Some drivers prefer power delivered to the rear tires. They want the car to spin in a circle when too much throttle is applied, and they enjoy the feeling of a controlled slide. Other drivers prefer front-wheel-drive cars, where there's minimal drivetrain loss and while driving at normal speeds it's arguably safer than rear-wheel-drive.
Drivers who like both, or neither, can opt for all-wheel-drive, where any grip that once was lost can be found. This layout guarantees drivetrain losses at a premium, but a big turbocharger can sometimes make the difference. While AWD can be complicated and weigh more than a two-wheel-drive, it can be affordable.
8 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi - $16,219
Equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged H-4 working to produce 293 horsepower, the Subaru hops around hilly corners with the energy and attention span of a jack rabbit, almost as if it's being chased.
It's easy to miss the rev counter climbing to the top while navigating corners, causing a blind and panicked search for the gearshift, and then repeating this whole cycle as the next corner approaches. It's exhilarating to say the least, and it's not at all a mystery as to how this car has kept its value for so long.
7 2019 Mazda3 Hatchback AWD - $17,440
The Mazdaspeed 3 was an enjoyable ride. Crisp shifting and instant torque delivering to sharp, responsive steering made this car an absolute pleasure to drive, and easy to operate with a clutch that was lighter than air. New for the 2019 Mazda3 is AWD, though unlike the Mazdaspeed it is sans turbo.
If Mazda's track record has proven anything, that won't matter as much as the handling, and with AWD it's only gotten better. The Mazda3 only produces 186 ponies from a 2.5-liter inline-four, but that will go unnoticed while carving through canyon roads.
6 2021 Dodge Charger SXT - $29,995
There is a brand new sports car that can be bought with all-wheel-drive, and surprisingly it comes with a Dodge emblem in the front. The Charger SXT is the cheapest of the lineup, and it's nowhere near the most powerful at just 300 horsepower from a 3.6-liter V6.
But it's affordable and comes with all-wheel-drive, and does well in the snow. At about 4,000 pounds curb weight it might feel sluggish, but it has four doors and is built like a tank, so in this case less power may advocate even more safety.
5 2017 BMW 230i xDrive Coupe - $27,535
Thankfully BMW values plummet like rocks, otherwise a car like the 230i xDrive may not be an affordable all-wheel-drive sports car. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four lies under the hood, sending 250 horsepower to all four wheels to move a car that weighs just shy of 3,500 pounds.
Equipping this BMW with the Track Handling Package ensures it will grip well enough to handle 0.96 gs, which is great news considering its ill-equipped stock tire sizes of 205mm in the front and 225mm in the rear.
4 2009 Nissan GT-R - $35,000
Like most cars, finding an affordable GT-R so much depends on mileage. The difference between a GT-R with 50,000 miles vs 120,000 costs tens of thousands, so while it is possible to find a GT-R for as little as $35,000, it will take time to find the right one.
GT-R average mileage is much lower than the national average, which sits comfortable at around 14,000 miles per year. The GT-R's average mileage clocks in at about 5,000, according to KBB. Nissan's GT-R is a whole lot of car to get for less than $40,000.
3 2016 Ford Focus RS - $28,982
As a potent rival to the Subaru, the Ford Focus RS boasts 350 horsepower from a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four, the same engine found in the Mustang Ecoboost. Even with AWD the Focus manages a slim 3,460 pounds curb weight, no doubt contributing to its mad 0-60mph dash of just 4.7 seconds.
While the Subaru is much older and slower, the Ford Focus RS is nearly twice as expensive, and won't offer a ride that's too pleasing for long trips. If taking a car to the snow is the allure of AWD, consider something other than the Focus RS.
2 2010 Audi TTS Quattro Premium Coupe - $14,745
Without too heavily endorsing Audi, it's fair to say the TTS Quattro is cheap, and does come equipped with AWD. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four delivers 265 horses to all wheels, but that power has to move just 3,241 pounds of German-engineered glorified Volkswagen.
When properly tuned, upgraded Audis can dump lots of torque very quickly and even the A5 with its beefy disposition can charge effortlessly to 120 mph. To say nothing of engine reliability, the Audi TTS Quattro can be extraordinarily quick.
1 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 - $10,000
Oldest and almost as fun as the Subaru is Mitsubishi's GTO or 3000GT for North American markets. The SL version had front-wheel-drive and a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6 producing about 220 horsepower.
Tack on a couple turbos and all-wheel-drive, and the SL became the VR-4. With 320 horsepower to all four wheels this car moves, but still feels heavy with its 3,737-pound curb weight. The Subaru has the 3000GT dead to rights in that aspect, but for sheer madness nothing beats the VR-4.
NEXT: Real Car Enthusiasts Need To Drive These 19 AWD Supercars