Rationalize it any way you please. But at some point in time, every car enthusiast contemplates sports car ownership. There are a couple of issues with opting for a sporty, svelte coupe or convertible, though. For starters, ditching a full-size trunk and two doors makes things cramped compared to larger sedans and SUVs. Then you have the price of the matter. A brand new sports car wearing a badge from Porsche or BMW could easily run you six figures or more.
Fret not, though. Turning to the used market can make things considerably cheaper than shopping for a new sports car. As it turns out, the noughties were a treasure trove of cool, sometimes quirky sports cars. Better yet, you can get any one of these sweet sports coupes and convertibles for well under $20,000. In some cases, you might even be able to get that price under $12,000.
Models are listed in ascending order based on average used price, from the most affordable to the least affordable.
2001 Audi TT
Average Used Price: $10,651
The Audi TT gets a bad rap. To the unevolved, it’s a “hairdresser’s car.” To others, it’s an odd duck in the German marque’s lineup. Either way, the first-generation Audi TT represents a bargain for those sports car lovers looking to get their hands on a stylish drop-top from the early 2000s. Ahead of the driver, Audi installed a turbocharged 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine. Granted, with 180 horsepower on tap, it’s not exactly mighty. But that doesn’t stop the Audi TT from being a spirited driving companion. Need more power? The 2001 model was available in Quattro spec, complete with a grippier Haldex all-wheel drive system and 225 horsepower instead of the standard model’s front-wheel propulsion and 180 ponies.
Though if raw driving thrills are what you’re after, you might be better off with a Porsche Boxster or BMW Z3 from the same era. The TT’s artsy interior fits well with the little roadster’s quirky exterior aesthetic. Designed by Romulus Rost, the Audi TT’s cabin is an Art Deco masterpiece of leather and metal. That said, even with a striking interior, you can get your hands on an early noughties Audi TT for a small, tidy sum. On average, a 2001 model goes for around $10,600. However, shrewd shoppers can get them for even cheaper if they know where to look. For instance, a 2002 model with a mere 26,000 miles on the clock sold at auction on Bring a Trailer for just $9,100.
First-Generation Audi TT Specs
|
Engine |
Turbocharged 1.8-Liter I4 |
|
Transmission |
Five-Speed Manual |
|
Horsepower, Torque |
180 HP At 5,500 RPM, 173 LB-FT At 1,950 RPM |
|
Drivetrain |
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
|
Curb Weight |
3,123 LBS |
|
0-60 MPH |
7.2 Seconds |
2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
Average Used Price: $11,000
The fourth-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse operates on a simple, satisfying formula– especially in the GT trim. Take a big, smooth V6, drop it into a charming two-door, and offer it with a manual transmission. Opt for the V6-powered Eclipse, and the 3.8-liter mill is good for a rated 263 horsepower, all without turbos or a supercharger.
Needless to say, it’s more than enough to turn the Eclipse’s front rubber into goop. Better yet, the final-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse is an affordable means to get into a 2000s sports car. As of this writing, you could get a nice, low-mileage 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT without breaking the bank. Don’t believe me? A 23,200-mile Eclipse Spyder GT sold in Florida last year for just $11,000. Not bad for a coupe with a big V6 and a convertible top. Still not convinced? A 31,000-mile example sold for $9,100 back in 2024.
Fourth-Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse GT Specs
|
Engine |
Naturally Aspirated 3.8-Liter V6 |
|
Transmission |
Five-Speed Manual, Four-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower, Torque |
263 HP At 5,750 RPM, 260 LB-FT At 4,500 RPM |
|
Drivetrain |
Front-Wheel Drive |
|
Curb Weight |
3,547 LBS |
|
0-60 MPH |
5.8 Seconds |
2005 Chrysler Crossfire
Average Used Price: $11,864
Jeremy Clarkson once said it looked like a dog doing its business. Harsh, sure. But if you can live with the Chrysler Crossfire’s unorthodox styling, it’s an absolute bargain. In standard spec, the Crossfire packs a naturally aspirated Mercedes-Benz 3.2-liter V6 to the tune of 215 horsepower. Pair that with an open-top convertible option, and the DaimlerChrysler-era collaboration car has the makings of a great sports car.
Then you have the spicy version. Instead of the standard application, the Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 dials things up with a Mercedes-Benz-sourced 3.2-liter V6. And, unlike the naturally aspirated variants, the Mercedes mill makes use of a helical supercharger. The result? Chrysler rated the SRT-badged Crossfire at a muscular 330 horsepower. That’s more than the Ford Mustang GT of the period. So, you might think you’d have to part with quite a bit of money to get your hands on Chrysler’s less-than-loved noughties sports car. Well, think again. On average, you can get a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire for around $11,800. Want the high-heat version? The typical listing price for the Crossfire SRT-6 sits at around $14,443.
Chrysler Crossfire Specs
|
Engine |
Naturally Aspirated 3.2-Liter V6 |
|
Transmission |
Five-Speed Manual, Five-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower, Torque |
215 HP At 5,700 RPM, 229 LB-FT At 3,000 RPM |
|
Drivetrain |
Rear-Wheel Drive |
|
Curb Weight |
3,061 LBS |
|
0-60 MPH |
6.9 Seconds |
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2008 Pontiac Solstice
Average Used Price: $14,253
The noughties were an interesting time for Pontiac. A two-door Pontiac from Australia, of all places, was the closest thing to a muscle car the brand had. That, and the doomed General Motors brand, took a stab at a small, Mazda Miata-fighting sports car. Enter the Pontiac Solstice, a 2,860-pound mechanical sibling to the Saturn Sky. At the base level, the Solstice motivates its rear tires with a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine. That mill is good for 173 horsepower. Not exactly Herculean, but enough to move the Solstice’s slight curb weight.
Like the Chrysler Crossfire, the Solstice was available in a spicier, more powerful variant: the Solstice GXP. Opt for the GXP, and the turbocharged 2.0-liter mill produces a much punchier 260 horsepower and the same number in torque. Better yet, a low-mileage, well-preserved Solstice can be had without breaking the bank. Average listing prices put a typical, low-mileage Solstice at around $14,253. That said, the Pontiac sports car does sell for less. For instance, a 49,000-mile Pontiac Solstice GXP sold at auction on Bring a Trailer for just $11,000. Not a bad way to get into a 2000s sports car. Hell, it even found its way into a “Transformers” film. But, unlike the Miata, the Solstice and Sky didn’t have enough staying power to make it to a second generation.
Pontiac Solstice Specs
|
Engine |
Naturally Aspirated 2.4-Liter I4 |
|
Transmission |
Five-Speed Manual, |
|
Horsepower, Torque |
173 HP At 5,800 RPM, 167 LB-FT At 4,500 RPM |
|
Drivetrain |
Rear-Wheel Drive |
|
Curb Weight |
2,860 LBS |
|
0-60 MPH |
7.0 Seconds |
2007 Cadillac XLR
Average Used Price: $18,333
Let’s say a Chevrolet Corvette C6 doesn’t quite cut it. You want a bit more prestige from the badge on your 2000s sports car. Well, between 2004 and 2009, Cadillac believed it had the answer. Take an angular two-door Caddy, add a folding hardtop, plonk in a creamy smooth 4.6-liter Northstar V8, and you have the Cadillac XLR. In base spec, the XLR is good for 320 horsepower. Not too shabby for a luxe Caddy convertible.
But Cadillac didn’t stop there. Want more from your drop-top Caddy? The XLR is available with more firepower in the XLR-V trim, complete with a 443-horsepower, supercharged V8. But getting your hands on the XLR-V is considerably more expensive than the standard Cadillac XLR. On average, a low-mileage 2007 Cadillac XLR sells for well under $20,000. And if you’re fine with higher mileage, things get even more affordable. For example, an 84,000-mile 2007 Cadillac XLR sold for $12,500 late last year.
Cadillac XLR Specs
|
Engine |
Naturally Aspirated 4.6-Liter Northstar V8 |
|
Transmission |
Six-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower, Torque |
320 HP At 6,400 RPM, 310 LB-FT At 4,400 RPM |
|
Drivetrain |
Rear-Wheel Drive |
|
Curb Weight |
3,647 LBS |
|
0-60 MPH |
5.9 Seconds |
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Get them while they’re still cheap – the market is still to catch on to these sports cars, grand tourers, and coupes that offer speed and style.
So, Should You Buy One?
It’s the big question on a bargain-hunting sports car shopper’s mind: should I buy one? After all, these cars are, in some cases, 26 years old. That’s not exactly spring chicken status. From a reliability standpoint, some of these noughties sports cars are more dependable than others. For instance, the fourth-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse has a reputation for relative reliability. On the other hand, the Cadillac XLR’s Northstar V8 has a reputation for oil leaks and cooling system issues. As with any car, especially one of this age, it’s important to get an independent pre-purchase inspection and buy smart.
Sources: Bring a Trailer, CarBuzz, Classic.com, Edmunds