As a former high school teacher, not having much disposable income while being wholeheartedly obsessed with cars is very familiar territory to me. With the cost of living out of control, it’s not surprising that more enthusiasts than ever are on the hunt for highly affordable fun. We can’t promise that all of these cars will be affordable after you buy them, but we can promise that they won’t break the bank to purchase in the first place. Which, if you work on your own car, is often the most important financial consideration. However, if you take your vehicles to the shop, we’ll make sure to point out the cars that should be equally affordable to buy as they are to own.$15k may not seem like much money, given the average price of a new vehicle is nearly $50k, but surprisingly, $15k is enough to open the door to a rather impressive selection of performance options. As you can imagine, we’re not talking 911 S/T here, but there are cars for everyone in this range. Not all are particularly fast or powerful, nor are all dedicated sports cars, but all offer some degree of performance and, most importantly, fun. 1990–2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Horsepower: 128–167 hp MazdaMiata is always the answer, so it seems fitting for it to start this list. Naturally, you’re allowed to like and prefer other things, but no one can deny that the Miata is a capable and joyful little sports car, i.e., it’s at the very least, an answer. In my case, it was the solution to a problem. When I purchased my 2001 NB2 in 2016, I was in search of an affordable, cheap-to-maintain, manual, rear-wheel-drive machine with the added bonus of a limited-slip differential. With less than $10k in my pocket, I opted for an LS trim, which meant I got a crispy 6-speed and a Torsen LSD to keep my face locked in a permanent grin.T. Smith / Valnet Somehow, the Miata can accomplish this with the same horsepower as a base Corolla. The NB2 made only 143 horsepower from its little 1.8L iron-block four-cylinder. Even the latest version of the ND, the ND3, only has 181-horsepower. The replacement for displacement? Lightness. Light cars are just such a thrill, and Miatas are about the lightest road cars money can buy. Lucky for us, you can get your pick of Miata generations for under $15k. Well, not an ND2 or ND3, but an ND1 (2016-2018) and any previous generations. It’s obviously harder to find nice NDs under $15k, but they are out there. Nice examples of the NA and NB tend to hover around $10k, but plenty of examples can be found for sub-$8k. According to classic.com, the NCs' average transaction price is around $15k, but many are out there for under $10k. 2013–2021 Scion FR-S/Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ Horsepower: 200 hp SubaruOkay, let’s say you wanted a Miata, but you also wanted a roof. Problem solved: buy a Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ. Obviously, it’s not a Miata, but it does use the same formula. Small, very lightweight, and not-so-powerful engine paired to (usually) a lovely manual gearbox. The first generation of the “sports car with many names” weighs roughly 2,800 lbs. Sadly, the much-improved second-generation is well out of our $15k price range, but plentiful examples of the first-gen can be found. Early years of the BRZ and FR-S tend to be the easiest to find in good condition with a manual transmission for under $15k, but if you prefer a Toyota badge to Scion, you shouldn’t have much trouble acquiring one.Toyota/Scion These cars don’t have a ton of power, and they are known for a torque dip in the middle of the powerband, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a delight to drive. They’re light, tossable, and unlike the Miata, can actually function as your only car. They aren’t quite as reliable as Miatas, but as long as you do your research before you buy, they should offer many years of backroad fun. 1997–2004 Porsche Boxster (986) Horsepower: 201–250 hp PorscheThere are very few cars I’ve driven that have made me consider selling my Miata, but a 2000 Porsche Boxster 2.7L has been tugging at my heartstrings for years. The badge on the hood means nothing to me, but the glorious sound of that flat-6, the buttery shifter, the mid-engine balance, and the way the steering chit-chats with you like an old friend as you dive into corners—just a sublime experience. Clean, low-mileage examples of the 2.5L and 2.7L Boxster can be had for under $15k all day long. In fact, you can still find great examples for under $10k if you’re not picky about color or mileage.Porsche If you’re looking for the more brawny 250-horsepower 3.2L Boxster S, you’re in luck. Though not quite as plentiful within budget as the base versions, they’re out there. Fair warning: the 986 is much more maintenance-hungry than its incredibly low (for now) purchase price would suggest, but with some preventative maintenance, they can provide a fantastic long-term experience. 2015–2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI (MK7) Horsepower: 220 hp Bring a TrailerThe Mk7 Volkswagen GTI is the all-around king of this price range. They’re comfortable on long trips, offer fantastic fuel economy, have great safety ratings, and are one of the few cars on this list that offer two excellent transmission options. The DCT isn’t quite as engaging to use as the 6-speed manual, but if you’re not in the mood to row your own gears, it still offers a healthy serving of fun. If you’d prefer an LSD and sub-120k mileage, it’ll be harder to find under $15k, but it’s not unrealistic. That said, there are more of the base cars within budget, and anyway, who doesn’t want plaid seats?Bring a Trailer The Mk7.5 is much harder to find under $15k, but early Mk7s can even be had for as little as $10k. That said, I’d recommend a 16’ model year or newer due to the much-improved reliability beginning at that point. The EA888 is fantastic, but be sure to check the camshaft phase angle before purchase to ensure the timing chain isn’t due for replacement. Ford Focus ST/Fiesta ST Horsepower: 250/197 hp FordThe Focus and Fiesta ST are the origin point for the ST brand. Sadly, the ST badge doesn’t mean quite what it used to, but man, did Ford knock it out of the park with these two little hot-hatches. To start, the Fiesta is the silliest little goofball of a car, and if you don’t smile driving it, you might have injected too much Botox. It’s a torque-steering monster just like its bigger brother, but because of the tiny size and curb weight that matches the GT86/BRZ, it feels more connected to the road than you’d ever expect a hot-hatch to feel.Ford The Focus ST, on the other hand, is like the GTI if the GTI were a little kid on a sugar rush after eating half their Halloween candy. It just has a bit more fizz, whereas the GTI is more mature and comfortable. It’s shockingly quick, and though it (along with the Fiesta) doesn’t have an LSD, it does have brake-torque vectoring, which does its best to mimic an LSD. I own a 2016 I purchased with 108k miles for $11k, and it’s been a great daily so far, but I would warn that the Recaro seats can be a bit uncomfortable on longer trips if you’re wider around the middle. That said, it’s a joy to drive even at low speeds around town. For as little as $8k (usually closer to $15k), you can find these in decent condition. The wonderful thing about the ST siblings, though: manual only. 2005–2010 Ford Mustang GT (S197) Horsepower: 300 hp Cars & Bids“Cheap performance” and “Mustang” are basically synonyms. Admittedly, the S197 has a live rear axle, which sort of flies in the face of traditional performance, but what is the Mustang experience without a little fear? Just promise you won’t try to impress any crowds as you leave a Cars and Coffee. That out of the way, the S197 was sold from 2005 to 2014, but only the 2005-2010 GTs are out there for under $15k. Now, the 2011 introduction of the 5.0L Coyote, which makes 415 horsepower, largely explains why it's hard to find 2011+ GTs at such a low price. That said, the 3v 4.6L Modular V8 still makes a healthy 300-horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque and is incredibly reliable.Ford With that live rear axle, this is no track car, but with the optional Tremec TR-3560 5-speed manual, many prefer the old school American muscle experience this car offers over newer, more capable versions. With the Coyote also came the Getrag MT82 manual, which many consider to have a less enjoyable user experience than the older 5-speed or the Tremec TR-6060 used in the GT500. There are more modern Mustangs for under budget, but almost all of them are equipped with an Ecoboost or a V6. We figure if you’re looking to add a Mustang to the garage, you want that quintessential American V8 rumble. The 2005-2010 S197 has that in spades, along with the charm of a wonderfully retro design inside and out. 2008-2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe (6-Speed) Horsepower: 330 hp InfinitiThe Infiniti G37 Coupe fitted with the 6-speed manual might be one of the most desirable Infiniti models ever made. They have the legendary VQ37HR V6, three pedals, an LSD, and a lovely and comfortable interior. They make great daily drivers while still delivering the kick of performance and engagement most enthusiasts are hunting for. The aforementioned V6 produced 330 horsepower and is exceptionally reliable, aside from a few well-documented issues.Infiniti They were sold from 2008 to 2013, but because of an update in 2012 addressing an oil gallery gasket issue, the 2008-2011 model years are the most plentiful for under $15k. Despite the market's preference for the final model years, the earlier cars still provide a more luxurious and equally reliable 370Z experience for a significant discount. 2010–2016 Audi S4 (B8) Horsepower: 333 hp AudiThe G37 Coupe is almost a perfect daily, but it lacks a few extra doors, which can be helpful if you happen to have friends or belongings. It also lacks the intoxicating whine of the 3.0L supercharged V6 in the Audi S4. The B8 generation spans from 2010 to 2016, but the 2010–2012 model years will be the most readily available within the $15k budget. There were some reliability issues addressed for the B8.5 facelift in 2013 (along with a much nicer looking steering wheel), but the early cars are still very durable despite the excellent performance.T. Smith / Valnet I’ve wanted one of these for ages, but just like the 986, they are quite pricey to maintain despite such a stout powertrain. I’d try hard to avoid the DCT unless you’re looking for a 2015 or 2016, because they are known for the Mechatronic unit failing, which can be quite expensive. Either way, you get Quattro, a wonderfully designed interior, and 333-horsepower from its glorious V6. They aren’t track cars, but they are a blast to drive and can handle the windiest back roads with ease. 1997–2004 Chevrolet Corvette (C5) Horsepower: 345 hp MecumThere is a Corvette for any price range, and while the C4 certainly can be had for under $15k, the C5 is just such a jump in performance and usability that it's the one we’ve decided to highlight. For a reasonable chunk of change, you get the legendary LS1 V8, which produces 345-horsepower. You also get the Tremec TR-56 6-speed manual, which just begs you to be aggressive, making for a fun and highly mechanical experience. All C5s get a limited-slip differential and, most importantly, pop-up headlights.Mecum The C5 isn’t as capable as more modern Corvettes, but it's plenty capable as a track car, a canyon road, or just cruising down the interstate. They’re shockingly comfortable, and while the steering doesn’t communicate as much as I’d personally like from a hydraulic rack, it weights up nicely in the corners to give you a good sense of what the front end is up to. If you drive one, you’ll be amazed that you can get such a competent and fast sports car for under $15k. 2013–2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Horsepower: 348 hp HyundaiBy now, most people are aware of the Genesis brand, but the Hyundai Genesis Coupe doesn’t get the attention it probably deserves. The 2.0L turbo is cool, but the 348-horsepower 3.8L V6 is the one to get. Yes, you read that right, the Genesis Coupe produces more power than a C5 Corvette. One caveat, though: only the facelifted 2013-2015 model years get Corvette-levels of power. If you get a 2010-2012, you’ll have to settle for only 306-horsepower, but hey, that’s still more than the S197! Now, to get a limited-slip differential, the year doesn’t matter, but you’ll have to opt for an R-Spec, Track, or Ultimate trim.Hyundai The Genesis, despite its connection to the luxury brand, isn’t all that luxurious. Brian from Regular Car Reviews reported the ride to be a bit on the rough side, but it still can easily function as a daily driver. Plenty of examples exist for under $15k, with a healthy portion of the market being closer to $10k, even for a manual. Naturally, the manual transmission is probably the one to go for, but if you want an auto, pre-facelift examples have a 6-speed ZF, and facelifted cars have a Hyundai-designed 8-speed. Either way, despite its quirkiness, it’s a great reminder that, even on a tight budget, there is no shortage of fun performance cars on the used market.Sources: Classic.com