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Depreciation can be a helluva thing. That adage about “as soon as the new car leaves the lot, it loses [insert shockingly large percentage] of its value” is harsh, but generally quite true. Now, we all like to think that enthusiast cars—those with some sort of compromise in favor of an elevated driving experience—are less immune to depreciation. That somehow their desirability and sheer fun factor will fend off a tanking resale value. That’s true for a while, perhaps, but the timeline of most every vehicle trends towards a “bottoming out” of sorts at some point.
Not that that’s a bad thing, though. Heck, we’d even argue that it’s a plus. There are a lot of very neat rides from the last 20 years that are worth experiencing, but that also won’t cause your accountant’s eyes to roll back into their head. Calling them bargains is perhaps a stretch, but maybe not when you consider what’s on offer.
Per the latest Hagerty Price Guide data, you could probably scoop one of these six rides for less than $20,000 in #3 (Good) condition. That means they all should run and drive just fine, though their paint may not be flawless, or the interior may show some signs of enjoyment. What’s more, all of these rides feature a lot of modern-ish technology that helps with fuel efficiency, safety, and performance, without being some of the more overbearing systems that we see on today’s enthusiast rides.
Honda/James Halfacre
First introduced in 2001, the Acura RSX was Honda’s replacement for the vaunted Integra of years prior (Honda still called it the Integra in other markets), and the RSX Type-S was the sportiest version. Power came from a several versions of the 2.0-liter K20 VTEC four-cylinder, which for the 2005 and 2006 model years was upgraded to produce 210 hp in the Type-S.
All Type-S-equipped RSXs came with a close-ratio six-speed manual, sport seats, sport-tuned suspension, larger sway bars, and heftier front disc brakes than base models to add to this compact coupe’s sporting intent. Though the aftermarket has long since gobbled up and modified many an RSX Type S, #3 (good) examples can still be found for $19,100, according to our data.
Chevrolet
Bowtie badge, big V-8, throwback styling, and a fabled nameplate? You have our attention. Built on GM’s Zeta platform from 2010–15, the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro drew visual inspiration from the 1969 Camaro with impressive effect while delivering twenty-first century speed and comfort.
Now, the car nominated here has the 6L80 automatic transmission, as opting for the manual adds roughly 10% to all values in our price guide. But still, with the auto, you get a 400-hp, 6.2-liter L99 V-8 good for effortless cruising. With a #3 (Good) value of $19,900, this one just squeaks in under the limit, but it’s there, it’s still cool as hell, and we certainly wouldn’t fault anyone for chasing this car. It’s a lot of machine for the money.
Ford
You know we couldn’t offer up a Camaro without a counter from Flat Rock’s finest. The fifth-generation (2005–15) Ford Mustang also leaned into the idea of retro styling, just a half-decade earlier than the Camaro. Meant to evoke the fastback styling of late-’60s ponies, the fifth-gen car nailed what Ford’s designers called “retro-futurism.”
The 2006 Mustang GT featured an aluminum-block, 4.6-liter Modular V-8 which produced 300 hp. You could have it with either a five-speed automatic or a five-speed Tremec T5 manual. The car nominated here has the latter, because who doesn’t love the idea of rowing their own gears? Unlike the Camaro, this one has a little bit of meat left on the bone, value-wise, too. Our data says a #3 (Good) example can be scooped for $15,600.
Wiki Commons/Nrbelex
Sure, big V-8s are fun, but four-bangers can certainly put a smile on your face, too. By the 2006 model year, the first-generation “modern Mini” had earned itself a reputation as being a riot to drive, owing to its small footprint, fantastic styling (retro looks were all the rage in the 2000s), and peppy engines. The naturally aspirated versions were known as R50s, while the supercharged Cooper S variants were dubbed R53. The R53s remain some of the funnest hot hatches ever, in our eyes.
For just $9800 to scoop a #3 (Good) condition example, you’ll get to enjoy a Getrag-sourced six-speed manual paired to a supercharged, 1.6-liter four-cylinder cranking out a very respectable 168 hp to spin the front wheels. Yes, you could also stretch for a 208-hp John Cooper Works example that can be had for under the $20K threshold, but we picked this one because it can still cosplay as a civil car when needed—those JCW R53s were little rascals.
Saab
Look, this is just a Subaru Impreza WRX. We can try to gussy Saab’s 9-2X Aero up with any number of colorful phrases (have ya heard the one about being “Born from Jets”?) but at the end of the day, you blur out that front clip, and you’ll just see a contemporary Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon. Wanna know why we picked this one versus the actual Subaru? Our pricing data says the latter will run you $16,500. The Saab variant, meanwhile, commands just $8700.
Sure, there are hard-to-find trim pieces for the Saabaru, and the Swedish badge is a lot rarer, but you’re still getting a lot of what made this era of Imprezas so special. You still enjoy the rumble of the 2.5-liter, turbocharged flat-four, and you can still fling it around dirt roads like rally royalty thanks to Subaru’s vaunted all-wheel-drive system. There’s a brilliant balance of quirk and practicality here, and for less than five figures to scoop a serviceable one, we think the Saabaru is tough to ignore.
Bentley
This one made the list not so much because we think it’s a great idea, but more because sometimes we need to remind ourselves of just what falls into the “accessible” category in less than two decades. This thing was more than $170,000 when it was new; you can get one in #3 (Good) condition now for $15,500, according to our data. Whoa.
Here comes the caveat… a heavily depreciated ultra-luxe British sedan will certainly come with its challenges. For starters, the W-12 engine under the hood may be one of that era’s most mechanically complex powerplants. When it’s running right, the thing makes 552 hp. Dollar-per-pony, that’s downright ridiculous. But it would take someone of a special mental fortitude to undertake this sort of ownership conquest, but if you’re bold enough to try, the rewards may be immense.