$20,000 and under...

Not everyone has the money to spend on the increasing costs of newer cars these days. The average cost for a new affordable cars these days seems to be around $25,000 and up. For a lot of people, $20,000 is the most they are willing to spend. Years earlier there wasn’t much available for under $20,000, but now there are many options for fast cars you can get for under $20,000. Which of these cars do you think offers the greatest combination of power, performance, styling, comfort, reliability, fun to drive, and the potential for more power? Which of these cars would you get if your budget was limited to $20,000?

2002 Acura RSX Type S
2.0L 4-Cylinder
200HP@7400RPM
142TQ@6000RPM
6-Speed Manual
FWD
2770Lbs
$18,100

2001 Acura Integra Type R
1.8L 4-Cylinder
195HP@8000RPM
130TQ@7500RPM
5-Speed Manual
FWD
2640Lbs
$15,600

2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
5.7L 8-Cylinder
310HP@5200RPM
340TQ@4000RPM
6-Speed Manual
RWD
3410Lbs
$17,800

2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4
2.4L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder
215HP@5400RPM
245TQ@3200RPM
5-Speed Manual
FWD
2900Lbs
$16,700

2003 Ford Mustang GT
4.6L 8-Cylinder
260HP@5250RPM
302TQ@4000RPM
5-Speed Manual
RWD
3270Lbs
$18,400

2000 Honda S2000
2.0L 4-Cylinder
240HP@8300RPM
153TQ@7500RPM
6-Speed Manual
RWD
2810Lbs
$19,600

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
2.0L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder
210HP@6000RPM
214TQ@3000RPM
5-Speed Manual
AWD
3270Lbs
$11,600

2003 Nissan Altima 3.5SE
3.5L 6-Cylinder
245HP@5800RPM
246TQ@4400RPM
5-Speed Manual
FWD
3210Lbs
$18,800

2002 Subaru Impreza WRX
2.0L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder
227HP@6000RPM
217TQ@4000RPM
5-Speed Manual
AWD
3080Lbs
$19,700

Any others, please specify (No older than 1999)

For me, probably a toss-up between the Camaro and the WRX. I love the Altima V6, especially with a manual, but I don't want another fwd car.

The '99 GSX would be a great car if DSM's were more reliable. They're reasonably priced and have a lot of aftermarket capabilities.
I really like the S2000 though, lots of power and very very light. Like driving a go-kart from what I hear.

I know you can pick up a 2000-02 SS Camaro cheaper than 20k. Depends on where you look I guess. Much better than the Z28 IMO.

Considering a Camaro Z28 is actually throwing about 330hp out at the crank stock (Chevy purposely underrated the Camaro so that the Corvette wouldn't be upstaged by it's little brother) and the fact that the LS1 responds ridiculously well to bolt-ons, I would choose the Camaro in a heartbeat.

Honestly, look at the amount of car you get for the money. They've got a traditional sports car like cockpit, the mechanicals are bulletproof, proven over constant refinement since Camaro made the switch to coil springs instead of leaf springs in 1982, and are a blast to toss around with the throttle.

Get the Camaro. Don't even bother with the rest if you're looking for performance per dollar.

Chevy purposely underrated the Camaro so that the Corvette wouldn't be upstaged by it's little brother

I beleive it. I used to work with a guy that had an auto LS1 Z28. He dynoed 290rwhp stock. With just an exhaust, he was beating manual LT1s with more mods.

All the listed cars give amazing bang for the dollar but the rsx is such an awesome machine. Its the best everyday driveable sports car at this price

It might be, but Y pay that money for 160HP, 200HP for the type S, when for less you can have an LS1 w/ 350HP

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=164597882&dealer_id=1395459&car_year=1999&make=CHEV&distance=any&max_price=20000&model=CORV&end_year=2005&advcd_on=n&min_price=&address=44645&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1999&color=&cardist=1056

thats my buy :smile:

are you really buying it??

Really just depends on what you idea of "fun to drive" is...

If it's carving up twisties...ITR, Type S, WRX, S2k

If it's burning up tires light to light...GSX, GT, Z28

What's your posion?

Personally...I'd go w/the WRX since companies like ESX, Vishnu and others can make this car go sick fast for not much $$$...

Oh and it's AWD and can handle better than the GT and Z28

i saw look for a 1999-2002 BMW M3 classy and fast it might take some searching to find one for under 20grand though

If it was just straight up speed then the SS, but if you want handling I'd give it to a E36 M3.