Best Used Sports Cars Under $20,000

Introduction

Sports cars can be expensive to maintain and insure, but if you love cars those expenses are worth the payoff in fun. And hey, if you train your eye towards the used car market, you can find a near-mint sports car that won't punch a huge hole in your pocket. We scanned the AOL Autos used car database for some of the best sports cars $20,000 can buy, and we think you'll be impressed with with what we found.

2005 Audi S4

Price: $19,888
Mileage: 55,227
Price If You Bought It New: $45,850
Engine: 4.2-liter V8, 340 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: NA

Selling Points: The Audi S4 packs plenty of punch, grips the road with Quattro all-wheel-drive and looks as good poking around town as it does on a race track.

2003 Chevrolet Corvette

Price: $18,994
Mileage: 51,685
Price If You Bought It New: $43,635
Engine: 5.7-liter V8, 350 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: 5

Selling Points: The Corvette has long been the standard-bearer of American sports cars. The 'Vette is instantly recognizable, plenty fast and it rewards the owner with a high dependability rating.

2008 Ford Mustang GT

Price: $19,993
Mileage: 24,505
Price If You Bought It New: $27,420
Engine: 4.6-liter V8, 300 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: 3.5

Selling Points: The Mustang GT is the quintessential pony car, with terrific proportions, great acceleration and an absolute treasure-trove of available aftermarket parts. And best of all, they hold their value very well, so if you decide to sell you won't lose your shirt.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Price: $19,888
Mileage: 14,206
Price If You Bought It New: $22,000
Engine: 2.0-liter four cylinder, 210 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: NA

Selling Points: The Hyundai Genesis is surprisingly agile on the open road, with sharp steering and a willing chassis. The Genesis Coupe looks unlike anything else on the market too, which is a big plus if you're looking to stand out in a crowd.

2007 Infiniti G35

Price: $19,988
Mileage: 41,729
Price If You Bought It New: $34,050
Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 293 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: 3.5

Selling Points: The G35 is an underdog in the luxury car world and overlooked in the realm of sports cars. But trust us when we tell you that this attractive-looking coupe is fast, fun to drive and a pleasure to show off.

2003 Jaguar XK8

Price: $18,494
Mileage: 41,214
Price If You Bought It New: $74,330
Engine: 4.2-liter V8 294 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: NA

Selling Points: The Jaguar XK may be a bit of an old-school sports cars by today's standards, but trust us when we tell you that this gorgeous-looking British drop-top still gets plenty of envious stares.

2008 Nissan 350Z

Price: $19,963
Mileage: 33,928
Price If You Bought It New: $28,510
Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 306 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: NA

Selling Points: The 350Z has one of the most engaging V6 engines you'll find, it screams to be driven fast, and it performs like a bargain-basement Porsche.

2008 Pontiac G8 GT

Price: $19,994
Mileage: 23,455
Price If You Bought It New: $29,310
Engine: 6.0-liter V8, 361 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: NA

Selling Points: The Pontiac G8 is arguably the best sports sedan GM has ever produced, with a 361-horsepower V8 that shares a lineage with the Corvette and Camaro. But the G8 also has a usable back seat, making it perfect for the family.

2010 Volkswagen GTI

Price: $19,946
Mileage: 11,975
Price If You Bought It New: $23,465
Engine: 2.0-liter four cylinder, 200 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: NA

Selling Points: Of all the vehicles in the VW lineup this may well be our favorite, with great seats, terrific interior and a surprisingly agile ride. The GTI is about as much fun as any front-wheel-drive hatchback can be.

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX

Price: $19,996
Mileage: 40,035
Price If You Bought It New: $24,350
Engine: 2.5-liter boxer four cylinder, 224 horsepower
JD Power Dependability Rating: 3.5 (2007 model)

Selling Points: The Impreza isn't the prettiest sedan on the block, but it makes up for it's aesthetic shortcomings with a wonderful, turbocharged engine and a terrific all-wheel-drive system that makes the WRX a four-seasons sports sedan.