10 Fun And Sporty Classic Cars For Under $5,000

Sporty, exciting yet affordable, driving any of these wonderful classics will put a big smile on your face.

While a true driver’s car should be fun and sporty, it doesn’t necessarily have to have the extravagant power of muscle cars, the brutal acceleration of sports cars, or the neck-sapping top speeds of hypercars. It’s all about driving enjoyment. That’s why for gearheads it’s no problem going for used cars. When building a car that will be fun to drive, automakers engineer it from the ground up putting driving engagement, handling, and overall performance on top of the priorities list.

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As such, these cars are light and nimble, with responsive steering, and feature select high-performance features like sport-tuned suspensions, sports seats, aero bits, and peppy engines. Few new cars on the market possess such characteristics while remaining budget-friendly. Cheap classic cars remain the best bet for enthusiasts with a budget of $5,000 or less.

To ensure any drive, whether it’s to the grocery store or a long road trip is enjoyable on the cheap, get any of these 10 fun and sporty classic cars for under $5,000.

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10

2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4 – $4,853

Via Dodge

With the 2003 Neon SRT-4, Dodge wanted to join Japanese and German automakers dominating the market with sporty, high-performance versions of their compact cars. The 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4 interior included Dodge Viper racing-style bucket seats and a new steering wheel. The air intake on its hood signifies some serious punch, and for sure, below is a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four capable of 215 hp and 245 lb-ft.

The Neon SRT-4 could hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and 153 mph at full tilt, which is impressive even today. Thanks to having tweaked sport suspension, it’s a superb driver’s car that will make twisty roads enjoyable for any driver. The good news is it’s a steal, with prices starting around $3700 (KBB).

9

2003 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan (227 hp) – $4,823

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Subaru introduced the high-performance turbocharged variant of the Impreza, the WRX, in North America in 2002. It quickly became a popular pick among gearheads for its affordability, power, and agility. The 2003 WRX featured a sport-tuned exhaust system, larger four-wheel disc brakes, broader tires, and an upgraded suspension.

Contributing to its sporty look was a new front bumper, side skirts, and rear spoiler standard in the WRX sedan. In its engine bay was a punchy 227-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4 powerplant. Because AWD was standard, providing better grip, it boasts excellent handling characteristics, while the five-speed manual adds some driving engagement.

8

2000 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG (302 hp) – $4,777

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Only the Mercedes-Benz C43 and E55 got the AMG treatment for 2000, meaning the C43 was one of its day’s fastest sporty and luxurious compact sedans. And because it’s based on Mercedes’ sturdy ’90s C-class, its dependability and build quality are excellent. Its performance and handling qualities are what truly set it apart from the standard C-class.

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The 2000 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG came with a big hand-built 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 wringing out 302 hp and 302 lb-ft, complemented by a unique dual-exhaust system. It can hit 60mph in under 6 seconds and top out at 155 mph. This functional sleeper with a refined, high-quality interior was going for $54,651, but today, its fair market range is $3569- $4770 (Kbb).

7

1995 Audi S6 – $4,680

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The 1995 Audi S6 was a facelifted Audi 100 sedan that succeeded the S4, Audi’s first true high-performance sedan. It sported features that made it seem like a rally car disguised in street clothes. Under the hood was a turbocharged 2.2-liter inline-five-cylinder offering a healthy 227 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft of torque mated to a five-speed manual.

Audi also equipped it with its famous Quattro AWD for excellent traction and handling. It’s a blast to drive. Compared to contemporary German, the Audi S6 was among the quickest-accelerating luxury sedan of the day. It could clock 60mph in only 6.1 seconds before reaching a 155-mph top speed. The best part is, despite Audi selling it in small numbers, the typical listing price is around $4680 (Kbb).

6

2001 Volkswagen GTI VR6 – $4,649

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The sporty Volkswagen GTI has always been a great driver’s car. The two-door 2001 GTI VR6 came with a 2.8-liter V6 engine making 174hp and 181 lb.-ft, mated to a five-speed manual. It also featured a new sport suspension for a better GTI-style ride and 17-inch alloy wheels (optional).

Many publications have praised the 2001 GTI VR6 as a fun-to-drive car for handling and cornered superbly. Its solid build quality is another plus for gearheads on a budget.

5

2004 Mazda RX-8 – $4,539

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The RX-8 succeeded the RX-7 and was Mazda’s last sports car to feature the high-revving (9,000-rpm redline) Wankel rotary engine. The tiny naturally aspirated 1.3-liter Bi-Rotor engine was only good for 232 hp and 159 lb-ft when paired with a 6-speed manual.

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But for what the 2004 RX-8 lacks in torque (compared to RX-7), it more than makes up with its sporty yet elegant coupe-like design, high level of refinement, razor-sharp handling, and pleasant exhaust note. Built on a RWD chassis, with 50/50 weight distribution, only 3,029 lbs of curb weight, and a low center of gravity, the 2004 RX-8 begs to be driven down any challenging stretch of road.

4

1992 Mazda Miata MX-5 Convertible – $4,479

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The Miata launched in 1989 and set the bar too high such that other small convertibles could match its value proposition. It remains as popular as ever, the reason it’s the best-selling two-seater sports car. While the 1992 model only made 116 hp from a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, it’s a car you will fall in love with it for its driving manners.

It is light and agile, making for sweet handling in open-air roadster style. The sporty exterior styling and reliability also add to its desirability. Prices for the 1992 Mazda Miata MX-5 typically range between $4479-$6174 (KBB).

3

2001 Acura Integra GS-R Sport Coupe – $4,257

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The 2001 GS-R was the final version of the sportier 3rd gen Acura Integra. Powering it is a naturally-aspirated B18C1 1.8-liter four-cylinder that revs up to 8,000 rpm and makes 170 hp and 128 lb-ft., linked to a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission.

It only weighs 2,600 lbs, and handling is surprisingly good for a FWD configuration car. Despite being an excellent alternative to the Type R, the Integra GS-R remains underrated, keeping its prices low. With some suspension tweaks and upgrades, it becomes a hugely entertaining all-rounder that will make you forget the more expensive Type R in no time. Being a Honda (Acura), the Integra GS-R will last very long with proper maintenance.

2

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe – $4,134

Via: Chevrolet

The 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged was a car with a focused set of goals, all performance-oriented. Its only true American competitor was the zippy Dodge SRT-4. Giving it some lively performance was a 2.0-liter LSJ supercharged Ecotec engine delivering 205 horsepower and 200 lb-ft.

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What’s incredible is it rips from 0 to 60 in only 5.9 seconds. The Cobalt SS Supercharged handles exceptionally well, and since Chevy gave it a five-speed manual transmission, driving is fun and engaging for stick shift lovers. Among the Cobalt SS Supercharged upgrades were optional Recaro seats, unique tires, and a huge rear wing.

1

1998 BMW 3 Series 323i Convertible – $4,074

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BMWs are a stylish way of letting others know you like driving. They are enjoyable machines with impressive levels of refinement and performance. The 3rd-gen of the BMW 3 Series (E36 sedan and coupe) debuted in the U.S. in 1992, but convertibles only arrived in 1995 and lasted through 1999.

Lauded for its handling and comfort, the 1998 BMW 323is is a zippy head turner. It has a 2.5-liter inline 6 rated at 168 horsepower and 181 lb-ft. With a 5-speed manual transmission that sends power to the back wheels, it’s a fun-to-drive car in convertible style.

Sources: Edmunds, KBB, Autoevolution, Motortrend, CarandDriver, Cars, Hiconsumption, FastcarsUK