Sports cars have a way of depreciating in value way quicker than other cars like sedans, SUVs and crossovers. One of the reasons is because of the strain put on these big engines, which make them go fast, but also require regular maintenance.
These days, cars that used to be upper five- and lower six-figures can now be found for a fraction of the cost. You can even find some of your favorite sports cars – cars that you thought you’d never own, based on their names – for under $20,000. We’re talking about Porsches, Maseratis, Jaguars, Rolls-Royces, BMWs, and Audis. Those are some big names.
Don’t take our word for it, though. Do some searching of your own. Yes, some of the cars might be from the mid-2000s or earlier, but many of them don’t even have 100,000 miles on the odometer. These 20 sports cars that used to be expensive, but are now really cheap, are definitely worth checking out.
20 BMW M3 (E90) – $15,000
The E90 generation of the BMW M3 used to cost about $50,000 new, but now that it’s a decade old (it was the 2007-2013) generation, you can get this S65 V8-powered beast with 414 hp for much less. Depreciation takes its toll on BMWs rather harshly, and used examples with lots of miles on their clocks can be had for under $15,000, such as this rear-wheel drive model with only 76,000 miles on it for $14,900.
19 Porsche Boxster (987) – $16,500
The 987 Porsche Boxster is the second generation of the car, lasting from 2005 to 2012. It debuted with the new 911, and though they were never as expensive as a 911, they still went for around $60,000.
Powered by a 2.7-liter flat-six boxer engine, this 276-bhp sports car can now be found for a steal, as well as first generation models. Here’s an example of a sweet 2007 model with less than 60,000 miles for $16,500.
18 Chevrolet Corvette (C6) – $16,500
One of the awesome things about the Chevrolet Corvette is you get a lot of bang for your buck. It’s always been a comparatively inexpensive car, but with the performance level of many supercars that are five times as expensive. Still, a sixth-generation, C6 Corvette (2005-2013) used to cost over $50,000 when new. Now, this 190-mph-top-speed demon can be had for a little over $16,000.
17 Audi RS 4 Quattro – $18,000
Audi has always been known for their fast, luxury sports cars. The R8 costs over $150,000 new, for instance. The RS 4 is a high-performance variant of the A4, as the fastest sports-focused car on the A4’s “B” platform. The “Quattro” four-wheel drive system gave this 4.2-liter V8 car a top speed of 162.8 mph. Before, it started at $57,800, but now you can find a mid-2000s version for about $18,000.
16 Lexus IS F – $17,200
Lexus is basically a V8, rear-wheel drive Toyota, but with better reliability, materials, and higher maintenance costs. The IS F is a high-performance car that can reach 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and has an electronically limited top speed of 170 mph.
On Top Gear, it raced against a BMW M3 and was comparative in speed (though it lost). This $50,000 high-performance sports is usually over $20,000 still, but you can find them for under $20,000 if you look hard enough.
15 BMW M5 (E39 & E60) – $14,000
Both the BMW M5 E39 and E60 generations, which covers from 1998 all the way to 2010, are depreciating at a rapid pace, just like other BMW models. The M5 is an iconic vehicle in the sports sedan category, and has become quite legendary.
According to Road & Track, it’s “arguably the greatest driver’s sedan on earth.” A bold statement, but others will back it up. What used to be more than $100,000 new, can now be yours for as little as $14,000 (and less).
14 Porsche 911 Carrera (996) – $18,250
Yes, you can have what has been considered the greatest sports car of all time for less than $20,000. The 996 generation of the Porsche 911 was the first to use the water-cooled engine. It was produced from 1998 to 2004, before the 997 came around.
Thanks to its polarizing look, it isn’t the most sought-after 911, but that means this $90,000 car can be bought on the cheap – as cheap as $18,000.
13 BMW Alpina 7-Series B7 – $16,600
The BMW Alpina B7, which is part of the 7-Series from BMW, once carried a price tag north of $84,000. But you can now find 2007 and 2008 models of the car in the high teens.
The only problem is that the wheels on the car cost several thousand dollars each to replace, so be sure to check them out before buying. This 2012 model, for instance, has 90,000 miles, but only costs a little over $16,000.
12 Bentley Turbo R – $18,000
Wouldn’t you love to have a high-performance version of one of the most boujee cars on the planet? The Turbo R from Bentley was a whopping $200,000 car when it first debuted in 1985. There are also only about 7,000 in existence. But the car from the 1980s can be had at more than a 90% discount these days, thanks to depreciation.
It’s more athletic than the Mulsanne Turbo with better handling and a powerful engine. Check out this one for about $18,000 with relatively low mileage (90,000).
11 BMW 850Ci – $8,500
The BMW 850Ci is a V12-engined sports car that everyone deserves to drive. It would be a shame if you didn’t sit behind the wheel of a V12 car at least once, but now you can do it on the cheap. You also get a classic design that will never look dated, and a grand tourer built during BMW’s golden age.
It runs on a 322-hp, 5.4-liter M73B54 V12 engine, that’s good for about 187 mph. You can now find a mid-90s version for under $10,000!
10 Cadillac CTS-V – $13,500
The Cadillac CTS-V has always looked awesome, and the first generation versions used to cost upwards of $80,000. But, nowadays, the same car, which comes with great handling and a 400-hp engine – plus a handful of modifications – will run you much less.
It might not be as powerful as a brand new CTS-V, but the 2003-2007 model still has a 5.3-liter V8, and can be yours for $13,000 to $18,000.
9 Jaguar S-Type R – $8,000
Jaguar is one of the companies that you have to be careful with: on one hand, they make amazing cars that depreciate quite quickly, which is great for our purposes here. On the other, maintenance can be overwhelming.
The S-Type R was built from 2002 to 2007 as a supercharged variant of the executive S-Type. It competed with the BMW M5 and Mercedes E55 AMG, with a hand-built 4.2-liter V8 engine and Eaton M112 supercharger that produced 400 hp. This expensive car has gone down to less than $10,000 over the years.
8 Jaguar XJ Supercharged (X351) – $15,000
The Jaguar XJ Supercharged was an XJ8 with a stretched wheelbase and a supercharger, and it used to run you close to $90,000. It made nearly 400 hp from its 4.2-liter V8 engine, and its aluminum construction made it light and zippy.
Like other Jaguars, this one has depreciated awfully (but great for us) over the years, and you can find a 2012 model (the latest generation) for under $20,000.
7 Jaguar XKR (X150) – $15,500
Finishing up our Jaguar streak is the XKR, the X150 generation in particular, which used to cost around $65,000. This sleek, beautiful car runs on a supercharged V8 engine and has plenty of power. Even better, it’s cheap.
The car was launched in 1996, finishing production in 2015. The second-generation models are good for 174 mph from their 5.0-liter V8 engines. Check out this one for under $16,000.
6 Volkswagen Phaeton W12 – $15,000
The Volkswagen Phaeton W12 is a rarity from VW, as they aren’t known for their V8 vehicles, so why would they skip right from V8 to W12? Well, because they wanted a fast car that could compete with other luxury sportsters.
Starting at $50,000, sales were initially slow for the vehicle, and depreciation hasn’t made it much better. The car itself, however, was an excellent example of engineering. Find a W12 for around $12,000 to $15,000. V8s are also available.
5 Maserati Quattroporte V (M139) – $16,000
The Maserati Quattroporte is an amazing driving experience. Wouldn’t you love to own a Maserati? Well, now you can, and you can look wealthy without actually being wealthy.
The M139 generation sounds like a Ferrari with its Ferrari-sourced V8 engine, which is worth the cost of entry alone. What used to be a $100,000 car can now be had for less than a fifth of the price, or about $16,000 for a 2003 to 2012 model, such as this Executive GT version.
4 Maserati Spyder – $15,000
If you’re looking for a Maserati that’ll also let the wind flow through your hair, check out the Spyder. It’s not quite as beautiful as the current GranTurismo, but it’s also a lot cheaper.
The 4.2-liter Ferrar-sourced V8 engine gives it a singing rumble, and you can find a few that’ll cost under $20,000 if you look hard enough. This one, for instance, is only $15,000 for a 2005 model.
3 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG (W219) – $17,000
There are several Mercedes AMG models that are less than $20,000 these days, but the CLS63 is quite a surprise, given how good of a car this is.
It is one of the best looking examples of a “four-door coupe” in design, and it’s an absolute steal, with its Mercedes M156 engine good for 507 hp and the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic 7-speed transmission. Get a 2004 to 2010 version of this $85,000 car for around $17,000.
2 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG (R129) – $15,500
Here’s another sporty AMG-based Mercedes, the SL55, which can be yours for under $20,000. This convertible speedster used to cost $120,000 to start, but it can be yours for less than a sixth of that now, if you’re okay with a 2003-2005 model car. Its 510-hp V8 supercharged M113 engine really roars. This top-of-the-line AMG model can be found for anywhere between $10,000 to $20,000 and above.
1 Porsche Cayman S – $14,300
The Porsche Cayman S is the hardtop version of the Boxster, and while not as prestigious as the 911, its mid-engine design makes it an absolute wonder to drive. 911s, especially new ones, are priced very high right now, so you might want to settle with a Cayman S, if you’re on a budget.
They look cool, run amazingly, and fit the bill for under $20,000. Check out this one for $14,300. The car is not to be confused with the 718 Cayman, by the way.
Sources: cargurus.com, roadandtrack.com, carfax.com
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