What can you get for less than 10 grand? Here are five of the best used or pre-owned vehicles we could find online and in the want ads.
2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan
It took a little digging to find a G35 from a dealer that scoots under our $10,000 price tag, but it was well worth the effort. Infiniti graced this car with Nissan's robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produces 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It's the same engine the company plopped in the 350Z to take track abuse at the hands of right-pedal-happy gearheads the world over, and the mill does it with glee. All that toughness translates into carefree ownership for you — a deal made sweeter by the Infiniti's classy interior and rocking factory sound system. Fuel economy leaves a little to be desired at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway, but, given the kind of horsepower available, we can't complain too much.
2004 Acura TSX
Though a dealer will probably ask a little bit more than our $10,000 cutoff, we found several privately held 2004 TSXs well within this lowball price point. This car has the benefit of being one of the more attractive things to come out of the Acura stable in years, thanks to its aggressive stance and lunging lines. Under the hood sits a 2.4-liter inline four, and though the engine puts out a respectable 200 horsepower, it also manages up to 32 mpg highway. Those are numbers anyone can smile about. That efficient engine can be coupled to either a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission. The latter is easier to come by, but the magnesium encased 6-speed is a delight to shift. Honda's reputation for reliability is some assurance against massive mechanical failures down the line.
2002 Audi A4
The kingdom of quattro has plenty to offer when it comes to fine used cars, and the A4 is the crown jewel. In the past, Audi owners have fought with reliability issues and repair bills that could leave your eyebrows permanently planted in your hairline. But the German automaker has made solid progress in the reliability department in recent years.
The 2002 Audi A4 could be had with either a 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder or a 3.0-liter V6 engine, but we prefer the 1.8 for its immediate torque delivery and remarkable efficiency. The V6 is typically mated to a CVT transmission, which sends power to all four corners. If you look hard enough, you may be able to scrounge up a 5-speed version of the 1.8-liter car, complete with Audi's all-wheel-drive wizardry.
2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
Being low on funds doesn't have to mean a sentence cruising around in a no-frills 4-door. There are as many hot drop-tops out there as there are boring sedans, and the 2003 Saab 9-3 convertible is a great option. As we discovered, sharp versions with low miles can be sourced from individual sellers for less than $10,000. The cars boast unique styling and a peppy 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under the hood. But if you take your time, Aero versions can be found, featuring a 280-horsepower V6. Even harder to come by are the Aero XWD versions with all-wheel drive, but expect to shell out a little more cash for those cars. Power aside, the 9-3 convertible can brag about Saab's stout safety structure — meaning you may even get a lower rate on your car insurance.
2003 MINI Cooper
If a luxurious sedan or Swedish drop-top isn't quite up your alley, maybe the 2003 MINI Cooper is. When BMW resurrected the MINI name back in 2001, the company ousted all of the English reliability issues associated with the classic car and replaced them with solid German engineering principles. The result is a car that will serve up the same carefree motoring it offered right off the lot for its second or third owner. Outside, you get the now-iconic neo-MINI looks, which are still cute as a button after all these years. There's a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with 115 ponies on tap. That may seem anemic when stacked against the other bruisers on this list, but the Cooper's relatively low weight makes for plenty of fun behind the wheel, especially when it's equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission.
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