13 Exotic Cars Anyone Can Afford
So, what is the price range of cars anyone can afford? Using the Edmunds Car Affordability Calculator, you shouldn’t spend more than 15% of your monthly take-home pay on a new car. In fact, Edmunds wants you to earmark no more than 10% of your monthly income after tax. This doesn’t include other cost of ownership expenses such as fuel and insurance, which can take up to about 7% of your take-home pay.
A more conservative approach, according to WalletBliss, is to earmark no more than 35% of your gross annual income. Right.
Here’s the challenge: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $59,384 represents the average US annual salary as of 2023. In other words, the price of cars anyone can afford is approximately $20,785. There goes our dream of six-figure exotics like Ferrari, Maserati, and even certain Nissan models.
There’s no need to give up, though. Just search the used market and consider non-exotics with similar value propositions. Used E85 BMW Z4, for example, can be found in the range of $8,000 to $20,000. They may not be brand new or traditional exotics, but they promise the driving experience and head-turning looks only an exotic can deliver.
Porsche Boxster (987/986)
- Years: Early to mid-2000s
- Price Range: $20,000 – $35,000
- Bonus Point: Impressive handling and brand name
If you’ve always wanted to join the Porsche owners’ club but money wouldn’t let you, the mid-2000s Boxster might just be your ticket. It’s not just about affordability; the 987/986 has no shortage of the performance and handling that makes Porsche a Porsche.
Combing through listings like TrueCar and Edmunds, we found that prices for 2005-2012 987s range from $20,000 to $35,000. It all comes down to the specific model (there are even special editions), mileage, and overall condition.
The 1996-2004 986s typically go for $10,000 to $20,000. Unless you’re up to the task, you want to avoid ads with the headline “Mechanic Special.” Common problems with the 986 and early 987s include intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing issues, rear main seal (RMS) leaks, and cooling system issues.
BMW Z4
- Years: Various years within the budget
- Price Range: $8,000 – $20,000
- Bonus Point: Stylish roadster with solid performance
The Z4 is great for those looking for a stylish exotic roadster that offers a luxurious driving experience without breaking the bank. This is particularly true with the E85 models produced from 2002 to 2008. They came in both convertible (2-door roadster) and coupe variants, offering an attractive blend of performance, luxury, and German engineering.
The 1st-gen (E85) currently costs as low as $8,000, as long as you’re fine with the base model. The E89, offered from 2009 to 2016, typically ranges from $15,000 to $35,000, the higher end of which can be found in well-maintained, lower-mileage forms.
Maserati Coupe/Spyder
- Years: Early 2000s
- Price Range: $15,000 – $30,000
- Bonus Point: Italian flair
We’re referring to the Coupes and Spyders that were part of the Maserati 4200GT series produced from 2001 to 2007. Both the hardtop (Coupe) and convertible (Spyder) models shared the same 4.2-liter V8 mill.
Would you pass up a chance to own a Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Italian sports car? That’s the same designer behind icons like the DeLorean DMC-12, Fiat Panda, BMW M1, and Saab 9000, to name a few. While these cars currently go for $15,000 to $30,000 in the used market, we expect a relatively high cost of maintenance and repairs.
For example, replacing the clutch can set you back around $3,000 to $5,000, and that’s something you can expect to do every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. The car’s most common problems include clutch wear, electrical issues (usually affecting the convertible top mechanism, and suspension components wear.
Jaguar XK8/XKR
- Years: Late 1990s to mid-2000s
- Price Range: $6,000 – $20,000
- Bonus Point: British elegance
The XKR is the high-performance variant of the XK8. It has the Maserati Coupe’s exotic looks but was designed by Jaguar’s Design Director Geoff Lawson. While these XKs are relatively affordable, consider their maintenance and running costs.
They cost as low as $6,000 in the used car market, although models that fall within the 1998 and 2000 production runs tend to cost more – from $10,000 to $25,000 for well-maintained examples. Keep in mind that the XK8/XKR has its fair share of reliability issues.
The pre-2000 models suffered from failing plastic timing chain tensioners, which can set you back anywhere between $2,000 and $3,000 to replace. Note that Jaguar used Nikasil engine liners, many of which got replaced under warranty.
Audi TT (MK2)
- Years: 2006-2014
- Price Range: $10,000 – $25,000
- Bonus Point: Distinctive design
Yes, the MK2 TT is more of a luxury sports car than a traditional exotic, but budget limitations and the fact this German high-performance roadster ticks many ‘exotic’ boxes warrant its presence on this list.
It has a generous amount of the looks and performance you seek in rarer, prohibitively expensive cars. It came in coupe and roadster variants, blending performance, design, and German engineering.
The best part is that the Audi TT has already been through the worst, depreciation-wise. Keep in mind that these model years require premium gasoline.
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG
- Years: Early 2000s
- Price Range: $15,000 – $30,000
- Bonus Point: Compact roadster with AMG power
At press time, just one 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK is available on TrueCar, priced at $12,895. We’d be surprised if the car is still there as you read this. Edmunds has many AMG versions, most of which are under $21,000. This was the most powerful SLK when introduced in the early 2000s.
Keeping it on the rod should cost more than non-luxury vehicles, but regular maintenance should keep you solid and help you avoid costly repairs. Routine services like oil changes, brake pads, and tire replacements can knock you back $1,500 to $3,000 annually.
Lotus Elise (Early Models)
- Years: Early 2000s
- Price Range: $30,000 – $45,000
- Bonus Point: Lightweight and fun to drive
The Elise is one of the best-handling cars money can buy. Many models on this list are not blue-blooded exotics, but the Else is not one of them, despite its budget-friendly price tag. The car’s lightweight construction, resulting in exceptional handling and pure driving dynamics, is well known among enthusiasts, especially the Series 1 and 2, produced from 1996 to 2001 and 2001 to 2011, respectively.
The Series 1, though rare to find stateside, now falls in the $30,000 to $45,000 price range. The 2001-2011 models range from $25,000 to $45,000, depending on the model/trim, such as the Elise 111R and Elise SC. Indeed, “affordable exotic” is a tough call.
Dodge Viper (Early Models)
- Years: Early 1990s
- Price Range: $35,000 – $100,000+
- Bonus Point: Raw American power
Not even Dodge could’ve imagined the Viper would become such a hot collector’s item today. The car’s rarity, sleek design, and premium price place it on the ‘exotic’ threshold. This car asked for around $50,000 to $70,000 when it first hit the market in the early 1990s.
That’s equivalent to approximately $167,000 in today’s money. The Viper’s price can currently exceed $100,000 in the used car market, but many can be found for less than $40,000, especially the RT/10 models.
The GTS Coupe typically commands the highest premium, although we found a sweet silver GTC Coupe with just 7,292 miles advertised for a mouth-watering $279,800. Let’s readjust our focus on the more affordable 1992-1995 models.
Aston Martin DB7
- Years: Late 1990s to early 2000s
- Price Range: $20,000 – $40,000
- Bonus Point: Classic British luxury and performance
The DB7 is a relatively affordable entry point into the Aston Martin ownership club. Produced from 1994 to 2004, the DB7 I6 (1994-1999) models currently go for around $20,000 to $40,000, while prices for the DB7 V12 Vantage (1999-2004) typically range from $30,000 to $60,000 or more.
A DB7 Vantage Coupe is listed for $43,990 on TrueCar at press time. The DB7 16 featured a 3.2-liter supercharged straight-six engine, while the Vantage got a 5.9-liter V12.
Porsche Cayman (987)
- Years: Mid-2000s
- Price Range: $20,000 – $30,000
- Bonus Point: Mid-engine balance, excellent handling
The 987 Cayman was produced between 2006 and 2012. Its reputation for an exceptionally balanced handling, enhanced by its mid-engine layout, precedes it. The good news is that the Porsche Cayman 987 now serves as an affordable entry point into Porsche ownership.
Used prices for the 2.7-liter base models (produced between 2006 and 2008) currently hover around $20,000 to $30,000, while the later 2009-2012 models with the updated 2.9-liter engine command a slightly higher price point, ranging from $25,000 to $35,000. The 3.4-liter Cayman S typically costs between $25,000 and $40,000.
Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R129/R230)
- Years: Late 1990s to early 2000s
- Price Range: $10,000 – $20,000
- Bonus Point: Luxurious grand tourer
The SL500 offers luxury and performance in a package similar to far more expensive exotic sports cars of the same era. The R129/R230 was produced between 1989-2002 and 2003-2011, respectively. Both generations were known for their impressive blend of performance, luxury, and advanced technology.
It’s not unusual to find the R129 SL500 models in the $10,000 to $20,000 price range, while the later R129 models typically range from $15,000 to $25,000. We bet one of these in pristine condition will turn many heads wherever you go. They relied on a 5.0-liter V8, the same as the R230 early models.
Alfa Romeo 4C
- Years: Mid-2010s
- Price Range: $40,000 – $60,000
- Bonus Point: Exotic, light, and great handling
It sounds expensive, but the 4C is worth every penny of the $40,000 to $60,000 spent to acquire it. Here is a mid-engine exotic sports car with road manners as beautiful as its striking exterior design.
Introduced as recently as 2013, the Alfa Romeo 4C already commands a loyal band of enthusiasts who appreciate its performance-oriented character.
It has a coupe and convertible variants, although the Spider (convertible) models typically command a premium over the coupe, ranging from $50,000 to $70,000. If you did buy this car, we expect you to care for it like a baby. Replacing its carbon fiber components can cost a pretty penny.
Nissan 370Z
- Years: Late 2000s to early 2010s
- Price Range: $12,000 – $20,000
- Bonus Point: Sporty and reliable
The 370Z is one of the best affordable fun-to-drive sports cars money can buy. It may not be your dream exotic car, but the 370Z proves the Toyota MR2 is not the only poor man’s Ferrari. Introduced in 2009, the 370Z took over from where the 350Z left off, prioritizing driving enjoyment and value for money above every vice or virtue.
With the 370Z’s production ending in 2020 and closing the chapter on the Z Car’s sixth generation, the price range for the late 2000s and early 2010s Nissan 370Z models is around $12,000 to $20,000. The mid-models (2012-2014) now go for $15,000 to $25,000 in the used car market.
