We all have places to go, so why not make the drive to your destination an absolutely joyful and thrilling experience? In an ideal world, we'd all have six-figure budgets to spend on a sports car
Attainable, however, is a relative term, and if you're on the hunt for a new sports car for less than $25,000, then you're out of luck these days. The good news is that there are plenty of used late-model sports cars available with less than 60,000 miles on their odometers just waiting for new owners. No, you won't find anything from a dedicated sports car brand at this sum (unless you're willing to opt for an older or higher-mileage vehicle), but these current and former 10Best-winning options from mainstream brands are arguably among the most fun-to-drive vehicles available on the market, bar none.
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2016–Present Mazda MX-5 Miata
Fans of Mazda's beloved roadster will tell you the name Miata is actually an acronym that spells out a simple truth: Miata Is Always The Answer. While taller drivers and those in need of room for more than one additional passenger may disagree,
With between 155 and 181 horsepower, depending on model year, the fourth-gen MX-5 Miata is far from the quickest sports car out there. Yet the low mass of the droptop (be it in standard softtop form or power-folding targa-topped MX-5 Miata RF guise) makes it an exceptionally engaging driver's machine.
While we recommend shopping for the newest ND Miata in your budget, even the oldest variants of the model are a hoot. Yes, it's still a fun tool to toy around in with the available six-speed automatic transmission, but the MX-5 Miata is best enjoyed with the additional control and engagement that comes with the default manual transmission. There's a good reason the latest Miata has been a repeat winner on our annual 10Best list.
2022–Present Subaru BRZ
As a recent comparison test between a second-generation Subaru BRZ (used 2022 Subaru BRZs and newer) and fourth-generation MX-5 Miata in RF guise proved, the latter is the more engaging driver's machine. But barely so. What the Subie gives up in driving engagement due to its notchier six-speed manual transmission and less free-revving four-cylinder engine, it more than makes up for in practicality.
Unlike the two-seat MX-5 Miata, the four-seat BRZ offers enough space to bring a few additional (very short) friends along for the ride. Plus, its trunk is far more versatile courtesy of its squarer shape and the additional benefit of that aforementioned back seat's folding seatback.
Like the Miata, the BRZ is far from the most powerful sports car on the market, but its low weight and feelsome controls make pushing this little sports car about an utter joy, even at low limits. Similarly, we recommend going the three-pedal route, even if automatic versions retain much of the joyful characteristics of their stick-shift equivalents.
Regardless, the second-generation BRZ's combination of joyful driving dynamics, shocking versatility, and a surprisingly affordable starting price (even new) continues to make it among our favorite all-around sports cars available today, and has earned it a spot on our 10Best list ever since it entered the marketplace.
2022–Present Toyota GR86
Like the second-generation Subaru BRZ but can't find one with the right combination of features and miles in a used one in your sub-$25,000 budget? May we suggest its Toyota equivalent, the GR86, which means used 2022 Toyota GR86s and newer.
Besides some minor exterior revisions (which you may or may not prefer to the Subie), the GR86 is effectively the same sports car as its BRZ kin. This means you're looking at a sports car with the same thrilling driving dynamics, seating for four, and versatile cargo-carrying capability.
Under its slightly altered styling, the Toyota packs effectively identical mechanical components to the Subie, including its standard six-speed manual gearbox and available six-speed automatic transmission. You know which one we'd pick, but we won't fault you for going the two-pedal route if you absolutely refuse to swap cogs on your own.
Tips and Insights
Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection
The best thing you can do before purchasing a used vehicle is have a pre-purchase inspection (or PPI) done. It's a simple process: find and pay a local mechanic to give the vehicle you're considering a lookover to ensure there are no hidden issues. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Get a Vehicle History Report
The second-best thing you can do before purchasing a used vehicle is to get its history report. Make sure there are no mileage inconsistencies or major air accidents on the record that could jeopardize the value or safety of the vehicle. Be sure to get under any used car if possible. You'll want to make sure there's no sign of rust setting in. Be sure to look and feel under the wheelwells, too.
Check for Aftermarket Components
The tuner crowd is notoriously fond of this trio of sports cars, and an array of aftermarket mods is not uncommon on used examples. We generally recommend avoiding so-equipped vehicles, as these components can often—though certainly not always—signal abuse by prior owners. That said, if you feel confident that the prior owner treated the vehicle with proper care, then make sure the mods are installed correctly and are of a reasonable quality.
We also recommend making an attempt to secure the selling dealer to include the original—or equivalent stock—components as part of the sale.
Test Drive
If you're looking at a stick-shift-equipped model, then test to see if the clutch is in good condition. An easy way to do this is to take a test drive, bring the car to around 40 mph or so, and put the car in its top gear. Then floor the accelerator. If the car's clutch is worn, then the engine speeds will rise at a rate that's out of sync with the vehicle's forward acceleration. What exactly does that mean? To paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart, "you'll know it when you feel it."
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