When one is on a budget, buying a sports car becomes difficult, as most modern performance machines tend to cost rather high for the average citizen. Fans of the good old RWD layout suffer more setbacks, as cheap sports cars tend to have FWD layouts in order to cut costs, and while it might help in handling, it can cause extra wear on the front tires. How can a fan of the mighty Porsche 911, find a cheap yet competent alternative in the car market of today, without compromising on the car's capabilities and features?

The used cars market does offer some rather affordable sports cars that can aid the efforts of budget buyers. Here is a list of some of the best cheap RWD sports cars that can be good Porsche 911 alternatives for gearheads on a budget.

10 2008 BMW Z4 M

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $22,487

The 2008 BMW Z4 M stands at around $22,487, when it comes to fair purchase pricing on KBB, and for a luxury sports car boasting a rather rare but competent inline-six engine, that is quite accessible. The engine generates a respectable power output of 330 horsepower along with 262 lb-ft of torque.

Engine Specs

Unfortunately, no automatic transmission is available, so this sports car might not appeal to those who prefer such a system. However, fans of the good old manual gear stick would likely appreciate the 2008 Z4 M's responsive handling and impressive build quality.

9 2006 Chevrolet Corvette

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $21,644

One of the most popular American vehicles on the market, the Chevrolet Corvette has become a household name for sports car enthusiasts, and the 2006 model year showcases a great combination of form, function, and accessibility. Rated at around 400 horsepower and equivalent torque, the 6.0-liter General Motors V8 engine does more than enough to justify its popularity in the sports car scene.

Engine Specs

If one is a fan of the Chevy Corvette, or want to buy an American only sports car, but can't afford the much more expensive modern variants of the Corvette, they should consider older models like the 2006 Chevy Corvette, as it can be loads of fun.

8 2018 Kia Stinger

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $21,481

There aren't many modern cars that are capable of decent performance and yet are still accessible, but the 2018 Kia Stinger does a fine job at doing just that. The base trim of the car comes with an inline-4 that is rather efficient with the fuel economy and does just fine when it comes to horsepower numbers as well, deliver around 255 horsepower.

Engine Specs

If one wants a more competent machine, they could always look at the 6-cylinder trim options that deliver greater thrill. The Kia Stinger does not lose out in terms of style, and since Kia has officially announced the Stinger's retirement, it might be a good idea to enjoy it now while it is still around.

7 2015 Lexus GS

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $19,965

The 2015 Lexus GS is a great luxury car that stands at around $19,965, when it comes to its fair purchase pricing on KBB. Lexus offers a great V6 engine option that is capable of generating 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This is the same engine that has found itself under the hoods of machines like the Toyota Tacoma, so one can expect it to be reliable and competent.

Engine Specs

Cars from Lexus tend to be heavily focused on offering luxury at an affordable price, and all the GS trims follow this trend well. If one is looking to buy a reliable luxury car that is also competent, they should give the 2015 Lexus GS a test drive.

RELATED: Here Are The Best Lexus Models To Buy Used (2 We'd Stay Away From)

6 2017 Toyota 86

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $19,479

The 2017 Toyota 86 is as close to the Subaru BRZ as the Scion FR-S is, and with the base trim showcasing a rather modest but efficient flat-four engine, the car can be a nice addition to your garage if safety is your priority. Subaru and Toyota are known for their reliable and safe cars, and with amazing safety systems in place, one can rest assured that the car will listen to them at all times. Of course, the 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft that are delivered by its flat-four engine don't compete with any Porsche 911 on the marketplace, but for a cheaper used alternative and as a first sports car, the 86 is a good fit.

Engine Specs

The 2017 Toyota 86 can be modified and turbocharged easily, and the car offers responsive handling and is quite stunning to look at. The Toyota 86 might not be for everyone, especially not for people with a greed for speed, but it might just be the best sports car for first time buyers.

RELATED: Why The Toyota GR 86/Subaru BRZ Are The Best Beginner Sports Cars You Can Buy

5 2014 Nissan 370Z

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $19,387

A more competent cousin to the 350Z, the 2014 Nissan 370Z has a more modern interior with better standard technological and safety features. Along with these, the car comes fitted with a refined 3.7-liter V6 engine that can generate 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, making it a better choice for a higher price, as the car has an average starting used market price of $19,387, according to KBB's fair purchase pricing.

Engine Specs

There is also a NISMO edition of the car that has superior handling and a 350 horsepower output, though its ride quality may be a bit harsher compared to the base trims. For a rather accessible price, one can get their hands on a budget-friendly yet competent performance machine that looks sleek and stylish to say the least, making it a great sports car that one should test drive at least once.

4 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $13,138

The Pontiac Solstice GXP was one of the biggest sports car flops of the century so far, which was the result of inferior materials used in the cabin, and lack of practicality due to non-existent trunk space. As all the hype surrounding this stunning car forced Pontiac to have rush production, the Pontiac Solstice GXP ended up lacking in interior quality, and it had a lousy transmission and poor spaciousness. Despite these factors, the car was fitted with a 2.0-liter inline-four engine that could generate 260 horsepower and equivalent torque, making it a rather competent machine in terms of performance numbers. In terms of pure style, the car rivaled any Porsche on the market at its time.

Engine Specs

For anyone that is willing to overlook the practical aspects of owning a car, if a beautiful, affordable, and competent sports car is all you wish for, the 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP might be a good bet, as its national average fair purchase pricing is just around $13,138. People who want a more spacious trunk, luxurious interior, and more modern standard technological features, steering clear of this car might be the ideal course of action.

3 2008 Nissan 350Z

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $12,836

The 2008 Nissan 350Z is a popular Japanese sports car from the 2000s, and it had one of the best V6 engines to have ever been mounted inside a car. The Nissan VQ35HR 3.5-liter V6 engine did more than enough to justify its presence in this machine, as it delivered a respectable 306 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels of this machine for the driver to play with.

Engine Specs

The 2008 Nissan 350Z has an average starting price of $12,836 according to KBB, and it might be a good car to buy for those that prefer Nissan cars, as there is great aftermarket support for this car, despite it having discontinued for over a decade.

2 2005 BMW M3

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $10,963

The 2005 BMW M3 starts at around $10,963 according to KBB's fair purchase pricing, making it a very accessible performance car for luxury sports car fans. Mounted with a somewhat rare inline-six engine, this BMW M3 outputs a rather generous 333 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The best part of owning this model is the very nimble and responsive handling that comes with it, as the suspension is really well tuned straight out of the factory, and the car has near perfect weight distribution.

Engine Specs

The car is so comfortable to be in and easy to control that the price tag feels too low, despite it being almost two decades old. If anyone wants to get a competent but accessible German sports car that is built to enter and exit corners with ease and grace, they should look no further than the 2005 BMW M3.

RELATED: 10 Best BMW M3 Models To Buy Used, Ranked

1 2011 Mazda RX-8

Starting Fair Purchase Pricing: $8,555

A descendant to the famous RX-7 FD, the 2011 Mazda RX-8 comes with the iconic rotary engine that generates 232 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque. The sound of the rotary engine was all the craze back in the '90s, and the beautiful RX-series was on every magazine due to its unique engine and stunning design. All these factors were inherited by the 2011 Mazda RX-8, except the iconic pop-up headlights that vanished from the car scene sometime in the early 2000s.

Engine Specs

If one is looking to purchase a cheap but flashy sports car that has decent performance and an unconventional engine, the RX-8 is a great option, as KBB's fair purchase pricing puts its national average starting price at just around $8,555. It offers one of the best balanced engines with a rather simplistic and lightweight design, and the performance offered by this engine can be amazing.