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Sports cars with boxer engines are getting rarer with time, but there are some pretty awesome ones you can get in the used market.

A flat, aka boxer engine, was first introduced in 1897 by Karl Benz—a two-cylinder on a single crank horizontally opposite each other. Since then, boxer engines have had problems holding a significant place in the market. Even small and simple tasks like replacing a spark plug on these engines require special tools and take a lot of time, which is why these engines get little love. The oil consumption, leakages, etc., were other hindrances to their success.

Yet, despite these drawbacks of the boxer engines, many enthusiasts and car manufacturers still continue to love these engines because they offer advantages such as better weight distribution and a lower center of gravity, which are both especially desirable in sports cars.

Today, only Subaru and Porsche still use boxer engines. That said, it is clear that the used market is the best place to look for a car with a boxer engine. These engines have their own quirks and features, which is why we have prepared a list of the greatest boxer engine sports cars for you.

The 86 offered by Toyota, like the similar Subaru BRZ, is one of the more accessible toys for entry-level sports cars for enthusiasts. It offers a 205-horsepower, 2.0-liter horizontally opposed (boxer) four-cylinder engine. The engine comes with two gearbox options, a six-speed manual, and a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

The 86 is a great option for individuals looking for a coupe with great handling and excellent reliability. You can easily find these for around $28,000, which makes it one of the best buys for the price.

Related: Review: 2019 Toyota 86 - The Only Affordable Sport Compact On The Road

Subaru has always had a reputation for using boxer engines, and the WRX STI is no different in proving its worth. It is a car with fairly unassuming looks, but car enthusiasts know exactly what to expect from one of these: affordable fun and performance in all weather conditions.

The 2018 version comes equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer engine capable of producing 310 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. Reliability is not an issue for this car as well. Many owners have reported that clocking miles in this one is a piece of cake with regular maintenance.

Related: The Subaru WRX STi: Closest Thing To A Road-Legal Rally Car

Porsche introduced the boxer engine for the first time in 1948, for the model 356. They have continued using the flat configuration in some of its most well-liked models to this day. For example, the Porsche 911 has been getting its power from a flat-six since its launch in 1964. The 2017 911 Turbo can produce 540 hp and 523 lb-ft with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

This powertrain has proven its reliability and will last over 100,000 miles if it's taken good care of with regular maintenance. For example, the 911 Turbo S comes a bit hard in terms of money, but it is worth every penny.

Yet another Porsche makes the list. This time, it is the Cayman. The first Cayman made its debut in 2005 as a coupe alternative to the beloved Boxster. One of the best bang-for-the-buck Porsche deals on the used market, the 2014 Cayman comes with a 2.7-liter 6-cylinder boxer engine producing 275 hp and 213 lb-ft of torque.

One can easily find these for around $30,000-$40,000 lightly used. Also, the Cayman will stay with you for the long haul if you take proper care of it and don't miss any oil changes. It can clock over 150,000 miles with ease.

Related: Here's Why The Porsche Cayman Is A Better Deal Than The 911

Porsche Boxster is a two-seater roadster that first debuted in late 1996. It has been getting many updates, such as the recent 2.0L 4-cylinder boxer engine providing the driver with 300 horsepower on tap. The previous generations of Boxster came with a 6-cylinder engine which sounded more symphonic.

The power figures of the Boxster might not amuse some enthusiasts, but believe us, it is more than enough to make you smile. That's not to mention its incredible handling capabilities, which is one of the USPs of the Boxster. The car has an extremely low center of gravity, holds the road like not many other sports cars do, and offers incredibly precise and responsive steering.

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Boxster Isn't Just A Poor Man's Porsche

The fourth Porsche is on this list and is also the most agile, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS is perfect for the racetrack as Porsche has configured it with upgraded suspension, larger brakes, more sound deadening, and the option to delete rear seats.

The Porsche 911 Turbo S has the upper hand over competitors in terms of power, but the best feature of the 911 GT3 RS is its precise handling. Also, it features a naturally aspirated engine, which only adds more amusement to the plate.

Related: Porsche 911 GT3 RS: 15 Sick Facts And Photos

Subaru has been making boxer engines since 1966 and has no intentions of leaving them aside any time soon. The Impreza WRX STI 22B is exceedingly rare as Subaru made only around 425 units for the entire world. This makes it one of the most desirable tuner cars to come out of Japan in the '90s.

Back then, JDMs did not reveal detailed graphs of their engine performance because of the Gentleman's Agreement in 1988 to limit engine power to 280 hp. However, it is believed that the 22B might produce about 310-340 hp, making it even more desirable.

Related: 10 Things Everyone Forgot About The Subaru Impreza 22B STI

The Ferrari Testarossa needs no introduction. Its Pininfarina design defined the wedge-shaped supercar in the late '80s. It is one of those legends that car enthusiasts and even their moms know from its many features in '80s movies and sitcoms, such as Miami Vice, The Yuppies 2, and American Dad.

It is the successor of the Ferrari 512i BB (Berlinetta Boxer) and was Ferrari's last car to feature a version of the flat-12 engine -- a 4.9-liter flat-12 with a rear-mounted 5-speed transmission. It produces about 428 hp at 6,750 rpm and 362 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm. Buying one of these might cost you a pretty penny, but the cool factor alone makes it worth it.

Ramya is a Computer Engineering graduate with a lifelong love of automobiles. Digs all types of cars but has a special place in his heart for Japanese and Italian two-seater sports cars.