10 Cheap Sports Cars That Could Skyrocket In Value Soon

Sports cars are, almost certainly, there to be enjoyed and driven: hustled along that sunny boulevard, guided through the corners of that favorite set of twisties, lovingly polished in the driveway, or just enjoyed in the usual traffic. They are, almost certainly, not designed to sit in garages. But this is the way of investing. For those with modest means and an eye for potential, there is a world of possibility in the automotive classifieds, and the future classic shines like a beacon, with its iconic looks, heritage, and, hopefully, its still-accessible price tag.

The models below may have the potential to climb sharply in value thanks to the changing automotive landscape, where many models that represent a simpler way of motoring, of purer performance, become sought after as the market transforms and becomes ever more clinical. There are many more to choose from, and, of course, the cars below aren’t guaranteed to make us rich, but they are arguably worth a second look, especially as they are mostly priced sanely.

10

1993-2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

Average Used Value: $15,000

1993-2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Specs

Chevrolet’s Camaro hung up its badge after the sixth generation in 2024, and it became the bookend to a long and successful history for the nameplate. The fourth generation, the F-Body Camaro, shared its underpinnings with the Pontiac Firebird for a final generation before the Pontiac brand became defunct.

These fourth-gen Camaros are affordable today, and the Z/28s are worth seeking out for their 5.7-liter LT1 V8s as well as the optional manual six-speeder, an upgrade from the five-speed manual transmission that was available for the previous third-genChevrolet Camaro. Later on in the fourth-gen Camaro’s career, the Corvette’s LS1 was now offered, which made an advertised 310 horsepower.

9

1998-2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 996

Average Used Value: $28,000

1998-2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 996 Specs

The 996-generation Porsche 911 was not universally praised upon its release, and its styling was also a possible point of contention thanks to the fried-egg headlamps. This 911 model was developed alongside the first-generation Boxster (986), and the two cars share various components in common. It was a radical evolution for the 911 family with a mostly new chassis, the biggest redesign for the 911 since the first generation.

This Porsche was an authentic 911 through and through, including the powerful (now-air-cooled) Boxer engines, rear-engined placement, and a smattering of high-performance, track-focused variants in the form of the GT2 and GT3. The Carrera was situated below the Turbo in the lineup, and the initial 3.4-liter engine was later enlarged to 3.6 liters.

8

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

Average Used Value: $29,000

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo Specs

The Nissan 300ZX was produced from 1990-1996 during the lively period when some of the greatest and most iconic Japanese sports cars took the world by storm. This generation of Z car was the second of two iterations, the Z31 being the first.

The Z32 was wider and more modern-looking with the silhouette of a supercar, while the new twin-turbocharged variant of the 3.0-literNissanVQ V6 family bumped power up to 300 horsepower. This was enough to catapult this underrated 300ZX to 60 mph in around five seconds, which was likely blisteringly quick 35 years ago. It was followed up by the Nissan 350Z.

7

2010-2014 Audi TT RS

Average Used Value: $35,000

2010-2014 Audi TT RS Specs

Audi’s TT was offered in various formats with a range of configurations available, but the range-topping five-cylinder was the one that could win over skeptical enthusiasts with its characteristic warble and impressive performance. This engine was more powerful than the big 3.2-liter V6, and 0-60 mph was dispatched in the four-second range.

Thanks to its small footprint and all-wheel drive, the Audi TT was agile and better suited for more challenging conditions than some rivals. It cost from around $57,000 in 2012, more than the contemporaryFord MustangGT Premium but far less than an entry-level Porsche 911 Carrera from the same year, which sold for $80,000. The Audi TT RS was sold through the third generation of the TT range until 2022, about a year before the TT range was brought to an end.

6

2008-2019 Maserati GranTurismo

Average Used Value: $40,000

2008-2019 Maserati GranTurismo Specs

Now is the time to take advantage of the Maserati GranTurismo’s reasonable value, which even at $40,000 is at least $50,000 below what the GT retailed for 17 years ago. It lacks the prestige of a Ferrari, and a manual transmission was not offered, but this grand tourer comes with all the luxury and prestige of an Italian flagship. It also comes with the Ferrari-Maserati engine under the hood.

The F136 is the beating heart of the GranTurismo and features in the Ferrari F430 and 458 Italia, albeit in a slightly different configuration. At well over 4,000 pounds, the GT is not a lithe sports car, but it could still hit 60 mph in under five seconds. An elegant grand tourer with heritage, luxury, performance, and looks that have aged gracefully.

5

2010-2015 Lotus Evora

Average Used Value: $44,000

2010-2015 Lotus Evora Specs

A Lotus Evora may not be the first car on an enthusiast’s shopping list, but considering its price, performance, and curb appeal, this British sports car is worth a look. Evoras are rarer than many rivals, but that doesn’t mean this Lotus is not deserving of praise.

Built on an all-new platform from the smaller Elise, the Evora was engineered to be a less track-focused model that could accommodate four passengers, making it a 2+2 despite its exotic mid-engine placement. Designed to take on rivals such as the Porsche 911, the regular version produced 276 horsepower while the supercharged variant could make up to 345 horsepower, with later models offering as much as 430 horsepower. It was succeeded by the Emira, Lotus’ last pure-gasoline model.

4

2014-2019 Jaguar F-Type

Average Used Value: $49,000

2014-2019 Jaguar F-Type Specs

The Jaguar F-Type was on sale from 2014 to 2024, the successor to the XK, and was finally discontinued after the 2024 model year as the Jaguar brand undergoes its biggest evolution in years. It garnered favorable reviews and proved itself capable even compared to strong rivals such as the Porsche 911, where it proved quicker in some road tests despite this British grand tourer’s heavy curb weight.

A wide range of powertrains and setups includes an entry-level turbocharged 2.0-liter, a four-cylinder for some markets, and two supercharged options: a V6 and a V8. Rear- or all-wheel drive was optional or standard, depending on the engine, and the transmission was automatic only, except for some V6 models. Flagship trims such as the Jaguar F-Type R could hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, making it a well-rounded grand touring package capable of offering speed as well as luxury.

3

2014-2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Average Used Value: $50,000

2014-2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Specs

Thanks to the fanfare and drama surrounding the C8 Corvette, Chevrolet’s C7 ‘Vette slipped out of the limelight pretty quickly, but maintains a strong fanbase. Although the merits of the current model are clear, some enthusiasts prefer the front-engine setup of the predecessor and the available manual transmission, something not offered for the subsequent generation.

The Z06 and ZR1 returned for the C7, swapping the Stingray’s LT1 V8 for the supercharged LT4 / LT5 engines, which offered up to 755 horsepower for the latter, the most powerful Corvette ever at the time. Average auction values are relatively affordable still, with an average of $50,000, which could make now the time to collect a C7 Corvette before they become prized investments.

2

1992-1995 Dodge Viper

Average Used Value: $50,000

1992-1995 Dodge Viper Specs

Dodge Vipers are also likely to appreciate in a big way in the future, thanks to their iconic looks and the raw, analog experience on offer. Manual sports cars are rarer today than ever, and V10-engined performance cars are even rarer still.

What made theDodge Viperso memorable was arguably its flaws, its Spartan nature, and its clear focus on driving, while a tendency to punish unskilled buffoonery gave it an impressive reputation. Many derivatives were produced across the three main generations, with the final one bidding farewell after 2017. It evolved to become more powerful, a little more refined, but arguably didn’t lose its DNA.

1

2014-2020 Alfa Romeo 4C

Average Used Value: $54,000

2014-2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Specs

Creeping over the $50,000 average auction value point, the Alfa Romeo 4C is a lot of sports car and heritage for the money, even though it failed to become the icon it could have been. It was the return to the US market of the Italian marque for the first time since 1995. A lightweight carbon fiber tub with aluminum subframes meant the 4C tipped the scales at just 2,400-2,500 pounds, allowing its small turbocharged engine to propel it to 60 mph in as little as four seconds.

Contemporary road tests aimed their criticism at the poor quality of the interior compared to rivals, with a lack of cargo space and a punishing ride. Also, a manual transmission was not available, which might have made this an even better modern driver’s car. Praise was given to its handling, though, as well as its speed, which is arguably what this elegant and special Alfa was all about.