Americans spend a startling amount on new cars. The average sticker price for a new vehicle has been hovering a hair above $40,000 in recent years, around the cost of an entry-level Mercedes-Benz or BMW. Those pickup trucks and SUVs we love? Yeah, they can get pricey.
We can leave the debate about whether those are smart outlays of capital to economists, but we will note that you don’t need to spend nearly that much to buy a great, fun-to-drive car. Many of our favorite sports cars, purpose-built off-roaders and other entertaining rides can be hard for much less than $40,000.
Here are eight fun cars that cost less than the average new car.
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Ford
2021 VW GTI Autobahn
“The GTI, like every other Mk. 7 Golf, is tinier than its well-proportioned body makes it seem in pictures. ‘It’s barely bigger than a Smart car!’ my girlfriend commented upon seeing it for the first time; likewise, a man came up to me unbidden in a parking lot after seeing me climb out to say, ‘Man, that car is way too small for you!’
And while it does make the most of its small footprint, the interior is a bit tight once you start dealing with people six feet tall or more. At six-four, I felt a bit cramped in the driver’s seat even with it pushed all the way back; on the passenger’s side, one six-footer can sit behind another, but neither would be happy on a long trip. If you’re considering using the GTI as a family car, here’s hoping none of your family is of above-average height.
Still, there’s no arguing with the way the GTI drives: with typically Germanic rock-steady manners on the highway, and with playful, quick-turning briskness on back roads. Like a Miata, you can have a blast at (barely more than) legal speeds; unlike a Miata, it never feels underpowered, thanks to the turbo engine’s torque.
If there was one deal-breaking demerit against my test car, it was the price. At $29,000 for an entry-level GTI SE with plaid seats and a stick shift, it’s a good car; at $38,215 for a loaded one, it’s overly expensive. The far quicker Civic Type R can be yours for the same amount. And none of the add-ons for that extra $9K improve the car’s performance; you’re just spending the added money to add comfort features. And if you’re doing that, why not go for an Audi A3 for the same price?” —Will Sabel Courtney
Pros: Still looks great after all these years, fun to drive
Cons: Pricey for what you get in Autobahn trim
Base Price: $36,495
VW
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Mazda
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FCA US LLC
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Ford
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Ford
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Toyota
The 2021 Hyundai Veloster N: A Hot Hatch for Extroverts Who Love a Good Deal
Bring in the noise, bring in the bargain.
Hyundai
Vermont residents told Bronco to hold its horses on the Off-Roadeo program
Adventure ORX, the third-party running the Bronco Off-Roadeo programs, pulled out of placing one at the Suicide Six ski area in Vermont. Locals, probably with good reason, feared that emboldened Bronco owners would veer from their designated trails. The programs were intended to be regional, but the three extant ones — Moab, Las Vegas, Austin — are all in the Southwest.
2021 Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a super-capable, gear-toting adventure wagon. And $40,000 can get you a lot of Outback. You can even level up to the larger 260-horsepower engine with the Onyx Edition XT — or go full-on Outback Wilderness.
Starting Price: $26,945
Subaru
The Best Cheap Car Sold in America Is Going Away, And It’s All Your Fault
Got a crossover parked in your driveway? Then yeah, you’re the problem.
VW