There are many brand new sports cars on the market that are simply exceptional. The combination of performance, build quality, and modern tech makes them a very compelling package. The only drawback is that brand-new cars are unfortunately very expensive, from initial purchase price to the most prominent problem—depreciation—losing a big chunk of their value within the first few years.The solution is to buy a sports car that's a few years old and has already suffered from its initial depreciation. The five-year mark is a good sweet spot to buy a used sports car, being far more affordable than a new one, and still featuring many of the major conveniences as well as the performance levels you’d find in a modern vehicle. It's the best middle ground between value and convenience. Toyota Supra The Toyota GR Supra was reintroduced in 2019, made in partnership with BMW, and its Z4. As a result, the two models are very similar and have gone largely unchanged from the modern version you can still buy today. In 2021, there were two engine options for the Supra: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four cylinder producing 255 hp, an engine that's now been discontinued for the Supra. The more popular powertrain was the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, producing 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet, the exact same performance figures you can find today. The only downside of the Supra is that there was only an eight-speed automatic transmission available, with the manual transmission introduced later, in 2023. Porsche 718 Boxster PorschePorsche has recently discontinued its baby sports car, the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. Despite being a “baby” Porsche, these are still excellent cars, having many of the driving characteristics favored by enthusiasts. It is mid-engined and lightweight, with most models weighing around 3,000 lbs. The Boxster was also regularly optioned with manual transmissions, making the little sports car a very compelling little package. There were two engine options, a turbocharged flat four and a naturally aspirated flat six, with power ranging between 295 horsepower and 394 horsepower, depending on the engine, more than enough to provide a thrill. BMW M2 via carpixel.netThe new BMW M2 was introduced in 2023 and has been criticized for its boxier looks and slightly heavier weight. The solution may just be to opt for the previous generation M2, the one that continues to be so beloved by car enthusiasts. In 2021, the M2 was just finishing its production run, and despite being five years old, it still has plenty to offer. Only the competition was on offer at the very end of the M2's production run, featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six making 405 horsepower. Power was always sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. It's the classic BMW formula that enthusiasts love, which can be purchased at a fraction of the price of a new model, with prices ranging between $40,000 to $50,000. Mustang GT500 via: motor authorityFord Mustang has always been a staple budget performance car, and models like the classic GT offer excellent levels of performance for the price. However, Shelby Mustangs are a step above a regular Mustang, offering more performance, power, and drama. Ford made the Shelby GT500 between 2020 and 2022, with its supercharged 5.2-liter V8 producing 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet, making it still very fast by 2026 standards. The downside of the GT500 is that it only came with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. The GT500 remains desirable, with prices remaining well above the original MSRP of $74,095, with some models selling for around $100,000. Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT has to be one of the most underrated models in the brand’s lineup. It's often overlooked when compared to the all-conquering Porsche 911, despite the AMG GT having plenty of performance to offer. Models from 2021 came with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 producing 523 horsepower in the base model and 550 horsepower in the GT-C trim. The AMG GT also came in two body styles, coupe and convertible, with all models having a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and power sent to the rear wheels. Despite all this performance, the AMG GT remains relatively affordable with prices typically ranging between $80,000 to $100,000. Chevy Camaro ZL1 ChevroletIt's very unfortunate that the Chevrolet Camaro is no longer on sale, as General Motors no longer sells a traditional muscle car. This means fans of the Camaro have to look on the second-hand market for that classic muscle car formula. One of the coolest and fastest versions of the last-generation Camaro is the ZL1, featuring a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet. There were two transmission options: a ten-speed automatic or a classic six-speed manual, with power being sent to the rear wheels. Five years on, the Camaro still looks fantastic, having the same aggressive and muscular looks that enthusiasts love in their muscle cars. Subaru BRZ Motor1On the more affordable end of the spectrum is the Subaru BRZ, a small rear-drive sports car that focuses only on the essentials of what makes a fun sports car. It features a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four engine making 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet, the exact same performance figures as in new models. While these performance figures may not impress anyone off the line, the BRZ's goal is for simple driving pleasure with a low curb weight, manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive, making the BRZ a simple joy to drive. There is, of course, the BRZ’s sister car, the Toyota GR 86, which shares the same platform and can be picked up at a similar price. Mazda Miata MX-5 MazdaThe Mazda MX-5 is the model that revived the small, lightweight sports car, and since its release over 30 years ago, it has remained an absolute staple for anyone who seeks a fun, engaging car. The MX-5 features a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four producing just 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet, enough power to propel the 2,341-lb Miata. The MX-5 naturally features a six-speed manual transmission with power being sent to the rear wheels. It's not a car designed to win races, but a car designed for drivers to enjoy the simple basics of making an engaging car. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ChevroletChevrolet’s decision to make the Corvette mid-engined has to be one of the most controversial decisions in recent history. Like it or not, there is no denying that the decision allowed for the C8 Corvette to be a truly quick sports car. It features a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 making 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet, plenty of power in a vehicle weighing just 3,647 lbs. This allows the Corvette to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, truly hypercar rivaling figures. Considering the C8 is now five years old, early models have heavily depreciated in value, with some models selling for under $50,000, and most typically transact in the mid-$60,000 range. Aston Martin V8 Vantage Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage often goes unnoticed when compared to the Porsche 911, but the V8 Vantage has plenty of compelling traits of its own. First of all, looks. There is no denying that the Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a gorgeous car, a department in which Aston Martin has always excelled. Then there's the engine, as Aston Martin uses the same twin-turbo V8 found in the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT. In the Vantage, it produces 503 horsepower and 505 pound-feet of torque. There is one big perk of opting for the Aston Martin, and that is the Vantage comes with an optional seven-speed manual transmission. Aston Martin Vantage prices are notably higher than the AMG GT, with prices nearly going for a little more compared to the AMG, with prices ranging between $100,000 to $130,000 on the second-hand market.