10 Fun Cars That Cost Less Than $4,000

Image via Complex Original

This is mostly about the first-generation Miata, which were the ones with the pop-up headlights. Designed to be a modern answer to the Fiat Spyder and Triumph Spitfire (only without the frequent trips to the mechanic), the Miata was Mazda's first small car that thought outside the (econo)box. Early RX-7s are also tons of fun, with their high-revving rotary engines, but good luck finding an affordable one in drivable shape. The first-generation Miatas are light and low, two keys to a fun ride-and if the ragtop is in rough shape, simply never drive with it up. Find one with a five-speed and no power steering for the authentic vintage sports car experience.

The Honda CRX was a fighter from the start. On their December 1983 cover, Road & Track declared it to be a better performer in the slalom and on the skidpad than the Lotus Esprit Turbo—and $42,000 less. The price differential might not be as extreme anymore (on 1984 models, anyway) but the CRX is still a ton of fun in a sub-100 horsepower package. Just remember, when challenging exotics, stick to the twisties.

Produced from 1983 to 1987, the Toyota AE86 (sold as a Corolla) is a legendary car in both drift and anime (thanks to Initial D), which means its not going to be as cheap as a Japanese car from that era should be. But it's also going to be more fun to drive, even in stock form, and will get appreciative nods from other drivers. At 2,200 pounds with rear drive, the AE86 was popular amongst racers from the start-and it should come as little surprise that engineer Nobuaki Katayama later headed up Toyota's motorsports division.

The Nissan Sentra SE-R has been one of the best-performing small cars since its introduction in the early '90s. The B13 model came stock with 140 horses and could manage 0-60 in less than eight seconds. The Spec V, which was introduced in 2002, had even more punch. Equipped with a 2.5L, 175hp engine (originally intended for the Altima) coupled to a six-speed manual, it could do 0-60 in less than seven seconds, while optional Brembo brakes could stop it just as quickly.

Anyone who's seen The Blues Brothers knows the value of a good ex-police car. "It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant," said Elwood Blues of their new ride. "It's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks." A recent Crown Vic won't have a 440, but it will have a 5.0L V8, along with the other cop accoutrements. It will also probably have a zillion miles and terribly worn-in seats, but it'll be fast—and other drivers will always get out of your lane.

Can't afford a Lamborghini Aventador? That's OK, most people can't. But for those stuck on the mid-engine, rear-drive layout, there's always the Toyota MR2. Introduced in 1984, the first generation MR2 featured an angular body, suspension designed in part by Lotus engineers, and a dual-overhead cam, four-valve 1.6L engine from the AE86. A supercharged model was released in 1988. Later generations had swoopier designs, but it's hard to beat the original in bang for the buck.

No, it's not an SRT-4, but the ACR—which was the "sleeper" Neon with all of the R/T's performance mods with none of the cosmetic ones—is less likely to have been abused by some overeager teenager. Designed to be sold to sport racers, the ACR was the Super Stock Dodge of the '90s. Which is kind of depressing, but still. And given Neon's crash ratings, maybe it's best to wear a helmet while driving one whether on or off the track.

Sure it's not an R32, but there is zero chance at finding a $4,000 R32 unless it's stolen, on fire, or most likely both. The mid-to-late '90s Golf Mk3 GTI came with a 2.8 liter VR6 option that gave the two-door hatchback some serious punch. No all-wheel drive, but hey, save up.

Any Civic hatchback under $4,000 is a good buy, but this is primarily about the fourth- and fifth-generation models, which spanned 1988 to 1995. No need to get caught up in the Si craze either, even a DX with a five-speed is fun to drive, thanks to its low stance and light weight. Aftermarket options are nearly endless when it comes to increasing performance, but a $2,000 car can become a $10,000 one in a hurry.

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In the same lane as a late-80's, early-90's Civic, the Acura Integra is also a really fun five-speed car that you can often find around $3,000-4,000. They ones that are that cheap will likely have a ton of miles on them, but the Honda engine under the bonnet is a tough little cookie and can seemingly run forever if taken care of properly. And like the Civic (very similar cars all around at that time), the Integra is wildly popular in the modding community. Not to mention, the Integra had a much more distinct/stylish look than the Civic. 

The E30 is the BMW 3-series body style of choice amongst tuners and aficionados alike (it's the body style that appears on the cover of Frank Ocean's nostalgia, Ultra), but the E46—which appeared on the Car & Driver 10 Best list in every year of its 1998 to 2006 run—should get more recognition. Unlike the E30, the E46 was available in station wagon (Touring) form, the 2000 version and its 170 horsepower engine being our first choice. You might think it's ridiculous to say you could find a BMW like this for less than $4,000, but if you stick to the late-'90s and early '00s with high mileage, you should be in luck. Like we said, just check out KBB, if you don't believe us.