If you’re a car guy or gal, you owe it to yourself to buy your dream car. While it’s easy listing off some supercars with price tags higher than what most people pay for their homes, you’re better off being realistic. If you’ve got deep pockets and a taste for the finer things in life, great. But most people can’t drop six or seven figures on a vehicle.
It’s Okay to Think Big
Is it your dream to buy a supercar? If so, check out the used vehicle market. Most cars, no matter how special they were when first parked on dealership lots, succumb to depreciation.
That could be your ticket to buying a high-end vehicle at a non-high-end price.
Buying Used Means You Can Save a Lot
You can get a used car for a great price depending on how serious you are about looking and how far you’re willing to go to get what you want. When factoring depreciation into the equation, you’ll see that a dream car doesn’t have to mean draining your bank account and going into debt. Here are 14 attainable dream cars that won’t cost a ton to take home.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
While the Mazda MX-5 Miata isn’t winning any races at the track, that’s not the point of this popular two-seat sports car with a cult following. Instead of raw speed, it offers a compelling driving experience, a cool exterior aesthetic, and agile handling. And it’s reliable. So, if you want a dream car that won’t set you back a ton, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is worthy of your shortlist of candidates. According to Edmunds, a used 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata can cost between $2,992 and $7,369.
Chevrolet Camaro LT
Do you want a classic American muscle car without breaking the bank? A Chevrolet Camaro LT is one option to consider. It’s a mid-tier trim that combines performance, cost-effectiveness, and technology, and you can get it in a convertible or coupe configuration to suit your tastes.
If you want something newer, the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro LT starts at $32,495, according to Car and Driver. Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine producing 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque, says GM Authority.
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series – now in its seventh generation – has been in the U.S. market since the late 1970s. So, you won’t have trouble tracking down a used one in good condition for a good price.
While you can choose one from generations one through seven, the current generation beginning in 2019 model includes advanced driver assistance and hybrid options. The 2019 BMW 330i has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine under the hood producing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, says Car and Driver. According to Kelley Blue Book, a 2019 BMW 3 Series starts at $20,539 if you want the 330i four doors sedan.
Jaguar XE
The Jaguar XE is a compact luxury sedan introduced in the U.S. market for the 2017 model year. It’s a vehicle that competes with Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
You can get the 2019 Jaguar XE with one of three engine options. The XE 20d model has a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel producing 180 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque. The XE 25t has a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 240 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque, and the XE 35t has a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine produces 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. All three engines are paired with an 8-speed transmission. Kelley Blue Book says a 2019 Jaguar XE has a resale value from $11,851.
Genesis G70
A luxury car brand from Hyundai, the Genesis G70 was introduced in the U.S. market for the 2019 model year. For the first model year, you can choose a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine producing 252 hp or a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 365 hp, and you can choose AWD or RWD. One source says a used 2019 Genesis G70 can cost between $14,850 and $29,850. So, if you want a luxury car but don’t want a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz, consider a Genesis G70.
Infiniti Q50
Another compact luxury sedan, the Infiniti Q50 was introduced to replace the Infiniti G-Series. It was rolled out to the U.S. market for the 2014 model year. If you get one from the 2014 to 2017 model years, it’ll have a 3.7-liter V6 engine producing 328 hp or a 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor producing a combined 360 hp.
It’s highly regarded for its direct adaptive steering system, which happens to be one of the pioneering steer-by-wire systems in the automotive space. Edmunds says a 2014 model can cost between $4,466 and $12,893.
Cadillac ATS
Available from the 2013 to 2019 model years in the U.S., the Cadillac ATS is a compact luxury vehicle available in coupe and sedan body configurations. It has three engine options for the 2013 model year and a choice between AWD and RWD drivetrain configurations.
If you want a luxury car with an interior that caters to drivers and offers sharp handling, the Cadillac ATS is an option. A used Cadillac ATS from the 2013 model year can cost anywhere from around $8,000 to $18,000.
Kia Stinger GT-Line
The Kia Stinger GT-Line was manufactured for the 2020 to 2024 model years in the U.S. market. For the 2020 model year, the Kia Stinger GT-Line has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 producing 255 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. A used 2020 model costs between $22,000 and $26,000.
Dodge Challenger V6
The Dodge Challenger V6 is another option if your dream vehicle is an American muscle car. It combines retro muscle car good looks, comfort, and practicality. AWD is also available. The first generation of the vehicle was from the 2008 to 2010 model years. The 2008 Dodge Challenger V6 comes with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 250 hp. The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. According to Kelley Blue Book, the starting price for a 2008 Dodge Challenger V6 is $12,287.
Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is a performance-focused compact sedan with a cult following among those who love the AWD functionality and turbocharged engine. Its first generation includes the 2002 to 2007 model years. You’ll get a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4 engine generating 227 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque. The price for a used 2002 model is between $304 and $2,200.
Chrysler Crossfire
Only manufactured for the 2004 to 2008 model years, the Chrysler Crossfire might fit the bill if you want a cool sports car.
It’s available in roadster and coupe body styles. The 3.2-liter V6 engine generates 215 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque for the base model, while the 3.2-liter V6 engine produces 330 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque for the SRT6 model. One source says a used 2004 model car can cost as little as $1,000.
Dodge Magnum
The Dodge Magnum is a station wagon with some muscle car swag. Produced from 2005 to 2008, the Dodge Magnum has won fans because of its bold styling. While station wagons don’t usually inspire adjectives like “cool,” the Dodge Magnum does.
It has several engine options, the most powerful of which is the 6.1-liter HEMI V8 producing 425 hp and 420 lb-ft. Among other things, you can choose the RWD or AWD drivetrain. A 2005 Dodge Magnum starts at $4,412.
Nissan 300ZX
Manufactured for the 1984 to 1996 model years in the U.S. market, the Nissan 300ZX is for people who love driving dynamics, engineering, and styling. For the first generation from 1984 to 1989, the most powerful engine is the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 generating 200 hp. You can get a 1984 Nissan 300ZX in good condition for between $8,500 and $13,200.
Chevrolet Impala SS
The Chevrolet Impala SS is a model that’s been around for a long time. While some fans remember the 1960s SS models, most are more familiar with the models from the 1994 to 1996 model years, with the Impala SS finally ending production in 2009. The Chevrolet Impala SS cars from 1994 to 1996 have a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 engine under the hood that generates 260 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the engine is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. You can expect to pay approximately $17,300 to north of $41,000 for a 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS.
These Are Some Dream Cars That Won’t Cost an Arm and a Leg
If you’re looking for a fun dream car, check out some of the 14 options on this list. Of course, one person’s dream car might not make another person’s shortlist. But if you’re a car guy or gal, it’s worth your while to find an attainable dream car just for the fun of it.
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