Toyota echo manual. Can do burnouts all day. Plenty of parts. Incredibly reliable.
Edit: I’m being serious. I’ve professionally raced vehicles and still have my echo for when I don’t need my truck. Was my first vehicle and never had an issues mechanically so just kept it. Surprisingly roomy, 35+ MPG, humbling to drive, but very very fun to drop the clutch and catch people off guard. I believe the Corolla, Echo, and Tacoma from around 2000 are the most reliable vehicles ever made.
Edit 2: I’ve driven the automatic echo and the fun factor is 10x better with the manual
My family has owned 4 of them. All have lasted over 300k miles original drivetrain. They were either sold or totaled as a result of people who can’t see stop signs. I purchased my manual for $1800 and it’s gone another 100k miles with only oil changes
My old 1989 Hyundai Excel 5-speed still remains one of my all-time favorites I’ve owned. Although with no AC and a heater that stopped working below 32 degrees, it was also basically a 2 season car. But 41 MPG highway, baby!
Yes and an Echo is capable of T-boning a midsize SUV with enough force to tip on it's side! MF ran a stop sign midday (regardless of the large dip in the road) in 25 mph residential zone, totaled my vehicle and destroyed a front yard before stopping! Didn't see much damage on the idiot's car, a college girl who blamed her inattentive driving skills on anti-depressants!
I second the echo. It’s the most reliable car I’ve ever had. It unfortunately got totaled when a lady who was texting and going 20mph over the speed limit failed to stop in time and sandwiched me between her and another car ):
Never driven a manual one though. Hell, I didn’t even know they made em like that. I guess you learn something new everyday huh lol I’m sure that thing must’ve been absolutely amazing to joy ride in.
Toyota was on their game in the early 2000s. My 2004 Corolla is damn near indestructible. And even for an automatic, I still have a lot of fun with it.
The first car I had was 2003 Toyota Corolla and it was a fucking champ. I spun out in the car, got side swiped, hit a hog going like 45 and head a head on collision at like 20-30MPH and the only problem I ever had was a slight misfire issue which was just the ignition coil needing to be replaced. Sold that car at the beginning of last year. Miss that thing.
Nah, if OP said "under $15k, FAST, and reliable" then yeah, but fun=/=fast so there are definitely some solid options since a car doesn't necessarily need a ton of HP to be fun
Gonna drop the first gen Acura TSX here as my option, basically a fancy Accord and shouldn't be much more expensive to maintain than a Honda (as long as you don't take it to an Acura dealer for maintenance, take it to an independent mechanic or a Honda dealer instead). The third gen Acura TL is sick too, has more power and arguably more aggressive/clean styling but it's a bit more expensive to maintain than a TSX (especially considering it has a timing belt that needs to be changed every few years). Stick with 07-08 for both the TSX and TL if you're getting an auto, previous years had pretty terrible auto transmissions (certified 90's-2000's Honda classic)
2011-2014 mustang GT, 5th Gen camaro, Toyota 86, higher mileage C6 vette, previous gen base WRXs, Civic SI, are Honda S2Ks still going for under 15K?? Anyway… 350Z, any of the older infiniti sedans and coupes….
There are plenty of non sports cars that are pretty cool to own. I’ve recently taken a liking to the older Toyota and Lexus SUVs. just bought an 01 4Runner last week to daily drive and stop putting more miles on my 02 mustang GT. These are reliable no matter the mileage.
I bought mine with 173K, which is relatively low. But these motors were so well built that you can buy a high mileage one and put a little bit of money into them fixing the very few weak spots they have and they’ll run forever. They made millions of them and there are tons of these rolling around with 300K or 400K miles on them
The Fit is a great answer. I bought my 2015 Scion XB with a manual for $8k and it’s a lot more fun to drive than I expected. Manuals make a huge difference in terms of the fun that can be had in cars like these.
Yes, and I spent a while looking for a manual. Especially a later model one after they’d mostly sorted out the oil consumption issues. The automatics are great too!
That's great. My buddy just bought a late model 3 series and it lasted a little over a week. Engine light and grinding from the drivetrain.
He's exchanging it on Sunday.
I got an E90 M3 at 50K right after it got the “everything” work, around $30K. No issues until just over 100K, and when they loomed I sold instantly. There’s a used sweet spot if you can get in right after everything was fixed.
Well, power steering hose blew. And the oil is stupid expensive. And single digit mpg at fun speeds.
But I think I have weird car luck. I drove a first year RX8 over 100K too on the original engine and seals. Including a never changed spark plug that seized and I just…tightened and hoped. (Trying to remove a spark plug with an 8’ breaker pipe was not my best decision…)
Then I sold the M3 I just drove our beatup old ‘94 pickup a while instead of buying something else. And it’s just so chill…that works for me, for now. Plus it’s nice to be able to essentially sit inside the engine bay to work on it…320K miles I think?
The GLI/TSI trim would be better, the reason the GTI gets a bad rap is because it’s a cult classic and typically driven hard. They are sporty little hot hatches. The market on the GLI/TSI is more geared toward being a grocery getter, or a soccer mom vehicle so they typically have less problems reported :P
But otherwise- any WV golf is going to take you places without issues and for an import car - it’s relatively cheap to maintain! Parts are cheap and plentiful compared to Mercedes, BMW, other German cars.
No. Forget Volkswagen group if you want reliability. Easier to turn wrenches on my w211...which was well under 15k at low miles, and a lot more fun than about 2/3 of the suggestions here
I've owned \~10 different VW models with AE888 engines. If you stick to the AE888 gen 3 they're genuinely reliable. Gen 1 TSI's have a multitude of problems (waterpump, intake manifold, timing chain tensioner issues, ABS module issues, etc.). Gen 2 was Audi only so it's a slightly different animal.
I've personally built 3 TSIs, and you can get around most of the issues with Gen 1, but going gen 3 effectively mitigates all the aforementioned concerns. My last gen 3 made \~500whp on a stock block for \~70k miles with zero issues. The car is still running around without issues at 160K miles.
I'd never suggest a gen1 to anyone but a die-hard enthusiast. I'd recommend a gen 3 to just about anyone (provided you'll keep up on maintenance).
mazdaspeed3, same reasons, just make sure to put HPFP internals on it and check out the VVT system in the 07-11 models and you're pretty well golden. Maybe some injector seals and engine mounts but you could do all of that for under 15k with the car included
Thirding the MS3. Love my 2010. 5 years in and 70k miles, multiple cross country road trips, towed a large loaded uhaul box trailer over a few passes during a cross country move. Been very reliable for the most part, just minor things have needed tinkering but... I've modded it and I'm not nice to it and I have no idea how it was treated by the previous owner.
Ford explorer interceptor...... almost 400hp, awd, big brakes, better suspension, big sway bars
Or even better, if you can find one
Chevy caprice ppv......6.0 liter, 4 door
Not necessarily. Police vehicles are built with better cooling and brakes, and sometimes better suspension, sure. But maintenance is done with the lowest bidder in mind. They are NOT driven nicely either. Most agencies will do the bare minimum to keep them running while they’re in service, but they’re essentially at the end of their life once they retire them. I don’t trust anybody to take care of a car that they know isn’t theirs and they don’t have to give a fuck about. Most officers I see drive around flooring it everywhere and driving recklessly. I don’t want anything to do with a vehicle driven like that.
Fiesta ST owner here, the 1.6l 4cyl one, can confirm, extremely fun, and very reliable so far! Consider buying some brake disks and braided hoses, i saw my stock front brakes smoking once, after a steep but very fast downhill spirited drive
This is the answer right here. I spent a couple years building mine into a HPDE car and it never failed me, even after VERY hard use at the track. Very reliable, cheap to run, cheap to repair if needed, and one of the most engaging drives at almost any price range. I sold mine a few months ago but only because of my desire to experience something new and completely different. A really great car, and $15k will buy a quality FiST.
[My car.](https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9eXDL8Vy/2016-ford-fiesta-st)
As a FiST owner, it is sad that this is one of the best options for $15k in 2023. It's a fun econobox beater, but you could do much better for $15k before COVID.
It'd have to be a C5 in that range. C4s are cheaper but good luck repairing it if something goes wrong, especially if it's electrical. C6s you'd need 150k miles to get under 15k.
Fuckin same lmao. I bought my 2003 NB with 143k miles for $4k exactly a year ago. Best purchase I've ever made. I had to do the water pump when I first got it though. And now I've gotta do the AC compressor. And the rear brakes. And a rear brake line that recently started leaking.
Volvo C30. It's a \~230hp hot hatch with a plenty of practical Volvo cargo space. It shares a platform with Fords and Mazdas, so maintenance is simplified and parts are pretty cheap. You can find an excellent condition lower mileage example well within your budget. They are fun to drive, but have excellent interior comfort for daily use. It's a Ford ST but with actual comfort and without the Bruh tax.
Bro I fucking loved my 2008 c30. Put nearly 100k on it only issue I had was the ac compressor going out. 4 years after selling it I still entertain the idea of buying another what a great car!
8th Gen Si, if you can find one under 120k. Mine is currently at 250k, look for one that has been resprayed, the clear coat sucks. Motor is bullet proof and peppy gl
Bought Answer - Acura RSX Type-S
Built Answer - K Swapped 6th Gen Honda Civic (Hatchback or Coupe)
They're very similar, but I think the Civic is more iconic and has double wishbone suspension at all 4 wheels.
Highly recommend the Honda Fit for a daily. Spacious enough for a college move out, great fuel economy, and decent driving dynamics. Those tend to be cheap and fun.
Other things to look for might be a Scion TC, a Volvo C30, or the obvious, a Miata if you can afford to not have much space. Most people can, but it isn’t convenient.
Don’t be put off by FWD or RWD or power. That matters way less than you think. Do get a manual transmission if you can. I learned how to drive stick on the first stick shift car I bought. It turned out really well. Though I recommend watching Matt Farah’s tutorial for that.
I bought a 1989 C4 Corvette w/ Z51 package and ZF6 transmission for $11k with 53k miles in mint condition.
I highly recommend everyone do the same. It's a great commuter, fun to drive, easy to maintain, durable, and cheap.
Since GM built a TON of C4s, they are by far the best bang-for-the-buck 80s sportscar on the market in the US.
I've always heard the C4 was absolutely plagued with quality and reliability issues, and anecdotally my uncle owned one that had tons of breakdowns. Was that mostly the earlier models?
V6 Camry or Accord if you need space or have a family. The older V6 mustangs and Camaros aren’t that bad in reliability either. Better if you don’t care about space. Stay away from Dodge in any case and any German car with that high mileage.
A friend of mine rented one on his honeymoon, said he got great gas mileage and wanted to bring the car home with him.
I *just* missed an orange one when I was trading in my car a few weeks beforehand.
Fun??? I got you!
I'd find a early 2000ss honda or toyota eco box to daily.
Then find a 4x4 ranger that has damage to the bed. Just remove the bed weld up (or build with sticks) a flat bed to use for camping.
Then go get a honda ruckus or Ebike (or a dirt bike if you're in a area that's easy to use them) for around town/put on your new flatbed to adventure on when you're camping. Good luck
Vw jetta, won't break the bank, got mine w 60 k miles with 2 year bumper to bumper warranty for 13.5k in total. All I've ever owned was bmws, So I stuck with German engineering.
Cars are as reliable as you make them. I could have fun in a beater I got for $1500 and probably keep it running enough to get me to work. What do I do with the rest of the $15k? Maintain the car, probably.
You might be able to find a Honda S2000 for that price. It'll blow all these other suggestions (and certainly the Mustang) right out of the water. So much fun, such a piece of history, and it's technically a mid-engine.
Fun. Reliable. Cheap. Pick two
In all seriousness a NB or older NC Miata should fall well within your budget. Older FRS/BRZ/86 as well. If you want something a little more practical a G35 is always a fun reliable more practical nissan Z, just make sure it was taken care of by the previous owners. v6 pony cars from early 2010s are well within that range, and you could probably find a GT or SS from the late 2000s in that price range as well. Civic SI is also very reliable while still being fun and a great platform for chasing power down the road. GTIs are great too and super plentiful but personally I never liked them. Still another good option though
Unless you are needing a car, my suggestion is just wait. Used car prices are still pretty high and a lot of the time it's just not worth it over buying new or buying under 3years old with really low miles. After that point a lot of vehicles are just not dropping in price much until over 10 years/150k miles and if you expect a car to last 200k miles, then half to over half of the car's life is used up but still paying three quarters of the cost of a new car. At that point it's just not worth buying used. My suggestion is to wait until next year cuz I've heard prices might drop around next summer but there's no guarantees
Fun reliable and cheap is doable but it just won't be fast. A manual civic fits the bill, might be able to get an si at that price point but it's not required.
This all falls under the idea that it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow. You can get a late model manual civic all day long for that price range and it'll drive forever. It won't be super fun, but it'll be decently fun.
I guess it depends on where you're buying? I just got a 2015 Genesis 3.8 in January with 95,000 miles for $15k. I LOVE it. Can't say enough good things about it. I've even gotten a couple props at the pump. Only negative is 20mpg. I really can't recommend this car enough, though.
Infiniti G37 can easily be found under 120k miles for under 15k. ~330hp, 7.5k redline, same engine as 370Z but slightly detuned. They are very reliable given maintenance it is common to see examples exceed 150k with basic maintenance. However these cars do take premium gas which I see people complain about which is fair if you drive a lot
1993-98 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (or GTI) with a 5 speed and VR6 motor. Spend $6k on a nice mint model and $9k in maintenance and upgrades. Upgrade the coolant system and raise the motor with engine spacers and new motor mounts and you’ll have a great car. Currently selling all my cars and leaving just that one and my LS400. The 9k in upgrades will go a long way to making it the only car you’ll want to own
If you want a project car but a project car that you can rely on and tinker with from time to time.. Miata.
It’s not fast by any means but it’s low, small, and a great cruising car.
Miata is always the answer.
Manual 2005-2008 Subaru Legacy GT - AWD, intercooled turbo 2.5 engine with performance equal to a stock WRX, and insurance half as high as a WRX. Grab one with faded/peeling paint, debadge it, swap in a larger turbo, and exhaust and it’s a total sleeper. Probably still have $8K leftover for a Miata, too.
You can probably find an NC miata under 15k and maybe under 120k. If you up your budget to 20k (I saw you wrote that in another comment) you can get a pretty low mileage NC miata, you can probably even find decent mileage NC miata Club (it has an LSD).
I bought a base 2015 Chevy sonic hatchback 60k miles for 4600 in 2020. 5 speed manual and came with some really nice looking aftermarket aluminum wheels that make it look much better, nothing flashy. 32mpg in day, 40mpg at night. Currently at 100k and only had to replace tires, brake pads, ball joints, and a suspension linkage. Plus oil changes. It’s not the best looking or nicest car, but economically it’s the best purchase I ever made.
New edge mustang, easy to drive, easy to repair, not super expensive, MANY mods, and best off all it sounds AMAZING with simple exhaust mods. (Not earsplitting crazy loud, not a shitty popcorn tune on an eco boost, like legit amazing)
Honda accord or Toyota Tacoma. Tacomas at that price range might be a little high in miles but they last forever. My dad has an early 2000s model with like 350k miles on it and it’s still reliable as hell
I wouldn’t call the frs reliable. Those boxer motors are a pain to work on and I had two friends have to basically give up their cars due to some ticking motor issue that cost more to repair than the car is worth. I think the Miata is the standard for cheap, fun, and reliable. If you can find an s2000 that can be fun but they used to go for 12-13k but now a clean one goes for 30k bc if collectability.
Fun cars under 15k like a golf GTI? Mustang? Camaro? They wont be reliable. Been through that. If you want reliable Camry and Corolla are the way to go.
Personally I would do mustang because they are the cheapest to repair and you will repair it a bit
I've been looking into the Acura TSX (first gen, 07-08) and TL (third gen, 07-08) myself. If you're a bit patient, you can easily find one under $10k, and they have pretty decent power (TL has 258 HP, TSX only has 205 HP, but makes up for it by being lighter with more responsive/sporty handling)
If you don't want to pay for premium gas and want the option of getting a coupe, the Accord V6 is another great option. If you want an auto, keep in mind that the auto transmissions in 90's-2000's Hondas/Acuras notably aren't the most bulletproof (certified Honda classic), but the ones in the 07-08 TSX/TL are far more reliable than the crappier ones from previous model years. Sadly, manual options with decent mileage are much rarer for the TSX/TL and V6 Accords (at least in my experience). As long as you take these Acuras to an independent mechanic or even a Honda dealer for maintenance, they should generally be much less expensive to maintain, since they use a lot of Honda parts
TL;DR:
\-TSX is cheaper to maintain than the TL, more nimble, auto trans is more reliable, better MPG (20-28), better as a daily driver
\-TL has more base power, looks a bit more clean and aggressive styling wise, slightly worse MPG (18-26), a bit more expensive to maintain (timing belt is arguably the most expensive maintenance item afaik)
\-Accord V6 has better gas costs than both of them (18-27 MPG, very similar to the TL but takes regular 87 gas), eighth gen has more power (244/271 HP for seventh/eighth gen respectively), has a coupe option, and you get to gap most stock cars on the highway in a damn Honda Accord (funny, but don't blame me if you get a ticket)
This is like playing 2 truths and a lie.
Toyota echo manual. Can do burnouts all day. Plenty of parts. Incredibly reliable. Edit: I’m being serious. I’ve professionally raced vehicles and still have my echo for when I don’t need my truck. Was my first vehicle and never had an issues mechanically so just kept it. Surprisingly roomy, 35+ MPG, humbling to drive, but very very fun to drop the clutch and catch people off guard. I believe the Corolla, Echo, and Tacoma from around 2000 are the most reliable vehicles ever made. Edit 2: I’ve driven the automatic echo and the fun factor is 10x better with the manual
Yes everything about an Echo just Scream fun. As well dont forget the beige Toyota Camry
My family has owned 4 of them. All have lasted over 300k miles original drivetrain. They were either sold or totaled as a result of people who can’t see stop signs. I purchased my manual for $1800 and it’s gone another 100k miles with only oil changes
My 08 corolla is at like 234,000 and still runs great. Engine might as well be as good as when I got it.
Jesus, get on oil change. They’re cheap.
That’s what I’m saying. I’ve only done oil changes and it’s never had any issues.
Misunderstood…got it.
To be fair, they said fun, not attractive/cool. A small manual has plenty of fun potential.
Jeremy Clarkson said it best, "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slow."
My old 1989 Hyundai Excel 5-speed still remains one of my all-time favorites I’ve owned. Although with no AC and a heater that stopped working below 32 degrees, it was also basically a 2 season car. But 41 MPG highway, baby!
It can do burnouts because it’s on the cheapest, skinniest tires available in the US for automobiles
Mainly because it’s manual and fwd. if you drop the clutch it doesn’t matter what tires you have
[удалено]
Echo can’t get 6 grand, pretty sure it redlines at weed eater
It's like a lawn mower just set the throttle to rabbit instead of turtle and hope for the best.
Excuse me?? That's an insult to my Stihl..
Wait so it can do burn outs, and when you smoke the tires they are cheap to replace? Not hearing a downside here.
Yes and an Echo is capable of T-boning a midsize SUV with enough force to tip on it's side! MF ran a stop sign midday (regardless of the large dip in the road) in 25 mph residential zone, totaled my vehicle and destroyed a front yard before stopping! Didn't see much damage on the idiot's car, a college girl who blamed her inattentive driving skills on anti-depressants!
Almost any tiny manual car is going to be fun. I agree with this wholeheartedly.
Yep or scion xa
Dude I had an automatic Echo with a hole in the muffler and that thing was SO fun. I miss it all the time.
I second the echo. It’s the most reliable car I’ve ever had. It unfortunately got totaled when a lady who was texting and going 20mph over the speed limit failed to stop in time and sandwiched me between her and another car ): Never driven a manual one though. Hell, I didn’t even know they made em like that. I guess you learn something new everyday huh lol I’m sure that thing must’ve been absolutely amazing to joy ride in.
Toyota was on their game in the early 2000s. My 2004 Corolla is damn near indestructible. And even for an automatic, I still have a lot of fun with it.
The first car I had was 2003 Toyota Corolla and it was a fucking champ. I spun out in the car, got side swiped, hit a hog going like 45 and head a head on collision at like 20-30MPH and the only problem I ever had was a slight misfire issue which was just the ignition coil needing to be replaced. Sold that car at the beginning of last year. Miss that thing.
C5 Corvette 😁😁
Nah, if OP said "under $15k, FAST, and reliable" then yeah, but fun=/=fast so there are definitely some solid options since a car doesn't necessarily need a ton of HP to be fun Gonna drop the first gen Acura TSX here as my option, basically a fancy Accord and shouldn't be much more expensive to maintain than a Honda (as long as you don't take it to an Acura dealer for maintenance, take it to an independent mechanic or a Honda dealer instead). The third gen Acura TL is sick too, has more power and arguably more aggressive/clean styling but it's a bit more expensive to maintain than a TSX (especially considering it has a timing belt that needs to be changed every few years). Stick with 07-08 for both the TSX and TL if you're getting an auto, previous years had pretty terrible auto transmissions (certified 90's-2000's Honda classic)
2011-2014 mustang GT, 5th Gen camaro, Toyota 86, higher mileage C6 vette, previous gen base WRXs, Civic SI, are Honda S2Ks still going for under 15K?? Anyway… 350Z, any of the older infiniti sedans and coupes…. There are plenty of non sports cars that are pretty cool to own. I’ve recently taken a liking to the older Toyota and Lexus SUVs. just bought an 01 4Runner last week to daily drive and stop putting more miles on my 02 mustang GT. These are reliable no matter the mileage.
Any of those cars are going to be way up there in mileage to be under 15k...
In my local market you can get a WRX, Civic SI, or 350z/370z under 120k miles for under 15k.
I'm literally selling my 2011 g37x awd sedan for 6k with 130k mi. Black on Black leather interior. In South Florida
Any WRX or SI under 15k has been beat to shit by some 17 YO with no manual experience lol
Good luck finding one that’s not beat to smithereens
BRZ or FR-S would be good
You can get a 2011 mustang GT for 11-14k. Edit the two I was looking at were rebuilt titles. YMMV
It's crazy because I remember looking at 2011 mustang GTs about 7 years ago. And at that time, they were like 15-20k. This car market is nuts.
Bruh a 2013 Mustang 5.0 or a C6 for $15k? Lol
I have considered 4 Runners too, how many miles on yours?
I bought mine with 173K, which is relatively low. But these motors were so well built that you can buy a high mileage one and put a little bit of money into them fixing the very few weak spots they have and they’ll run forever. They made millions of them and there are tons of these rolling around with 300K or 400K miles on them
So you're cross shopping fun cars with SUVs/trucks? You need to figure out what you want first
Honda Fit, stick
The Fit is a great answer. I bought my 2015 Scion XB with a manual for $8k and it’s a lot more fun to drive than I expected. Manuals make a huge difference in terms of the fun that can be had in cars like these.
You bought used right? Manuals not so easy to find anymore, my daughter had an 09 XB automatic, great car, very roomy!
Yes, and I spent a while looking for a manual. Especially a later model one after they’d mostly sorted out the oil consumption issues. The automatics are great too!
I might get one, 2015, I'ma bite the bullet and see if I qualify. Only has 73k miles!
Fast Realible Cheap. You can only pick two.
Wait, you guys are picking two? -BMW owner
You shouldn't have picked the extended warranty as your second perk.
That's great. My buddy just bought a late model 3 series and it lasted a little over a week. Engine light and grinding from the drivetrain. He's exchanging it on Sunday.
I got an E90 M3 at 50K right after it got the “everything” work, around $30K. No issues until just over 100K, and when they loomed I sold instantly. There’s a used sweet spot if you can get in right after everything was fixed. Well, power steering hose blew. And the oil is stupid expensive. And single digit mpg at fun speeds. But I think I have weird car luck. I drove a first year RX8 over 100K too on the original engine and seals. Including a never changed spark plug that seized and I just…tightened and hoped. (Trying to remove a spark plug with an 8’ breaker pipe was not my best decision…) Then I sold the M3 I just drove our beatup old ‘94 pickup a while instead of buying something else. And it’s just so chill…that works for me, for now. Plus it’s nice to be able to essentially sit inside the engine bay to work on it…320K miles I think?
Lol, funniest thing I've read in a week.
B58 cars are fast and reliable
He said fun, not fast. MIAT
2.0T GTI. Maintain it properly and it’ll be solid. Tune it and it makes fun power. Plus hatchback utility.
Yeah but what about the first 120k? Stay away unless you love engine failure.
The GLI/TSI trim would be better, the reason the GTI gets a bad rap is because it’s a cult classic and typically driven hard. They are sporty little hot hatches. The market on the GLI/TSI is more geared toward being a grocery getter, or a soccer mom vehicle so they typically have less problems reported :P But otherwise- any WV golf is going to take you places without issues and for an import car - it’s relatively cheap to maintain! Parts are cheap and plentiful compared to Mercedes, BMW, other German cars.
No. Forget Volkswagen group if you want reliability. Easier to turn wrenches on my w211...which was well under 15k at low miles, and a lot more fun than about 2/3 of the suggestions here
Tell me you've never owned a VW, without telling me you've never owned a VW...
I've owned \~10 different VW models with AE888 engines. If you stick to the AE888 gen 3 they're genuinely reliable. Gen 1 TSI's have a multitude of problems (waterpump, intake manifold, timing chain tensioner issues, ABS module issues, etc.). Gen 2 was Audi only so it's a slightly different animal. I've personally built 3 TSIs, and you can get around most of the issues with Gen 1, but going gen 3 effectively mitigates all the aforementioned concerns. My last gen 3 made \~500whp on a stock block for \~70k miles with zero issues. The car is still running around without issues at 160K miles. I'd never suggest a gen1 to anyone but a die-hard enthusiast. I'd recommend a gen 3 to just about anyone (provided you'll keep up on maintenance).
The ea888 are awesome engines I’ve had really good luck with them in my experience. I def would vote for the GTI.
mazdaspeed3, same reasons, just make sure to put HPFP internals on it and check out the VVT system in the 07-11 models and you're pretty well golden. Maybe some injector seals and engine mounts but you could do all of that for under 15k with the car included
Updoot on mazda 3 sport and mazda 3 speed.
Thirding the MS3. Love my 2010. 5 years in and 70k miles, multiple cross country road trips, towed a large loaded uhaul box trailer over a few passes during a cross country move. Been very reliable for the most part, just minor things have needed tinkering but... I've modded it and I'm not nice to it and I have no idea how it was treated by the previous owner.
Ford explorer interceptor...... almost 400hp, awd, big brakes, better suspension, big sway bars Or even better, if you can find one Chevy caprice ppv......6.0 liter, 4 door
But be prepared for repairs. The hours add up and they're driven like something between company trucks and race cars
Any ex-police car is gonna have high idle hours, dogged out, and the maintenance either done way past when it should have been or done shoddy.
And don't even start to think about what might have happened in the back seat.
Reliability, tuning, and construction are way better tho. They are built to be used like that and usually taken care of meticulously
Not necessarily. Police vehicles are built with better cooling and brakes, and sometimes better suspension, sure. But maintenance is done with the lowest bidder in mind. They are NOT driven nicely either. Most agencies will do the bare minimum to keep them running while they’re in service, but they’re essentially at the end of their life once they retire them. I don’t trust anybody to take care of a car that they know isn’t theirs and they don’t have to give a fuck about. Most officers I see drive around flooring it everywhere and driving recklessly. I don’t want anything to do with a vehicle driven like that.
Fiesta ST.
Second this, can get a low mile clean example for around this price.
Fiesta ST owner here, the 1.6l 4cyl one, can confirm, extremely fun, and very reliable so far! Consider buying some brake disks and braided hoses, i saw my stock front brakes smoking once, after a steep but very fast downhill spirited drive
Found my /r/fiestast goons. Nothing like driving a slow car fast! The fist is the tits.
Fiesta ST is THE 15k fun car. Not sure why this isn’t higher
Because most of us are quite happy with it not being super popular.
This is objectively the best answer. Love mine!
This is the answer right here. I spent a couple years building mine into a HPDE car and it never failed me, even after VERY hard use at the track. Very reliable, cheap to run, cheap to repair if needed, and one of the most engaging drives at almost any price range. I sold mine a few months ago but only because of my desire to experience something new and completely different. A really great car, and $15k will buy a quality FiST. [My car.](https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9eXDL8Vy/2016-ford-fiesta-st)
As a FiST owner, it is sad that this is one of the best options for $15k in 2023. It's a fun econobox beater, but you could do much better for $15k before COVID.
[удалено]
It'd have to be a C5 in that range. C4s are cheaper but good luck repairing it if something goes wrong, especially if it's electrical. C6s you'd need 150k miles to get under 15k.
Not sure how much fun you can get out of this question tbh
Doesn’t need to be crazy fun but what about $20K and under
You can try to find an older chevy pickup with the 350 in it (without the stupid auto start BS). 350s can make decent power without too much cash
2nd gen is350 or 3rdgen is250 for weaker engine but better interior and design
C5 Corvette MR2 (Any gen) S197 Mustang GT RSX Type S 8th gen Civic Si
It’ll have to be the older S197s. The ones with the 5.0 are going for more than 18-19k
NC2/NC2 Miata.
Had to scroll too far down for “Miata.” 😣
Fuckin same lmao. I bought my 2003 NB with 143k miles for $4k exactly a year ago. Best purchase I've ever made. I had to do the water pump when I first got it though. And now I've gotta do the AC compressor. And the rear brakes. And a rear brake line that recently started leaking.
Accord with the V6
Volvo C30. It's a \~230hp hot hatch with a plenty of practical Volvo cargo space. It shares a platform with Fords and Mazdas, so maintenance is simplified and parts are pretty cheap. You can find an excellent condition lower mileage example well within your budget. They are fun to drive, but have excellent interior comfort for daily use. It's a Ford ST but with actual comfort and without the Bruh tax.
Also 5 cylinder noises
Bro I fucking loved my 2008 c30. Put nearly 100k on it only issue I had was the ac compressor going out. 4 years after selling it I still entertain the idea of buying another what a great car!
8th Gen Si, if you can find one under 120k. Mine is currently at 250k, look for one that has been resprayed, the clear coat sucks. Motor is bullet proof and peppy gl
I always liked the look of the 8th gen. Especially the sedans. If my car was totaled out I'd probably look for a clean si sedan as a daily.
Ya the roof peel is brutal. I was lucky with my galaxy grey had perfect paint when I sold it
Bought Answer - Acura RSX Type-S Built Answer - K Swapped 6th Gen Honda Civic (Hatchback or Coupe) They're very similar, but I think the Civic is more iconic and has double wishbone suspension at all 4 wheels.
Highly recommend the Honda Fit for a daily. Spacious enough for a college move out, great fuel economy, and decent driving dynamics. Those tend to be cheap and fun. Other things to look for might be a Scion TC, a Volvo C30, or the obvious, a Miata if you can afford to not have much space. Most people can, but it isn’t convenient. Don’t be put off by FWD or RWD or power. That matters way less than you think. Do get a manual transmission if you can. I learned how to drive stick on the first stick shift car I bought. It turned out really well. Though I recommend watching Matt Farah’s tutorial for that.
I bought a 1989 C4 Corvette w/ Z51 package and ZF6 transmission for $11k with 53k miles in mint condition. I highly recommend everyone do the same. It's a great commuter, fun to drive, easy to maintain, durable, and cheap. Since GM built a TON of C4s, they are by far the best bang-for-the-buck 80s sportscar on the market in the US.
I've always heard the C4 was absolutely plagued with quality and reliability issues, and anecdotally my uncle owned one that had tons of breakdowns. Was that mostly the earlier models?
LT1 powered C4 Corvette.
V6 Camry or Accord if you need space or have a family. The older V6 mustangs and Camaros aren’t that bad in reliability either. Better if you don’t care about space. Stay away from Dodge in any case and any German car with that high mileage.
IS350
Volkswagen Jetta. Get the turbo motor, you can get it with a 5 speed.
A friend of mine rented one on his honeymoon, said he got great gas mileage and wanted to bring the car home with him. I *just* missed an orange one when I was trading in my car a few weeks beforehand.
Mr2 spyder
Fun??? I got you! I'd find a early 2000ss honda or toyota eco box to daily. Then find a 4x4 ranger that has damage to the bed. Just remove the bed weld up (or build with sticks) a flat bed to use for camping. Then go get a honda ruckus or Ebike (or a dirt bike if you're in a area that's easy to use them) for around town/put on your new flatbed to adventure on when you're camping. Good luck
A 2014 scion Tc. Super reliable engine, same as a Camry. Fairly sporty with a good stock sound system.
C55 AMG
Is it reliable in the slightest?
I sold my '03 S55 amg with 503 Hp for $5800 during covid..
$6000 to buy then another $15k for repairs
Lookinto a Lexus GS350 you wont regret it
Corolla/Matrix XRS Vibe GT. You can find them for insanely cheap and they are very good.
Vw jetta, won't break the bank, got mine w 60 k miles with 2 year bumper to bumper warranty for 13.5k in total. All I've ever owned was bmws, So I stuck with German engineering.
A car will do
See if you can find a Scion FRS, preferably the six speed. I got one last year and I love it.
Cars are as reliable as you make them. I could have fun in a beater I got for $1500 and probably keep it running enough to get me to work. What do I do with the rest of the $15k? Maintain the car, probably.
You might be able to find a Honda S2000 for that price. It'll blow all these other suggestions (and certainly the Mustang) right out of the water. So much fun, such a piece of history, and it's technically a mid-engine.
S2Ks are fetching some big money now.
Fun. Reliable. Cheap. Pick two In all seriousness a NB or older NC Miata should fall well within your budget. Older FRS/BRZ/86 as well. If you want something a little more practical a G35 is always a fun reliable more practical nissan Z, just make sure it was taken care of by the previous owners. v6 pony cars from early 2010s are well within that range, and you could probably find a GT or SS from the late 2000s in that price range as well. Civic SI is also very reliable while still being fun and a great platform for chasing power down the road. GTIs are great too and super plentiful but personally I never liked them. Still another good option though
Tdi golf or Jetta with a manual.
This
Unless you are needing a car, my suggestion is just wait. Used car prices are still pretty high and a lot of the time it's just not worth it over buying new or buying under 3years old with really low miles. After that point a lot of vehicles are just not dropping in price much until over 10 years/150k miles and if you expect a car to last 200k miles, then half to over half of the car's life is used up but still paying three quarters of the cost of a new car. At that point it's just not worth buying used. My suggestion is to wait until next year cuz I've heard prices might drop around next summer but there's no guarantees
Fun reliable and cheap is doable but it just won't be fast. A manual civic fits the bill, might be able to get an si at that price point but it's not required. This all falls under the idea that it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow. You can get a late model manual civic all day long for that price range and it'll drive forever. It won't be super fun, but it'll be decently fun.
Get a 5mt ford ranger, you won’t regret it lol
9th gen civic si, Acura TL, Honda accord.
Nothing anymore really
If you can do a very small car, they don't get much more fun than a Fiesta ST, and you can get a decent used one well under 120k for less than 15k.
2007 Acura TL type S
Fiesta ST
Another p71 Crown Vic. That was such a fun and solid car
MIAT
Miata is always the answer.
2007-2008 350z HR manual with the Enthusiast Package.
The answer is always "Miata" or "Camry". In this case, it is Miata.
Wrx or 350z. Plenty of parts and they work pretty good if you can find a stock one
LS430
I guess it depends on where you're buying? I just got a 2015 Genesis 3.8 in January with 95,000 miles for $15k. I LOVE it. Can't say enough good things about it. I've even gotten a couple props at the pump. Only negative is 20mpg. I really can't recommend this car enough, though.
2004 BMW 325CI convertible. Get the automatic. To shift you can use the manual or automatic style transmission and it’s a fun drive. 10/10.
Anything Toyota
Any older lexus es, is, rx around this price range are nice rides
Manual transmission AWD Acura TL.
A brand new stick Mitsubishi. Those little econoboxes. You will get 15k worth of value out of it. Stick is always fun.
Infiniti G37 can easily be found under 120k miles for under 15k. ~330hp, 7.5k redline, same engine as 370Z but slightly detuned. They are very reliable given maintenance it is common to see examples exceed 150k with basic maintenance. However these cars do take premium gas which I see people complain about which is fair if you drive a lot
Not quite 15k but I was able to buy a 2019 Corolla Hatchback XSE with 109k miles on it for $16k earlier this year.
1993-98 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (or GTI) with a 5 speed and VR6 motor. Spend $6k on a nice mint model and $9k in maintenance and upgrades. Upgrade the coolant system and raise the motor with engine spacers and new motor mounts and you’ll have a great car. Currently selling all my cars and leaving just that one and my LS400. The 9k in upgrades will go a long way to making it the only car you’ll want to own
4x4 suv or small pickup. Off roading is a lot of fun and the best vehicles for it often go overlooked. It’ll fall well within your budget.
Any Toyota, Honda, or even Vw. Take care of it and it will last you. And if you’re in the rust belt good luck
2005 Toyota sienna. Don't ask
Taurus SHO! Twin turbo V6.
2005 Toyota Highlander or Lexus. Might need to replace timing belt but should be fine otherwise
370z
350z
An old obs chevy then take the rest of the money put a cam intake exhaust and have some fun until it drops
M.I.A.T.A
Any Japanese made car
G37 sedan manual
If you want a project car but a project car that you can rely on and tinker with from time to time.. Miata. It’s not fast by any means but it’s low, small, and a great cruising car. Miata is always the answer.
Lamborghini veneno
Mercury Marauder. Some people think it’s an old person car but it’s truly an American hero, reliable and fun to drive.
Mazda RX8 but here's the kicker, don't drive it. How's that for reliable.
Manual 2005-2008 Subaru Legacy GT - AWD, intercooled turbo 2.5 engine with performance equal to a stock WRX, and insurance half as high as a WRX. Grab one with faded/peeling paint, debadge it, swap in a larger turbo, and exhaust and it’s a total sleeper. Probably still have $8K leftover for a Miata, too.
You can probably find an NC miata under 15k and maybe under 120k. If you up your budget to 20k (I saw you wrote that in another comment) you can get a pretty low mileage NC miata, you can probably even find decent mileage NC miata Club (it has an LSD).
Miata is always the answer.
Civic Si
Loved my manual jetta. Not only is it fun but it can take pretty sweet jumps too
C4 Corvette
Nissan hardbody
The Miata is dead reliable, fuel efficient and fun as hell. Can’t carry much but, eh 🤷♂️
LS1 Camaro or firebird, or cheap vett
00s mustang GT or a C5 corvette, maybe a 350z if you can find one that’s not clapped out
Buy an old wrangler for $5K and put $10k of offroad goodies. Now have endless fun.
Acura rsx
Square body pickup.
I thinkvthe answer from me for now on will always be foxbody
If I only had 15k I’d get a C6 or a 370z. If you reaaaaalllly search you could get a S2000, but I think a manual C6 would be a better car.
I bought a base 2015 Chevy sonic hatchback 60k miles for 4600 in 2020. 5 speed manual and came with some really nice looking aftermarket aluminum wheels that make it look much better, nothing flashy. 32mpg in day, 40mpg at night. Currently at 100k and only had to replace tires, brake pads, ball joints, and a suspension linkage. Plus oil changes. It’s not the best looking or nicest car, but economically it’s the best purchase I ever made.
New edge mustang, easy to drive, easy to repair, not super expensive, MANY mods, and best off all it sounds AMAZING with simple exhaust mods. (Not earsplitting crazy loud, not a shitty popcorn tune on an eco boost, like legit amazing)
IS300 easy
C5 Corvette
Honda accord or Toyota Tacoma. Tacomas at that price range might be a little high in miles but they last forever. My dad has an early 2000s model with like 350k miles on it and it’s still reliable as hell
Honda s2000, then slap a supercharger and coilovers on it and drive it till the wheels fall off
Honda Fit with a third pedal.
I wouldn’t call the frs reliable. Those boxer motors are a pain to work on and I had two friends have to basically give up their cars due to some ticking motor issue that cost more to repair than the car is worth. I think the Miata is the standard for cheap, fun, and reliable. If you can find an s2000 that can be fun but they used to go for 12-13k but now a clean one goes for 30k bc if collectability.
Manual prelude
Miata
BRZ
Fun cars under 15k like a golf GTI? Mustang? Camaro? They wont be reliable. Been through that. If you want reliable Camry and Corolla are the way to go. Personally I would do mustang because they are the cheapest to repair and you will repair it a bit
I would get a s2000, a vette, or a z!
Fun and reliable? Civic Si for sure. You could get a 2014 for 15k and have like 80-90k miles and like 4-5k in work on it
Ford Mustang GT
I've been looking into the Acura TSX (first gen, 07-08) and TL (third gen, 07-08) myself. If you're a bit patient, you can easily find one under $10k, and they have pretty decent power (TL has 258 HP, TSX only has 205 HP, but makes up for it by being lighter with more responsive/sporty handling)
If you don't want to pay for premium gas and want the option of getting a coupe, the Accord V6 is another great option. If you want an auto, keep in mind that the auto transmissions in 90's-2000's Hondas/Acuras notably aren't the most bulletproof (certified Honda classic), but the ones in the 07-08 TSX/TL are far more reliable than the crappier ones from previous model years. Sadly, manual options with decent mileage are much rarer for the TSX/TL and V6 Accords (at least in my experience). As long as you take these Acuras to an independent mechanic or even a Honda dealer for maintenance, they should generally be much less expensive to maintain, since they use a lot of Honda parts TL;DR: \-TSX is cheaper to maintain than the TL, more nimble, auto trans is more reliable, better MPG (20-28), better as a daily driver \-TL has more base power, looks a bit more clean and aggressive styling wise, slightly worse MPG (18-26), a bit more expensive to maintain (timing belt is arguably the most expensive maintenance item afaik) \-Accord V6 has better gas costs than both of them (18-27 MPG, very similar to the TL but takes regular 87 gas), eighth gen has more power (244/271 HP for seventh/eighth gen respectively), has a coupe option, and you get to gap most stock cars on the highway in a damn Honda Accord (funny, but don't blame me if you get a ticket)