There have been quite a few exciting cars coming onto the market in the past few years. Some of the boom comes from the EPA's push to improve fuel economy standards, and emissions which has led to the widespread use of turbochargers in so many vehicles. The rest of the push comes from a more enthusiastic buyer base, which demands some sort of sportiness in their daily driver. The result has been showrooms full of cars that could probably outpace their counterparts 10 short years ago. This list helps to highlight some of the best 2015 Model Year vehicles you can buy for the money for under $30,000. Somewhere between $20-30k could land you some serious punch. There are some other great cars that could have made this list had we set the price tag higher, but we wanted to set it at $30,000 since that seems to not be too far out of reach for most enthusiasts.
The 2015 WRX should come as no surprise to this list, since the turbocharged sedan has been inspiring the tuner crowds for over a decade in the US. This brand new model boasts an all-new 2.0L boxer engine featuring a direct injection fuel system and a twin-scroll turbo charger to name a few. Pair that up to a new 6-speed manual transmission, and you will have performance to make nearly any sports car blush around a track.
For a base model WRX, you can expect to pay around $27,000, which isn't all that bad in today's expanding car market. For all of that money you get just enough standard equipment to keep the average 20-something satisfied, and plenty of low end torque. If you want to spend the whole $30,000 you could upgrade to the mid-level model, but the top-of-the-line Limited will be out of your budget. They are all equally fast, so it really just matters if you care about stereo, moon roof, fog lights, etc. The WRX will launch from 0-60mph anywhere between 4.8-5.3 seconds on a good day depending on the driver. It delivers tons of throttle response and lots of low and mid level torque, but the upper RPM range feels to be lacking some oomph by comparison.
The All-new 2015 Ford Mustang Ecoboost is not just a new bodystyle, it's an all new engine option. The 2.3L Ecoboost is a direct injected 4-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger. The engine block also sports a less common compacted graphite iron reinforced block, which should allow it to work severe duty with minimal warping and cracking. The Ecoboost Mustang is also by far the most powerful car on this list, and also the fastest in the 1/4 mile. There are some reports of Ecoboost Mustangs with little more than re-tuned ECMs running the 1/4 mile in the low 12 seconds range. You will not find another car on this list with the same capability in the 1/4 mile for such a cheap investment.
If you are looking for a bare bones Ecoboost Mustang, you could spend around $26,000, but it is highly recommended to opt for the Ecoboost Performance Package. The price will ring in right around $28,000 but you will gain options like a larger capacity radiator, better brakes, shocks, sway bars, performance tuned stability control, and black wheels wrapped in high grip tires. The investment is well worth the extra cash, and saves the need to buy so many aftermarket parts down the road. Additionally, the larger radiator will help when you go beating around on the throttle on those hotter days.
Ford hits the list with another excellent car. So many people would not be thinking high performance when they think of the Ford Focus, but the ST model is nothing like its brothers. The ST model is powered by a 2.0L direct injected, twin-scroll turbocharged 4 cylinder. Mated up to a 6-speed FWD transmission, this car has plenty of power. It ranks in right below the WRX in terms of horsepower and edges the WRX out just a little in torque. This car lacks the enraged burst from 0-60mph that the WRX is capable of, partly due to being FWD instead of AWD, and also because of the disappointingly low red line on the tachometer.
Once the ST gets moving however, it is a force to be reckoned with. The Ford Focus ST has been slightly re-designed for 2015, with better looking front and rear ends, as well as a revised suspension setup that will help it stay even more planted around corners. This is one of those cars that didn't need too many improvements in the first place, so it is nice to see that Ford did a little bit more than just swapping out the sheet metal, errr plastic.
The 2015 Mini Cooper S is always a good choice. It is never that fast in timed testing, but it feels like it is so much faster when you get behind the wheel. It also seems to carve corners like you are in a go-kart and has a connected-to-the-road kind of feel that rivals the WRX. If it only had a little bit more get up and go it would probably rank higher in this list.
The Mini Cooper is more than just a tiny gimmick car. The Cooper S has a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that delivers just enough power to keep you in the game. There are tons of customizable features to the Mini, which is appealing to so many owners. It's funky and its fun, but it's just not fast. Great around corners, and average from a stop light. Either way, they are fun to drive and will last for many years to come.
Yep, another Ford and that's a good thing. Ford seems to be listening to their customers' demands and are releasing one performance model after another. The Ford Fiesta ST is not to be confused with its larger stable mate, the Focus. Even though they both wear the ST badge, they are not powered by the same engine. The Fiesta ST is a little bit more budget minded, as it is the cheapest car to make this list. This car is powered by a 1.6L direct injected 4 cylinder with a twin-scroll turbocharger. The lack of displacement keeps the car from being able to keep pace with the others on this list, but it really is worth the drive.
For just around $23,000 you could proudly drive this car to work in gridlock traffic, and then attend some track events on weekends. It's got a great suspension for a FWD compact, and it has a good revving engine. The Fiesta seems to be an underdog, but it has lots of potential. With some aftermarket upgrades, this car could really be a contender, and it should leave some cash in your wallet for just that.
The Subaru WRX has always been a fun car to drive, but now its leaps ahead of where it left off last year. (Image from Subaru.com)
#1: 2015 Subaru WRXThe 2015 WRX should come as no surprise to this list, since the turbocharged sedan has been inspiring the tuner crowds for over a decade in the US. This brand new model boasts an all-new 2.0L boxer engine featuring a direct injection fuel system and a twin-scroll turbo charger to name a few. Pair that up to a new 6-speed manual transmission, and you will have performance to make nearly any sports car blush around a track.
For a base model WRX, you can expect to pay around $27,000, which isn't all that bad in today's expanding car market. For all of that money you get just enough standard equipment to keep the average 20-something satisfied, and plenty of low end torque. If you want to spend the whole $30,000 you could upgrade to the mid-level model, but the top-of-the-line Limited will be out of your budget. They are all equally fast, so it really just matters if you care about stereo, moon roof, fog lights, etc. The WRX will launch from 0-60mph anywhere between 4.8-5.3 seconds on a good day depending on the driver. It delivers tons of throttle response and lots of low and mid level torque, but the upper RPM range feels to be lacking some oomph by comparison.
The 2015 Ecoboost Mustang is a straight-line rocket ship. Lots of boost gets pushed through that 2.3L to make this a great car to own. (Image from Ford.com)
#2: 2015 Mustang EcoboostThe All-new 2015 Ford Mustang Ecoboost is not just a new bodystyle, it's an all new engine option. The 2.3L Ecoboost is a direct injected 4-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger. The engine block also sports a less common compacted graphite iron reinforced block, which should allow it to work severe duty with minimal warping and cracking. The Ecoboost Mustang is also by far the most powerful car on this list, and also the fastest in the 1/4 mile. There are some reports of Ecoboost Mustangs with little more than re-tuned ECMs running the 1/4 mile in the low 12 seconds range. You will not find another car on this list with the same capability in the 1/4 mile for such a cheap investment.
If you are looking for a bare bones Ecoboost Mustang, you could spend around $26,000, but it is highly recommended to opt for the Ecoboost Performance Package. The price will ring in right around $28,000 but you will gain options like a larger capacity radiator, better brakes, shocks, sway bars, performance tuned stability control, and black wheels wrapped in high grip tires. The investment is well worth the extra cash, and saves the need to buy so many aftermarket parts down the road. Additionally, the larger radiator will help when you go beating around on the throttle on those hotter days.
The redesigned 2015 Focus ST finally brings the looks to back up its performance. (Image from Ford.com)
#3: Ford Focus STFord hits the list with another excellent car. So many people would not be thinking high performance when they think of the Ford Focus, but the ST model is nothing like its brothers. The ST model is powered by a 2.0L direct injected, twin-scroll turbocharged 4 cylinder. Mated up to a 6-speed FWD transmission, this car has plenty of power. It ranks in right below the WRX in terms of horsepower and edges the WRX out just a little in torque. This car lacks the enraged burst from 0-60mph that the WRX is capable of, partly due to being FWD instead of AWD, and also because of the disappointingly low red line on the tachometer.
Once the ST gets moving however, it is a force to be reckoned with. The Ford Focus ST has been slightly re-designed for 2015, with better looking front and rear ends, as well as a revised suspension setup that will help it stay even more planted around corners. This is one of those cars that didn't need too many improvements in the first place, so it is nice to see that Ford did a little bit more than just swapping out the sheet metal, errr plastic.
The 2015 Mini Cooper S is always a classic. It's fun enough to drive every day, and always rewarding behind the wheel. (Image from Mini)
#4 Mini Cooper SThe 2015 Mini Cooper S is always a good choice. It is never that fast in timed testing, but it feels like it is so much faster when you get behind the wheel. It also seems to carve corners like you are in a go-kart and has a connected-to-the-road kind of feel that rivals the WRX. If it only had a little bit more get up and go it would probably rank higher in this list.
The Mini Cooper is more than just a tiny gimmick car. The Cooper S has a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that delivers just enough power to keep you in the game. There are tons of customizable features to the Mini, which is appealing to so many owners. It's funky and its fun, but it's just not fast. Great around corners, and average from a stop light. Either way, they are fun to drive and will last for many years to come.
The 2015 Fiesta ST is a wild ride. Just barely edging over the $20,000 mark this is a lot of thrill for the money. (Image from Ford.com)
#5 Ford Fiesta STYep, another Ford and that's a good thing. Ford seems to be listening to their customers' demands and are releasing one performance model after another. The Ford Fiesta ST is not to be confused with its larger stable mate, the Focus. Even though they both wear the ST badge, they are not powered by the same engine. The Fiesta ST is a little bit more budget minded, as it is the cheapest car to make this list. This car is powered by a 1.6L direct injected 4 cylinder with a twin-scroll turbocharger. The lack of displacement keeps the car from being able to keep pace with the others on this list, but it really is worth the drive.
For just around $23,000 you could proudly drive this car to work in gridlock traffic, and then attend some track events on weekends. It's got a great suspension for a FWD compact, and it has a good revving engine. The Fiesta seems to be an underdog, but it has lots of potential. With some aftermarket upgrades, this car could really be a contender, and it should leave some cash in your wallet for just that.
2015's Top 5 Turbocharged Cars Under $30,000: Performance With A Boost.
Spark It Up
2015€™s Top 5 Turbocharged Cars Under $30,000: Performance With A Boost.
4/
5
Oleh
Unknown
thanks for commenting !!!