Best cars at $15k, $20k, $25k, $30k pricepoints

by "Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
Published 06/09/2017 at 16:44

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STARS: 2

Starting to kick around the idea of selling/trading my BRZ again, because reasons and just trying to consider what might better suit me for a vehicle now, at various pricepoints. Cheaper always better, obviously, but going up to $30k or so is pretty easily doable, too. That got me thinking about what might be a good ride at various pricepoints.

In the vein of Jalopnik’s What Car Should I Buy series, here’s my list of needs/wants:

Needs:
- Fun to Drive
- At least four doors
- Can baby
- Mostly reliable / cheaper fixes
- Newish
- NOT a crossover, SUV, truck or FCA product.

Wants:
- Manual transmission
- Powah! (or the ability to get powah with a tune, think turbo)
- RWD or AWD
- 2014 or newer
- Autocross competitive

Just in casually thinking about it, here’s what I’ve come up with for each pricepoint, everything used/CPO unless indicted:

Up to $15,000
- FiST
- FoST
- Civic Si sedan
- Buick Regal GS
- Cadillac ATS 2.0T

In this group, the FoST, Regal GS and ATS 2.0T would probably all be pretty ragged out and/or hard to find.

Up to $20,000
- FoST
- Buick Regal GS
- Cadillac ATS 2.0T
- Mk7 GTI
- Mazda6

In this group, the GTI might be the hardest one to find a good example of, the others should be pretty available.

Up to $25,000
- Mk7 GTI (new? or loaded used)
- Subaru WRX
- Fusion Sport
- Civic Si sedan (new)
- BMW 320/328i

I still think the new Civics are overstyled, but the Si seems interesting with its fancy suspension and turbo engine. A tune may wake it up a bit, and it should be engaging to drive. This money could swing a new GTI or possibly WRX (if you find a dealership offering nice discounts), or a lightly-used Fusion Sport or 3-er.

Up to $30,000
- Mk7 Golf R
- Subaru WRX (new)
- Subaru WRX STI
- Audi S3
- Chevy SS
- BMW 335i

I know I’m both forgetting tons that fall into this bracket as well as reaching on a few of them. Will be super hard to find a Golf R or Audi S3 under $30k, but have seen a few just barely over the $30k mark. Maybe a bit of negotiating could get one under. Same pretty much goes for the Chevy SS and STI.

What say you, Oppos? I feel like I’m forgetting a ton of really good options, but just can’t seem to think of them.

Replies (24)

"Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast" (danimalk)
06/09/2017 at 17:09, STARS: 3

Fuck the 4-doors and pick this answer for every one of your price points.

#drivesa4door

"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
06/09/2017 at 17:16, STARS: 0

This is almost identical to what my shopping list was a year ago. Only comment is that the 320 or 328 will not be competitive in class in autocross, as they are classed with more powerful cars with better suspension. I assume that you would also be following the pack with the fusion, regal, and Mazda6, although I considered those, too.

"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
06/09/2017 at 17:17, STARS: 0

I’d be surprised if you could find a MK7 R for under $30k, unless it has really high miles.

"Twinpowermeansoneturbo" (twinpower)
06/09/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 0

Buy my S4

"Old Red Wagon" (wr10)
06/09/2017 at 17:36, STARS: 1

I’m probably biased because I own a mk7 GTI but it’s been a good car. I cross shopped a few of the cars on your list with it and ended up with the VW. Amazing interior, fun to drive when you want to go fast but very tame when you want it to be. I’ve modded mine pretty heavily since I’ve purchased it but it’s got a good amount of power for a daily driver stock. I have a 2016 4 door S trim, lighting and performance package with a six speed.

"BLCKSTRM" (BLCKSTRM)
06/09/2017 at 17:38, STARS: 1

You can get an E90 M3 for less than $30k, probably less than $25k. I don’t think they’re as unreliable as people pretend / assume. Track cars will need rod bearings, but a normal DD car you sometimes track should be OK for a long time.

You could also get a crazy clean, low mileage E36 M3 sedan for $15k. For that much money it should have all the weak points sorted, have all the wear items upgraded / updated, and will be a bulletproof car that’s both cheap and easy to fix. It will also likely have cams and other work that give you 260-280 whp. However, that won’t be something you just pull up on Autotrader and find across town.

But mine is seriously the best car ever for a parent with kids that still wants something fast and fun.

Aside from stretching the definition of “newish” (I mean, they’re not 20 years old yet) it nails all your boxes - and has got to be the lightest RWD sedan available.

Actually, I can’t think of anything less than 20 years old that would be lighter now that I think about it.

"BLCKSTRM" (BLCKSTRM)
06/09/2017 at 17:40, STARS: 0

You’re suggesting he throw this part

- Mostly reliable / cheaper fixes

out the window?

"Twinpowermeansoneturbo" (twinpower)
06/10/2017 at 17:04, STARS: 1

Mine is a 2013. They’re actually very reliable and not expensive to fix. The 3.0T engine is quite stout. Now if we were talking about the older V8 models... that’s a different story.

"BLCKSTRM" (BLCKSTRM)
06/10/2017 at 20:57, STARS: 1

I couldn’t leave it alone. I wouldn’t call it completely exhaustive, but I spent far more time than I should have - for you, mind you, never just because of my own insatiable curiosity - digging into this.

At least if you live in the US, the E36 is the lightest RWD sedan you can buy that isn’t totally ancient. The M3 is the heaviest trim, but even at that it is still lighter than anything else.

And not that you want to go too crazy, but LS swaps (in both E36 and E46 sedans) usually come in around the $20k mark, and usually weigh right around 3100 (E36) - 3300 (E46) pounds. There was an E46 sedan with an LS swap and all the E46 M3 stuff - EVERYTHING - swapped over, too. Guy was only asking something like $23k for it, and it looked like it came that way from factory - incredibly well done.

However, consumables (like rear tires!) might get steep if you can’t keep your foot out of it!

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 08:12, STARS: 0

The best deal I’ve found on one thus far is (I think) $27k for a 2015 that’s VW CPO with 43k miles.

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 08:13, STARS: 0

I’d honestly like an E36 M3 sedan, but I’d have a hard time selling my wife on something that old. She’s of the opinion “old = unreliable”.

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 08:15, STARS: 0

My wife really digs both the Golf R and GTI. I’d probably get it with DSG just so she could drive it too, and for an “automatic” it’s not too bad.

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 08:18, STARS: 1

I’d imagine the 320/328, Fusion, Regal GS and Mazda6 are all pretty uncompetitive in autocross. At that point, may just run for time and have fun :).

"Carsbikesscooters" (carsbikesandscooters)
06/12/2017 at 09:13, STARS: 2

Previous gen s4 with manual and a Carmax warranty.

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 09:24, STARS: 0

I really probably should check one out, but they’ve just grown a lot. At the Audi dealer this weekend, we looked at one, and it just seemed yuuuuuuuuuge. I like small cars, so I very well may have to bin the 3-series, Fusion, Chevy SS, and others from my list.

"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
06/12/2017 at 12:17, STARS: 0

That’s...really good.

"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
06/12/2017 at 12:18, STARS: 1

E90 M3's are pretty damn reliable, just don’t get a DCT. And I’m pretty sure any earlier car will need the rod bearings addressed.

"BLCKSTRM" (BLCKSTRM)
06/12/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 1

I can’t help you there.

My wife feels the same way!

It’s taken a long time, but at this point my car is out of commission about as much as our 2005 CTS-V was and our current 2010 Escalade is.

But it’s definitely a harder sell up front.

"BLCKSTRM" (BLCKSTRM)
06/12/2017 at 13:46, STARS: 0

I’d get Blackstone reports regularly and just keep a close eye on it.

Best would be to get one that had already had them done, even if it’s a bit older.

If they’re recently done, you can just keep the revs down and rest easy.

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/12/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 0

I know, right?! That’s why I’m trying to convince my wife to up our timetable. Ostensibly, others should start to fall into this range, but right now (and probably in the near future) this is the exception, not the rule. The only cheaper one out there has a branded title.

"Moltenburn" (ryanroland)
06/21/2017 at 00:09, STARS: 2

Bought thia for 22.8k before tax title and trade. brand new. Dealer took 6k off. 2017 Sport

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/21/2017 at 07:54, STARS: 0

Some dealers were advertising screaming deals on GTIs - I actually called a few of them up only to find out they bundled every discount into those advertised prices. What they’d actually sell it to me for was a couple thousand more.

"Moltenburn" (ryanroland)
06/21/2017 at 19:12, STARS: 0

I hear that but it can be done. What part of the country do you reside. I am feeling helpful and searchy

"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
06/22/2017 at 07:56, STARS: 1

Haha - I appreciate the offer, but just bought a used S3 this week.