On paper, we ‘d forgive you for thinking that a classic sports car costs more than you could afford. However, they have become classics for a reason, which can often be seen in their skyrocketing values.
Yet some classic sports cars are suspiciously cheap, but don’t let that fool you. These cars are not just affordable; they are a steal. This list contains 13 of the best of those, and we will explain what makes them such a good buy for the classic car enthusiast.
First-Generation Ford Mustang
While they are automotive icons, thanks to Ford producing so many first-generation Mustangs, they are surprisingly cheap on the classic car market. Their market value on Classic.com reveals that one sold for as low as $800, while the average is only $55,495.
Of course, rare examples will sell for more, but first-generation Mustangs are a great way to get into muscle cars without stretching the budget. Plus, they make excellent restoration projects if that is the route you decide to take.
Autozam AZ-1
The wild Mazda-Autozam AZ-1 isn’t just a sports car. It is a sports Kei car and a great candidate for those looking for fun in a sports car on a budget. While it is a Kei car by definition, the AZ-1 has gullwing doors and a 657 cc inline-three in a mid-engine layout. It might only produce around 64 hp and 63 lb-ft of torque, but the AZ-1 weighs just 1,587 lbs, and the highest sale price of an AZ-1, according to Classic.com, is just over $34,000.
While bearing the Autozam name, the AZ-1 was a Mazda product derived from a Suzuki project. The Japanese manufacturer abandoned the project in favor of the Cappuccino, and the Mazda design team took over the project to create the AZ-1.
Alfa Romeo GTV-6
They say you aren’t a true petrolhead or gearhead unless you have owned an Alfa Romeo. Whether that is true or not, a great place to start is with the stunning Alfa Romeo GTV-6. This car had big shoes to fill, following the very popular Alfetta and the legendary GTV.
Thankfully, despite the expected Italian reliability, the GTV-6 was a fine sports car and one of the best ever to bear the Alfa Romeo name. The engine, when reliable, is a work of art. The 2.5-liter V6 uses Bosh L-Jetronic fuel injection and produces up to 160 hp and 157 lb-ft of torque. According to Hagerty, you can pick up a GTV-6 for between $10-15,000, which is a remarkably good deal.
Porsche 944 Turbo
It seems remarkable, but Porsche has made many other cars that aren’t the 911. One of the best is the Porsche 944, specifically the 944 Turbo, which elevated the already excellent base 944 to new heights.
Under the hood of the 944 Turbo is a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 217 hp. Porsche introduced the 944 Turbo in 1986, and it was the first production vehicle to produce an identical power output with or without its catalytic converter. Classic.com lists the average value at just $27,083, making the 944 Turbo exceptionally affordable for a classic sports car.
1990-1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The first generation of the Mazda MX-5 is one of the most recognizable and well-loved sports cars ever released. The iconic design is typical of the 1990s thanks to its sleek, smooth shape and pop-up headlights, one of the coolest features to grace any sports car.
A range of inline-four engines was under the hood, including the supercharged B6ZE (RS) and the MX-5, produced between 114-133 hp across the first generation. Despite their vintage and how well-regarded they are, the average value is just over $11,000, according to Classic.com, making them much more affordable than you would expect. Plus, it makes the first-generation Miata a sports car bargain.
Reliant Scimitar GTC
British manufacturer Reliant is most famous for creating the Robin, the three-wheeler that came to symbolize three-wheel automobile culture. However, Reliant could produce a cracking sports car, and the Scimitar GTC was evidence of this. things got better after the introduction of the convertible in 1980.
The Scimitar GTC was Reliant’s answer to the Triumph Stag. Under the hood was a 2.8-liter Ford V6, yet despite receiving high praise, Reliant just 442 Scimitar GTCs over its six-year production run. Which makes this quirky British sports car one of the rarest on the planet. You can find a Scimitar on sale in the United Kingdom for around the $10,000 mark.
TVR Chimaera
TVR’s reputation of being unsafe and strange is why the TVR Chimaera isn’t at the top of many people’s lists for a classic sports car. Yet the Chimaera is one of its finest products, providing a larger but softer version of earlier sports cars. Power came thanks to Rover V8 engines, ranging from 4.0-5.0 liters and producing up to 340 hp.
The Chimaera was a great-looking car and sounded fantastic, too. TVR produced the sports car from 1992 to 2003. The British manufacturer produced less than 6,000 Chimaeras, but Classic.com states that the lowest sale in North America for a Chiamera was just $6,030, with an average value of only $17,914.
TVR Tuscan Speed Six
Another surprisingly cheap TVR is the Tuscan Speed Six, the best sports car the British manufacturer produced. It provides a wild ride thanks to its range of Speed Six inline-six engines that deliver up to 380 hp. It was as wild a car as you’d expect, with its lack of airbags and strange placement of the rear indicators and brake lights as two of the highlights.
Yet it was still one of the best products TVR produced. Despite its rarity in North America, the highest one has sold for is $41,360, according to Classic.com. They list the average value of the Tuscan Speed Six at $28,454, which is cheaper than many modern electric vehicles.
MG MGB GT
If you want an affordable British sports car, look no further than the gorgeous MG MGB GT. MG produced the MGB from 1965 to 1980, and earlier versions with the chrome bumpers and trimming are the best of the bunch. Power only came from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 95 hp, but that was enough for this spritely British sports car.
You could still hit at least 25 mpg in the MGB, and as it is light, it is a lot of fun to drive, especially in the corners when the sharp handling comes into its own. Thanks to how many MGBs MG produced, you can pick one up for as low as a few thousand dollars, and the average price of an MGB is around $14,000, according to Classic.com.
Lotus Esprit Series 4
We could argue that any generation of the Lotus Esprit is worthy of a purchase in 2024. But the Series 4 from 1993 to 2004 is the best, as Lotus had ironed out all the problems that would hurt the British sports car earlier on in its life. The addition of power steering and anti-lock brakes elevated the driving experience of the Esprit Series 4.
Under the hood of the Series 4 was the brilliant 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 264 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque, and it did so in a reliable fashion. Yet more power came from the more fragile but impressive 350 hp V8 Turbo version of the Series 4 Esprit.
Porsche 924
While the Porsche 924 wasn’t quite as popular as the later 944, it has still earned its place as an enjoyable yet very affordable sports car. The 924 is one of Porsche’s best-looking cars, thanks to its clean and sleek lines and pop-up headlights, everyone’s favorite feature.
Under the hood, various engines ranged from 2.0 to 2.5 liters, and the 924 could produce between 123 and 168 hp, which was all the power needed for a lightweight sports car. The chassis and rear-wheel drive layout lend the 924 superb handling characteristics. One of the best features of the 924 is how approachable the power delivery is, meaning even a sports car novice can enjoy it to its full potential.
Seventh-Generation Toyota Celica
The seventh-generation Toyota Celica is often overlooked for the MR2 and the Supra and earlier versions of the Celica. Yet the 1999 to 2006 model is one of Toyota’s best, and it still looks the part even nearly 20 years after production concluded.
Under the hood, you would find two versions of Toyota’s 1.8-liter inline-four engine, the 1ZZ-FED and the 2ZZ-GE, developed with Yamaha. The more practical 1ZZ-FE produced 140 hp, while the 2ZZ-GE was more powerful with 192 hp. The seventh-generation Celica was also the last, and it was the perfect way for the sports car to bow out.
Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Fiat produced the original Fiat 124 Spider from 1966 to 1985, and it’s one of the best classic Italian sports cars money can buy. Engine options varied, from the original 1.4-liter inline-four with 89 hp to the more powerful 1.4-liter Multi-Air turbocharged inline-four that produces 160 hp.
The 124 Sport Spider is an excellent-looking Fiat, as you would expect from an Italian manufacturer, and it’s affordable too. A look at the classifieds reveals you can pick them up for as low as $12,000, and while prices can increase, you may only be looking at a max price of around the $30,000 mark. Look after it and maintain it properly, and a classic 124 Spider will last a lifetime.