The Top 10 Pre-Owned Sports Cars That Hold Their Value

Buying a used sports car doesn’t have to be a gamble some models offer incredible performance, reliability, and long-term value. These ten pre-owned sports cars are proven investments that hold their worth, deliver real driving excitement, and won’t drain your wallet with constant repairs.

Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA/NB)

Okay, obviously, the Miata. The NA or NB generation, the ones with the pop-up headlights or right after. I mean, it’s the answer to everything, right? They’re so cheap to buy, so cheap to run, and they’re just… pure fun. No power, but it doesn’t matter. The handling is just perfect. And the best part? They’ve pretty much bottomed out in price. A decent one is, what, $6,000 to $10,000? Maybe less if you’re handy? They’re not gonna lose value, I think they’ll only go up from here. It’s a no-brainer.

Porsche 911 (996 Generation)

The 996 911. The “fried egg” headlight one. People hated on it for years, but now? It’s the last of the truly affordable air-cooled… wait, no, it’s water-cooled, that’s the point! See? I’m getting my Porsches mixed up. Anyway, it’s a proper 911 for, like, $25,000 to $35,000. Yeah, the IMS bearing is a thing, but if it’s been done or you get it checked, it’s fine. It’s a masterpiece for the money. It’s only going to get more desirable.

Toyota MR2 (SW20)

The second-gen MR2, the SW20. The one that looks like a baby Ferrari. Mid-engine, turbo option, it’s a pocket rocket. They’re getting really hard to find in good condition. A clean, non-turbo one might be $10,000, a turbo model… uhm, $15,000 and up? And they’re just so cool. They have a bit of a snap-oversteer reputation, but if you know how to drive, it’s fine. It’s a future classic, for sure.

Nissan 350Z / 370Z

The Nissan Z cars. The 350Z is the bargain now, you can find them all day for under $10,000. The VQ engine is bulletproof, and it sounds great. It’s not the most refined thing, it’s a bit of a brute, but it’s a lot of car for the money. The 370Z is a bit more, maybe $15,000-$20,000 for a good one, and it’s a more modern take. Honestly, both are great. They’re not going to get any cheaper.

BMW M3 (E46)

The E46 M3. Oh man. That straight-six engine, the SMG transmission that everyone hates but the manual that everyone loves… it’s just a beautiful car. It’s the perfect size, it drives incredibly. But uhm, the big thing is the subframe, it can crack, and the rod bearings… you gotta check those. But if you find a sorted one for, I dunno, $20,000 to $30,000? It’s a solid bet. It’s already a modern classic.

Chevrolet Corvette (C5 Z06)

The C5 Corvette Z06. The performance you get for the money is just stupid. Like, 400 horsepower, lightweight, and you can find really nice ones for, what, $20,000? Maybe even less? It’s a proper American supercar-killer. The interior is… well, it’s plastic, but who cares when it goes like that? And the LS engine is cheap and easy to work on. It’s probably one of the best performance bargains… ever.

Lotus Elise

The Lotus Elise. This is a big one. It’s not cheap to buy, a decent one is like $35,000 to $45,000, but here’s the thing they’re not making them anymore, and they’re literally all about the driving experience. No power steering, super light, it’s like a go-kart with a roof. They’ve been rock-solid in value for years, and I think they’ll only go up. It’s a real driver’s car, for a driver.

Honda S2000

The Honda S2000. That F20C engine… 9,000 rpm redline! It’s a screamer. The gearshift is, like, the best ever made. They’re already going up in value. A clean, low-mileage one is easily $25,000-plus now. But even a higher-mileage one for $15,000 is worth it. It’s just a perfectly engineered sports car. It’s reliable, it’s fun, and it’s only getting rarer.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (2007-2014)

The S197 generation GT500. Supercharged V8, 500-plus horsepower, and it just looks so mean. They’re built like tanks. You can find these for, uhm, maybe $30,000 to $40,000 for a really nice one. That’s a lot of muscle for the money. And it’s a Shelby. That name means something. It’s not a subtle car, but it’s an icon.

Audi TT RS (Mk2)

The second-generation Audi TT RS. The one with the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder. That engine has a cult following for a reason it sounds amazing and makes crazy power. It’s all-wheel drive, so it’s usable every day, and it’s just a cool, quirky, fast little thing. They’re holding their value really well, starting around, I’d say, $35,000. It’s a special car that people are starting to really appreciate.