Imho there is a double edge sword between finding a “sporty car” used in the $10-15k range and expecting it to be well maintained.
For example, if you are able to find a used WRX in that price range, chances are the previous drivers beat the sXXt out of it. If you’re going this route, definitely buy one that is certified, or consider going onto an car enthusiast site and buy from a long time member of that site who is planning to sell his/her well maintained car for something else.
Not to mention, you should probably rule out a used car that has a turbo without knowing the full history of the car and previous owner…Most people who buy a turbocharged car, do very little to take care of it (like shutting the car down right away after a hard run) without letting the turbo cool (ever heard of cooking the oil?) And you’ll see a lot more 4 bangers with turbo these days as it’s a cheap way for manufacturers to get beef up the performance without increasing displacement.
That pretty much eliminates WRX, all4 banger audis/vw’s, and BMW 335(though I doubt you’ll find one in the 10-15k).
Do you care about the car being FWD or does it have to be RWD/AWD? You’re options are greater with FWD, but some don’t like it.
Personally, for a FWD, I sort of miss the Acura RSX.. And being they don’t make those anymore, they should be priced pretty decently. It was sort sort of a light, fun kind of car.. I had a first generation acura integra, and was sad to give it away to my cousin, who crashed it two weeks after I gave it to her….twice…
