**Top 4 Bargain Cars for Performance and Style**

Are you on a budget but still want a car that handles like a dream? Look no further! After careful consideration, I've narrowed down my list to the top 4 bargain cars that offer incredible performance and style.

**1. V Dub (Volkswagen Dub) - A Rare Find**

My first pick is the Volkswagen Dub, a car that's known for its electrical issues, but don't let that scare you off! I know from personal experience that owning one can be a thrill ride. The engine sounds great, runs super strong, and handling like a go-kart makes it an instant friend to every other Dubber out there.

**2. Porsche Boxter S - A Mid-Engine Marvel**

Coming in second is the Porsche Boxter S, a car that's not only affordable (you can buy one for under $10k) but also offers incredible mid-engine handling characteristics. While it may not be the best-looking Porsche, with the right modifications (hard top, roll cage, and rear wing), it'll look like a beast on the track.

**3. EK Civic Hatchback - A Hot Hatch That's Hard to Beat**

In third place is the EK Civic hatchback, a car that's lightweight, nimble, and packed with performance potential. If you drop $10k into one of these, you'll have a fast little fart can on your hands! Plus, parts are cheap, upgrades are vast, and engine swaps are endless.

**4. BMW E36 - A Bargain for Performance and Style**

Last but not least is the BMW E36, a car that's finally being recognized as one of the best bargains for performance and style you can buy. While I didn't say M3 (good luck finding one under $10k), the 325 or 328 models are readily available for under $3k, leaving plenty of room for modifications to take it to the next level.

**Honorable Mentions**

If these top 4 didn't make the cut, here are three more honorable mentions: Mini Cooper S, Toyota MR2, and Nissan 300ZX. Remember, when searching for the right car, patience, persistence, and research are key. Try to stay away from red flags like salvage titles, high mileage, rust, and automatics.

**Watch Our Video**

If you want to see a sweet video where we actually buy an E36, click here to watch that and find out all the tips you need to know before buying a car. We have new shows every day of the week, so be sure to check them out!

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- Whether youneed to carve some canyons,hit up a track day, learn to drift,or just have fun on a daily basis,you're gonna need topick a weapon of choice.This week I'm covering thebest project cars you can buy,maintain, and customize for under $10,000.With 10k in the bank, you can buyany of these cars at any commitment level.You can start cheap andcustomize, or you canfind one in great shapethat's ready to rip.I'm starting off my listwith the Audi S4 B5.You can find these from anywherebetween 4500 to 6500 buckswhich gives you some room for repairsand some simple modifications likesuspension, wheels, brakes, tires.The key word here, repairs.Because the bi-turbo V6 is pretty complex,and replacing the timing beltevery 80k can get pretty hairy.However, if you're up for the challengeyou can tune this motor to dosome really incredible things.And you'll have a great looking carthat has street cred as an M3 killer.Ready for any canyonroad, track day, car showregardless of if it's snowing,raining, or in the middle of nowhere.If you're nervous about repairslike any sane person would be,then you can always save aton of cash and headachesby going with a 1.8T model A4.Those engines are prettyreliable, they're easy to fix,and they make some pretty good powerwith a tune and some bolt-ons.And you still get that look and feelof a quality German sports car.And if you're extra practical,they make both in a wagon.And since we're talkingdollar signs and not euros,I have to bring up the Fox Body Mustang.It's been gainingpopularity over the yearsand that's reflected bythe expensive listingsI've stumbled uponwhile doing my research.You can still find themfor around 2800 bucks,but you know that car isgoing to need a lot of love.Once you get inside that hunk of junkand burn some gas with thatobnoxious low revving V8,you're going to forget all thatmismatched paint and the missing bumper.However, if you have a little patience,you can find a legitexample for around $7,000.I'm talking murdered out,tuxedo black, legit-ness.Ready To turn tight ones in Oakland, CAand then dip out on the 580.Okay, not everyone has aburning need for speed.Some people just want a respectable carthat looks good, isreliable, and drives great.If that's the case thenthe 190E Mercedes-Benzcould be the car for you.There's a bunch of models to choose from.Depending on what you're into,and how much you're into it.The cream of the crop beingthe 190E 2.3 liter 16 valve Cosworth.The 190E was a legend in the golden eraof German touring car racing.And because the Cosworth was the modelwith the most history behind it,you're gonna have to do somedigging to find one under 10k.But the other modelsstill carry that flairand they were built like bricks.That means they don't break down.And they look like bricks.If you want a car that can commute to workand look good doing it,you can't go wrong here.That being said, you can pick upless desirable modelsall day for under 3k.Slap on some bags, somethree piece wheels,and you'll have an automaticpass into any car club.Otherwise, keep that baby stockand reap all the benefitsof a wise choice.The second generation Mazda RX-7, the FC,is on its way to becoming acollector's car for enthusiasts.It's a Japanese versionof the Porsche 944.Which is also an under $10,000,but it's not on this list.The rotary engine is not knownfor being super reliable,but it is know for sounding great,being lightweight, andpacking plenty of power.You can find them anywhere between 3kfor a car that needs alittle love all the way upto 10k for a car in great shape.And if a driving experienceis what you're after,that's what you gonna get with the FC.With 50/50 weight distributionand a dynamic tracking suspension system,which is sort of like the 80's versionof four wheel steering, you'll getthat heavenly connection with the carand the road that manycars cannot provide.And trust me, that feelingmakes everything worth it.Just make sure you leave some moneyin the bank because this car will break.The Corrado VR6, a unicorn hatchbackregarded as the poor man's Porsche.That's because it wasfaster out of the factorythat the Porsche 944 I mentioned earlier.Plus, it's got thissweet mechanical spoilerthat pops up when you hit 45 mph.The Corrado VR6 is becomingincreasingly rare and hard to find.And the prices reflectits collectible status.That being said, you canstill find a good onefor around 6 1/2k with alittle bit of patience.And all you really needis a nice set of coiloversto give it that aggressivelook and performance.But, don't expect thatspoiler to work for too long.Because the Corrados areknown for electrical issues.I know because I owned one.And even though I have a scar on my backfrom a malfunctioningelectrical seat belt hook,I still wish I never sold it.It handles like a go-kart,the engine sounds greatand runs super strong, andyou'll be instant friendswith every other dubber you meet.- V Dub for life dude.- Yo, V Dub.- Yeah.- My third best pick isthe Porsche Boxter S.Yes, that's right.You can own a Porsche for under 10kand it won't be a beater.It mike not be the best looking Porsche,but once you slap on ahard top with a roll cageand a rear wing, it all of asudden starts to look the part.Lots of guys race thesecars competitively.And they hang on the track with carsthat are twice as expensive.It's mid-engine so it has great handlingcharacteristics thatBoxter owners swear by.And you get that awesome soundthat is unmistakably Porsche.It's one of the newer cars that you canbuy at a bargain with low mileage.So it's pretty hard not torank it high on this list.Second place goes to everyone'sfavorite beginner car.The Mazda Miata.Lightweight, small, nimble,but they've been increasingin price and I would neverbe caught driving one.And since these are carsI'm recommending to buy,I'm taking it off and I'm replacing itwith the EK Civic hatchback.I've never owned one of these,but I've seen the performancepotential of these thingsand the EK is probablythe best looking model.If you drop 10k into a Civic hatch,you're gonna have onefast little fart can.Parts are cheap, upgrades are vast,and engine swaps are endless.Plus, it's super light.That means you can drag race it.Give people whiplash whiledriving past any boba shop.And if you got theskills you might be ableto keep up with those rich noobsin their Nissan GT-Rs at the track.Just saying.Last but not least the BMW E36is finally being recognized by meas the best bargain forperformance and style you can buy.Note that I did not say M3.Good luck finding one of thosefor under 10k that doesn't needanother 5k in repairs orpreventative maintenance.But you can easily find a325 or 328 for under 3k.Which leaves you plentyof room for modificationsto take this car to the next level.As in M3 level.Say you start with a 325is.You can pick up an M3 enginefor about 2 to 3,000 bucks.And it's a straight upplug and play engine swap.That's right.The engine bolts right on to theexisting five speed transmission.And the wiring harnessliterally plugs right in.It does not get any easier than that.And boom.You've got a lightweightM3 for half the moneythat lets you rip up canyon roads,take it to the track,enter rear-wheel driverally competitions, drift,you can do whatever you want.You can even pick up a chick for a dateand still look good doing it.They're easy to find, easy to work on,and they're easy on the eyes.Even if you don't swap the engine,if you lower the car andslap on some meaty tires,you're gonna have a lot of fun.Again I know, because I used to own one.Not gonna lie, I'm a little biased.But, there's a reason you're seeingthese cars more and more.That's my list.And believe me, it could be a lot longer.So if you have any other recommendations,let us know in the comments.That way, anyone currently searchingfor ideas can weight their options.I can think of three more right now.Mini Cooper S, Toyota MR2, 300ZX.Just remember, do your research.The key to finding the right car ispatience, persistence, and research.Don't be afraid to walk awayfrom the first car you check out.And most importantly, try to stay awayfrom red flags like salvage titles,high mileage, rust, and automatics.Me and Pumfrey made a sweet video wherewe actually buy an E36.Click right here to watch thatand find out all the tips you needto know before you actually buy a car.We got new shows every day of the week.We've got Wheelhouse with Nolan on Monday.You got Field Prep with thepro drifter Matt Field on Tuesdays.You've got science garagewith Bart every Wednesday.Up to Speeds on Thursday, you know that.And the best show, with thebestest, with me every Friday.It's all Donut, it's allfamily, it's all the time.See you next time.