13 Budget RWD Sports Cars With Surprising Power Under $20K

Rear-wheel-drive sports cars have a way of making every drive feel a little more thrilling, even if you’re not shelling out six figures.

While some might assume big power only lives in high-end machines, plenty of budget-friendly RWD rockets punch way above their price tag.

For less than $20,000, it’s still possible to find machines that deliver tail-happy fun, sharp handling, and a surprising amount of muscle without breaking the bank or sacrificing the joy of the open road.

1. Mazda MX-5 Miata (NC)

Pound for pound, the NC Miata might be the most entertaining car you can buy with a Jackson or two.

The 2.0L engine pumps out a modest 170 horsepower, but when you’re only pushing around 2,500 pounds, that’s plenty to put a stupid grin on your face.

Drop the top in 5 seconds flat and carve up canyon roads with precision that makes cars costing three times as much jealous.

The NC generation (2006-2015) finally added some muscle to match the Miata’s legendary handling.

2. Ford Mustang GT (S197)

American muscle doesn’t get more iconic than this pony car. The 2005-2010 S197 Mustang GT packs a 4.6L V8 pumping out 300 horses of pure Detroit thunder.

Finding these beasts under $20K is getting tougher, but they’re still out there waiting for a new home.

Forget the fancy European sports cars – this is blue-collar performance that delivers tire-smoking fun without pretension.

The retro-modern styling still turns heads, while the rumbling exhaust note makes every tunnel a playground.

3. Chevrolet Camaro SS (Fifth-Gen)

Chevy resurrected the Camaro in 2010 with a vengeance, and early fifth-gen SS models now lurk under our $20K ceiling.

These beasts pack a 6.2L LS3 V8 with 426 horsepower – enough to embarrass cars costing twice as much. The chunky styling channels ’60s muscle car vibes while hiding modern performance tech underneath.

Sure, visibility is like peering through a mail slot, but you’ll be too busy enjoying the thrust to care. These Camaros represent perhaps the most raw horsepower-per-dollar on our list.

4. BMW 335i (E90/E92)

Bavarian missile alert! The E90/E92 335i might be the ultimate sleeper on this list. Under that conservative exterior lies a twin-turbo inline-six producing 300 horsepower and torque that hits like a freight train.

Early models (2007-2010) now fall comfortably under our $20K ceiling. The real magic happens when you add a simple tune – suddenly you’re pushing 400 horses to the rear wheels!

Just budget for potential maintenance quirks, because German engineering comes with German repair bills.

5. Nissan 350Z

The Z-car legacy lives loud in the 350Z, Nissan’s no-nonsense sports machine that still looks modern despite debuting back in 2003.

That VQ35 V6 growls like an angry beast, pushing 287-306 horsepower depending on the year. Finding clean examples under $20K is getting trickier, but they’re worth hunting down.

The driving experience is raw and communicative – no electronic nannies diluting the connection between driver and road. The chunky shifter and perfect weight distribution make every back road a playground.

6. Pontiac GTO (2004-2006)

Don’t let the understated looks fool you – this rebadged Holden Monaro packs serious Australian-American muscle!

The 2004 model rocks a 350-hp LS1 V8, while 2005-2006 versions got upgraded to the mighty 400-hp LS2. These GTOs were criminally underappreciated when new, making them performance bargains today.

The interior feels more upscale than typical American muscle, with supportive seats perfect for both cruising and cornering. Think of it as a four-seat Corvette that nobody will see coming.

7. Lexus IS 350 (First-Gen)

Luxury with a hidden wild side! The first-gen IS 350 (2006-2013) flies under the radar as Toyota’s secret weapon against the BMW 3-Series.

Its silky 3.5L V6 delivers 306 horsepower with the reliability only Lexus can promise.

Unlike its German rivals, these beauties rarely need expensive repairs. The interior still feels premium today, with materials that shame newer budget sports cars.

The perfect balance of comfort and performance makes this the ideal choice for the driver who needs one car to do everything well.

8. Infiniti G35 Coupe

Nicknamed the “poor man’s Skyline” (it shares DNA with the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline), the G35 Coupe delivers 90% of the 350Z experience with added luxury and practicality.

The VQ35 V6 sings to the tune of 280-298 horsepower through one of the best-sounding exhausts ever fitted to a production car.

The flowing body lines still look contemporary despite being designed in the early 2000s.

Inside, you get supportive seats, decent rear space (for a coupe), and surprising cargo capacity. These beauties represent incredible value on the used market.

9. Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8

Korea’s first serious sports car still surprises skeptics today. The Genesis Coupe 3.8 packs a naturally-aspirated V6 pushing 306-348 horsepower (depending on year) to the rear wheels through either a 6-speed manual or a responsive automatic.

Early models (2010-2012) now fall well under our $20K threshold. The track-ready suspension delivers sharp handling that improves with simple mods.

Though often overlooked, these coupes offer tremendous bang-for-buck with styling that still turns heads and reliability that won’t leave you stranded.

10. Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG

Stealth wealth at its finest! The rare C55 AMG (2005-2006) hides a hand-built 5.4L V8 producing 362 horsepower in an unassuming C-Class body.

Only the subtle badging, quad exhausts, and unique bumpers hint at the monster lurking within. Finding these unicorns under $20K requires patience, but they exist.

The naturally-aspirated V8 delivers instant throttle response and a soundtrack that puts modern turbocharged engines to shame.

Unlike newer AMGs, the hydraulic steering provides genuine road feel and connection to the driver.

11. Subaru BRZ (Early Models)

Spiritual successor to the AE86, the first-gen BRZ (2013-2020) prioritizes handling purity over straight-line speed.

Early examples now dip under $20K, delivering the most modern driving experience on our list.

The 2.0L boxer four makes just 200 horsepower, but the ultra-low center of gravity and perfect weight distribution create magic in the corners.

The tight cabin wraps around you like a glove, with controls perfectly positioned for spirited driving. For pure driving enjoyment, few modern cars at any price can match the BRZ’s connection to the road.

12. Scion FR-S

Toyota’s twin to the Subaru BRZ wears different badges but delivers identical thrills.

The FR-S (2013-2016) represents perhaps the best value in modern sports cars, with early examples now available well under our $20K ceiling.

The lightweight chassis (just 2,800 pounds) makes the modest 200 horsepower feel perfectly matched to the car’s mission.

The skinny stock tires were deliberately chosen to prioritize fun over grip – allowing drivers to explore the limits at legal speeds. After Toyota got rid of the Scion brand, these became the Toyota 86.

13. Mazda RX-8

Nothing else on wheels drives quite like an RX-8. The high-revving rotary engine spins to 9,000 RPM, producing 232 horsepower from just 1.3 liters of displacement!

Thanks to depreciation (and some engine reliability concerns), these engineering marvels now sell for bargain prices.

The perfect 50:50 weight distribution and innovative “freestyle” rear doors make this the most practical sports car on our list.

Just budget for potential engine rebuilds and keep synthetic oil handy. For the driving enthusiast seeking something truly unique, the RX-8 delivers an experience no piston engine can match.