10 Bargain Basement Fun Cars That Aren’t A Miata

If you’re on a tight budget but need a used car that’s a really good time, then you’re in the right place. After three days of scouring used car listings and collaborating with colleagues on which cheap cars are the most fun, we’ve come up with the following list for your consideration. We’ll see cars from Mazda, Dodge, Ford, Subaru, and various others, and our list of recommendations covers coupes and sedans, hatchbacks and convertibles, every possible configuration of driven wheels; we even have mid-engine and rear-engine options for you to consider.

You won’t see the Mazda MX-5 on the list below because, as the long-held go-to vehicle for cheap thrills, we know you’re considering it alongside the 10 other choices we’re presenting. Happy shopping!

10

BMW Z4

2nd Generation (2009-2016)

The second-generation BMW Z4 hit the road for the 2009 model year, got a facelift for 2013, and finished production after 2016. There was a brief pause in Z4 production before the third-generation roadster arrived for the 2019 model year. Back then, you’d pay $45,000 to $50,000 before options and packages. Today in 2025, your budget of $15,000 gets you plenty of selection on an earlier second-generation unit, commonly with pretty reasonable miles. You get two seats, four or six cylinders, rear-wheel drive, and a convertible top that takes a hike in moments for fun in the sun.

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9

Toyota MR2

2nd Generation (1991-1995)

This mid-engine two-seater offered Toyota reliability, solid power, and a sometimes-startling taste of mid-engine handling characteristics. It’s not a car for everyone, but if you’re looking for a good taste of old-school cool, some racy turbocharged punch, and the fun that comes from driving a car that disappeared from production decades ago, this could be an affordable way to do it. A 2-liter turbo four sat behind the passenger compartment, connected to the rear wheels with a five-speed stick. Today, an MR2 from this generation is a niche machine, and keeping things ticking and properly maintained will require some of your time and attention. Many have been tweaked by previous owners, which may or may not be your style. While low-mileage, original units can have asking prices of double our $15,000 budget, higher-mileage and fixer-upper models fall into our price range. Here’s a good option if you like to do a bit of your own maintenance and wrenching, the MR2 isn’t too hard to care for as it gets old.

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8

Smart ForTwo

2015-2017

Available well under our $15,000 budget is the Smart ForTwo. Like a Porsche 911, the Smart ForTwo is a rear-engine, rear-drive coupe. Unlike the Porsche, the ForTwo primarily delivered its fun factor outside the performance realm. It’s not built for feats of speed and handling, but the little Smart still turns heads, draws in curious onlookers, can be parked just about anywhere, and is hilariously maneuverable. If you do a lot of driving in congested spaces and parking lots, the Smart ForTwo is a blast, and the 1-liter engine keeps the gas bills to a minimum, too. Just do your homework on servicing and maintenance costs, and confirm you’re able to get yours serviced where you live.

7

Ford Fiesta ST

2014-2019

From 2014 to 2019, you could get a Ford Fiesta ST for about $21,000, complete with racy bucket seats, fun colors, a limited-slip differential, a snarling 1.6-liter four-cylinder, and a six-speed stick. When it comes to cheap hatchbacks built for miles of smiles, this hatchback go-kart was something of a legend. Not only did it capture the light and lively feel of hot hatches from decades gone by, it was also cheap to run, solidly reliable when properly cared for, and easy to work on. At our $15,000 price point, you’re looking at a 2018 or 2019 model from the end of the generation with a sub-60,000-mile odometer reading.

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6

Volkswagen GTI

2015-2021 (MK7)

If you’re a GTI fan with $15,000 in your pocket, set your search around the 2015 to 2017 model years for an early 7th generation unit with a sub-60,000-mile odometer reading. This generation GTI was facelifted for the 2018 model year, though post-facelift units tend to be pricier or run higher mileage. This front-drive hatchback combined proven turbo power with front wheel drive and a trick front differential to help maximize traction. With very generous torque output, this is one of the most responsive four-cylinder engines on the page.

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5

Subaru BRZ / Toyota GR86 / Scion FR-S

2017-2020

Whichever of these corporate siblings tickles your fancy, you’re solidly into a first-generation machine at our price point, typically with less than 60,000 miles on the odometer. The fast-revving four-cylinder engine is mounted low and wide in the engine compartment, with pistons that fire at the tires. The low center of gravity helps towards the light and eager handling feel, and the rear-drive platform beneath is one of just a few on your page designed exclusively for sports car applications. If the Nissan 370Z is a little too much, and if you like the idea of an MX-5 but prefer a hard-top coupe body, then a BRZ, GT-86 or FR-S should do you nicely.

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4

Subaru WRX

(2015-2021)

The Subaru WRX might be one of the ultimate fun cars on your page, because it’s built for motoring thrills in a very wide range of settings. Whether you’re at track day, driving through a blizzard, or commuting in traffic, the combination of a flat-four turbo engine, standard AWD grip, and a manual transmission means drivers are well set up for any drive that comes their way. This is a particularly compelling choice for enthusiast drivers in northern climates who require a machine that’s both family-ready and AWD-equipped. At this price point, you’re looking at a WRX that’s about eight to 10 years old, and typically with under 70,000 miles on the odometer.

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3

Mazdaspeed 3 Hatch

Second Generation 2010-2013

If the GTI is a little too common and not quite powerful enough for your tastes, you should definitely give the MazdaSpeed 3 some consideration. Its 2.3-liter engine is even more potent than the GTI’s, pushing power and torque output even higher. A popular sight at weekend track days and lapping events, many Mazdaspeed 3 owners are keen to service and maintain their machines and enjoy them as often as possible. They work great as an easy-to-drive, flexible daily vehicle as well. You’ll find used copies coming in well under our price range, but watch the odometer, as many units have done a lot of miles. That’s no problem if all maintenance and care is up to date, and budgeting for a little extra TLC for that new-to-you high-mileage unit is a good idea, too.

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2

Nissan 370Z

2009-2020

You’ll find an early copy of this two-seat coupe powered by one of the world’s best V6 engines for around $15,000 today, typically with under 70,000 miles on the odometer. Shop carefully, as some of the 370Z offerings at this price point are getting old now, which means extra attention to the battery, tires, suspension, and fluids is warranted. Find a healthy, stock, and well-cared-for unit within your budget, and you’re well on your way to enjoying the two-seater experience with 332 free-breathing horsepower at your disposal. Notably, this was also the first manual car with automatic rev-matching.

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1

Dodge Charger SRT8 / Chrysler 300 SRT8

2006-2010

Are you extremely reasonable? Do you prefer to drive something quiet and orderly? If so, this probably isn’t the car for you. The Charger SRT8 and 300 SRT8 are rocket-propelled sedans with power and space to spare. The rip-snorting 6.4-liter V8 and supporting modifications can handle the stress of track days and drag race events, and there’s enough room for you and three of your biggest humans to stretch out and lounge on road trips. The SRT V8 of this generation was big, simple, and highly effective, ditto the 5-speed automatic. Just watch your right foot and your wallet – the addicting sound effects have a way of collecting gas receipts and demerit points, if you’re not careful.

Sources: Autotempest