Generally speaking, you either get a fast, fun car or you have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to get it. Otherwise you can get a cool cheap car that’s slow as a paralyzed snail. Alternatively, you can get a fast sport sedan that is cheap to own and maintain. However, today’s list focuses on the cool factor above all else.
Whether you want to look rich, get noticed on the street, or feel like you’re driving something that stands out from the rest, we’ve got you covered. They are some of the coolest cars you can drive without getting wrecked, and are ranked in ascending order according to their price on the used market. None other than Porsche, the manufacturer.
10/10 Jaguar XK8 ($7,500)
Let’s start with the absolute bargain, the retro Jaguar XJ8. All of these handsome cats are powered by naturally aspirated V8 engines, making up to 300 horsepower if you don’t bother getting an XKR.
The Jaguar XK8 was offered either in a coupe body style or as a cabriolet with a retractable soft top. Whichever you choose, the timeless design of the Jaguar XJ8 will never go out of date or go unnoticed.
9/10 BMW E85 Z4 ($8,500)
Few true sports cars are suitable for everyday driving, but the original BMW Z4 is a diamond in the rough. Crowds weren’t overly impressed when the BMW Z4 first hit the public eye, but that quickly changed.
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The BMW E85 Z4 has a number of engine options, including a terrifyingly powerful 265 hp inline 6-cylinder engine. Best of all, these topless Bavarian sports cars are criminally cheap, check out this 2004 BMW Z4 2.5i of his for sale on CarGurus.
8/10 Porsche 986 Boxster ($8,500)
If there’s one car you can’t help but stare at, it’s a Porsche. Admittedly, the 986 Boxster is not as popular as the 911, especially when compared to the new Boxster with Porsche’s revolutionary Matrix headlight technology, but it still offers incredible value for money.
All of these little topless Porsches had some sort of Boxer 6 engine mounted over the rear axle.In other words, they handled incredibly well and weren’t slow.
7/10 Saturn Sky ($9,900)
Long ago, when the Saturn Sky officially entered production, the world went wild. But the hype around Saturn’s sports cars didn’t last… Luckily, this meant prices had dropped significantly, and today you can get one for less than $10,000. I can.
The Sky was not the fastest sports car on the road, as it only had a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 173 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque. So this means that 0-60 mph happened after 7 seconds. At least it was faster and better looking than the Mazda MX-5 Miata of the time.
6/10 Mercedes-Benz R230 SL 500 ($9,900)
Few cars (apart from the exotic ones, of course) get as much attention as the Mercedes-Benz, let alone the convertible. If you’ve always wanted one, now might be the perfect time to make an impulsive decision.
The Mercedes-Benz R230 SL 500 was gorgeous and powerful. Under its hood was a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with 302 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. Best of all, you can get one unbroken for less than $10,000.At CarGurus, he found a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 on sale for just $9,900.
5/10 BMW E38 7 Series ($10,000)
So far, we’ve had our fair share of coupes and convertibles. It’s time to cater to the Family Man who wants to feel like the King of Lords, regardless of the engine specs or his 0-60x.
The BMW E38 7 Series is the perfect luxury sedan for those looking for the best value for money. The E38 7-series is not only one of the most timeless his Bimmers ever made, but it’s also one of the coolest. Come to think of it, you can get these leather-topped German limousines with heated seats, soft-closing doors, and soft suspension for just $10,000.
4/10 MG MGB ($12,900)
So maybe you’re not a big fan of quirky cars that get too much attention. Lo and behold, MG MGB.
These small British convertible sports cars all weighed just over 2,000 pounds and were powered by naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines producing less than 100 horsepower. Again, for under $13,000, you’re getting a slice of automotive history. Check out this 1971 MG MGB listed on CarGurus for $12,900.
3/10 Fiat 124 Spider ($12,999)
Amazingly, you don’t have to buy a car that’s decades old and it’s still within your budget. Take this 2017 Fiat 124 Spider, for example, which he found on CarGurus for $12,999.
Not only does it look like a baby exotic sports car, but it’s built on the same platform as the Mazda ND Miata, so it runs incredibly gorgeous. It may not be as comfortable as it was in his aforementioned 7 Series, but you’ll have a good time driving this little Italian roadster.
2/10 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia ($14,900)
If you’re a financially educated person, you know that most cars, especially those made in Germany, tend to depreciate over their lifespan. So if you want a cool car that will make you money in the long run, look no further than the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia.
These classic Volkswagens were excruciatingly slow, but they were also unreasonably beautiful. Sure, nearly $15,000 might be a lot of money for an essentially reskinned Beetle, but then again, the skin it wears is one of a kind.
1/10 Maserati Granturismo ($23,000)
Rounding out the list is the Maserati Granturismo. Yes, these aren’t the most reliable cars ever built, but they are definitely one of the coolest cars that have ever existed.
The Gran Turismo is powered by a Ferrari-derived 4.2-liter V8 producing 399 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. For $23,000, you get artwork that looks great and makes a Ferrari sound. The risk of paying a little extra for maintenance and repairs may be worth it in the end.
Source: Ultimatespecs.com, cargurus.com, canddriver.com