Ten great used sportscars you need to buy right now: US tariff edition

You’ve probably heard the word ‘tariff’ more times in the past few weeks than you ever had in your life. We know we have, and though we loathe to be a bummer about things here, the current global trade stuff is cutting into our good time, too. The situation is so unpredictable, things are changing as we write this.

No doubt new cars are going to see wild price increases, but how about the used market? We’ve got news for you, it’s already happening. In an effort to make sure the automotive good times keep rolling until [gestures wildly] all of this sorts itself out, here’s a quick list of used sports cars in the US we suggest you snap up now before egg cartons become the only form of currency.

Honda’s S2000 has always been a hot commodity for those in the know. Not only is it a cool-looking drop-top from the turn of the Willennium that has aged particularly well (in looks, they apparently rust up on ya good), it remains a nimble plaything that doesn’t disappoint.

The even sportier S2000CR or 'Club Racer' is a particular darling and a sweet find if you can manage it. Sadly, the S2000 had to bow out in 2009 due to a once in a lifetime financial crisis. Glad those are in the past.

Godzilla is a beloved monster that appears when we need it most to lay waste to those challenging its spot at the top, so it’s no surprise this became the nickname of the beloved Nissan sports car.

Since its debut in 2007, the GT-R has proven itself to be a grand touring king that eats up tracks like they were a scale model of Tokyo made of cardboard. Though the GT-R returns to a hibernating state this year, there have been enough floating around the used market to keep its spirit alive. Pick any model year, you won’t be disappointed.

You know the drill: if the MX-5 isn’t on a list, the fun police come over and we get issued a citation. We’ll be straight-up with you, it’s not even a favorite car of ours, it just does everything it’s supposed to do so well, not mentioning is, at best irresponsible. Nimble, easy to drive, rewarding to master and, for now, relatively affordable. Grab one before that last bit changes.

Subaru’s brand attitude may have mellowed out ever so slightly when it comes to production cars - the motorsport side sure hasn’t slowed down - but it’s still appealing to track day enthusiasts, particularly with some help from its friends at Toyota with the GT86/BRZ collab.

Which one is better? Though both brands claim each is tuned to unique specifications, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference. Good on you if you can. Today, we like the BRZ better. Ask us again next global economic collapse, we might’ve changed our minds.

No longer forbidden fruit, we can finally sup on the sweet nectar that is the superb control and handling of the Civic Type R. This one’s surely going to be in demand if/when getting one new becomes as prohibitively expensive as a computer graphics card.

While we prefer the current run, the previous generation model was just as fantastic, if a little busy, design-wise. Start scouring the trading sites now before the scalpers do.

For a while, you couldn’t go outside without encountering a 370Z on the road, likely weaving through traffic or on the side of the road as the driver pleads their case to the law. Understandable, given how it was a very solid, accessible sports coupe that just got better with each refresh. It was so good, Nissan kept making it in secret, hiding it within the shell of the current Nissan Z.

Like Shania Twain, the Charger has an American country attitude but comes to us from our neighbors to the north, Canada. That’s all we’re going to say about that.

While many Chargers have come and gone, the ones closer to the end of its run are the best looking and are fairly abundant. Dig in the right places and you might even scoop up a former police cruiser. The reason why these became popular in the first place is because it was essentially a four-door muscle car that just got better with age. Jealous, really.

The very accurately named Fiesta ST was a party on wheels. It wasn’t a big to-do, either, it was intimate and exciting. Light and lithe, the Fiesta was a dart of a car that fought the good fight as the country shifted to SUV overdrive. New, the pricing was a bit off-putting for what you got but now, it’s a steal. Snag one before that changes yet again.

'Which BMW M3,' you ask? Take your pick. You, the savvy consumer, know that any will scratch the 'ultimate driving machine' itch. How affordable one is depends on its popularity, so we’ll say the E92s are likely easier to snag than the E46. Oh, the Bimmer forums will have a field day with this one.

Whichever you choose, do your homework. Gearboxes? Likely trashed, though its turn signals will be basically new.

Ah, the LC500, AKA 'the best Mustang Toyota has ever built'. The long-lived luxury muscle car still does it for us, even if it’s finally starting to show its age. Good news for anyone shopping for one, though, since there’s been enough coming out of Japan for nearly a decade and minimal changes between model years.

It made an appearance in the Black Panther film, too, so snag one before it becomes as hard to get as Vibranium.