The 27 Most Fun Used Cars You Can Buy for Under $5000

Lots of people were upset when Subaru replaced its highly-praised GC8 Impreza with the polarizing 2002 model you see here. It earned the "Bugeye" nickname thanks to its big, round, almost comical headlights. This yellow one is clean, and you can own it today.

The normal Taurus was an extremely popular car in the 1990s and early 2000s, but the high-performance SHO model often goes overlooked. With a Yamaha-tuned V-6 mated to a manual transmission, it shouldn't. Here's one up for grabs on eBay right now.

The earlier Supras seem to get overshadowed by the legendary MkIV model, but really, they shouldn't. The MkIII just oozes '80s coolness, right down to the square pop-up headlights. This clean example is for sale for $10,000 right now.

It's no Fiesta ST, but the Focus SVT is still a hell of a hatchback if you're seeking cheap smiles. Best of all, they're shockingly easy to find under $5000. Here's one listed for sale in Seattle that you can own for just $4000.

The Cressida was one of Toyota's last rear-wheel drive sedans in America, aimed as a more luxurious option in its lineup. Nowadays, most of them have been turned into drift missiles with 2JZ swaps, but if you can find a clean one like this for sale, it remains a good buy.

If you hate left-lane hoggers, there's nothing that gets them out of the way faster than the grille of a Crown Victoria in their rear-view mirror. It's one of the many reasons why the Crown Vic is such a great road-tripper. Here's a Police Interceptor version that you can buy now.

Thanks to its popularity as a drift car, it's getting harder and harder to locate a nice 240SX for less than $5000. They're still out there, though—you just have to put a bit more effort into find them. Here's one with some mods listed for just $3500.

Believe it or not, the Pontiac Solstice is now 13 years old. Early models have begun to depreciate under the $5000 mark, which is good news for roadster fans. They're not especially common at that price, but I was able to find this one on eBay with little effort.

If you want a nice, running V-8-powered Mustang for less than $5000, you don't have very many cars to choose from. You could go the Foxbody route, or buy something like this reasonably priced SN95 Mustang GT.

Looking for a nicely-styled, reliable, sporty GT car? The Nissan 300ZX can check all of those boxes for you. It might be difficult to find a turbocharged model for under five grand, but naturally aspirated cars like this one can be sourced under budget all day long.

You can get a lot of 4x4 for $20,000. Here are some of the best picks.

The Honda Beat is a mid-engine Kei car from the '90s with a lovable face and a convertible top. The three-cylinder motor revs to the moon, but it only makes around 63 horsepower. Get a bike engine in there, and your power problem is solved. Here's one on eBay you can own right now.

If you want something more "modern" than a 2002, the E30-generation 3-Series will get the job done. For years it's been the go-to for enthusiasts looking for a fun car that can do it all on the cheap. It was only recently that non-M3 E30s became appreciating assets. This one on eBay can be yours today.

Not only is the CRX extra-fun to drive—it's incredibly dependable as well. It is a Honda, after all. With proper care, it will get you to you destination every day for the rest of time. Here's a clean one you can own today.

There's a reason you see so many Miatas at track days and autocross events. They're incredibly fun to drive, and get even more fun once you start slapping go-fast parts onto them. Because it's the most popular roadster on earth, aftermarket support is endless. Here's a '94 model up for grabs on eBay right now.

Of course, the E30 isn't the only BMW out there worthy of a V-8 swap. In recent years, its replacement, the E36, has become a popular choice among swap enthusiasts and drifters looking to extract the most performance out of its light, rear-wheel drive platform.

If you're looking for all-weather performance, it's hard to beat the WRX. It's been for sale in America for nearly 20 years, which means older used examples are extremely affordable. Just make sure to read up on common problems before pulling the trigger. This silver 2002 model is for sale on eBay now.

Sure, the C4 generation may not be everyone's favorite Corvette, but you have to admit: It's a great value. For under $10,000, you get rad '80s looks, a V-8 sending power to the rear wheels, and those cool flip-up headlights. This green convertible can be yours for just $9900.

If you're looking for real power from a 944, you could spend the money and get a Turbo model. Another choice is finding a cheap broken example and dropping in a V-8. Honestly, the V-8 option sounds more fun (and more reliable).

If you're not the Miata type, but want something nimble, reliable, and fun, it's hard to go wrong with the MR2. Its mid-engine layout makes it a natural on track, and parts are cheap. Just be sure to steer clear of the second-gen turbo models—they have a reputation for snap oversteer. This looks nice, and it's for sale.

The Cappuccino is a Japanese-market Kei car never sold in America. Used examples are old enough that they're legally allowed to be imported here, and often times, they can be had for less than $10,000 all-in. This one on eBay is listed for just $7000.

If the Corvette isn't really your thing, maybe you'll like the Camaro Z28. It has a totally different look, but packs a Corvette-sourced LT1 V-8 under the hood. Here's one on eBay right now.

Look at entry lists for any rally in America, and you'll see most of the competitors are driving Subarus. Of those Subarus, most of them are 2.5RSs. Why? Well, they're cheap to own, well-balanced, and easy to fix. Parts are everywhere, and if you know what you're doing, you can take podiums.

While not everyone loves the look of the first-gen Boxster, there's no denying it's great to drive. With a mid-engine layout and a naturally aspirated flat-six, it's easy to see why. It's one of the best-handling cars you can own for under $10,000. This base model can be yours for just $6000.

The Conquest TSi (also know as the Starion) packs a turbocharged engine under the hood, and like the similarly-styled 944, puts its power to the rear wheels. They're a little tough to find for sale, but when they do pop up, prices hover around $5000, for the most part.

The SLK isn't as sporty as some of the other cars on this list, but sometimes, that's a good thing. Because it's a Mercedes, it has a bunch of luxurious features that make it perfect as a comfy drop-top cruiser. Here's one up for bidding right now.

The Civic Si is the ultimate blend of usability, affordability, and fun. Mid-2000s hatchback models like the one shown above are easy to find under the $10,000 mark, and make for truly great all-rounders. This 2008 coupe can be yours today.

You won't find the gorgeous third-generation twin-turbo RX-7 for under $5000. You'd struggle to find one for under $10,000, but you can get naturally aspirated versions of the first two generations for under $5000. Its rotary engine can be tricky to maintain, but it's so cool, you might not care. Here's a first-gen car for sale for just $3500.