Best Cars for under 20000$

You may not think 20000$ can get you much when in comes to a true sports car, but that is the furthest from the truth. These cars I believe are just as good or better than some of today’s brand new sports cars, since many of them were the top dogs in their respective categories during their prime years. When it comes to spirited driving, these machines are hard to beat at this price. If you want to see some of my sports car choices for under 20000$ you know what to do:

1) 2000-2003 Honda S2000 (AP1)
2.0L DOHC I-4
240hp @ 8300rpm
153tq @ 7500rpm
0-60 = 5.6
1/4 mile = 14.2 @ 98mph
Top Speed = 147mph
Price Range = 14000 – 22000
New MSRP = 48000$
Psychotic is probably the best term to describe the first generation s2000. Revving this machine to it’s spine tingling 9000rpm is simply astonishing. The screaming produced by the 2.0L is addicting as it puts out a record shattering 120hp/liter, the most any N/A car has ever produced (until the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia of course). The best part about the s2000 is that you feel think you are overworking the motor, and realize you have 2000 more rpm to work with! It’s so much fun redlining this motor, and you know exactly when you hit VTEC from that sudden engine and exhaust note shriek! The engine is the s2000’s best feature and it’s gear shifts are buttery smooth and precise, one of the best or any car period! Coupled with precision handling, Honda reliability, and a driver focused dash/control layout, this is a car that everyone must drive at some point in their lives. With several caranddriver 10 best awards and several comparison test victories over significantly more expensive brands and you have a true sports car bargain at well under 20000$. AP2 models (2004+) are also great buys if you want something a bit more livable on a day to day basis with more usable torque from it’s 2.2L motor, however with a 1000rpm wot play with, to me it becomes the less attractive variant. If you had to buy an AP2 make sure it’s a 2006 or later since there is several dyno’s out there showing relatively significant output boost in comparison to the 2004/2005 2.2 motors.

2) 2004-2007 Subaru WRX STI
Turbocharged and Intercooled 2.5L DOHC Flat-4
300hp @ 6000rpm
300hp @ 4000rpm
0-60 = 4.9
1/4 mile = 13.4 @ 102mph (numbers are significantly better with 2006-2007 models)
Top Speed = 145mph
Price Range = 15000 – 25000
New MSRP = 47995$
Take one of the best cars for under 10000$ the Subaru WRX, and put it on the best steroids on the market and you have this. Just as Jeremy Clarkson of top gear stated, this car’s looks are yelling “You! Outside! Right Now!” in regards to it’s over the top aggressive looks, giving clear signs that this thing means serious business. With a much larger I-4, more power, sportier suspension, brembo brakes, a more advanced AWD system, Forged BBS wheels and stickier rubber, this car is probably the ultimate year round sports car in this category. The best part is, in the snow, it’s the fastest thing on the road and taunts you to push it to the limits to test you skills doing all wheel snow drifts and 0-60 runs which usually fly by in under 6 second…in the snow! Oh and if your a tuner, and demand even more power out of you STI, a couple thousand dollars will give you sub 13 second 1/4 mile times easily. Simply astonishing for a car in this price range. If at all possible I would definitely be spending the extra money to acquire the face lifted 2006-2007 models, with updated styling as well as a motor that has been statistically and dyno proven to make more power even thought they claim the same output. I would also be willing to spend a little bit more on a model that is relatively stock or with minor mods such as a stage 1/2 tune at the most.

4) 1998-2003 E39 M5
4.9L DOHC V-8
394hp @ 6600rpm
368tq @ 3800rpm
0-60 = 4.7
1/4 mile = 13.2 @ 109mph
Top Speed = 156mph
Price Range = 18000 – 25000
New MSRP = 105500$
The E39 M5 completely dominated the luxury sports sedan category by a long shot, and most of that credit has to do with it’s pace setting, sonorous V-8. Other than it’s cost brand new, and somewhat dated looks, there are very few downfalls to the M5. Many believe the E39 is the best M5 to date, even better than the current generation. For 20000 you can own a reliable, luxurious, rare, and invigorating sedan that was once said to be “a car as close to perfection as humanly possible” or “only enzo’s heirs can build a sweeter V-8” (referring to Ferrari of course) and has won almost every single comparison test in all automotive journalism companies. Good Track Record? I think so. The only thing to watch out for is potentially repairs that have not been done or need to be done in the near future that may be costly so make sure you do your homework and get an example with a good track record. So here is my question to you, if you had 20000 to spend, would you still choose that dodge charger SE for 30000$? You better not! Oh and did you see those acceleration numbers?!

Tom Comegna

What do you think? I want to hear any and all suggestions about what they think some of the best sports car for under 20000$ are….remember overall sports cars (not track cars that an owner will be pissed off cause they break all the time and they wasted their money!). Speak up people and I will respond!!! (scared??)