Affordable Cars That Can Make Anyone Look Rich
The price of a car is always way higher than the components making it. That is because making a car takes more than bolting a few pieces of metal, plastic, and rubber together. A lot of research and development goes into making a car roadworthy.
However, sometimes, cars look like they are too good for their price tag or too cheap for the features they offer. The reasons for this are often unknown. In this article, we will analyze 40 such cars. Some have become cheap over time, others have an original price tag unmatched by what they have to offer.
Toyota 86
If this car had the name of a German manufacturer's name on it, the price would never have been under $30,000 like it is now. This Japanese gem of a car has a 228 hp motor, rear-wheel drive, and limited-slip differential.
Toyota 86 is the perfect car for the ones who need a fun daily driver that they can take to the track. The engine is responsive, weight distribution is next to perfect and it has one of the most well-tuned chassis of all time.
Cadillac CTS-V
It's a Caddy, it has a lot of power, and it does not have camshafts. Yes, it has a pushrod LS6 V8 that displaces 5.7 liters and converts them into 400 raw horsepower. All that and the luxury Caddy is known for are the highlights of this car.
However, despite all that, you can buy one of these amazing machines for under $20,000. That's mainly because the big honking V8 is a gas guzzler and no one wants those in their lives.
Third-Gen BMW 650i Convertible
This BMW from 2012 came with a price tag of $88,000. One of the very few convertibles with usable rear seats, this car had all that made it worth that price. That included the innovations for safety and a big honking V8 spitting out 445 bhp.
Today, one of these can be yours for as low as $30,000. There is no concrete reason why the price of these cars has plummeted so much. It seems like a simple demand and supply situation where the demand for these things has dropped causing prices to go down.
First-Gen Aston Martin Rapide
This was the first 4-door Aston Martin and one of the first high-performance Saloon cars. It had a formidable 5.9L V8 under the hood producing 470hp that rotated a carbon-fiber driveshaft via a 6-speed automatic transmission to rocket this thing to 188mph.
All that could not save this car and there was next to no market demand for this marvel of engineering, driving the cost down to $30,000 from the initial $200k+ price tag.
Bentley Arnage
This was another ambitious Bentley that was launched with a price tag of $200,000. That price might look like too much even today but this car came out in 1998, so just imagine. BMW blessed this 5-meter-long machine with a V8 and the most modern tech of the time.
However, today, all that tech is antiquated and these cars are available for as low as $20,000. The main reason these cars are so cheap today is the widespread availability of the, once premium, features on economy cars.
1999 Chevrolet Camaro SS
With a V6 producing 305hp and suspension tuned for sports, this is one of the best American cars of its time. While it should be a modern classic, in reality, you can get your hands on a fine example for under $5,000.
The reason for this car's price going down is probably that there was not enough demand for it on the market and people now have better options than this antique if they have to spend $30,000 on a car.
2003 Bentley Arnage R
When this car debuted, it was valued at $199,999. That's more than $300,000 in today's money. The Arnage was on the bleeding edge of technology for its time. It had a DVD navigation system and radical new features like parking assist.
However, even the 6.75L 400hp, 612lb-ft V8 could not save this car from going down in value and now you can get one of these for under $35,000. Part of the reason for this is the introduction of the same features and ride quality in cheaper cars.
First-Gen Dodge Challenger
It won't be wrong to say that the Challenger is the single most iconic car ever made by Americans. It is the pinnacle of American automotive engineering. The Challenger came with engines up to 7.2L and had all that it takes to make a great car.
However, now that people want more fuel-efficient cars and the tech in this 1970s vehicle is a story of the past, the prices for these have gone ridiculously low. You can get one for $8,000.
Maserati Quattroporte V
When Pietro Fura designed this Italian beauty, he'd never have thought that this thing would be changing hands for $9,000 after a pandemic in 2020, but it happened. Other than looking upscale and being loaded with the most luxury materials, this car is a good performer too.
It has a 4.7L V8 that produces 395hp and can take this car to 60 mph from a standstill in just over 5 seconds. However, as everyone knows Maseratis are not the most reliable cars out there, so no one is paying a premium price for these.
Lexus SC Convertible
The pre-LFA Lexus models didn't get the appreciation they deserved. As a matter of fact, people did not take this Japanese luxury car brand seriously before the LFA made its debut. The SC convertible, a memory of that era is a car that's nothing short of perfection.
It has a 4.7L V8 with 300hp, a double-wishbone suspension, a retractable roof, and all the touches of luxury you can ask for. Still, this reliable Japanese performance luxury car can be yours for $10,000.
Bugatti Atalante
The price tag of $26,000 for a Bugatti looks like a joke but it is true. Even though only 43 of these were ever made by Bugatti, people don't seem to treat this machine as a rare collectible.
This car did have a 200hp engine and a top speed of 120mph but the 1937 technology is more than outdated now. It looks like people favor a new Civic more than this Bigatti because the former has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay!
Fifth-Gen Chevy Corvette Convertible
Not all cheap cars are ancient. This Corvette is from the early 2000s and will cost you just under $20,000. It does not have antiquated technology either. Powered by a 5.7L V8, this car has 360hp on the wheels.
It is available with a manual or automatic transmission with pretty respectable handling and the inside is fairly comfortable. If you don't worry about poor gas mileage and want a fun daily driver that turns heads, this is the one.
Merc CLS 63 AMG
It has the performance, it has the looks, and it has the luxury, but most important of all, it can be yours for just under $20,000. Yes, a top-of-the-line 5.5L twin-turbo Mercedes with 18-way adjustable seats. a heated steering wheel, and everything in between.
Even though the low price is an insult to the great car that the CLS is, it has made it possible for an average man to own a Merc. The maintenance is, however, a whole different story.
Third-Gen Cadillac DeVille Coupe
This is a pure classic, reminiscent of the glorious 1970s. The fact that examples of this are changing hands for under $15,000 is an insult to this car, but it is what it is.
This classic has more than just looks. It was loaded with luxury, technology, and innovations unheard of in the 1970s. Things like headrests, FM/AM radio, and heated seats were just the beginning of the spec sheet of this car.
Second-Gen Aston Martin Vanquish
Other than looking like it eats Civics for breakfast, the Vanquish has a 6.0L V12 with 565hp and a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds. Like any other car of this brand, it is loaded with luxury features.
Even though it was released with a price tag of $134,000 in 2014, it is now available for under $20,000. The reason for this masterpiece of automotive art being so cheap is that things are expensive to maintain and the repair bill starts exponentially increasing as the odometer crosses 50,000 miles.
Honda S2000 AP-2
This small Japanese convertible from the mid-2000s is one of the most fun small cars that you can own. All that you need to get one of these is $12,000. What you'll get is a 2.0L I4 engine that pumps out 237hp.
Not the most powerful car out there but the S2000 is a good sports car for starters and is great for the ones who want an inexpensive first car for high school.
Lincoln Corsair
Another luxury car under the 40 grand mark is the Lincoln Corsair. It comes from one of the oldest and most well-reputed American car brands. Powering the car is a 2.0L turbocharged I4 but you can get up to 2.5L motors engines and a hybrid motor.
Lincoln overhauled the Corsair in 2020 to give it the touches of luxury associated with the Lincoln name. If American luxury cars are your type, this is a good point of entry.
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
Let's be clear, the CLA class introduced by Mercedes was nothing like a Mercedes. It had a mediocre interior with unrefined driving characteristics and manufacturing defects. The GLA Class is a real Mercedes just in a smaller package.
You can get this car for $35,000. It comes with a 188hp turbocharged 2.0L engine. The interior is upscale and the car drives like a real German performance car. Mercedes has probably priced the car so low to compete with the likes of Civic TypeR, Toyota GR Yaris, and other hot hatches.
Genesis G70
Hyundai's luxury motor division, Genesis, has made this car compete with the BMW 3-series and it has proven to be a worthy enemy. It has a 252hp 2.0L I4 that can be upgraded to a 365hp V6.
Offered in a rear-wheel-drive configuration, the G70 is luxurious and fun to drive while costing under $40,000. The best part about this deal is that Genesis offers 100,000 miles or a 10-year warranty on the car.
Cadillac XT4
This entry-level Cadillac crossover is a nice point to step into the luxury car market. The base price is $36,000 but if you can spare four grand more, you can configure this thing to be a real luxury car on the inside.
Under the hood is a 237hp turbocharged I4 that motivates the front wheels and AWD is also an option. All in all, it gives you the prestige of driving an American luxury brand for a steal of a deal.
Cadillac CT4
For people who want to buy an original American sedan for a good price, the CT4 can be one of the best options. It costs just $34,400 and comes standard with a 237hp 2.0L turbocharged engine that can be upgraded to a 2.7L version with more than 300hp.
This Cadillac sedan is characterized by sharp exterior styling, a balanced chassis, and a luxurious and comfortable interior.
BMW 2-Series Grand Coupe
If the regular BMW with its price tag of $40,000 is a bit too costly for you, this is another option. BMW is offering the Grand Coupe for the first time in a front-wheel-drive configuration that further decreases the price by a couple of thousand dollars.
The car still has a 228hp four-cylinder motor and is comfortable for long and short journeys. Unlike many other coupes, it also offers a reasonable trunk.
