10 AFFORDABLE CARS THAT MAKE EVERYONE'S HEADS TURN

Generally speaking, you can either have a fast, fun car or a cool, cheap car that's as slow as a paraplegic snail. For example, if you found an affordable pre-2010s luxury car that will run forever, chances are that it's not much of a looker. For today's list, however, we're focusing on the cool factor above all else.

If you want to drive the same car everyone and their mother does, maybe you should consider the 2024 Toyota 4Runner; it's sensible, reliable, and practical. However, if you want to look rich, grab some attention on the road, or even just want to feel like you're driving something that'll make you stand out from the rest of the crowd, we got you covered. These are some of the coolest cars you can drive without financially crippling yourself, ranked in ascending order according to their price on the used car market.

Updated April 2023: Due to evolving economic realities, we thought it'd be in everyone's best interest to update this list. No longer do you have to spend millions of dollars to look like the king of the road. These eye-catching cars are surprisingly affordable, and some of them are a near-illegal amount of fun to drive, too.

Jaguar XK8 ($7,500)

We're starting off with an absolute bargain of a car, the retro Jaguar XK8. These handsome cats all feature a naturally aspirated V8 engine that puts up to 300 hp to the ground via a slick-shifting five-speed automatic transmission, if you don't go out of your way to pick up an XKR. Not to mention, acceleration is also impressive, with the sprint from zero to 60 mph requiring 6.5 seconds. The Jaguar XK8 came either in a coupe body style, or a cabriolet that had a retractable soft top. No matter which one you choose, the Jaguar XK8's timeless design will never age, nor will it go unnoticed.

That said, we wish the Jaguar were all butterflies and rainbows. The only drawback, however, is that the Jaguar XK8 isn't exactly what some would call a European luxury car that'll last you a lifetime. Still, the Jaguar XK8 snaps enough necks to make you glance over its potentially expensive maintenance bills.

BMW E85 Z4 ($8,990)

There are very few true sports cars that make good daily drivers, but the first-generation BMW Z4 is a diamond in the rough. When the BMW Z4 first reached the public eye, the crowd wasn't all too impressed by it, but that soon changed. Like a fine wine, the Z4's appearance grew gracefully with age and has since become one of the most beautiful BMWs ever to exist.

There are many engine choices to choose from that the BMW E85 Z4 got fitted with, including a powerful 265-hp inline-six. Best of all, though, these topless Bavarian-built sports cars are criminally cheap. Just look at this 2004 BMW Z4 2.5i we found for sale on CarGurus.

Porsche 986 Boxster ($8,500)

If there's one car no one can help but stare at, it's a Porsche. Sure, the 986 Boxster isn't as sought-after as a 911 – one of the most reliable German performance cars to buy used – but they're a fraction of the price, and showcase incredible value for money.

These little topless Porsches all sported a flat-six engine mounted above the rear axle that had a displacement of either 2.5 liters, 2.7 liters, or 3.2 liters. In other words, they handle unbelievably well, and they're not slow either. The base model 986 Boxster has more than 200 hp at its fingertips, and the top-of-the-range Boxster S has 254 hp. Best of all, the 986 Boxster is slowly starting to turn into a classic, which in turn will also mean its value will rise. Better jump the gun quickly before time runs out!

Saturn Sky ($9,900)

Back in the day, the world went crazy when they heard the Saturn Sky was officially entering production. But the hype surrounding the Saturn sports car didn't last too long. Luckily, this meant that their prices dropped drastically, and you can pick one up for less than $10,000 nowadays.

The Sky wasn't the fastest sports car to roam public streets, since it only featured a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 173 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque. Of course, you had the Saturn Sky Redline, but that's a story for another day. In turn, this meant 0-60 mph in the Saturn Sky happened once 7 seconds elapsed. At least it was quicker and better-looking than the Mazda MX-5 Miata at the time.

Mercedes-Benz R230 SL 500 ($9,900)

There are few cars (apart from exotics, of course) that grab as much attention as a Mercedes-Benz, not to mention a convertible one. If you've ever craved to own one, maybe now is the perfect time to make that impulsive decision. The Mercedes-Benz R230 SL 500 was as gorgeous as it was powerful.

Underneath its hood lived a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with 302 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. Best of all, you can pick one up for less than $10,000. Be warned though, although these might seem flawless at first sight, there might be some hefty maintenance costs with lesser-kept examples.

BMW E38 7 Series ($10,000)

We've had our fair share of coupes and convertibles thus far. Now it's time to cater to the family man who wants to feel like the king of the road, regardless of engine specs and 0–60 mph times. Oh, and who can forget that the BMW E38 750iL made its big screen appearance in the 1997 James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies.

The BMW E38 7 Series is the perfect luxury sedan for those who want the best bang for their buck. Not only is the E38 7 Series one of the most timeless Bimmers ever built, but also one of the coolest ones. And to think, you can have one of these leather-drenched German limousines with heated seats, soft-close doors, and soft suspension for just $10,000.

MG MGB ($12,900)

So, perhaps you're not a big fan of eccentric cars that draw too much attention. You'd rather want a classic, sophisticated roadster that attracts the correct crowd's attention while being equally fun to drive as the aforementioned cars. Behold, the MG MGB.

These tiny British convertible sports cars all weighed just over 2,000 lbs, and boasted naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines that pumped out less than 100 hp. Then again, for less than $13,000, you're getting a piece of automotive history, and power is just a number. The MGB is much more than just a spec sheet, don't you think? Just have a look at this 1971 MG MGB we found listed on CarGurus for $12,900.

Fiat 124 Spider ($14,950)

Surprisingly enough, you don't have to pick up a car that is decades old and still fits within our budget nowadays. Take this 2017 Fiat 124 Spider we found for $14,950 on CarGurus for example. Not only does it look like a baby exotic sports car, but since it's built on the same platform as the Mazda ND Miata, it will drive as flamboyantly as it looks would have you believe.

The Fiat 124 Spider might not be as radical as the Abarth 124, but then again, Italian roadsters aren't only meant for racing. Convertible Italian sports cars are all about catching attention and holding it with their one-of-a-kind design. And that is where the Fiat 124 shines.

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia ($15,000)

If you're a financially educated individual, you know most cars tend to depreciate over their lifetime, especially German-built ones. So, if you want a cool car that'll make you money in the long run, look no further than the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia.

These classic VWs were excruciatingly slow, but they were also unfairly beautiful. Sure, $15,000 might be a large sum of money for what's essentially a re-skinned Beetle, but then again, the skin it wears is like nothing else. Many have gone as far as to say that the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is one of the most beautiful cars of all time. The fact that it's still affordable blows our minds.

Maserati GranTurismo ($22,999)

We're going to end our list with a proper bang, the Maserati GranTurismo. Yes, these aren't the most reliable cars ever built, but they were most definitely one of the coolest cars to ever exist. Underneath the hood of the GranTurismo lays a harmonious-sounding Ferrari-derived 4.2-liter V8 that generates 405 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque.

Equally remarkable is the car's acceleration, as it requires just 5.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Meanwhile, its well-judged chassis makes all that power worth it, as this GranTurismo is a joy to drive. Add to that an eye-catching interior designed to offer a feeling of space and comfort, and you're looking at a car that almost has it all.

2023-02-12T15:01:01Z dg43tfdfdgfd