10 Sports Cars Anyone Can Buy For Under $5,000 And Look Rich

There once was a time when $5,000 could score you a decent sports car. Unfortunately, those days are long gone. Today, finding new sports cars for under $5,000 is as difficult as you expect it to be. Finding any new car for under $5,000 is a search that will leave you empty-handed.

Fortunately, there are ways to score good deals on cars for under $5,000, including those of the sports car persuasion. You’ll have to look long and hard for these bargain finds and you have to accept that none of these cars are fresh off the line. But if you set your expectations right, you can unearth some good to great deals on cheap sports cars under $5k.

2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder

The Supra understandably gets all the attention, but the two-seat, mid-engine MR2 with its rear-wheel drive layout had an impressive 23-year run of its own, culminating in 2007. These days, used versions of the MR2 — either the coupe or spyder version — can be bought for less than $5,000, a pedestrian price tag for a sports car that looked the part of a mini exotic.

2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder specifications

2001 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Sure, recent versions of the WRX have entered the U.S. market with their own set of appealing qualities, but older versions of the Impreza WRX STI were something else. The second-gen version of the four-door sports sedan — it was launched in 2005 — utilized a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

Newer versions of the WRX STI offer more power and more tech, but their presence was largely due to the foundation set by older-generation models. Even better, these older Impreza WRX STI models can be had these days for less than $5,000.

2001 Subaru Impreza WRX STI specifications

1999 BMW M3 Convertible

The E36-generation M3, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. It’s one of the first cars I fell in love with, and the passing of time hasn’t dampened that affection. It’s not just that it carries a timeless look that imbibes all the qualities of BMW’s craftsmanship, but it’s also in the way it was built.

The E36 M3 is one of the best-handling performance cars of its time. You can drive one today and it’s still going to put a smile on your face. Remember, the E36 M3 was powered by a 3.2-liter straight-six engine that produced 282 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, making it the first M3 to use a straight-six unit.

These days, you can buy a used E36 M3 for less than $5,000. You’re likely going to have to perform some modifications, but with the right setup in place, you can bring the M3’s stature back as one of the most reliable cars under $5,000.

1999 BMW M3 Convertible specifications

2004 Ford Mustang GT

Fortunately, everyone agreed that the 2004 Mustang GT had the power and performance chops of a true muscle car. It was powered by a 4.6-liter V-8 engine that produced 268 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers helped the ’04 Mustang GT accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds before maxing out at a top speed of 149 mph. Different versions of the 2004 Mustang GT can be found in the used-car market for around $5,000. These models typical have six-figure mileage, but with the proper modifications, you can get it back to running the way it used to.

2004 Ford Mustang GT specifications

2001 Audi TT 1.8T Roadster

Have you ever driven a car that was not only nominated for North American Car of the Year in its heyday but also made it to Car and Driver’s Ten Best lists in 2000 and 2001? If you’re in the market for a first-generation Audi TT, that’s what you’re in store for.

The Audi TT Roadster, in particular, looked the part of a proper sports car. It also featured a 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine that produced 178 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque. The peppy roadster could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds to go with a top speed of 138 mph.

Used versions of the 2001 TT with six-figure mileage sell for less than $5,000 these days. Look hard enough and you might even find one that comes in at a cheaper price.

2001 Audi TT 1.8T Roadster specifications

2002 Pontiac Firebird Convertible

The Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger weren’t the only muscle cars to ride around America back in the day. Other pony cars joined them, none more memorable than the legendary Pontiac Firebird. Classic Firebirds have shot up in price in recent years, but the last generation of the Firebird — the one that was in the market from 1993 to 2002 — can still be had for bargain bin prices. The early 2000s models, in particular, can be scored for as little as $5,000.

That’s an insanely affordable price for a muscle car that still packs a 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. You won’t find fourth-generation Firebirds with that much power on tap by virtue of their age, but with proper modifications, you can get these birds of prey back to their old selves.

2002 Pontiac Firebird Convertible specifications

2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Part of the MX-5’s appeal can be attributed to its energetic ride and another part can be attributed to its low price tag. Yes, the 2022 MX-5 comes with a base price of just $27,650, making it one of the best sports car purchases in the market today.

But in the event that you don’t have that kind of scratch, there are cheaper versions of the MX-5 that can be purchased for less than $5,000. An early-2000s MX-5, for example, can be bought for that amount — maybe even less depending on the condition.

These models came equipped with a 1.8-liter inline-four-cylinder engine that produced 142 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. These Miatas could jolt off the line, too, achieving a naught-to-60-mph sprint time of just 7.7 seconds before peaking at a top speed of 130 mph. As far as buck-worthy sports car purchases go, the MX-5 Miata has one of the highest ratings of the bunch.

2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata specifications

2003 Mazda RX-8 Sport

Here’s another Mazda that became popular in its own right, even if it wasn’t able to sustain that popularity, as well as the MX-5 Miata, did. The first-gen RX-8 arrived in 2003 and people often remember it for its freestyle rear doors. But the first-gen RX-8 had other qualities, too, none more important than its RENESIS 1.3-liter Wankel rotary engine that produced 189 horsepower and 159 pound-feet of torque.

This version of the RX-8 could split a 0-to-60-mph time in 6.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 146 mph. For a sports car that had to live up to the legacy left behind by the RX-7, the first-gen RX-8 did that, and then some. Unfortunately, the RX-8 fizzled out after a decade in the market, and these days, you can buy a used first-generation model for less than $5,000.

2003 Mazda RX-8 Sport specifications

1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT

It’s a shame because the sports car’s design has aged remarkably well, particularly those pop-up headlights that became the trend among performance cars of that era. Easily one of the top 10 best sports cars Mitsubishi ever built, the 3000GT was no slouch on the road, either. It was powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 engine that produced 219 horsepower and 204 pound-feet of torque. The high-powered VR-4 models command insane prices these days (think six figures), but the lower-spec models can be purchased for less than $5,000.

1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT specifications

1999 Porsche Boxster

Imagine being able to buy a Porsche Boxster for under $5,000. Well, if you look hard enough, you might not have to imagine it anymore. The Boxster has been around since 1997, accumulating a trail of awards along the way, including being named the “Best Roadster in the World” by Autocar.

It’s even made it to the “10 Best” list of Car and Driver a staggering 11 times.

The 986-generation Boxster was powered by a 2.5-liter flat-six engine that produced 201 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It was able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 149 mph. The Porsche Boxster is one of the best RWD sports cars under $5,000. No doubt about it.

1999 Porsche Boxster specifications