13 Used Sports activities Automobiles That Ship Thrills for Much less Than Half the Value of a 911 Carrera

The Porsche 911 Carrera is the entry level to the legendary rear-engined sports activities automobile lineup. Many lovers nonetheless take into account it among the many purest 911s, due to rear-wheel drive, a selection between an accessible guide or PDK dual-clutch automated transmission, and fewer extras than pricier 911 fashions. It contains a twin-turbo flat-six engine, with no hybrid help and no all-wheel drive in its base kind, making it the only fashionable 911 you should purchase.

Nonetheless, even this “entry-level” 911 is hardly a cut price, with the 2025 Carrera coupe beginning round $120,000 and the Cabriolet properly above $130,000. In order for you an exhilarating sports activities automobile expertise with out spending that sort of cash, the used market gives some unbelievable alternate options, typically for lower than half the value.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6)

Famously featured in Want for Velocity Carbon, the 2006–2013 Corvette Z06 got here with a 505-horsepower, 7.0-liter LS7 V8 utilizing a dry-sump oil system straight from racing. This American powerhouse might go head-to-head with Europe’s finest on the time, and its chassis nonetheless responds fantastically to fashionable upgrades.

Right this moment, high-mileage examples can promote for $30,000, whereas cleaner ones sometimes vary from $50,000 to $60,000, a real cut price for a world-class efficiency machine.

Porsche 911 Turbo (997)

If you wish to keep within the Porsche household, the 997 Turbo is a compelling used choice. Early 997.1 Turbos packed a 3.6-liter twin-turbo Mezger flat-six making 480 horsepower, whereas later 997.2 fashions boosted output to 500 horsepower with a 3.8-liter engine.

In its day, this efficiency rivaled the Ferrari F430, with much better each day usability. Larger-mileage automobiles might be discovered for below $60,000, making this a comparatively attainable ticket into Porsche Turbo possession.

Audi R8 (V8)

The primary-generation Audi R8 continues to show heads with its beautiful design and on a regular basis usability. Its 4.2-liter V8, borrowed from the RS4, delivered energy by way of both a gated six-speed guide or the R-Tronic automated guide.

Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system gave it unbelievable traction, and values have settled sufficient {that a} well-kept V8 R8 might be yours for below $70,000.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Aston Martin’s comeback two-seater was designed to tackle the 911. Early fashions used a 4.3-liter Jaguar-derived V8 producing 385 horsepower, whereas later updates introduced a 4.7-liter unit with about 420 horsepower.

Rear-wheel drive and a guide gearbox gave it the standard sports activities automobile really feel, wrapped in a jaw-droppingly elegant physique. Used costs now rival these of a well-equipped Audi A4; simply finances for upkeep, as maintenance can nonetheless mirror its unique badge.

Jaguar F-Kind

Launched in 2013, the Jaguar F-Kind was the model’s first two-seat sports activities automobile because the E-Kind, accessible with supercharged V6 or V8 engines, rear- or all-wheel drive, and even a guide transmission for a quick interval. Later updates added turbo four-cylinder choices and fashionable infotainment.

Though it had some quirks, depreciation has made the F-Kind a efficiency cut price right this moment, although repairs can stay Jaguar-priced.

Dodge Viper (ZB I)

The second-generation Viper, referred to as the ZB I (2003–2006), improved on the uncooked authentic by including a correct roof and actual home windows, whereas retaining its thunderous 8.3-liter V10 engine. With 500 horsepower, a guide gearbox, and no stability nannies to avoid wasting you, the Viper is a full-throttle driving expertise.

You’ll find a sorted ZB I for round $60,000, delivering a degree of analog drama few fashionable automobiles can match.

Audi TT RS (Mk3)

This would possibly appear to be a wildcard, however there’s severe substance right here. The third-generation TT RS, which is winding down manufacturing in lots of markets, makes use of a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder making practically 400 horsepower.

Quattro all-wheel drive, a dual-clutch transmission, and a soundtrack impressed by Audi’s rally heritage spherical out the bundle. These maintain their worth properly, however examples below $60,000 are on the market — and price each penny.

BMW Z4 M Roadster

BMW refused to let Porsche’s Boxster dominate the six-cylinder roadster market. Enter the Z4 M, constructed from 2006–2008 with the identical 3.2-liter S54 straight-six from the E46 M3, making 338 horsepower. Out there because the E85 roadster or E86 coupe, the Z4 M delivered old-school BMW dealing with thrills, albeit with a more difficult edge than its Porsche rival.

Costs right this moment are shockingly inexpensive, with even the uncommon Coupe variations undercutting a brand new 911 by a mile.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG

Consider it as a compact roadster with a humorousness — and an enormous coronary heart. The SLK 55 AMG stuffed a 5.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 right into a small, two-seat physique, producing 355 horsepower and producing wonderful exhaust noise.

Its folding hardtop made it extra sensible than many convertibles, and right this moment it’s an ignored AMG cut price with a surprisingly sturdy engine.

Toyota GR Supra

Whereas the reborn GR Supra confronted skepticism as a consequence of its BMW partnership, it has confirmed to be a worthy successor to the nameplate. Its turbocharged inline-six gives basic rear-wheel-drive thrills, and later fashions even introduced again a guide choice.

Good used examples usually sit between $50,000 and $60,000, making them cheaper than a brand new 911 whereas nonetheless delivering glorious efficiency and stability.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Ford’s GT350 was way over a Mustang with extra energy. Its 5.2-liter “Voodoo” V8 launched a flat-plane crankshaft, spinning to a dramatic 8,200 rpm and creating some of the distinctive soundtracks ever put in a pony automobile.

Early fashions had some issues concerning oil consumption, however later variations proved to be sturdy and extremely rewarding on the monitor. Amazingly, you possibly can nonetheless discover one below $60,000.

Mazda RX-7 (FD)

The ultimate-generation Mazda RX-7 (FD) is a real JDM legend. Its sequential twin-turbo rotary engine produced as much as 280 horsepower in Japanese spec, wrapped in one of many prettiest two-seat shapes ever designed. Consumers ought to be careful for apex seal put on and the necessity for meticulous rotary upkeep.

Even the nicest non-Spirit R fashions normally keep below $50,000, making them a Japanese collectible that’s nonetheless inside attain.

Chevrolet Corvette (C7)

The C7 was the ultimate front-engined Corvette, produced from 2014 to 2019 earlier than Chevrolet shifted to a mid-engine format. Its 6.2-liter LT1 V8 paired with both a seven-speed guide or an eight-speed automated, providing a virtually excellent mix of recent dealing with and conventional American muscle.

Right this moment, clear C7s might be had for $40,000 or much less — a spectacular deal for a automobile that redefined the Corvette components.