10 Affordable Cars That Still Make Driving Feel Special
As cars get increasingly expensive, car enthusiasts are slowly being priced out of what used to be affordable enthusiast cars. The economy is very different now, and minimum wages haven’t kept up with inflation. It also doesn’t help that the average new car transaction price has crept up to $49,855 as of July 2026, according to Kelley Blue Book.
With brand-new enthusiast cars being expensive, you may want to consider the used route instead. The vehicles on this list aren’t necessarily the fastest. What makes them worthy of this list is how their entire package, such as steering feel, handling, and power delivery, work together to deliver a truly special driving experience.
Understandably, these cars cost more than their mainstream counterparts, so for them to be considered affordable, our price cap is $20,000. All of the resale values here are based on Kelley Blue Book. Now, without further ado, here’s a list of 10 affordable used cars, ranked by their market value, that still make driving a special occasion.
2019 Subaru WRX STI
Average Used Price: $19,850 (Currently Appreciating)
If you want the last true STI from Subaru’s lineup, then you have no choice but to go for the WRX STI. The Subaru WRX STI was last sold for the 2021 model year, and since then, the WRX has never had an STI version. A 2019 Subaru WRX STI has an average price of $19,850, which means that older model years could be even more affordable. Take note, however, the Kelley Blue Book states that the WRX STI is currently appreciating, so better act fast if you want a good price. Also, the WRX STI has below-average reliability and ranks as the least reliable model in Subaru’s otherwise dependable lineup. Its EJ25 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine is great, but RepairPal gives the WRX STI a 2.5 out of 5 score for its $758 annual repair costs and higher frequency of severe issues. Blown head gaskets, anyone?
I’ve personally been able to review a Subaru WRX STI in 2019, and it’s a sports sedan that packs a lot of emotion. The rumbling EJ25 will certainly wake your neighbors up, and its large rear wing commands constant attention. The handling is safe and secure with its Symmetrical AWD (all-wheel drive), yet has the ability to be playful with its Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD), letting you decide on the AWD system’s power split. The six-speed manual, meanwhile, isn’t as slick or as precise as in a Civic Type R, for example, but its notchy and heavy feel gives the WRX STI its charm.
2020 Honda Civic Si
Average Used Price: $19,550 (Currently Appreciating)
One of the newest models on this list is the 2020 Honda Civic Si. The higher-performing Type R’s values are so resilient; its used prices are still closer to $30,000. But if you want a great-handling sports sedan or coupe with just enough sporting intent to remain docile for everyday use, the Civic Si has always successfully filled that role. The steering is reasonably sharp; the handling, though sportier than the normal Civic, still offers a great level of comfort for daily driving. It’s also mated exclusively to a six-speed manual that feels great in the hands, while the Helical limited-slip differential (LSD) helps put power down to the wheel with the most grip when exiting corners.
If you want a used Civic Si that starts under $20,000, you’ll have to begin with a 2020 model year or older. Also, Kelley Blue Book says that its used value is currently on an uptrend. With regular maintenance, the Civic Si’s 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder is also fairly reliable. It is a shared engine with a lot of Honda models like the CR-V and Accord, so parts are also very common.
2020 Subaru BRZ / 2019 Toyota 86
Average Used Price: $19,150–$19,400 (Currently Appreciating)
These model years of the Toyobaru twins represent one of the final model years of the first-generation model. The Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ both feature the FA20 naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that’s mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. With a very precise and rich steering feel, great handling thanks to the low center of gravity, and a cabin designed to pipe in noise from the boxer engine, the 86 and BRZ represent one of the best rear-wheel drive (RWD) sports cars you could buy for not a lot of cash.
In general, the Toyota 86 has a slightly higher resale than the Subaru BRZ, and that’s probably due to the Toyota having more dealer support. Reliability-wise, both are roughly equal as well. Where they differ ever so slightly is with their suspension tuning. The 86 has a slightly softer suspension tune that makes it easier to slide, while the BRZ’s slightly stiffer suspension makes it corner better. Get this car with a manual, since the automatic makes it feel considerably slower. Plus, the values of these two cars are currently on an uptrend, according to Kelley Blue Book.
2011 Porsche Boxster
Average Used Price: $19,050
Indeed, though Porsches tend to hold their values extremely well, some models and model years depreciate faster than others. That’s the case with a 2011 Porsche Boxster, which has an average used value of $19,050. Also, according to Kelley Blue Book, this model’s resale values aren’t on an uptrend, unlike most cars on this list. The market, it seems, favors the Cayman, due to its fixed hard top making it more rigid and less worrisome, as it lacks the complexity of a folding fabric roof. Stuttcars highlights that the final model years (including 2011) of the 987 are among the best for reliability and refinement, as Porsche had already perfected its mechanicals by that point.
Anyway, the 2011 Porsche Boxster, or the 987 generation, is one of the nameplate’s best generations. Its 2.9-liter or 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, with a low center of gravity and a central positioning on the chassis, makes it a very precise and agile sports car. It sounds so great, too. As one of the last Boxsters with hydraulic steering, its steering feel is rich and precise, as you would expect from a Porsche in this era. The brakes are also very good, and the six-speed manual is a delight to use. The seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission makes it faster, delivering slick and quick shifts, so we wouldn’t mind if you prefer this transmission instead.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Average Used Price: $18,250 (Currently Appreciating)
Also on an uptrend in terms of resale is the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Again, these are average prices, which means that older model years may be cheaper. The hardtop RF costs slightly more, but that’s largely due to it having a higher price tag when new. The MX-5 Miata is also perhaps one of the outright most reliable cars here, because its 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine is as simple as it could get. A 2019 model year also means it’s already the updated ND2, wherein its engine output has been increased from 155 to 181 horsepower, while its redline has increased from 6,800 rpm to 7,500 rpm. A telescopic steering column was also added in the ND2 to improve driving position adjustment.
Compared to the Toyobaru twins, the MX-5 Miata has a softer suspension, which is deliberate, as this makes it a “ballet dance partner” through corners. The body roll is just enough to let drivers know how the vehicle is reacting to every driver input. Furthermore, the balanced handling makes it reasonably comfortable for daily driving, since its lightness eliminates the need for stiff suspension. The steering is sharp and well-weighted, though I prefer the steering feel of the Toyobaru twins. What I prefer in the MX-5 Miata is its six-speed manual, which is simply one of the best. Do not get this car with an automatic — you will regret it.
2018 Nissan 370Z
Average Used Price: $18,500
The 2018 Nissan 370Z represents the final Fairlady Z model with a naturally aspirated V6 engine. Its 332-horsepower VQ37VHR 3.7-liter naturally aspirated V6 is a legend, belonging to the multi-awarded VQ family of V-6 engines that made Nissan a regular recipient of Ward’s 10 Best Engines. I drove a 370Z primarily during the modern turbocharged Z’s launch as a point of comparison, and this is where you feel that its engineering philosophy isn’t too different from the MX-5 Miata’s. The suspension is soft, though perhaps too soft for a sports car in some instances. On the upside, as one of the last cars on this list to offer hydraulic power steering, its precision and feel is refreshing to the hands versus today’s electric power steering systems.
With an average used price of $18,500, the 370Z can be cheaper when you opt for older model years. Once again, I wholeheartedly recommend getting this with a manual, though since it feels more like a grand tourer than a true sports car, the 370Z is also fine with an automatic. Unlike the other cars on this list, Kelley Blue Book doesn’t see an uptrend in terms of resale for this car.
2016 BMW Z4
Average Used Price: $17,500
If you fancy a grand touring alternative to something like the 2011 Porsche Boxster, a newer 2016 BMW Z4 may be your cup of tea. A newer car means it has more technology, and it also has a folding metal roof that makes it more refined when closed, though this also makes the Z4 heavier than a Boxster. That doesn’t make it a terrible sports car, though. Every drive is still an occasion, as it offers a reasonable amount of sportiness for what it was intended to be. Though reviews note that its steering feels great during turns, it doesn’t offer a lot of feel near its center. Body control is good, though the 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the sDrive28i is noted for its more agile front end since it carries a smaller engine.
Overall, you’ll have more fun in the Boxster, but the Z4’s blend of grand touring amenities and comfort also has its own fans. If you are one of those fans, Kelley Blue Book’s average valuation of $17,500 sounds great, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Models with the 3.0-liter N54 twin-turbo straight-six, namely the sDrive35i and sDrive35is, command higher resale values. BMW, after all, is renowned for its straight-six engines, and the straight-sixes are indeed the ones to get.
2017 Volkswagen Golf R
Average Used Price: $15,600
The 2017 Volkswagen Golf R represents the final year before the Mk7 generation transitioned into the facelifted Mk7.5. Regardless, the Golf R’s handling is thrilling and grippy, as the Haldex AWD system claws onto the road through its electronically controlled XDS+, an electronic differential lock that uses the brakes to simulate a true LSD. The six-speed manual is great to the hands, while the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission is quick and snappy for track use, but a bit too jerky for daily use. It’s the hot hatch that doesn’t shout its attitude. Rather, it’s mostly understated yet fun, especially with its tasteful looks and delightfully premium interior.
The 2017 Golf R has an average used price of $15,600, and with Kelley Blue Book not seeing an uptrend in its used prices, the Golf R will remain a European hot hatch bargain. Although earlier production batches had an EA888 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder that was recalled for turbocharger failures, newer batches were more reliable, though still not the cheapest hot hatches to maintain. Still, find one that’s well-maintained, and the Golf R is rewarding to own and drive, making everyday moments a pleasure.
2019 Ford Fiesta ST
Average Used Price: $11,400 (Currently Appreciating)
The Ford Fiesta was inherently a great subcompact hatch. It delivers fun handling that caters to European buyers at an affordable price. So imagine what could happen when a performance-oriented ST variant was made. The handling was even sharper and more precise, and since it’s not a full-blown RS model, it was still reasonably docile for everyday use. It had a reputation for great steering, a wonderfully slick six-speed manual, and a well-tuned chassis that makes it one of the subcompact hot hatch benchmarks.
Thankfully, the Ford Fiesta ST isn’t widely plagued with problems, so owning a used one will be rewarding. It was never equipped with the problematic PowerShift dual-clutch transmission that plagued Ford at the time. It was also mechanically simple, thus reducing the chance of mechanical gremlins. With an average used value of $11,400 that Kelley Blue Book notes to be on an uptrend, the Fiesta ST delivers indulgent, joyful driving fun that is increasingly rare in today’s landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) and crossover SUVs. Ah yes, remember the good times when enthusiast cars could be affordable when new?
2013 MazdaSpeed 3
Average Used Price: $7,775 (Currently Appreciating)
Remember when Mazda had not yet adopted its more mature and premium image, and was still a brand with a distinctly youthful personality? That was fully embodied in the final generation of the MazdaSpeed 3. With 263 horsepower from its 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder, it was powerful for its time. The mechanical LSD helps put the power down properly when powering out of corners, though it hasn’t completely eliminated torque steer from this very torquey engine. But that’s all part of the attitude. This was still an era where a Mazda 3 still had hydraulic power steering, so the steering feel was very rich and precise. Its handling was also very sharp and grippy, and it had a naughty personality, too, one that’s highlighted by its stiff ride.
Today, the final true hot hatch that Mazda ever produced can be yours for just $7,775, and Kelley Blue Book sees its prices being on an uptrend at the moment. This hot hatch is also fairly reliable according to CarGurus, but with a short production lifespan, it’s hard to gather data on how reliable it actually was. It was also last produced in 2013, which means that all of these vehicles are now quite old, and previous owners may have driven them hard. If you want a hot hatch with plenty of attitude for not a lot of cash, this is the kind of vehicle that only a brand like Mazda could ever make.
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