As I type this, Memorial Day is right around the corner and the humidity, warm temperatures and insect activity in Virginia are already making it feel like summer. Car shows are in full swing and the driving season is officially here. Summertime is convertible weather, and since I’ve never owned a drop-top, preferring the rigidity and sun protection of a coupe, I often think about picking up a cheap convertible to see if I’m missing out. For today’s Market Monday, I’m sharing 5 fun summer sports cars under $15,000 that could fit the bill.

There are dozens of potential sports cars when considering acquiring a fair-weather convertible, including classics from the 1950s to late-model modern cars. To provide some structure, I’ve set some criteria to help me narrow it down to just five cars:

1. All selections must be sports cars — effectively 2-seater convertibles with 2 doors.
2. For variety, include one car each of German, British, Italian, American, Japanese make.
3. All must be rear-wheel drive cars with the potential for an occasional hooning.
4. Manual transmissions are preferred, but not mandatory.
5. Mileage must be under 100,000 to help with future resale.

The final, perhaps most important criteria is a price under $15,000. Why that number? For a fun car I’d only own for maybe a year, $20,000 or more just felt too expensive. On the flip side, you start to struggle to find cars in good condition with low mileage under $10,000. Therefore, $15K felt like a good compromise and a doable expenditure for many.

Actually, I forgot one key requirement: I need to like the car. My preferences may not match yours, but hopefully there are one or two cars in this list you may not have otherwise considered. I’ve also intentionally steered away from classics, as I already own one and my wife might actually join me for a ride if the car has modern comforts.

The 986-generation Porsche Boxster is still one of the cheapest entries to Porsche ownership, though prices are rising slightly. The car has decent power (over 200hp in base trim), a 6-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine and exceptional handling. For $15,000, you could obtain a very nice low-miles base 2.5-liter Boxster, or you can stretch to a higher-mileage Boxster S, which nets you 40 more horsepower and a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds.

Honorable Mention: BMW Z3 Roadster

Many enthusiasts would say that the Mazda Miata is the only answer for an affordable and fun sports car. If you’re like me and you find the Miata too common, consider the Fiat 124 Spider released in 2017, which is essentially a Miata in a fine Italian suit. Besides the Italian styling, you got a 1.4-liter turbocharged four putting out 140hp and a six-speed manual. Decent condition, non-Abarth Fiat 124 Spiders can be found under $15,000.

Honorable Mention: Fiat 500 Abarth Cabriolet

I had to stretch the definition of “sports car” a bit to include a British car in this list. The Jaguar XK is more of a grand tourer, but it would absolutely be on my short list for a summer drop-top. I’d definitely prefer the second-gen car with its bonded aluminum chassis and body panels, wider and longer wheelbase and paddle shifters, but that might be challenging to find at this price point. First-gen XKs still look great, and can be found for under $15k, but you may have to be content with a boring color.

Honorable Mention: 1996 Jaguar XJS Convertible

Normally I’d only include European cars in this list, but I felt compelled to include an American car in the mix. I promised myself not to include Corvettes or Mustangs, which I like, but they aren’t sports cars. I am cheating with this one, as the Crossfire is pretty much a Mercedes R170 SLK chassis with different styling, but this is a good thing. As a bonus for buying American you get a standard 6-speed manual in the Crossfire mated to a potent 3.2 V6 putting out 215hp. Bonus: you can snag a Crossfire in a great color at this price point.

Honorable Mention: Saab 9-3 Convertible

Since we sort of already have a Miata in the mix thanks to the Fiat Spider, I wanted to choose something a little more interesting for our Japanese contribution. Something as equally tossable as the Miata with a full convertible top was a must. The third-gen MR2 is perhaps a bit underpowered relative to other cars in this list at just 138hp, but it makes up for it with lightness and excellent handling, which is generally agreed to be the best of all MR2 generations. Here’s another stylish car you can obtain in a great color for under $15,000.

Honorable Mention: Honda Del Sol VTEC

Diligent shopping and shrewd negotiating can likely land you one of the cars above for less than $15,000, but the additional funds open you up to listings that are in better condition with lower mileage that should require little to no maintenance during a summer of ownership.

While I like to shop on a nationwide basis for the best deals, I understand that most people probably shop locally and at dealerships, so $15K also makes it easier to find one of the cars above nearer to you without too much fuss. That said, I heartily recommend searching wider to find a car that speaks to you — there’s a lot of fun to be had during a summer road trip in a new car. Consider it a mini-vacation.

Think I missed a great option? Drop it in the comments below!

Wolf and Mare provides appraisal services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. If you’re interested in acquiring a professional appraisal, give us a call or drop a line!
The opinions shared above do not represent financial or investment advice.