We all have had the luxury of choosing our preferable drivetrain among RWD, FWD, 4WD, and AWD for quite a while now. For the most part, the intended use of the vehicle pretty much clears up the fog and presents the optimal drivetrain for that particular use. AWD, for example, is best used for offroading and rallying, but that doesn’t stop people from getting AWD vehicles even if they don’t really need them. When it comes to RWD and FWD, devotees of both drivetrains have been in an everlasting battle about which is the ultimately better option. You can find FWD in cost-efficient and space-efficient cars, while the RWD cars are relatively costlier and made for the purists that require the best driving experience.But, this is not a comparison article, and we are here for cars that give a thrilling driving experience without messing with your savings account too much. Cars like the Mazda RX-7, Mk.4 Toyota Supra, Honda S2000 might jump to mind when thinking about RWD cars for enthusiasts. Maybe even a 240SX, a C-class merc, a 5-series Bimmer, or even a couple of Alfa Romeos. However, due to their increase in popularity and rarity, they do not come that affordable anymore. Instead, we are here to look at 10 of the cars that provide the desired smiles per hour for roughly $20,000 or less.
10 2011-2014 Dodge Charger ($11,000-$20,000)
Modern muscle cars don’t get the love that they deserve. One of the primary reasons behind it is that these modern muscle cars are forever burdened with the curse of comparison with old-school muscle cars from their golden age.
However, the Charger is still hella fun to drive. Dodge tried hard to make sure of it by having a 5.7-liter V8 engine available to deliver the required power. You can get a Charger R/T very easily between $11,000 to $20,000 all over the country.
9 2005 Ford Mustang GT (~$15,000)
Manufacturers in the 21st century have to follow strict rules to adhere to the global warming scenario. This results in comparatively less cool cars than the muscle cars of the ‘60s. But that didn’t stop Ford from developing a driver’s car in 2005. Take a look at the Ford Mustang GT.
This pony comes with a 4.6-liter 3 valve V8 engine that makes 300 hpand 320 lb-ft torque sent to the rear wheels. This particular Mustang GT Premium is up for grabs for $16,000 if you’re anywhere near Scottsdale, AZ.
8 1991 Nissan 300ZX (~$12,500)
Nissan was on a roll during the ‘80s and ‘90s. They were making one grin-inducing car after another. We all know and remember the Skyline GT-R series from that era, but the 300ZX is a dark horse in the best Nissan cars race for sure. If you get one with a 2+2 seating layout, it can also satisfy your grand tourer needs to an extent.
Nissan’s 3-liter 6 cylinder engine is robust, reliable, and makes 222 hp; all of that for roughly $12,500. If you manage to get yourself a twin-turbo model, it’ll take cost some more but you get a 300-hp car with underrated looks and big power.
7 2010-2015 Chevy Camaro ($13,000 to $18,000)
While the V6 is good in its own right, we are here to talk about the V8 Chevy Camaro SS. The V6 is decent, but most driving enthusiasts look for one thing: power. And that’s exactly what this Camaro is marketed as. A 6.2-liter V8 with manual transmission is all the car you need to have fun every time you drive.
The looks are not bad either! Used examples of Camaro SS start from just $13,000, but if you want one with less than 100,000 miles, then it might stretch closer to the $18,000-$20,000 mark. Bonus: You can also have a convertible one for not much extra!
6 2017 Toyota 86 ($19,000)
Bad news: Only the base model sells for under $20,000. Good news: The base model is good enough to have an amazing driving experience! This option is for someone who is looking for a sub-$20,000 RWD car but doesn’t want to miss out on modern technology and safety features.
When Toyota debuted the new 86 in 2012, people complained that it lacked the raw power and excitement that the 86 name commands. Well, Toyota listened, and boy did they deliver. This 2017 86 will take $19,900 and give you years and years of happiness while driving.
5 Early 2000s Porsche Boxster ($12,000-$20,000)
A Porsche under the $20,000 mark? It has to be a Boxter. And it is, but that’s not bad for us at all. Porsche has some of the most refined engines in the world. The 2.6-liter flat-6 engine is no exception. But the 217-hp driving experience is not so bland or subtle at all.
If you can ignore the “Poor man’s Porsche” comments, as you get a genuinely good RWD car that has always been better than its rivals of the same price, a great chassis, and Porsche refinement on a budget.
4 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth (~$14,000)
The original 124 Sport Spider was a masterpiece, a rally icon, and a beloved car. But restoring and maintaining it is full of costs and hassles. Therefore, Fiat made the new 124 Spider with Abarth to capture the essence of the original while keeping it affordable for folks.
Here’s why you should consider buying this one: it’s built on the same platform and assembly line as the MX-5 Miata and it’s got Italian styling (which is almost always better than the rest). In other words, it’s an affordable two-seater convertible sports car that is a lot of fun to drive. Plus, the black bonnet gets extra points for coolness.
3 2005-2008 Nissan 350Z ($10,000-$17,000)
Back in the day, Nissan 240SX was THE enthusiast’s car on a budget. It was such a great car at such a low price that getting one for driving pleasure was a no-brainer. Gradually, it became more and more popular, the demand increased, and the supply was limited. Now, it’s no longer affordable.
Meet the new age counterpart for that icon, the 350Z. A truly reliable Japanese platform, a potent 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine spewing upwards of 300 hp, and the tunability on par with a Honda or a Toyota make this such an easy choice for a reliable Japanese sports car. Take a look at these ones here.
2 2017 Subaru BRZ (~$20,000)
Both the Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ are practically the same car with different badges. So what sets this Subie apart from its twin? The price. If you don’t want to spend more than $20,000 for a car, then you can only have the base Toyota 86 with minimum options. That’s still a great choice, but if you want all the bells and whistles that come with a premium 2017 model, then get ready to endure the barrage of vape comments because this Subaru is the one for you.
It’s got the same 2-liter inline-4 engine, and the difference in power delivery is negligible. So with this option, you can either save some money or get more features for the same price as the 86.
1 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata NC ($12,000-$20,000)
This should come as a surprise to no one. For years, the MX-5 Miata has proven itself to be one of the absolute best options for an affordable and reliable sports car that gives one of the best and purest driving experiences in the world. Apart from the performance and reliability, what’s best about this car is its vast community.
You will have no trouble at all finding mechanics who can work on it around the whole country. Almost each and every auto shop has got parts for a Miata, and it’s so easy to work on, it’s one of the best options for a project car as well. At this price, what more can you ask for?