The 2008 Porsche Boxster (987.1) is the best used sports car under $20,000: KBB owners rate its generation 4.9 out of 5 for reliability, the highest on this list, and KBB prices it from $8,800. The 2011 Ford Mustang (S197) is #2 and the 2008 Nissan 350Z (Z33) is #3.
At a glance
#
Pick
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,800 for the Boxster Limited Edition Convertible 2D (originally $50,760), up to $22,900 for the Boxster S Convertible 2D (originally $65,300)
The top owner reliability score here, on a mid-engine Porsche
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $9,450 for the Mustang Coupe 2D (originally $23,990), up to $26,900 for the Shelby GT500 Convertible 2D (originally $55,790)
The lowest starting price among the 4.8-rated cars
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $16,500 for the MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible 2D (originally $25,735), up to $18,250 for the Grand Touring Convertible 2D (originally $30,885)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $13,850 for the Z4 sDrive28i Roadster 2D (originally $50,540), up to $17,950 for the Z4 sDrive35is Roadster 2D (originally $67,195)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $11,950 for the TT Quattro Premium Plus Coupe 2D (originally $39,545), up to $25,200 for the TT RS Quattro Coupe 2D (originally $58,095)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,550 for the BRZ Premium Coupe 2D (originally $26,315), up to $17,550 for the BRZ Limited Coupe 2D (originally $28,465)
The newest model year on this list, with every trim under $17,600
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $5,225 for the RX-8 Sport Coupe 4D (originally $28,020), up to $10,800 for the Grand Touring Coupe 4D (originally $33,755)
The lowest starting price on the list, at $5,225
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2008 Porsche Boxster (987.1)
Best muscle car
2011 Ford Mustang (S197)
Best roadster
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND)
Most power
2015 Chevrolet Camaro (5th gen)
Lowest price
2011 Mazda RX-8 (SE3P)
The ranking
1
2008 Porsche Boxster (987.1)
Photo: free photos & art / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe mid-engine pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,800 for the Boxster Limited Edition Convertible 2D (originally $50,760), up to $22,900 for the Boxster S Convertible 2D (originally $65,300)Owner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.9 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 245 to 295 hp
The 2008 Boxster has a 4.9 out of 5 owner reliability score on KBB, the highest here, with 245 to 295 hp across its trims. KBB prices it from $8,800 for the Limited Edition Convertible to $22,900 for the Boxster S Convertible.
Go ifThe top owner reliability score here, on a mid-engine Porsche
Skip ifYou want a Boxster S under $20,000
Why #1 over #2: Its 4.9 owner reliability score beats the Mustang’s 4.8.
2
2011 Ford Mustang (S197)
Photo: GPS 56 from New Zealand / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe muscle car pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $9,450 for the Mustang Coupe 2D (originally $23,990), up to $26,900 for the Shelby GT500 Convertible 2D (originally $55,790)Owner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.8 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 305 to 550 hp
The 2011 Mustang has a 4.8 out of 5 owner reliability score and 305 to 550 hp across its trims. KBB prices it from $9,450 for the Coupe to $26,900 for the Shelby GT500 Convertible.
Go ifThe lowest starting price among the 4.8-rated cars
Skip ifYou want the Shelby GT500 under $20,000
Why #2 over #3: Its $9,450 starting price sits below the 350Z’s $11,850 at the same 4.8 score.
3
2008 Nissan 350Z (Z33)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Japanese V6 pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $11,850 for the 350Z Coupe 2D (originally $28,605)Owner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.8 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 306 hp
The 2008 350Z has a 4.8 out of 5 owner reliability score and a 306 hp engine. KBB prices the Coupe at $11,850.
Go ifA 306 hp V6 coupe under $12,000
Skip ifYou want a newer design
Why #3 over #4: Its $11,850 starting price sits below the Camaro’s $15,100 at the same 4.8 score.
4
2015 Chevrolet Camaro (5th gen)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe big-power pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $15,100 for the Camaro LS Coupe 2D (originally $24,700)Owner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.8 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 323 to 580 hp
The 2015 Camaro has a 4.8 out of 5 owner reliability score and 323 to 580 hp across its trims. KBB prices it from $15,100 for the LS Coupe.
Go ifThe widest power range here, from 323 to 580 hp
Skip ifYou want the Z/28 under $20,000
Why #4 over #5: Its $15,100 starting price sits below the Miata’s $16,500 at the same 4.8 score.
5
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe roadster pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $16,500 for the MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible 2D (originally $25,735), up to $18,250 for the Grand Touring Convertible 2D (originally $30,885)Owner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.8 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 155 hp
The 2016 MX-5 Miata has a 4.8 out of 5 owner reliability score and 155 hp. KBB prices it from $16,500 for the Sport Convertible to $18,250 for the Grand Touring Convertible.
Go ifA roadster with every trim under $18,500
Skip ifYou want the lowest price here
Why #5 over #6: Its 4.8 owner reliability score beats the Z4’s 4.7.
6
2012 BMW Z4 (E89)
Photo: M 93 / Attribution via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe luxury roadster pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $13,850 for the Z4 sDrive28i Roadster 2D (originally $50,540), up to $17,950 for the Z4 sDrive35is Roadster 2D (originally $67,195)Owner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.7 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 240 to 335 hp
The 2012 Z4 has a 4.7 out of 5 owner reliability score and 240 to 335 hp across its trims. KBB prices it from $13,850 for the sDrive28i to $17,950 for the sDrive35is.
Go ifA luxury roadster with every trim under $18,000
Skip ifYou want the lowest price here
Why #6 over #7: Its 4.7 owner reliability score beats the TT’s 4.6.
7
2013 Audi TT (8J)
Photo: free photos & art / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe German coupe pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $11,950 for the TT Quattro Premium Plus Coupe 2D (originally $39,545), up to $25,200 for the TT RS Quattro Coupe 2D (originally $58,095)Owner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.6 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 211 to 360 hp
The 2013 TT has a 4.6 out of 5 owner reliability score and 211 to 360 hp across its trims. KBB prices it from $11,950 for the Quattro Premium Plus Coupe to $25,200 for the TT RS.
Go ifA German coupe from $11,950
Skip ifYou want the TT RS under $20,000
Why #7 over #8: Its $11,950 starting price sits below the BRZ’s $14,550 at the same 4.6 score.
8
2017 Subaru BRZ (ZC6)
Photo: OWS Photography / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe newest pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,550 for the BRZ Premium Coupe 2D (originally $26,315), up to $17,550 for the BRZ Limited Coupe 2D (originally $28,465)Owner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.6 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 205 hp
The 2017 BRZ has a 4.6 out of 5 owner reliability score and 205 hp. KBB prices it from $14,550 for the Premium Coupe to $17,550 for the Limited Coupe.
Go ifThe newest model year on this list, with every trim under $17,600
Skip ifYou want more than 205 hp
Why #8 over #9: Its 4.6 owner reliability score beats the Genesis Coupe’s 4.5.
9
2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe (2nd gen)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheap power pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,475 for the Genesis Coupe 2.0T Coupe 2D (originally $25,125), up to $8,625 for the 3.8 R-Spec Coupe 2DOwner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.5 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 260 to 344 hp
The 2013 Genesis Coupe has a 4.5 out of 5 owner reliability score and 260 to 344 hp across its trims. KBB prices it from $8,475 for the 2.0T Coupe to $8,625 for the 3.8 R-Spec Coupe.
Go ifA 344 hp coupe at a starting price under $8,500
Skip ifYou want a reliability score above 4.5
Why #9 over #10: Its 4.5 owner reliability score beats the RX-8’s 4.2.
10
2011 Mazda RX-8 (SE3P)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe rotary pick.
Used price (KBB, starting trim, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $5,225 for the RX-8 Sport Coupe 4D (originally $28,020), up to $10,800 for the Grand Touring Coupe 4D (originally $33,755)Owner reliability (KBB, whole generation): 4.2 out of 5Horsepower (KBB, all trims of that model year): 212 to 232 hp
The 2011 RX-8 has a 4.2 out of 5 owner reliability score and 212 to 232 hp across its trims. KBB prices it from $5,225 for the Sport Coupe to $10,800 for the Grand Touring Coupe.
Go ifThe lowest starting price on the list, at $5,225
Skip ifYou want the top reliability score
How we ranked these
We ranked used sports cars from generations not picked on our other used car pages, each with a Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price that starts under $20,000 for one model year, as read in October 2026. The order is the KBB owner reliability rating first, then the lowest starting used price. KBB’s owner rating covers a whole generation, so other model years of the same generation share it; prices and horsepower are for the model year shown. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best used sports car under $20,000?
The 2008 Porsche Boxster (987.1): KBB owners rate its generation 4.9 out of 5 for reliability, the highest on this list, and KBB prices the 2008 Boxster from $8,800.
Which used sports car here is cheapest?
The 2011 Mazda RX-8 starts lowest at $5,225 on KBB, followed by the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe at $8,475 and the 2008 Porsche Boxster at $8,800.
Which of these has the most horsepower?
The 2015 Chevrolet Camaro tops the range at 580 hp across its trims, with the 2011 Ford Mustang next at 550 hp; both start under $16,000 on KBB.
Can I get a used Mazda MX-5 Miata under $20,000?
Yes, the 2016 MX-5 Miata (ND) starts at $16,500 on KBB for the Sport, and the Grand Touring is $18,250.
Starting Kelley Blue Book used price, one model year per pick (USD) at a glance
2011 Mazda RX-8 (SE3P)$5,225
2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe (2nd gen)$8,475
2008 Porsche Boxster (987.1)$8,800
2011 Ford Mustang (S197)$9,450
2008 Nissan 350Z (Z33)$11,850
2013 Audi TT (8J)$11,950
2012 BMW Z4 (E89)$13,850
2017 Subaru BRZ (ZC6)$14,550
2015 Chevrolet Camaro (5th gen)$15,100
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND)$16,500
Starting Kelley Blue Book used price, one model year per pick (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
