Before turbocharging became nearly universal, emissions regulations became increasingly restrictive and modern driver-assistance systems added weight and complexity, manufacturers were still building relatively simple cars with big personalities. Some had screaming naturally aspirated engines. Others packed turbochargers, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive into packages that could still be bought without a six-figure budget.
Two decades later, plenty of these cars are still sitting in the used market. The catch is that the cheapest example is rarely the one worth buying.
Prices vary enormously with mileage, condition, modifications and location, but several 2000s performance cars remain surprisingly accessible. Others have already started climbing in value, making a good example worth finding before the market moves further.
Here are 10 that deserve another look.
1. Nissan 350Z
The Nissan 350Z remains one of the simplest answers for someone who wants an old-school sports car without spending modern sports-car money.
Its naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 gave the Z genuine muscle, while rear-wheel drive and an available six-speed manual kept the driving experience straightforward. The later cars received additional power, but even early examples deliver the basic ingredients enthusiasts want.
The problem is not finding a 350Z. It is finding one that has not spent its life drifting, being modified or neglected.
A thorough inspection of the clutch, suspension, cooling system and underside is essential. A stock car with maintenance records is generally far more attractive than a heavily modified example with a tempting price.
2. Acura RSX Type-S
The Acura RSX Type-S is one of those cars that makes more sense the longer you think about it.
It combined a compact front-wheel-drive body with Honda’s high-revving K-series four-cylinder and a six-speed manual transmission. The Type-S made roughly 200 horsepower in its earlier form and 210 horsepower for the 2005-2006 version.
It was never a straight-line monster. Its appeal came from the engine, gearbox and lightweight chassis working together.
Finding an untouched example is increasingly difficult. Many have been modified, while others have accumulated years of hard driving. Rust, clutch condition, oil consumption and suspension wear deserve attention.
For an enthusiast who wants something small and engaging, however, the RSX Type-S remains difficult to dismiss.
3. Mazda Mazdaspeed3
The Mazdaspeed3 took the ordinary Mazda3 formula and turned the boost up considerably.
Its 2.3-liter turbocharged engine produced 263 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, numbers that were serious for a front-wheel-drive hatchback of its time. The six-speed manual was standard, and the car could carry passengers and luggage without behaving like a stripped-down weekend toy.
That practicality is part of its appeal today.
It is also why buyers need to be careful. Turbocharged Mazdaspeed3s have often been modified, tuned and driven enthusiastically. Turbocharger condition, clutch wear, oil consumption and the quality of any aftermarket parts should all be checked before money changes hands.
4. Subaru Impreza WRX
The Subaru WRX became a performance icon during the 2000s, but older examples have become increasingly dependent on their individual histories.
The formula was compelling: turbocharged flat-four power, all-wheel drive and a manual transmission wrapped in a relatively practical sedan or wagon.
Early U.S.-market WRXs produced around 227-230 horsepower depending on model year, which was enough to make them genuinely quick without requiring exotic hardware.
Today, originality is valuable.
A WRX that has been repeatedly tuned, lowered and modified can look attractive in photographs while hiding expensive problems. Buyers should pay particular attention to the engine, turbocharger, transmission, cooling system and evidence of previous abuse.
A well-maintained car can still be an excellent performance daily driver.
5. Ford Mustang GT
The 2005 Mustang GT deserves special attention because it delivered traditional V8 performance at a price few modern cars can match.
The new-for-2005 S197 generation used a 4.6-liter V8 producing 300 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive was standard, and buyers could choose a manual transmission.
It was not subtle, and that was precisely the point.
The Mustang also has a major advantage over many niche performance cars: parts are plentiful. That makes mechanical repairs and upgrades relatively straightforward compared with some European or Japanese alternatives.
Still, buyers should inspect for accident damage, neglected suspension components and questionable engine or exhaust modifications.
6. Honda Civic Si
The eighth-generation Civic Si brought an unusually high-revving character to the compact-car market.
Its 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine produced 197 horsepower, while a six-speed manual and limited-slip differential helped turn the front-drive Civic into a serious enthusiast machine.
There was no turbocharger to hide behind. Getting the best from the engine meant using the gearbox and allowing the four-cylinder to work through its rev range.
That makes the Civic Si particularly interesting today.
It can serve as transportation during the week and still provide plenty of entertainment on a weekend road. As with the RSX, though, buyers need to distinguish between a carefully maintained example and one that has spent years being modified.
7. Pontiac GTO
The Pontiac GTO is arguably one of the most overlooked performance cars of the decade.
Its styling was relatively restrained, but underneath was a serious rear-wheel-drive performance machine. The 2005 and 2006 versions received a 6.0-liter LS2 V8 producing 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.
A six-speed manual was available.
That combination gives the GTO a very different character from the four-cylinder Japanese cars on this list. It is heavier and more mature, but the V8 delivers effortless acceleration.
The challenge is finding a good one. Originality, rust, interior condition and drivetrain history all matter, particularly as clean examples become harder to replace.
8. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX is no longer an obvious bargain, and that is exactly why it deserves a second look now rather than later.
Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produced 286 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque in U.S. specification. All-wheel drive, sophisticated differentials and serious chassis hardware gave it capabilities far beyond an ordinary compact sedan.
But its reputation has also made clean cars expensive.
A low-priced Evo should immediately raise questions about accident history, modifications, rust and drivetrain condition. The car is brilliant when properly maintained, but neglect can become extremely expensive.
This is one for buyers who value condition over the lowest possible purchase price.
9. Honda S2000
The Honda S2000 has crossed the line from cheap used sports car to modern collectible, but it still belongs in any conversation about the best performance cars of the 2000s.
The 2.2-liter version produced 237-240 horsepower depending on market and configuration, while every S2000 came with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
Its compact dimensions, high-revving engine and excellent gearbox remain the defining attractions.
The market has already recognized many of those qualities. Good S2000s can cost substantially more than ordinary used sports cars, and exceptional examples can command serious money.
For buyers who find one at an unusually low price, caution is warranted. Accident repairs, worn soft tops, rust and mechanical neglect can quickly turn an apparent bargain into an expensive project.
10. Mazda RX-8
The RX-8 is perhaps the most unconventional choice here.
Instead of a conventional piston engine, Mazda used a 1.3-liter Renesis rotary. The car combined rear-wheel drive, near-50/50 weight distribution and unusual rear-hinged rear doors with genuinely sporty handling.
It was available with a six-speed manual in higher-performance configurations, with output reaching 238 horsepower.
Used prices remain attractive because rotary-engine ownership scares away many buyers.
That reputation should not simply be ignored. A prospective owner needs to understand rotary maintenance, oil consumption and the importance of a proper compression test. An inexpensive RX-8 can be a fantastic enthusiast car, but it can also become a costly lesson if bought without understanding its mechanical needs.
Why these cheap performance cars still matter
The interesting thing about these cars is not simply that they are old.
They represent a period when performance could come from relatively straightforward mechanical ingredients: a manual gearbox, a limited-slip differential, naturally aspirated power or a relatively simple turbocharged engine. Many could also be driven every day without sacrificing practicality.
The market has started to recognize that character.
Cars such as the S2000 and Evo IX have already moved well beyond traditional bargain territory. The 350Z, Civic Si, Mustang GT and RX-8 remain more attainable in many markets, but prices can vary dramatically based on condition.
That makes shopping strategy more important than ever.
A tired $7,000 performance car can easily become more expensive than a clean $12,000 example after suspension work, tires, brakes, drivetrain repairs and deferred maintenance are added. The same is true at the higher end.
The best bargain may not be the cheapest car
For buyers shopping the 2000s performance market today, the smartest move is to focus on history rather than simply chasing horsepower.
A car with factory specifications, sensible mileage, maintenance records and a clean inspection is usually a better proposition than a cheaper example covered in aftermarket parts.
The 2000s produced enough genuinely entertaining cars that buyers still have choices. Whether the priority is a screaming Honda four-cylinder, a rear-drive V8, a turbocharged hatchback or an all-wheel-drive rally-inspired sedan, there is still something for almost every enthusiast.
The window for finding these cars cheaply may not stay open forever.
For anyone looking for an affordable performance car, the best opportunity is not necessarily the fastest car on the list. It is the best-preserved example you can realistically afford to maintain.