The Jaguar F-Type is one of the best-looking and best-sounding sports cars on the market today, and for around $40,000 you can get into a nice used model powered by Jaguar’s supercharged V6 engine. We realize that $40,000 might not seem that affordable at first, but consider that a new F-Type powered by the same engine starts at around $70,000. Developing 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, it manages to sound just as good if not better than the V8 and provides more than enough thrust to get the F-Type moving quickly. Both an eight-speed automatic and a six-speed manual transmission are available, and though it’s a bit slower to 60 mph, we’d still choose the manual.

Jaguar

2016 Jaguar F-Type

When it comes to sports car bang for your buck, just about the only thing that beats a new Corvette is a used Corvette. It might be the most expensive car on our list, but for under $40,000 you can pick up a fairly low-mile car with a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 making a healthy 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. That power can be sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, but sports car purists will choose the seven-speed manual. The Corvette is great fun to drive, with excellent handling and addictive amounts of power, but it’s also remarkably usable day-to-day, especially on the highway with its fuel economy rating of 28 miles per gallon.

Chevrolet

2015 Chevrolet Corvette

You might be able to find a used 2015 Porsche Boxster for under $35,000, but typically you can expect to spend $40,000 to get yourself an excellent example with relatively low miles on the clock. Base models come with a mid-mounted 2.7-liter flat-six engine that produces 265 horsepower and 205 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. While that doesn’t sound like much power, the Boxster manages to punch above its weight with decent acceleration and superb handling. More powerful models are available, but they are priced significantly higher — so much so that you might want to consider a used 911 instead. 

Porsche

2015 Porsche Boxster

Assuming you take your time to find a nice example, you should be able to purchase a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS for somewhere in the $25,000 to $27,000 range. Power comes from a 6.2-liter V8 that makes a healthy 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, all of which is sent to the rear wheels via either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. There are still outward vision issues thanks to the car’s styling and high beltline, but the interior is much improved over previous years. And any complaints are forgotten once you get on the move and realize that despite its old-school V8, the Camaro isn’t just a muscle car but also a true sports car.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro

For under $25,000, you can get into a 2015 M235i, one of the best-looking — thanks to its almost perfect proportions — and best-driving modern BMWs, with 2016 models going for around $5,000 more. Power comes from a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque which is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto transmission. For 2017 the models were renamed the M240i and got a slight bump in power, but they go for considerably more on the used market. Though not quite a real "M" model (unlike the more expensive M2, which is still over $40,000 even used), the M235i is still a sweet car to drive, with a balanced chassis and just the right amount of power.

2015 BMW M235i

For somewhere around $23,000 to $25,000, you should be able to find a 2016 Ford Mustang GT with a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 435 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Like all the cars on our list power is sent to the rear wheels, with a choice of either a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. If you haven’t driven a recent Mustang, you might be surprised by how well it handles, quality of its interior, and its comfortable ride, all of which are near the top of its class. Have a bit less to spend? Consider a 2016 EcoBoost four-cylinder model for around $17,000 and use some of the money you saved to buy some sticky tires.

Ford

2016 Ford Mustang GT

The Nissan 370Z is the latest in a long line of "Z cars," and you should be able to pick up a good 2016 model for less than $20,000 if you have a little patience. The 3.7-liter V6 might have been around for a while, but it manages to put out a respectable 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque which is sent to the rear wheels via either an seven-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The interior isn’t quite as nice as some of its competitors and the ride quality isn’t great, but if you value power over amenities, the 370Z might be the affordable used sports car you’ve been looking for, easily outperforming its lower-powered competition.

Nissan

2016 Nissan 370Z

Sadly, 2016 was the last year for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, but thankfully you can still pick up a used model for around $18,000 to $20,000. Power for all 2016 models comes from a 3.8-liter V6 that produces an impressive 348 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or a performance-sapping eight-speed automatic. With a good ride and a nice interior that makes use of quality materials, the Genesis Coupe places more of an emphasis on luxury than most affordable used sports cars. But it’s still ready to get a bit frisky when you ask it to. 

Hyundai

2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

You should be able to find a used 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata for less than $18,000, making it one of the best deals in the used sports car market. This latest version has eschewed the cute look found in older models and replaced it with a more aggressive design. The Miata's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generates 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, which doesn’t sound like much but is enough to provide considerable amounts of fun in this roadster's willing and relatively lightweight chassis. Both a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic are offered, and while the auto isn’t as bad as you might think, for most drivers it’s no alternative to a good old manual transmission.

Mazda

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Scion brand is no longer with us, but you can pick up a 2016 Scion FR-S on the used market for a reasonable $16,000 to $18,000. It's an especially good deal when you consider that a nearly identical Subaru BRZ goes for around $3,000 more. Powered by a 2.0-liter version of Subaru’s flat-four that makes 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, and backed by a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, the FR-S isn’t particularly quick, but it has all the right moves with a chassis that feels like it could handle twice the power. What the FR-S lacks in stock form is grip, but that’s a good thing as it makes the FR-S incredibly fun to drive (though some better rubber would ultimately make it quicker).

10 Affordable Used Sports Cars

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