Having a small budget doesn't have to mean restricting yourself to a basic econobox. There are plenty of great, dirt cheap used cars on the market if you are prepared to look. Whatever your dream vehicle, there is likely a budget-conscious alternative. Here are 10 great options to consider, from sports cars to luxury cars, American to European. These cars are also great options for people looking for a second vehicle for enjoying weekends in, something they can have a bit more fun in than their regular daily drivers.

While it is obviously desirable to buy the best-maintained example you can find, at the price point of $4,000, there can be some compromises to be made. This is not necessarily a downside, as a lot of the enjoyment that can be gained from these sorts of vehicles comes from the opportunity to treat them as project cars. Time could be spent restoring them back to a more original OEM condition, refurbishing paint, wheels, and the interior. Alternatively, they could be modified.

Many performance components such as suspension and brakes have come a long way since these cars were released. Upgrading some of these parts could unleash a whole new level of performance. Given that many of these vehicles included large, naturally aspirated engines, they sound better than many more expensive modern vehicles, suffocated by strict emissions standards.

Related: Here's Why These Classic Sports Cars Are Now Dirt Cheap

10 1996 BMW Z3 ($4,299)

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In production from 1995 to 2002, the BMW Z3 is a small two-seater sports car, a first for BMW in the mass market. It was available in either a roadster or coupe variant. The Z3 featured in the James Bond film GoldenEye and, according to James Bond Fandom.com, it was the first non-British car to be used by 007.

BMW Z3 1996
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The car came with a modest 138-hp 1.9-liter unit initially. A more powerful 190-hp 2.8-liter six-cylinder was added later. The Z3 M variant came with a more appetizing 240-hp six-cylinder 3.2-liter unit. Examples can be found for around $4.3k.Related: These Are The 10 Coolest James Bond Cars, Ranked

9 2001 Toyota Celica GT ($3,995)

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The Celica was Japan's answer to the small sports car, available with a choice of two different 1.8-liter engines producing 140 hp or 180 hp. According to autoblog.com, the car can be thought of as a motorcycle on four wheels on account of its nimble, responsive handling. This is a major selling point for the car, as it is designed to be driver-focused, offering engagement while also being coupled with modest running costs.

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This is the sort of car that really suits a manual box; despite this, automatic versions were also available. The 2001 Celica GTs can now be yours for nearly $4,000.

8 2001 Ford Mustang Cobra ($4,000)

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The Mustang Cobra was produced between 1993 and 2004 and was considered one of the highest performance Mustangs. A 320-hp 4.6-liter V8 powered the Mustang to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.

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A total of 7,251 cars were produced, and some used examples can be had for around $4,000.

7 2006 Mini Cooper S ($3,450)

Mini-Cooper S
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The Mini Cooper S offers a blend of retro looks coupled with modern engines and transmissions. The car has kept its good looks well and is visually very similar to current-day offerings.

Mini-Cooper S Interior
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Powered by a 1.6-liter supercharged engine, the Mini offers decent performance for its size. Producing 168 hp, the car can reach 60 mph in a respectable 7 seconds. The small and nimble package offers a fun and engaging drive. Those looking for the most engaging driving experience should opt for the manual gearbox, although there is an automatic available as an option, now available for around $3,500.

6 1999 Land Rover Range Rover P38 ($4,000)

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The original luxury off-roader, the Range Rover, has always been a desirable vehicle. The P38 generation, produced from 1994 to 2001 is still an affordable way into Range Rover ownership. Arguably a future classic, it could prove a wise investment if you can afford the ongoing maintenance and running expenses. Air suspension ensures the ride quality is good, as well as enhancing off-road ability.

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The car could be equipped with either a 188-hp 4.0 SE or a more powerful 218-hp 4.6 HSE. As could be expected in a Range Rover, cabin quality is excellent with lots of leather and wood inserts. P38s are now available for around $4,000.

Related: The Real Story Behind Land Rover's Range Rover

5 2005 Chrysler 300C ($4,300)

2005 Chrysler 300C (Silver) - front
Chrysler

First launched in 2005, Chrysler's 300C offers a visually distinctive alternative to other luxury-focused sedans. Powered by a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, it was the first production car available to the North American market with cylinder deactivation. This feature was ahead of its time and enabled customers to combine the fun and thrill of a V8, with the better fuel economy associated with a four-cylinder when the performance isn't required.

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340 hp is delivered to the rear wheels, allowing the 300C to go on to a top speed of 155 mph. The size and stature of the car make it look more expensive than it actually was. Decent condition examples of the 2005 Chrysler 300C are currently available to buy for around $4,300.

4 2004 Lincoln Navigator ($3,999)

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The Navigator, offered by Ford's luxury division Lincoln, was designed to offer car-like rather than truck-like handling. The second generation, produced from 2002 to 2006, was undeniably a very large vehicle. It was equipped with a large, powerful engine (a 5.4-liter, 300-hp V8), but interestingly, the car was fitted with only a four-speed automatic transmission.

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The 0-60 time is a reasonable 8.4 seconds, considering the car's 5,822-lb curb weight. It's now available for around $4k.

3 2008 Audi A6 ($4,000)

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Available as both a sedan and a wagon (Avant), the Audi A6 is a premium German offering. The A6 sedan was available with the choice of either a 255-hp 3.2-liter V6 or a 335-hp 4.2-liter V8. The wagon could only be specced with the 3.2.

One aspect of the car that was particularly good at the time was the well-crafted interior. The car really did feel like a luxury offering, featuring leather and wood as standard. Audi's infotainment system, the Multi-Media Interface (MMI), was good for the time also, with a 7-inch media screen, a 10-speaker Bose system, and optional satellite navigation. While the system would probably feel dated today, it does demonstrate the investment Audi made into the car's development.

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Regarding practicality, the sedan's cargo area is 546 liters, while the wagon is 565 with the rear seats up. 60/40 seat splitting allows for flexible additional space when required. Ride quality is good owing to an independent four-wheel suspension setup. 2008 examples can now be had for around $4,000.

2 2005 Volvo V70 ($3,500)

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The Volvo V70 is a widely acclaimed Swedish load-lugger. Owing to Volvo's reputation for safety and reliability, the V70 was a popular family vehicle and the car now evokes a feeling of nostalgia for many people. At the $4,000 mark, the car is a good option for those looking for a practical utility wagon. The cargo capacity is a vast 1641 liters with the rear seats folded, offering plenty of space for pretty much anything you need to transport. If you are still stuck for space, the roof bars allow even more carrying options.

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As standard, the car came with Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), an Inflatable Curtain (IC), and Whiplash Protection Seating System (WHIPS), helping reassure drivers and their occupants. 2005 examples are now available for around $3.5k.

1 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class ($3,995)

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Launched in 1997, the Mercedes Benz ML or M Class (with the "L" signifying luxury) was designed to be a luxury, road-focused replacement for the G-Wagen. To this day, the car remains a desirable vehicle, combining a luxurious Mercedes cabin, imposing stature, and on and off-road capability. The car was available in an optional seven-seat configuration, although the third row is probably best reserved for children.

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The car could be ordered with a 215-hp 3.2-liter V6 (ML 320) in base trim, a 268-hp 4.3-liter V8 (ML 430), or a range-topping 342-hp 5.4-liter V8 (ML 55). Examples can be purchased for around $4,000.