BMW E30s are fouling their injectors and rear-drive Corollas are rusting away. Luckily, Jalopnik readers know ten post-2002 cars that you'll be able to pick up as a replacement for your tired hoonmobile in a few years.
Welcome back to Answers of the Day — our daily Jalopnik feature where we take the best ten responses from the previous day's Question of the Day and shine it up to show off. It's by you and for you, the Jalopnik readers. Enjoy!
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Photo Credit: Otis Blank
10.) Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Suggested By: rhodesianman
Why it's great: The Genesis Coupe is basically what you wanted the Hyundai Tiburon to be from the get-go. It's not too fancy, it's got a bargain price, it's easy to own, and it handles well. Of course, the Genesis Coupe has rear-wheel-drive to seal the performance deal. The 2.0T models are lighter and, we think, more tunable.
Photo Credit: emotionengine
9.) Mini
Suggested By: tomtom615- Formula J's Isuzu Hater
Why it's great: The Mini isn't the fastest car around, and it will only get slower as the years go by, but it's got a good badge, good looks, and again, good handling. Pocket rockets FTW.
Photo Credit: CHUCKage
8.) Scion TC
Suggested By: Viperfan1
Why it's great: The tuner community has already recognized the TC as a light two-door that comes with a manual and is pretty damn cheap. You get a little bit of styling and a great deal of modification potential in a reliable package. It's not a dream car by any stretch, but it's going to be a classic.
Photo Credit: Ben Chau
7.) VW GTI
Suggested By: rawtoast
Why it's great: VWs stole the tuning thunder from Honda a while ago and remain some of the coolest cheap cars that people can find. When Mk V and later GTIs come down in price, they'll be a perfect match for kids who don't want to spend too much, but still want to keep the appearance of wealth and taste.
Photo Credit: Alex Ridgway
6.) BMW 1er
Suggested By: SennaMP4
Why it's great: It's like the Mini and the GTI, only turned up a notch on the premium and desirability scale. It's more expensive and complicated and cramped than those cars, but it's rear-wheel-drive, it has the best name of the three, and there's plenty of tuning potential. Of course it will take longer before the price drops to reasonable levels.
Photo Credit: Elan Shi
5.) Mazda2
Suggested By: Demon-Xanth
Why it's great: You could substitute this entry with a first generation Ford Focus, or a Ford Fiesta, or a Honda Fit, or maybe a Kia Rio if you'd like. Basically, any of the current crop of fine-driving small econoboxes are going to be future gearhead classics. They're easy to buy and easy to upgrade and fun to drive. It's not rocket science.
Photo Credit: NoWin
4.) Bugeye Subaru WRX
Suggested By: Turbowagon
Why it's great: These bugeye Imprezas have not yet totally fallen into the range of complete cheap-ass budgets, but give them a few years and they'll all be scratched, a bit dented, and affordable. They'll all be waiting for some kid to buy them and fix them up to their junior rally standards.
Photo Credit: Patrick Herbert
3.) Nissan 350Z
Suggested By: rawtoast
Why it's great: Most kids today grew up in small Japanese cars. To them, the 350Z will just make sense. It's reasonably practical, it has a reputation for reliability, and no one will question you for driving it. Most importantly, though, is that it's a solid performance car at a reasonable price
Photo Credit: bio84
2.) Ford Mustang
Suggested By: skinnayyy
Why it's great: There are two cars we can be talking about here: there are the last generation of Mustangs before they went all retro in 2005, and then there are the post '05 cars. Both of them follow the same premise: they're cheap to buy, cheap to upgrade, and they offer the most speed for their price.
They're so much more common and easy to maintain than any GM Camarobird, as well.
Photo Credit: Andreas Levers
1.) Mazda Miata
Suggested By: Nibby4WD
Why it's great: If you're working a crap job and you don't have much money, but you still want something fun with two seats, you can't really do better than the ubiquitous Miata. They're excellent to drive and they're easy to maintain. If you want, there's plenty of room for upgrades. It is, and will still be the king.
Photo Credit: Kevin Cheng