Top 10 Best Driver's Cars Under 50K

Driver's cars under 50K are everywhere. This list highlights some of the best driver's cars under 50,000 dollars.

1. Audi S4

Audi S4
By Car and Driver

The Audi S4 looks like any old Audi A4 as it shares many exterior features. However, it is not. There is a supercharged V6 that makes 333 horsepower. Pair that supercharged motor to AWD and you have a family sedan that hits 60 miles per hour in around 4 seconds. The Audi S4 is a classic distinct Audi S model. It is powerful, 4 wheel drive, quick, fun to drive, and fast. It also looks like a normal Audi, so it is a proper sleeper car that is a blast do drive.

2. Mini Cooper S

Mini Cooper S
By Car and Driver

The Mini Cooper S is an average Mini Cooper, also known as the perfect hot hatch. However, it is also an expensive hot hatch too. It starts at around 24,000 dollars, and that is a lot of money for a hatchback. However, it is a Mini. That means that is it will do 0-60 in around 6 seconds with just 181 horsepower. It also means that is has "Go Kart like handling", which means that it is nippy around corners. With both of these elements combined, it is one of the most fun cars to drive.
 
3. Audi S3

Audi S3

The Audi S3 is a baby S4. It means that it is lighter and smaller. It also means that it has less power. However, that doesn't matter. The Audi S3 has a 2.0 T engine with 292 horsepower. If you want to make it quicker, an engine tune will make the car much more powerful. It has AWD and one of the finest dual clutch transmission. With all these factors combined, it is one of the quickest and most fun cars to drive. 0-60 is achieved at around 4 seconds. The Audi S3 is small enough for it to be nippy but big enough for it to be safe and comfortable. There are many touches in the S3 from other Audi performance models such as the flat bottom steering wheel from the Audi R8 and the optional sport's seats from the Audi S4.

4. Subaru WRX Sti

Subaru WRX Sti

The Subaru WRX Sti is pretty much the champion of world rally cross along with the now dead Mitsubishi Evo X. It is popular among Subaru fans for many reasons. One of the biggest reasons is the all wheel drive system. It is designed for rally cross. It means that driving the WRX is fun. Because of the all wheel drive system and the turbocharged engine that makes 305 horsepower, the WRX Sti is also quick hitting 60 in about 4 seconds. The best part is that is costs below 40,000 dollars, so this is a good bang for the buck and an excellent alternative to the Audi S3. The WRX is good in all conditions of driving except for rock climbing because it is too low. On dirt, snow, gravel, and tarmac, traction is maintained well.

5. Ford Fiesta ST

Ford Fiesta ST

The Ford Fiesta ST is much different from the Ford Focus RS shown below. It is much lighter, much weaker, and has FWD. However, it is still just as fun to drive. Because it is tiny and light, you could throw it around corners. The Ford Fiesta ST is the perfect car to drive around the mountains. It is low on power as it only has 197 horsepower. It is low on weight as it weighs around 2700 pounds. It has a 6 speed manual for full control of shifts. All these features make it into a brilliant driver's car and make this car just fun to drive. To make life better, the Ford Fiesta ST starts at around 20,000 dollars, so it affordable to people who want to have fun and don't want to burn their wallet.

6. Ford Focus RS

Ford Focus RS
By Noebu

The Ford Focus RS is awesome. It is my favorite hot hatch. It has all wheel drive made by Ford's racing team, not Ford's average car team. This makes a difference as the one made by Ford's racing team is meant for track days and things like that. The Ford Focus RS doesn't just have grip though. It also has a drift mode, which car guys like me are all delighted to hear. The Ford Focus RS also has an insane amount of power compared to it's rivals in America as it makes 350 horsepower, which is pretty good for a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. AWD, a fairly low amount of weight because it is a small hatchback, and a six speed manual that gives you control of all shifts.

7. Mazda MX-5 (Miata)

Mazda MX-5 (Miata)
By Mario von Berg

The Mazda MX-5 is pretty much the same thing as the Alfa Romeo 4C, except for the fact that it has a manual transmission, lighter, and cheaper. The Mazda MX-5 weighs about 2300 pounds. It has a 6 speed manual that makes you the real driver of the car. It has a manual top that makes Sunday drives even sunnier and brighter.  It has a tiny naturally aspirated 4 cylinder that makes 155 horsepower in the front but behind the axles so it is technically a mid-engine car. Mid-engine cars provide better weight distribution, which is better for handling. Though 155 horsepower may not sound like much, you must remember that the Miata is light.

8. Toyota 86/ Subaru BRZ

Toyota 86
By Toyota

Subaru BRZ
By Autoblog

The Toyota 86/ Subaru BRZ is the closest competitor to the Miata shown above. It has little power (about 205 horsepower). It is light as it weighs about 2600 pounds. Best of all, it has a 6 speed manual so holding red line isn't a problem anymore. It is not as quick, but just as fun to drive. If it isn't fast enough for you, boosting it is reliable since the engine is quite tough. These elements make these twins some fine driver's cars. Like the Miata, Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 have so many simple touches that make driving better. The tachometer is in the middles so you know when to shift. The digital speedometer is easy to comprehend. The dashboard is logically lay out so adjusting things is simple.

9. Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a blast to drive. It is one of the original hot hatches and is still around for you to enjoy. Though it is front wheel drive, Volkswagen was kind enough to add a special differential that eliminates understeer that is caused by front wheel drive. 0-60 is achieved in around 5 seconds, which isn't such a bad time for a little hatchback like this. The Golf also equips the right transmissions to having fun in the car. There is the 6 speed DSG automatic transmission as your first choice if you just want the speed but don't want the extensive pedal pushing. Shifting for the DSG is really quick since it is a dual clutch. There is a 6 speed manual if you are more serious about driving. The manual gives you more control of shifts and is just the better way to go if this is a weekend toy. One of the best parts about the Golf GTI is that it is more than just a weekend toy since it could be a 5 door hatchback big enough for a family.

10. Audi TT

Audi TT
By M 93

The Audi TT is a little all wheel drive sport's car made by a German car manufacture that knows what they are doing. It has a little turbocharged 2 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder that makes 220 horsepower. It also has a dual clutch transmission that ensures proper shifts that are quick. The 4 cylinder and the transmission make the TT a blast. It is so tiny and nimble that is is quite a sensation to drive. The Audi TT is one of the more fancy cars on this list. It has tons of things that make it a proper driver's car. Everything is in the center where the driver is, so the driver could focus more on the road. The dials are all easy to read. There is nothing on the center stack, which encourages the driver to look on the road and to have fun in the little TT. 

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