Call these types of rides what you will – economy cars, pocket rockets – but they are all fun, affordable and fairly economical vehicles with surprisingly decent power and a real hoot to drive and own. Although a surplus of models exist to make our list, every single Top 10 car below maintains a $25k or less price tag and is comprehensibly equipped.
1. Chevrolet Cobalt SS – A very new sedan looking like its older version but certainly not driving like it with a 260-horsepower (that’s no misprint!) engine. A very dynamic suspension setup makes the Cobalt SS competitive against cars two to three times its price. If you need more doors or a hatchback, remember, the Cobalt SS 4-door and HHR SS have the same power!
2. Mazda Speed3 – The Mazda Speed3 is still one of the fastest, best handling front-drive cars sold in the United States. With its superb 263-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and supremely good handling, you’ll pinch yourself when you see how cheap these things are. The Mazda Speed3 is still one of the best bang-for-the-buck bargains out there!
3. Dodge Caliber SRT4 – The mighty Dodge Caliber SRT4 is not for the faint hearted and you’ll need to work hard to tame it. Still, with the right amount of talent, you can hustle the 285-horsepowered Dodge Caliber SRT4 around like a cruise missile. It has the highest power rating on our list.
4. Nissan Sentra SE-R – Not many cars have the historical cachet the Nissan Sentra SE-R has and for good reason. A variety of different options make the Sentra a unique choice including a continually variable transmission (CVT), allowing the power-band to extend with the rpm rather than asking for a shift. Nissan makes an excellent CVT, which truly helps with its MPG.
5. Honda Civic Si – This is one of the few hot-blooded machines having a 2-door coup variant. You can never go wrong with Honda quality and few car companies can build a better 4-cylinder. The 2 and 4-door models have a dynamic, sporty chassis setup along with a 197-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that screams while sipping gas.