10 Cars That Offer Cheap Thrills

The Mustang V6 is a terribly fun car, and was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the first car to get more than 300 horsepower and 30 miles per gallon. Ford Motor Company

By George Kennedy

May 17, 2013

3 minutes to read

Were this a decade ago, you would have plenty of choices for supremely fun vehicles under $30,000. But traveling back to 2003 has its own problems, like having to relive the Iraq war, the financial banking crisis, and no one knowing what Instagram is. Getting behind the wheel of a truly fun car in 2013 means no V8 engine but there are a lot of other qualities that substitute.

These are the top vehicles between $20,000 and $30,000, combining thrift and enjoyment. Not every single vehicle here is an economy performance machine, but each vehicle brings something unique to the mix, accounting for many different lifestyles.

Fiat 500 C Abarth ($26,000): On its own, the Fiat 500 is a good-enough city car,

2013 Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio

with a focus on style and the ability to park in about the same space as a bicycle rack. The Abarth variants of the 500 are different beasts entirely, swapping out the anemic 101-horsepower I4 for a 160-hp turbocharged unit. A more rigid 6-speed manual and responsive handling help bolt this down as a solid performance runabout. The hardtop 500 Abarth is $22K, but at $26K, the convertible top only sweetens the deal.

Ford Mustang Convertible ($27,995): If you were looking for a Mustang GT on this list, you’ll be sorely disappointed. V8 power prices you right out of $30,000, but fret not. The Mustang V6 is a terribly fun car, and was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the first car to get more than 300 horsepower and 30 miles per gallon. It is worth highway fuel economy falling to 29 mpg for access to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Jeep Wrangler ($22,295): Let’s be straight about one thing. When a Jeep Wrangler passes by, with its doors off, covered in dirt, and a kayak strapped to the roof, the occupants of that vehicle are having more fun than you. Be it from the trail or the beach, the Wrangler is easy to clean, with its drainable tub. Roughly half the Wrangler lineup has an MSRP under $30K, and if you can’t find something fun to do with one, seek counseling.

Mini Cooper S Roadster ($28,550): From the standard hatchback to the new

2013 MINI ROADSTER

Coupe, Roadster, and Paceman models, there are plenty of choices in the Mini stables within our price bracket, but the nod has to go to the S Roadster. The combination of a turbocharged I4, 6-speed manual and the genuine feeling of driving a go-kart is a tough offer to pass up.

Mazda Miata ($23,720): The gold standard in affordable fun driving. Like the Wrangler, there are many options under the $30K mark, including the choice of either soft-top or power retractable hardtop. Mazda has been in the roadster game for a while, and it shows with small touches like added leg-level heater vents. The Miata also sets the standard for fun-to-drive motoring, though is being challenged by the following two vehicles:

Nissan Xterra ($22,940): If you are of the camping persuasion, the Xterra is a dream come true. 4X4 is available in the $25K range, and the rugged Pro-4X trim starts at just under $30K. All models come with a roof cargo hold, an integrated step in the bumper for roof-rack access, and most models come with a First-Aid kit. If you mountain bike or rock climb, that might as well be an invitation.

Scion FR-S ($25,225) / Subaru BRZ ($24,495): Be it with the 6-speed manual,

2013 Scion FR-S 004

or paddle-shift operated 6-speed automatic transmission, these two vehicles are about as fun as you can get on four wheels. With 200 horsepower coming from a 2.0-liter flat-four engine, there is enough oomph to illicit a smile, but never too much for the driver to control. Take this coupe to its absolute limit, and easing off the throttle will bring it back under control. They could bottle this stuff and sell it at drug stores as a marital aid.

Subaru Impreza ($25,795): If the Miata is the standard-bearer for roadsters, the 265-horsepower WRX is the vehicle by which all other AWD performance hatchbacks should be measured. Sure, it’s also available as a sedan, but the 5-door WRX is capable of loading up for a long weekend trip or taking to the local autocross.

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible TDI ($28,690): If you have a Y chromosome, this may be a hard sell, but the 263 lb.-ft. of torque and 41 mpg on the highway, in a four-seat convertible, is hard to argue with, and is perhaps the best example of driving enjoyment without the guilt.