Cool cars under $12K? 2012+

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rpartlan@reddit

Mazda6 manual. Not sure if it meets "cool" requirement. But will be fun, and cheap to maintain.

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TubeLogic@reddit

And with a manual you are "showing off," since none of your friends will know what it is or how to drive it. Do this!!!

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SteelFlexInc@reddit

It only counts if you put a Save The Manuals decal on it and wear a matching shirt

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TubeLogic@reddit

I prefer the hat for Cars and Coffee. The supercar crowd around here is insufferable and love to go on and on how their automatics are “faster.” Who cares, you drove it to a Safeway parking lot.

But I digress.

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keevisgoat@reddit

Mazda 3 clears the 6 for the fun department

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idontevenlikespam@reddit

BRZ/FRS, fiesta or focus st, civic si, G37. A lot more cooler and faster options if you go for older stuff though.

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RackingUpTheMiles@reddit

2012 Toyota Rav4. Final year of this style and it's cheap, reliable and repairs/upgrades are easy. It's also very capable in snow and mild offroad situations. I have one.

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rockdude625@reddit

E55 AMG. Guys that know will go wild when they hear the supercharger whine

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kneedoorman@reddit

And when she needs brakes she’ll cough up the half value of the car

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highlanderfil@reddit

$12K will just about buy her a set of one, but probably not the other.

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kneedoorman@reddit

I just remembered the 55 amgs stopped 2006

It’s older than 2012

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highlanderfil@reddit

lol yeah, THAT was the problem with this reco 😂

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Colorado_Jay@reddit

😂😂I laughed so hard at this for some reason. Thanks!

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scewbs@reddit

Q50s can likely be had for under 12k, I’ve seen quite a few pushing 500hp+.

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matteooooooooooooo@reddit

‘2012 or older’? Meaning newer? Regardless this is hamstringing you, so many rad choices from the ‘00s!!

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bitchydust@reddit

I got a 2012 Chrysler 300c with 65,000 miles for $10k

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ShoemakerMicah@reddit

Audi A6 3.0T, with nothing more than an intake kit the supercharger absolutely screams. AWD is nice too if you’re in a colder or more dirt road environment

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kneedoorman@reddit

Yes and when the direct injection carbon build up happens she will have to fork over 3000dollars for walnut blasting or the haldex system throws trouble codes

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Meh, walnut shell blasters are like $50 with a sack of walnut shells. I DIY almost everything (former career technician) but, even port cleaning isn’t a particularly difficult job when required. If you’re the type of person who likes to work on stuff, this vintage of German cars offer crazy value honestly.

If you have zero desire to do your own service and maintenance, there are definitely better choices. In this case avoid ANYTHING with direct fuel injection.

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kneedoorman@reddit

As a former Rs4 B7 owner I cannot in faith recommend Audi to anyone in a budget

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ShoemakerMicah@reddit

If warning lights on the dash bother you, out of warranty German cars are a BAD bet, no doubt there.

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VirtualCantaloupe88@reddit

Ford fiesta ST

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Hunt69Mike@reddit

Frs/brz

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LazyTemperature3064@reddit

Volvo C30

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Sea_Courage3794@reddit

2013 Infiniti G37x is about the best bang for your buck provided it’s been maintained. As with any used vehicle, get a pre purchase inspection done before forking over the dough. They’re safe, 328hp, practical in snow with awd. Can’t stress enough to get an inspection done, with any vehicle you’re serious about, prior to purchase with an independent mechanic.

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Whole-Pension6719@reddit

Lada if you are in eastern europe. That means big bizniss ! Impress you fellow gopniks with it.

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Celticrightcross@reddit

Not sure when the stopped making them off the top of my head, but I’m gonna go ahead and throw the Honda Prelude out there. 12k should get you a pretty spiffy, well taken care of specimen if you can find it.

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bluejay1185@reddit

A great car with a big fan base. Fun to drive

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highlanderfil@reddit

And literally impossible to find not beat 9/10ths to shit.

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Celticrightcross@reddit

I had an ‘84 when I was young, it was great fun indeed! Always loved what they did with the last generation, too. Such a looker.

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Shadowfeaux@reddit

I think you meant 2012 or newer. Lol

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RealSignificance8877@reddit

Or does she mean newer.

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Eastern-Channel-6842@reddit

She meant newer. She said it both ways but she means 2012 or newer.

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DegreeAcceptable837@reddit

they stopped making cool cars by 2012, u can get maybe a mini van

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ApprehensiveAd6603@reddit

Maybe a SUPER high mileage BRZ lol

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RealSignificance8877@reddit

Is it not older than 2012

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allmightylemon_@reddit

You can get a 2015+ ford fiesta ST for that price. Insanely fun car. 1.6L turbo. Huge mod community. Very reliable. You can mod them to make 300+ hp and still get 30+ mpg. Watch some videos on them. They are a blast and I think they’re cool asf

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RealSignificance8877@reddit

An obs Chevy.

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experimentalengine@reddit

OBS as in GMT400? Older than 2012, doesn’t meet OP’s requirements

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Legitimate-Fly4797@reddit

C4 Corvette

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dubgeek@reddit

Volkswagen GTI

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kneedoorman@reddit

Hyundai Veloster: the three door design is funky, and it’s affordable in terms of payments and maintenance insurance

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arvint1@reddit

If you can drive stick or want to learn stick, I would highly rec a Mazdaspeed 3. SUPER fun to drive, under the radar, yet can fit friends and so much stuff in the trunk to boot. Make sure the car is not modded and driven into the dirt, if so, car is reliable and super fun to drive. Have had mine for 6 years now and have 167k on it, all i've done is just the usual maintenance like oil changes/fluid changes/spark plugs and tires. If stick is a no no, regular mazda 3's are still a good buy! I personally have a gen one as I LOVE the looks, I never liked the gen 2's looks but its growing on me, but both are great.

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Dry-Discipline-2525@reddit

Later S197 Mustang. the V6's will be well within your budget and have that classic mustang styling with respectable power. The GTs will be at the high end your budget and the nicer ones will be closer to $15-20k but if you can find one in the right range, those are super sweet

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