10 Cheap Classic Sports Cars That Are Fun To Drive
Classic sports cars have a long list of collectors and buyers interested in the same experience and performance which the cars offered when they were released. Often renowned for their looks and exclusivity, these classic cars are also infamous for expensive repair bills and difficult maintenance, which keeps owners on their toes.
A few classic cars, however, are still known to be reliable and robust, but are expensive to buy in the used car market. Most of these classic sports cars, offer an impressive package and an unparalleled experience for the hardcore enthusiasts. Using trusted websites, Kelley Blue Book and Hagerty we have put together a list of 10 options of affordable but reliable and cheap to maintain classic sports cars.
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10 1982 Porsche 924 – $8,500
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The Porsche 924 was introduced in the market as a compact performance car but failed to gain enough attention from buyers as most preferred the more powerful 928 and the 968. In reality, however, the 1982 Porsche 924 deserves a lot more consideration and is a great car for anyone looking for strong reliability, impressive performance, and true-racing genes.
Available at an average retail price of around $8,500, the Porsche 924 is not only affordable to purchase, but is also one of the cheapest to maintain classic sports cars in the used car market today. Under the hood, it was offered with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that delivered a peak power output of 123 hp and channeled power to the rear wheels. This engine was made available either with a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic gearbox.
9 1980 MG MGB MKIV – $8,100
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MG is renowned for its stylish classic cars that packed in tons of performance and a strong character, and the 1980 MGB MkIV was no different. A simple setup, subtle styling and a no-nonsense inline-four engine made the MGB MkIV a fun-to-drive and light-weight performance car which was appreciated by many for its elegant looks and athletic handling. The British carmaker launched the MGB MkIV for consumers looking for an affordable and easy to maintain performance car, but also offered a number of upgrades for the hardcore enthusiasts ready to spend more in favor of better performance.
In addition to the standard 1.8-liter inline-four engine that delivered 100 hp and 115 lb-ft of torque, the brand also offered a more powerful V8 engine. With an average retail price of a little over $8,000, the 1980 MG MGB can be a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and easy to maintain classic car with British genes.
8 1969 Triumph TR6 – $17,000
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The Triumph TR6, with its light-weight body and short wheelbase, was well appreciated at it's time for its brisk performance and simple maintenance. The 1969 TR6 was positioned as an affordable roadster in the market and brought in significant sales for the brand back then. The '69 Triumph TR6 is available these days for an average retail price of $17,000.
At the time of its launch, the Triumph TR6 was offered with a six-cylinder engine that delivers 150 hp, while the body-on-chassis setup made it a robust and well-built car. Having said this, the '69 Triumph TR6 is also known for strong dynamics and direct steering, which made it extremely involving to drive.
Related: 10 Unreliable German Sports Cars With Ridiculously High Maintenance Costs
7 1992 Toyota MR2 Turbo Coupe – $4,865
Toyota UK
The first-gen Toyota MR2 was co-developed by Toyota and Lotus engineers and was regarded as one of the best handling cars back then. A compact footprint and light body meant the drivers always enjoyed throwing the car into corners, while the acceleration too was brisk for a car of this class. The 1992 MR2 Turbo is still known for its impressive reliability and great fuel economy when driven with a light foot.
Under the hood, the 1992 Toyota MR2 Turbo was offered with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that also powered a number of other cars back then.
6 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata – $9,200
Mazda
The Mazda MX-5 Miata launched in 1989 and remains one of the most popular sports cars, appreciated for its affordable maintenance and wide modification options.
The 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata is available in the used car market today for an average retail price of $9,200 and boasts incredible handling thanks to a 50/50 weight distribution. What makes it even better is a rear-wheel drive setup and limited-slip differential that gives it a balanced and responsive ride.
5 1996 BMW Z3 – $11,200
BMW
Introduced for those looking for an affordable and powerful sports car, the BMW Z3 is still in demand among buyers looking for a well-built car with great driving dynamics. The 1996 BMW Z3 is available in the used car market at an average retail price of a little over $11,200 and makes a lot of sense for those looking for an exciting to drive and reliable classic sports car.
Unlike many other German sports cars, the 1996 BMW Z3 is not very expensive to maintain and is renowned for its durability. The 1996 model was available with a 1.9-liter, inline-four-cylinder engine that makes 140 hp and can help the car do a 0-60 mph run in around 10 seconds.
Related: 10 Awesome Ways To Modify Your Chevrolet Corvette
4 1968 Triumph Spitfire – $8,300
Triumph
The 1968 Triumph Spitfire, ever since its launch, has been regarded as one of the most reliable offerings in the market and boasts a simple setup along with a no-nonsense powertrain. A body-on-chassis construction further makes it easy to maintain in the longer run. It is also known for its clamshell-hood pivots that open towards the nose of the car, thus helping in better access to the engine.
Under the hood, the first-gen version was offered with a 1.2-liter, inline-four-cylinder engine that produces 63 hp and 67 lb-ft of maximum torque. The '68 model is available in the used car market for an average retail price of close to $8,300.
3 1977 Lancia Scorpion – $12,200
Mecum Auctions
The 1977 Lancia Scorpion, unlike other Lancia classic cars, is one of the most reliable sports cars and is offered with a fun-to-drive package and robust mechanical setup. To complement this package, the '77 Scorpion came with the classic Italian styling that gave it a strong character and the identity it is still known and remembered for.
Powering the 1977 Lancia Scorpion was a 2.0-liter motor, which came mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It did a 0-60 mph run in just 9 seconds and was loved for its strong dynamics and perfectly balanced chassis. The 1977 Lancia Scorpion is available at an average retail price of $12,200 in the used car market today.
2 1971 Fiat 124 Spider – $13,100
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For those looking for a simple Italian package with an impressive performance, the Fiat 124 Spider can be a great choice. While multiple engines were offered with the Fiat 124 Spider, the 1.8-liter and the 2.0-liter engines were the most popular and delivered close to 120 horses. Both these engines, in addition to their performance and refinement, were also appreciated for their reliability and easy maintenance.
A number of clean examples are still available in the market today and sell at an average price of $13,100 while the ones which have been tastefully restored fetch better resale prices. Despite this, a few of the batches were infamous for their rust issues and expensive body repair bills.
Related: 10 Classic Muscle Cars That Have High Maintenance And Repair Costs
1 1968 Chevrolet Corvette – $22,600
Mecum Auctions
The Chevy Corvette is one of the very few American classic cars which gained strong popularity across the globe. Power packed performance along with stellar looks made the 1968 Chevy Corvette a great choice for anyone looking for reliability and impressive driving experience.
Under the hood came a massive 427 cu-in engine that churned out a peak power output of 400 hp, helping the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette deliver brisk performance and a claimed top speed of 124 mph. This engine was offered with two-barrel Holley Carburetors and impressed everyone with its stress-free revving and strong-top end. It is because of this reputation and popularity of the 1968 Corvette that the average retail price is close to $23,000 for a nicely kept example in the used car market today.
Source: HotCars
