Ten Cars Better Than Their More Expensive Siblings

Top price doesn't always mean top of the barrel. Plenty of times, better, more fun cars can be had for less than their top-of-the-range counterparts. Yesterday, you answered our call for examples; here are the top ten.

Welcome back to Answers of the Day — our Jalopnik summer 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!

10.) Ford Ranger

Suggested By: Hipster Kitty

Why It's Better: On average, Ford sells about a bajillion F-150's a year because most folks like the bigger, heavier, more comfortable F-150. Understandable, but Ford still sells a ton of Rangers despite its age because for many people a smaller, cheaper, lighter duty pickup is a better choice. It's a shame that we won't be getting any new examples here in the United States.

9.) Cadillac CTS

Suggested By: killernoodle

Why It's Better: Most folks under 70 don't even know the CTS' older brother, the STS, exists. While the STS may be bigger and more luxurious, it's also heavier and more expensive. For folks whose memberships to AARP are still a few years off, the CTS just does a better job stirring up excitement.

8.) Chevrolet Biscayne 409

Suggested By: doug-g

Why It's Better: The Biscayne was Chevrolet's no-frills cheapo car that slotted in below the Bel Air and Impala in the lineup. Buyers would have to roll their own windows and turn their steering wheel without any assist, but it was worth it because the complete selection of engine and transmission combinations offered by the General were available to them, turning the Biscayne into a sleeper Bisquick. Out on New York's Long Island, hot rodders Baldwin Chevrolet were notorious for turning stock-looking Biscaynes into drag-eating monsters.

Photo credit: Super Chevy

7.) 2005 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Suggested By: LuckyChuck

Why It's Better: Sure, the R32 is more exclusive and a little quicker than the GTI, but there's a host of reasons you may want to hold off writing that check and walking down to your local Vee-Dub dealer. First off, try to find one; R32's were made in limited numbers, though have held their value. But when it comes to value for money, the nearly $10,000-less GTI provides 90 percent of the performance. And it just looks cooler.

Photo credit: European Car

6.) BMW M3

Suggested By: snap_understeer_ftw

Why It's Better: Most people look at the bigger engine and higher horsepower ratings of the M5 and start drooling, but the lighter and more agile M3 is where it's at. The M5 is like a large tour bus compared to the lithe M3 that sits under it, waiting to pounce.

5.) Lotus Elise

Suggested By: moefosho

Why It's Better: The mere existence of the bigger, softer Evora makes the less powerful, spartan Elise seem like a breath of fresh air. The cars come from different worlds, but since the Evora's not quite good enough to beat the cheaper Porsche Cayman, there's no reason to spend the extra scratch. If you're looking to have more fun per square foot, the Elise is only the way to go.

4.) Ferrari 458 Italia

Suggested By: yoda2

Why It's Better: Does anybody even look at the 599 anymore? And the Ferrari FF? Who's kidding who, here, Mr. All-Wheel-Drive Ferrari Station Wagon. Anyway, who needs those extra four cylinders when the alternative is this pretty and performs this well.

Photo credit: RuffWire

3.) Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Suggested By: littlephiish

Why It's Better: Taking Aston's biggest engine and shoehorning it into their smallest car may have seemed like a silly idea. But when the resulting car was that good, it's a surprise no one thought of doing it earlier. Now though, the DB9-and-up part of their roster suffers from 599 Fiorano Syndrome. Who needs that extra price tag when the tight sexiness of the Vantage can be had with massive power, brilliant cornering control from a shorter wheelbase and a not-as-massive (relatively speaking) price tag?

Photo credit: Youtube

2.) Honda Fit

Suggested By: Sam I

Why It's Better: I'm gonna let Sam I take the reins here, because the rationale they posted is pretty to-the-point:

"The Honda Fit is a fantastic small car, and performs best with the throttle at like 85%. Seriously, faster with less gas. It's SO good that Honda is killing Civic sales in Japan because the Fit (Jazz) is more popular."

Add that to the increase in price from Fit to Insight and decrease in interior room, and you'd be crazy not to go for the Fit.

1.) Ford Mustang LX

Suggested By: snapoversteer

Why It's Better: Continuing our day's theme, most uneducated buyers went for the Mustang GT's badges and trim packages, while the educated customer checked the box for the LX-level car. The same 5.0 engine could be dropped in the bay up front, and the same fools who didn't know what they were getting into could be dispatched with at traffic light drag races. The LX was the smart, sleeper option. Notchback = extra credit.

Photo credit: Car Gurus