10 Affordable RWD Sports Cars Every Gearhead Should Drive At Least Once

Sep 06, 2023

These used rear-wheel drive sports cars will give you a great driving experience due to improved handling and balance and will suit those on a budget.

Affordability and sports cars don't usually go together in the same sentence. But some car enthusiasts work hard to find magnificent machines that are reliable, stunning, and agile, without breaking the bank. When they find such cars in the used car marketplace, they discover the wonderful engineering that went into balancing these machines and designing their beautiful curves. However, with a plethora of options to choose from, even the most seasoned sports car fan needs a little help in deciding what to pick. Balance is key when designing a sports car, and that includes weight distribution. The traditional rear-wheel drive layout (RWD) comes to mind, since it is tried and tested for a longer time, and easily allows for better weight distribution for front-engine cars.

While the more modern cars don't usually come fitted with RWD layout anymore, in favor of AWD or FWD systems which are cheaper to build, test-driving good RWD sports cars at least once is a sacred duty of any gearhead. To aid the dedicated sports car enthusiasts, this list has been compiled with 10 affordable RWD sports cars every gearhead should drive at least once. Stats have been obtained from Edmunds and Classic.

The intention behind building the 1999 Mazda Miata MX-5 was to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the car, and while its competitors drank fuel like it was nobody's business, the 1999 MX-5 was rather giving when it came to fuel economy, with drivers getting around 24 mpg combined on average. All of this was made possible by its efficient 1.8-liter inline-four engine that generated a modest 140 horsepower without breaking the bank. Mazda left no stone unturned when it came to actual on-road performance of this machine, making its RWD layout very nimble in terms of handling and compact in terms of the frame-size, allowing it to tackle tricky turns at breakneck speeds.

Mazda was rather cautious while building the Miata MX-5, as they didn't want to dilute its personality during their quest to upgrade it. Edmunds values the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata at around $2,268, and this rear-wheel drive sports car can almost always be found for under $10,000 in decent condition on the used car market.

RELATED: 10 Best Mazda MX-5 Miata Models You Need To Consider

The 2003 Nissan 350Z showcases great competence, and just like its cousin the Nissan 370Z, it can go all the way up to 150 mph and cover 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, at 5.4 seconds flat. This is yet another example of an RWD sports car done right, as the weight distribution on the car is nearly perfect. The car is mounted with a 3.5-liter V6 that generates a decent 287 horsepower. The curves on this car are utterly beautiful to look at, and their aerodynamic nature allows for graceful acceleration. While the fuel economy is nothing impressive, the car does showcase good competence in other aspects.

The 2003 Nissan 350Z is, perhaps, the best Nissan RWD sports car you can purchase for under $10,000, at an average sticker price of around $6,047 on the used car marketplace. Test driving it once might just make you want to go at it again and again. That is just how fun the Nissan 350Z can be to drive.

The surprising failure of the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP was due to the poor build quality that was observed in some of the models, perhaps due to the pressure Pontiac was under after all the hype that surrounded the vehicle. In terms of pure aesthetic appeal, the car was an absolute stunner that didn't lack in performance either, with enough competence to compete with more modern marvels. The machine rocketed itself from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. If you want a cheap used sports car that runs like the wind and looks like a million bucks, the Solstice GXP is a great option.

It costs so little that the build quality can be excused, especially if one is looking at it as a performance project car. Its competent 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine makes just around 260 horsepower, which is a steal for the $6,711 price tag that is put on the car.

The Suzuki Cappuccino is a compact two-door sports car produced by Suzuki that was built for two generations from the year 1991 to 1998. The Cappuccino's front-rear weight distribution was claimed to be absolutely perfect, with a 1:1 ratio from front to back. The Cappuccino's small size resulted in a lightweight build that allowed it to tackle corners at high speed. Being a light car, the engine didn't need to be excessively powerful, so this JDM roadster was fitted with a tiny three-cylinder engine. The engine made just around 64 horsepower, which was ample for its compact build. The car was quite modifiable by remapping the engine and swapping the exhaust.

The car weighs less than 1,600 lbs, so touching its tail lamps on a downhill race is near impossible. Classic puts the average price tag of a 1998 Suzuki Cappuccino at around $9,454, which is really a steal considering how agile this machine is. Anyone looking for RWD sports cars for sale for under $10,000 should seriously consider investing in a Cappuccino.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why We Love The Suzuki Cappuccino

The 2005 Porsche Boxster is an affordable Porsche if bought used, and is a very capable machine mounted with a decent six-cylinder 3.2-liter engine, which may not be monstrous, but is extremely efficient and reliable, generating a respectable 280 horsepower. The convertible Boxster is the best cheap luxury sports car on the market if you want decent fuel economy and reliability. Unlike most other cars on this list, the 2005 Porsche Boxster is a mid-engined sports car, but the RWD layout is preserved regardless, while the front wheels do the job of turning this machine. The car could go as high as 160 mph, which was a great top speed to have considering the accessible price tag and year of production.

Today, these beautiful little machines can be procured on the market for as low as $12,372 from dealerships while some can even cost less than $10,000 in good condition, if bought directly from the owners.

The 2009 Nissan 370Z was a stunning sports car that offered everything a driver could ask for. The suspension was tuned for excellent handling and braking, and the car came with a feature-filled interior. Being a Japanese sports car, it was on the more affordable side in comparison to its European and American competitors. The 3.7-liter V6 engine that was mounted on the 370Z competently generated around 332 horsepower, which was enough for the car to catapult to 60 mph in a mere 4.8 seconds.

Edmunds claims that on average, one can expect the car to cost around $14,425 if in good condition. Anyone looking for a fast, fun and accessibly priced sports coupe that can cover the 60 mph mark in less than 6 seconds, should consider driving the 2009 Nissan 370Z at least once.

RELATED: 10 Cheap Sports Cars That Accelerate From 0-60 MPH In Under 6 Seconds

The earlier versions of the C5 were not received positively by the market, with the ’98 Corvette being the most problematic model year of the car's C5 generation. Most of these issues were resolved by the time 2003 rolled around, and the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette was a wonder like no other. This was an absolute monster of a machine, built to be a high-performance model with a stunning design and daily driver livability. The RWD layout provides more power and control around high-speed corners without losing traction.

The most powerful of these came mounted with a 5.7-liter V8 engine that could pump out a massive 405 horsepower. With such power, this sports car was able to easily reach the 60 mph mark from a standstill in a mere 4.7 seconds. Valued at $16,348, the car can easily be found for less than $20,000 on the used car market with a little research and is the perfect choice for those who want an affordable American sports car.

The Honda S2000 boasts a high-revving 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a respectable 237 horsepower. The S2000 has developed a loyal cult following among car enthusiasts, and it drives down the street turning every head in sight, with its stylish looks. While the car has become something of a modern classic, retaining a lot of its value, it is still possible to get your hands on a 2008 Honda S2000 for as low as $18,456. Once a symbol of Honda's engineering prowess, it has now been discontinued since 2009. The S2000 can go from a standstill to 60 mph in just about 5.7 seconds due to its lightweight build, and its smaller frame allows it to be quicker and more agile on corners.

Anyone searching through the used market for cheap sports cars under $20,000 should consider test-driving the 2008 Honda S2000. It is just modern enough to showcase the newer features in the interior with modern safety systems, and just old enough to be a tried and tested classic.

The 2017 Fiat 124 Spider is the most recent car on this list and is an adorable head-turner. The design is sporty and sleek, making this compact machine look like a million bucks with ease. The Fiat 124 Spider looks pleasing to the eyes and is quiet as a mouse when it moves thanks to several soundproofing additions like the acoustic glass. The car is capable of reaching the 60 mph mark in just around 6.5 seconds, which is decent for the price. As is clear from these numbers, the car is intended to be for cruising the city while showboating its beauty. The car is good for those looking for an RWD sports car that is balanced and affordable, with all the newer safety features.

Edmunds values the car at around $21,966, but if bought from a private party, these can be found for less than $20,000, which is quite a bargain considering how much newer this machine is in comparison to the others on this list.

An affordable drift-king, the 1998 Nissan Silvia 240SX S14 belonged to a series of Nissan machines that were built for the sole purpose of being a daily driver sports car. The Japanese car scene welcomed the S13, S14, and then S15 with open arms. Several variants of these cars were sold in Europe and North America, with the 180SX and 240SX being the most popular models. The 1998 Nissan S14 can be modified to the core and remains one of the most loved modification-friendly sports cars from Japan.

The RWD layout is quite stable, and the weight distribution is near-perfect in the S14, with the body being several inches wider than its predecessors. According to Classic, the S15 has an average sticker price of around $22,563, while the S14 goes for around $17,165, although the S15 is illegal to drive in the US due to the 25-year import rule. Those are great numbers for anyone looking to purchase an affordable drift sports car and run some laps at their local track.

An independent journalist from India, Kanwar loves rugged cars and trucks that are built to endure harsh weather and off-road driving. He dislikes vehicles that are just impractical and ostentatious showpieces.