What are some cool used cars that can be bought for under $15K?

So you’re poor, but you want people to think you’re rich?

'89 Honda Civic Hatchback

Quasimodo will get you laid 10/10 times, especially with the dark red cloth interior.

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So you’re poor, but you want people to think you’re rich?

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That's exactly what those cars scream.

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Late 70s vette. Not 76

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Isn't pretty much every late 70's engine a piece of trash?

The front is like a car and the back is like a truck
The front is where you drive and the back is where you frick

Uhh, I can't help you, but I'll be sure to ask one of my junior interns at tomorrow's briefing and get back to you.

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I've been thinking about a 75K miles 2008 Mercedes CLK550 for $11K. 5.5L 382hp. About $60K new back then.

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The S class from the same period will cost just a little more and have basically the same interior creature comforts of today's C and E classes. The infotainment system is a little outdated is all.

I have been watching the 600 level cars because I think it would be cool to own a v12.

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I saw a Porsche GT3 for 30k recently. I figured there was some major problems but I briefly considered it.

I nearly pulled the trigger on a '88 BMW M3, but it would break my old man's heart that I've given up on our '86 3.25i.

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A used GT3 even a 996 at 30K is going to have a story, most likely a novel. An E30 M3 that is unmolested is as rare as hen's teeth. Even 10-15 years ago most of the ones you saw for sale cheap were half and half cars or some other serious red flag. Even good original E36 and E46 M3s are going up in value because most of them have been raped at some point. M cars and GT cars are not the kind of cars that fit this thread, if they are cheap there are real problem.

The reality is any of the cars with high MSRPs and extremely low resell values share one common thread, they can and will have massive repair bills. Most will have at least one pattern problem that is a when vs if it will occur that when it does can easily cost what you paid for it used to repair.

For me the two I would hunt for in the under 15K range for a fun second car would be a early 2000s Boxster S or a Honda S2000.

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Under 15k is starting to be a tough find

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I agree but with a little luck you can find one then if it is a weekend car and you take care of it you can basically drive it for free since they will actually appreciate.

Another car you can do well with IF you know what you are looking for and have a good independent mechanic (maybe moving the budget up to 20K) is a 996 911. While the cars have their issues like IMS and leaky seals and they are not the P-car enthusiasts pick any 911 is a cool car. There are enough of them out there and enough mechanics and parts that they are a lot better bet than say one of the 12 cylinder BMWs or Mercedes. If one isn't a purist you could find one of the Renegade Chevy V8 converted 911s while you can't expect them to appreciate you can expect them to be cheaper to maintain.

You can get a nice late 80s 928s