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When buying a high-performance car, two different mindsets usually collide. As with any sensible transmission, part of your brain wants to experience the emotions of a responsive engine, transmission and chassis.
However, the other side will have a natural skepticism about not only running costs but reliability as well. In general, sports cars can be more vulnerable than regular family commuters, so you need to be aware of what problems these cars might have and how much their maintenance will cost.
Fortunately, however, for a $30,000 budget there are some enticing options that offer not only speed but also a high level of reliability. Here are ten of the best options.
10 Honda S2000 – $19,000
Image: Honda
Image: Honda Perhaps the most obvious contender on this list is Honda’s fabulous S2000 sports car. Production ran for ten years between 1999 and 2009 and was popular not only for its responsive handling but also for having one of the most reliable engines ever produced.
The 2.0 liter VTEC engine was a gem for the industry and if properly cared for they can run as long and healthily as they like with minimal effort.
If ever there was a sports car that lasted forever, the S2000 would almost certainly be at the top. And what a great deal when good ones start at around $19,000-$20,000.
9 Mercedes E55 AMG – $15,000
At the same time, buying a used German performance car involves a high level of risk. The E60 BMW M5, for example, is plagued with problems, and some Audis don’t fare as well either. However, the E55 was known for its 5.4-liter supercharged V8, which could easily endure hundreds of thousands of miles and still retain most of its factory performance.
Many AMG fans say that those looking for reliability should get an earlier 55 instead of the later 6.2-litre AMGs. They are relatively rare in the States, but are easily available in the $15,000 to $20,000 price range.
8th Porsche Boxster (987) – $22,000
This list would be massively incomplete without a Porsche showing up. The 987 Boxster is a fabulous choice if you want a fast Porsche but don’t want the higher running costs of a 911.
With either a 2.7 or 3.2 liter boxer engine on offer, the 987 was a fast, responsive sports car that also provided you with an excellent level of reliability. A good Boxster S is easily available for less than $20,000, with extra change to give it some OEM modifications.
7 Dodge Challenger SRT8 – $17,000
The Dodge Challenger’s reboot was a massive deal in the late 2000s, and with the iconic muscle car being phased out soon, it’s worth looking at used models if you want some of that throwback muscle.
The early SRT8s are pretty dated compared to the later Hellcats and the like, but with decent ones starting at around $17,000 it suddenly seems like a fair bargain for a 425hp Hemi V8 to give the streets some attitude can lend. The Challenger has also proven to be a reliable car – many owners have used it as a daily car, and occasional mileage and age-related maintenance is all these cars ask for.
6 Ford Mustang GT – $20,000
The S550 Mustang is perhaps one of the most influential sports cars of recent times. Since the introduction of independent rear suspension, the Mustang suddenly became a serious performance car.
Now that they’re easily available starting at $20,000, that certainly makes it one of the best fast car bargains available.
With a 5.0-liter V8, 6-speed manual transmission and plenty of throat-sore grunts, the Mustang may be the most recommended choice given its lower running costs than the other contenders on this list.
5 Nissan 370Z – $15,000
The 370Z replaced the 350Z in 2008 and production lasted quite a while. But that has meant that many used 370Zs in good condition can be found in the classifieds starting at around $15,000.
For the money, the 370Z boasts Japanese reliability, plus crisp performance from its 3.7-liter V6 and nimble handling thanks to its more compact chassis (compared to a muscle car).
4 Volvo V70 R – $10,000
The most quirky entrant on the list is the rare Volvo V70 T5 R. It was a 300hp 5-cylinder turbocharged version of the V70 station wagon and can trace its roots back to the BTCC championship, with a famous Volvo 850R having competed.
The V70 R benefits from Volvo’s enduring reputation for quality and reliability, so it’s likely to care for you as much as you respect it once you’ve clocked up a few miles. Volvos have traveled many hundreds of thousands of miles around the world. So if these cars do occasionally come up for sale, the current average of around $10,000 is certainly well spent.
3 Chevrolet Camaro SS – $14,000
The Camaro was Chevrolet’s answer to the Mustang, and for 2010 it received a complete refresh with a retro look to keep up with the new wave of classic-inspired American cars – including the Mustang and Challenger.
The SS, with its 6.2-litre V8, was a famously durable engine, and considering how easy these things are to maintain, a good engine shouldn’t give you any problems if you can enjoy the thunderous V8 soundtrack along with its sorted enjoy the chassis. Underneath it’s a Holden Commodore – which means it’ll be more capable around corners than you might think.
2 Cadillac CTS-V – $25,000
The CTS-V came as quite a surprise to the traditional Cadillac enthusiast when it first appeared in 2004. Suddenly, Cadillac wanted a piece of the sport sedan market, and for the second generation, it became one of the best in the business.
Over 550 horsepower from its 6.2-liter V8 was offered. Its amazing handling characteristics meant it was a hoot even for the keen driver. And couple that with a much more robust reliability record than its German and British rivals, and suddenly the hot Caddy is a treat, available from $25,000 upwards.
The best part? This impressive sports sedan with manual transmission (was an option) is even available in wagon form.
1 Subaru Impreza WRX STI – $23,000
Subarus are known around the world for their impeccable reliability. Cars like the Forester, Legacy Outback and others are true workhorses in their segments and American customers can’t get enough of them.
Possibly the brand’s most iconic model, the Impreza WRX STI boasts years of rallying experience thanks to drivers like Colin McRae and Richard Burns. For the road, the WRX STI was built to be the most durable performance car out there, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Very well maintained examples can be found for under $30,000, and considering that Subaru probably won’t make something like this again, it can be worth investing in.