Trim Engine
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2L I4
- Base Trim Transmission
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6-speed manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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240 HP @8300 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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153 lb.-ft. @ 7500 RPM
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Honda
- Model
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S2000
- Segment
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Sports Car
The Honda S2000 is the unicorn of analog sports cars. A 9,000-rpm engine, perfect chassis, and pure driver feedback. It’s one of the few cars where you feel every detail, and legends are built around it.
Yes, they’re already creeping up in price. According to research from colleagues at TopSpeed, the average used price is about $32,674. But in many markets, clean earlier Honda S2000s still trade in the high $20,000s, making your entry point possible. However, it is not uncommon to see particularly clean or rare examples fly well past the $30,000 mark. Finding a good deal on these is getting harder, and they haven’t crossed into a full-blown collector car yet, but the day is coming. So, if you get one, remember, you’re not just driving any old roadster, you’re driving a legend, something many car fans dream of owning.
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