The thrill of a sports car— its responsive handling, bold design, and raw power— is a dream for many driving enthusiasts.
Yet, finding a ride that delivers excitement without a sky-high price tag can feel impossible.
Thankfully, the market is brimming with affordable options that prove you don’t have to sacrifice performance or style for value.
In this guide, we’ll spotlight 20 sports cars under $30,000 that promise adrenaline-pumping experiences,
sharp aesthetics, and the kind of fun that makes every drive unforgettable.
There is something special about classic Aston Martins. They transcend the usual classics, even those from Ferrari, Maserati, and Porsche. Part of that appeal comes from the history of the manufacturer, which has had significant racing success. Another part is the craftsmanship, with Astons being some of the most well-built cars of their respective eras. Finally, Astons have been featured in a lot of films and TV shows, from 007 movies to “The Persuaders” – and they continue to be. Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight is a car whose basic shape you will recognize from three James Bond films, including the most recent one, “No Time To Die”: a 1977 Aston Martin V8 coupe.
The Aston V8 coupe is directly linked to the last car designed in the David Brown era of Aston Martin. It is basically a revision of the DBS, the car that came after the DB6. Over the years, it was modified and improved.
The 1977 Aston Martin V8 coupe featured here is powered by a 5.3-liter V8 mated to a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Finished in burgundy over a tan leather interior, this British classic is now offered by the seller with an original owner’s manual, service records, and a clear title.
The burgundy paint is said to be in good condition although the seller notes a minuscule paint chip on the driver-side front fender and a side mirror that is misaligned. The body features a factory hood scoop and the iconic Aston fender vents.
The interior is finished in its correct tan leather upholstery and looks to be stock with correct gauges, a center console-mounted automatic shifter, power windows, and air conditioning. The only flaw noted is a slight tear in the driver seat, which I am guessing can be repaired by a good upholstery shop.
Under the hood is the Tadek Marek-designed four-cam 5.3-liter V8, which is fed by four two-barrel Weber carbs. The seller states that it has 380 horsepower, but my books on this car state that horsepower for the 1977 model is actually 330, as the ’77 cars came with what Aston called “stage one tuning.” The engine compartment looks tidy overall and has no glaring issues.
These Aston V8 coupes are the end of the classic Aston Martin era. I have owned a pair of these cars and I loved every minute I spent behind the wheel of them. I also loved taking one last look back at the car after I parked it in the garage – which is something I did every time I parked.
One thing I would do is get this car inspected by someone who knows these kinds of Aston Martins. They are pretty simple cars to deal with, but parts are expensive and service costs can add up. Overall, this looks like a great driver-level classic Aston Martin that – at the right price – will give its new owner years of enjoyment.
If you want to be that new owner, I suggest you act fast because the auction for this 1977 Aston Martin V8 coupe ends Wednesday, June 18 at 11:30 a.m (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
Here we have several cars listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. They all share a connection, but we recommend you put your thinking cap on before you tell us what they have in common.
Post your answer in the Comments section below. To impress us even more, tell us the year, make, and model of each vehicle. The winner will receive online glory so he or she can flex with flair!
Click on a photo to reveal each car
The ClassicCars.com Journal features an automotive game for your enjoyment every Tuesday. Once you’re done with this one, you can also play games of puzzles past!
In today’s fast-paced world, drivers demand more than just style or speed—they crave vehicles that stand the test of time, distance, and the elements.
Whether it’s pushing the boundaries of fuel efficiency, clocking record-breaking mileage, or simply outlasting the competition, some cars truly go the extra mile.
This article spotlights 20 remarkable models that have set new standards in longevity, range, and rugged resilience.
If you’re searching for a vehicle that won’t let you down, these are the cars built to go further than the rest.
Even though Jay Leno owns a massive collection of vehicles, he can’t own—or house—every car out there. Luckily, he doesn’t have to because he has industry contacts and friends who are more than willing to bring their cars into his garage and show them off for all of us to see. One of his pals, David Lee, is a renowned Ferrari collector who recently dropped by with his 2025 Daytona SP3.
The second car in Ferrari’s Icona series of vehicles, which reinterpret icons from the brand’s past for the modern age, the Daytona SP3 honors Ferrari’s 330 P3/4, 330 P4, and 412 P race cars that took the top three spots at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. The influence of those champions is easy to spot in the SP3’s curvy front fenders, cockpit-like passenger compartment, and muscular haunches.
Under the engine cover, Ferrari opted for the 812 Competizione’s naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 instead of a turbo V6 or hybrid setup. With ratings of 828 horsepower and 514 lb-ft of torque, the “F140HC is the most powerful internal combustion engine ever built by Ferrari,” according to the automaker. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transfers the big V12’s output to the rear wheels. Flat out, the SP3 can race to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.85 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 211 mph.
Lee has several Prancing Horses in red and yellow, but Ferrari offered him (and about 29 other SP3 buyers) the choice of configuring his build with exposed carbon fiber; Lee accepted, then chose to have it tinted a dark shade of green—the relish to all his other ketchup- and mustard-colored cars. There’s a little mustard inside the SP3, where Lee had Ferrari’s Tailor Made service cover the fixed seats in deep yellow upholstery.
Despite the SP3’s inspiration, Lee and Leno view it as two different cars. Leno enjoys the SP3’s brutality and the fact that its rear-wheel-drive, likening it to the legendary F40; Lee sees it as more of an evolution of the Enzo. Watch the video below to decide which Ferrari of yesteryear it brings to mind., but be sure to listen too because the SP3 lets out of an unforgettable wail. As Leno says, there’s “a nice set of lungs on this thing.”
The period from 1950 to 1980 was a golden era for automotive innovation.
In these transformative decades, bold designers and engineers unleashed cars that not only defined their time but also foresaw the future of driving.
From radical styling to groundbreaking technology, these vehicles set trends and influenced generations to come.
Join us as we journey through twenty cars that predicted what was next, blazing trails in design, performance, and imagination—proving that sometimes, the future really does arrive on four wheels.
For over 120 years, the New York International Auto Show has captivated car enthusiasts, industry insiders, and dreamers alike. This annual event isn’t just a showcase—it’s a living chronicle of automotive evolution, spotlighting vehicles that changed the world.
From the roaring 1910s to the electrifying 2020s, each decade has seen legendary cars debut or dazzle on this iconic stage.
Join us as we journey through time, tracing 13 remarkable vehicles that define their eras, reflect innovation, and tell the story of America’s love affair with the automobile.
Have you ever bought back one of your previous vehicles? I’m guilty of getting a little bit too sentimentally attached to my cars. Against my better judgment, I even bought back my ragged 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity about six years after I’d previously sold it. It was a short-lived ownership experience the second time around, but if I’d had the time and space, I probably would have kept it. Here’s a car that came back to a prior owner:
The Pick of the Day is a 1957 Chevrolet 210 two-door listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Buffalo, New York.
“My dad was in the car repair business and bought this car for me when I was 14,” the listing begins. “We spent two years restoring it and we put it on the road in 1984 when I was 16. It was my first car.”
The story goes on to say that the car left the family in 1987 when the seller joined the military. And miraculously, the same friend who bought the car that year still owned it 27 years later in 2014 – and was willing to sell it back. So, like a boomerang, it returned to its prior owner. And now 11 more years later, it’s time to pass the reins once more. Still following? Bottom line – this family-loved Chevy is ready to move on to a loving home.
While badged and dressed as a Bel Air, the car is in reality a 210, which means it’s a mid-range trim level for the year (a “150” would have ranked below the 210 in the hierarchy). The two-tone black and white paint scheme is attractive and clean. The seller says, “The frame and sheetmetal are clean and solid, and she looks great!”
The interior was overhauled in 2018 and is outfitted in the same neutral color scheme, and updates include new all-new wiring, bucket seats, a center console, Dakota Digital gauges, a tilt steering wheel, and a Bluetooth-enabled retro-look audio system. The listing says that the engine is a 283ci V8 that dates back to about 1964 and was rebuilt in 2015. A Muncie four-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels.
If history holds true, the seller might end up wanting to buy this car back a third time in a decade or two. So, who’s willing to look after it in the meantime? I know I’d volunteer!
The asking price is $59,999.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
This 1932 Ford roadster is a steel-bodied, full-fendered roadster that was rebuilt in the 1980s. It is powered by a 221ci V8 that was overhauled during the build, and finned Buick brake drums and ’40 Ford wheels with staggered tires were utilized along with a drop axle. The car retains a three-speed manual, leaf-spring suspension, rumble seat, and cowl lights, and a dual exhaust system and chopped windshield have been fabricated for the car. Acquired by the selling dealer in 1999, this 1932 roadster is now offered in with a clean Tennessee title.
The body and fenders are steel, and they were repainted in the 1980s as part of the refurbishment work. The tailllights are from a 1950 Pontiac, and the windshield has been chopped. The seller tells us the stock windshield and restored top also accompany the car in the sale.
The car retains a louvered hood and cowl lights, and a chrome spreader bar is fitted up front. The bumpers and headlight bar are also chromed, as are the headlight buckets.
A drop front axle has been installed along with ’40 Ford wheels with staggered tires. The brakes are finned Buick units.
The interior is from LeBaron Bonney with a bench seat is trimmed in brown upholstery, and the matching door panels have snapping storage pockets.
Steps and grab handles assist access to the rumble seat, which is trimmed to match.
Set in a painted wood dashboard, the engine-turned panel holds a speedometer, an ammeter, and a fuel-level gauge. 59,400 miles are indicated, about 2k of which were added by the selling dealer.
The 221ci flathead V8 was rebuilt in the 1980s. The oil was changed in 2024.
The car has a three-speed manual and a dual fabricated exhaust system. The underside photos and images at the end of the gallery are from 2023.
The car is titled as a 1932 Ford Deluxe using the serial number AB5091741.
The Shanghai 2025 Auto Show is sparking an electric revolution, with automakers from around the globe unveiling their boldest and brightest EV innovations.
This year’s event delivers a showcase of futuristic models fusing high-tech features, sustainability, and head-turning designs—each vehicle ready to transform what you expect from your daily drive.
From ultra-fast charging capabilities to smart, connected interiors, the next wave of EVs is here to break boundaries.
Dive in as we spotlight the most exciting debuts ready to shape tomorrow’s roads and your garage.