2016 Best Sedan Car for 45 000 Dollars and Under
DW Burnett/Puppyknuckles
The market for affordable performance cars is healthy. There's a bundle of choices available for less than $45,000, but not all of them are worth going for. Here are the ones worth a look.
Toyota
1 of 25
Toyota GR Supra 2.0 - $42,990
One year into production, Toyota decided it would be a good idea to add a four-cylinder version of the GR Supra to its lineup, pushing the car's base price below the $45,000 mark. No, it's not as capable as its six-cylinder sibling, but it's still a good time.
Hyundai
2 of 25
Hyundai Veloster N - $27,600
The Veloster N is the newest hot hatch on the block, and Hyundai's first real performance car. Developed by ex-BMW M boss Albert Biermann, it's fantastic to drive, and a real bargain considering the performance you get. Just make sure to option the performance pack.
Fiat
3 of 25
Fiat 500 Abarth - $20,745
Fiat's punchy little hot hatch has been on sale for awhile now, but it hasn't gotten any less fun. Plus, thanks to generous dealer incentives, you can get into one for well under MSRP all day long.
Kia
4 of 25
Kia Stinger GT - $39,500
One benefit of choosing Korean over German is cost. The rear-wheel drive Kia Stinger GT, with its 365-horsepower twin-turbo V-6, comes in at just under $40,000, and it's great fun to drive.
Brian Silvestro
5 of 25
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 - $44,590
If trucks are more your thing, there is perhaps nothing more capable on the market right now for under $45,000 than the Colorado ZR2. Thanks to a set of magnificent Multimatic DSSV dampers, it can conquer any terrain with ease.
Chevrolet
6 of 25
Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE - $43,995
The V-8-powered 1LE squeezes just under the $45,000 mark, and believe us, it's a bargain. You get a world-class chassis, good looks, a lovely V-8 engine, and old fashioned six-speed manual transmission. What more could you want?
Audi
7 of 25
Audi S3 - $43,000
If you're looking to tick all the boxes, the Audi S3 comes close. It's an all-wheel-drive, four-door sedan with enough power to make you smile on a backroad, with the luxury to back up that famous four-ring badge.
DW Burnett/Puppyknuckles
8 of 25
Mazda MX-5 Miata - $26,580
The new Miata doesn't come close to this list's $45,000 limit, but it's so good to drive, we couldn't leave it out. Whether you into the pure open top convertible or the fastback-style RF, there's no going wrong with the greatest Miata yet.
Honda
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Honda Civic Type R - $36,995
Honda finally decided to give us Americans a taste of the Type R pie with this generation's Civic. The Civic Type R is every Honda fanboy's dream, with 305 horsepower, eccentric styling, and of course, a huge rear wing.
Honda
10 of 25
Honda Accord 2.0T - $31,510
If you're not into the Type R's flashy looks (many aren't), Honda offers a great alternative: The Accord 2.0T. It uses a slightly detuned version of the Type R's turbocharged engine, with 252 horsepower on tap and an available manual transmission. A modern sleeper if there ever was one.
Nissan
11 of 25
Nissan 370Z - $30,090
Though the 370Z is now over a decade old, it remains a fun car. Rear-wheel drive? Check. Over 300 horsepower? Check. An available manual transmission? Check. What more could you need?
Subaru
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Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 - $28,845 / $27,060
Like the Miata, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 fall well under the $45,000 mark, but their hilariously fun-to-drive characteristics means they deserve a spot on this list. With just 205 horsepower, you might be wanting for more shove at times, but once you take a corner at speed, you'll forget all about that.
Subaru
13 of 25
Subaru BRZ tS - $31,495
Planning on driving your BRZ on the track? The STI-branded BRZ tS doesn't come with any more power, but it still gets a ton of race-worthy upgrades. Things like stickier tires, better suspension, and a wing out back are standard.
Jeep
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Jeep Wrangler - $28,295
The Wrangler was totally redone for 2018, and it's a whole lot better to drive than its predecessor. Pricing for the base model falls under $30,000, and things like a manual transmission, a folding soft top, and a V-6 engine are all available. And yes, you can still take the doors off.
Toyota
15 of 25
Toyota Corolla Hatchback - $20,290
The Corolla is easily the cheapest car on this list, but that doesn't mean it's the least fun. Thanks to its light weight and available manual transmission, you can beat on it all day without a care in the world.
Dodge
16 of 25
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack - $39,995
The Challenger R/T Scat Pack is the baddest Challenger you can buy before stepping up to the mighty Hellcat. It comes standard with a 485-horsepower Hemi V-8 and a six-speed manual transmission.
Dodge
17 of 25
Dodge Charger Scat Pack - $40,495
The Charger version of the Scat Pack is just a few hundred bucks more, and you get two more doors and an automatic transmission standard. There's also four-piston Brembo front brakes, and that 6.4-liter Hemi V-8.
Patrick Hoey
18 of 25
Volkswagen Golf GTI - $28,595
Volkswagen recently unveiled the Mk 8 GTI, but we don't expect it to hit our shores for at least another year. The previous version is still for sale new, and remains one of the most fun new cars you can buy in the $30,000.
Volkswagen
19 of 25
Volkswagen Jetta GLI - $26,245
Want a GTI but prefer a sedan body style? Well, we have good news for you: VW also sells the Jetta GLI, a sporty version of its Jetta sedan with the same powertrain from the company's favorite hot hatch. The best part? It's more than $2000 cheaper than the GTI.
Volkswagen
20 of 25
Volkswagen Golf R - $40,395
Like the GTI, the current Golf R is set to be replaced with a new model at dealerships soon. But that doesn't make it any less appealing for those looking for the most performance VW has to offer.
Chris Perkins
21 of 25
Mercedes-Benz Metris - $27,180
Ok, hear us out. No, the Metris van isn't a sports car. But that doesn't mean it's fun to drive. Who needs an SUV or boring minivan when you can have a C-Class luxury experience with all the cargo room in the world? We know which we'd choose.
DW Burnett/Puppyknuckles
22 of 25
Fiat 124 Spider Abarth - $29,540
The 124 Abarth might not be as good to drive as its Miata cousin, but it's still fantastic. With a turbocharged engine and a blacked-out hood, its the perfect affordable convertible for those not into Mazdas.
Ford
23 of 25
Ford Mustang GT - $35,880
Ford unveiled a face-lifted version of the Mustang in 2017, and it's a lovely thing to drive. it still has that 5.0-liter V-8, which now makes 455 horsepower, and gets the car from 0-60 in just four seconds. Yes, you can still get it with a manual.
BMW
24 of 25
BMW 230i - $35,900
You may be asking yourself why the base 2-Series is on this list instead of the more powerful M240i. Well we tested earlier versions of these cars together, and found the cheaper car was actually more fun to drive. If you value driving pleasure over speed, get the 230i.
Subaru
25 of 25
Subaru WRX STI - $36,995
The Subaru WRX STI's powertrain hasn't really changed in more than a decade. It's still the same flat-four EJ boxer engine, making 310 horsepower to all four wheels. Still, it's really fun to drive. And who can say no to a wing like that?
2016 Best Sedan Car for 45 000 Dollars and Under
Source: https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/g12198013/best-new-cars-under-45k/