10 Cheap & Thrilling Sports Cars You Can Buy For Under $15,000

12006 Ford Mustang GT

~$11,000

The Ford Mustang GT is good for more than just straight-line speed. In fact, post-2005 models became very adept at handling as well. For models from around 2006 or 2007, you can pick one up for just under $11,000. You can easily find one for around $15,000.

2Nissan 350Z

~$11,500

The Nissan 350Z, which is the spiritual successor to the company's long line of Z coupes, is a good choice for sports car enthusiasts on a budget. A 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is a very good return for less than $15,000, so you can probably expect to pick up a 2006 model. Near the $11,500 mark is a safe bet, with the odd one going for just over $14,000 as well.

31979 Mazda RX-7

~$13,000

If you're a lover of classic sports cars and appreciate Japanese JDM imports, then the first-generation Mazda RX-7 is the perfect piece of sports car history for you. These beautiful coupes had a front-engine RWD setup and were good for up to 135 horsepower. Sure, that may not be much power, but remember that this makes for a great project car or a casual ride to take out and enjoy on the weekends. The best part is that prices for these early RX-7 models start incredibly low, so they're actually great value for the money.

42002 Audi TT

~$13,200

The first-generation Audi TT is one of the most underrated sports cars of the 2000s. It offers unique, somewhat quirky looks and a comfortable cabin while also providing great handling. In addition, the TT was offered with plenty of power in its time, depending on which model year and trim you opt for. For example, here's a 2002 model with 225 hp for under $15,000 worth every penny.

52000 Porsche Boxster

~$14,600

The Porsche Boxster is often referred to as the "poor man's Porsche." Despite being over 20 years old, these still handle brand-new sports cars and offer plenty of power to have fun on canyon roads. The 2000 variant can often go for under $15,000, and don’t be surprised to find good ones around the $10,000 mark. Not often can you get a Porsche badge for that price; not many sports cars offer that kind of value for money.

6Chevrolet Corvette C5

~$14,500

The Corvette C6 is on sale at a budget-friendly price, and so is the C5. Perhaps more stylish than its later sibling, this car's performance-to-price ratio is great if you can get one for a good price. One recently went for $14,500 on a popular auction site from a 2001 model, and that's fantastic value for money. If you're willing to settle for a high-mileage model such as this one with 133,000 miles, you might just find your perfect 'Vette C5 for under $15,000.

7Subaru WRX STI

~$15,000

The Subaru WRX is still in production and synonymous with the brand's glory days in the World Rally Championship. Colin McCrae and Carlos Sainz were two of the drivers who competed for Subaru during its heyday, winning championships with a legacy still felt today. These cars are typically model years 2006 and 2007, which were produced during the heyday of this iconic rally car. The best examples can be found for around $15,000, although prices may vary depending on the condition.

82008 Pontiac Solstice

~$15,000

The Pontiac Solstice should get more credit for being a great sports car. These cool-looking roadsters came with 2.4-liter inline-four-cylinder engines good for 177 hp in their lowest trim, with the GXP models offering up to 260 hp, which was Porsche Boxster territory at the time. But these cars weigh well under 3000 lbs, so they have plenty of power to have fun. Here's an impressive low-mileage example for just over $15,000.

9Porsche 928

~$15,000

The Porsche 928 is a classic sports car with pop-up headlights and a simple yet sleek design, making it a favorite of many Porsche collectors. In the budget range, 1980s versions can be found for around $10,000 or more, depending on the condition. You should happily pay more for such a gorgeous car!

Because they are somewhat rare today and carry the Porsche logo, these cars now demand higher prices, but many examples still exist under $15,000. For example, here is an S model in great condition for just over $15,000 on a popularly used car website.

101992 Chevrolet Corvette C4

~$15,000

The Chevrolet Corvette C4 was one of the quickest cars in America when it debuted in 1984. Over the years, it underwent steady refinement and gained power, so the best model years to look for are post-1990. To get the most out of your dollar, though, look for a 1992 C4, as that's when Chevy replaced the stale L98 with the new LT1 5.7-liter V8 good for 300 hp 330 lb-ft of torque, which is thrilling power even by today's standards. For example, here's a good-condition 1995 Corvette for under $15,000.