Buying a car is one of the major milestones in a person’s life next to getting married and buying a house. A car is a long term investment that is why you have to invest wisely. A car is around for a long time, so you need to make sure that the car you get for yourself and/or your family ticks all the boxes in your wishlist including its performance, car warranty,
and comfort. However, wanting the best also means expecting a lofty price.

Whether you want to have the best hot hatch or whether you are aiming for a precision rear-wheel-drive coupe, here are some cars that will give you the best value at a reasonable price.

The Best Affordable Cars Under $40k

1. Ford Fiesta ST

The Fiesta ST is a hot hatch offers 134kW of front-wheel drive excitement on its normal mode and 147kW on over-boost. It is only available in manual only, but there are now upgrades available should you need any changes. Also, the ST 200 version will be available soon if you need a more powerful variation.

2. Citroen DS 3

If you are looking for a car that has more of a French-style to it, then you may want to check out the Citroen DS 3. This car competes with the Mini Cooper and Audi A1 which says a lot about this baby. The DS 3 gives an ample amount of flexibility when it comes to customisation options, and it has a gutsy 121kW turbo engine that makes use of the stop-start technology for extra efficiency. At its price, this luxury car is a steal.

3. Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo

The Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo is sporty and it will help you stand out. Its appearance is not the only impressive trait of this bad boy. Its performance on the road is outstanding too– offering up to 150kW. If you are planning to buy the manual, then you can get it at around $30k. Hyundai also offers different paint options, unique designs, treatment and local chassis tuning.

4. Renault Clio RS

Renault has stepped up its game on its perennial sport hatch, with up to 162kW and 280Nm. The Clio RS may feel a little different from the old-school Renault cars, but it is for the sake of innovation and comfort. You can expect 0-100km/h times of around 6.6 seconds.

5. Subaru WRX

You might have already heard of the Subaru WRX. It created quite a buzz back in the ’90s due to its quick point-to-point missile. The latest generation of this model has reclaimed that lost glory by offering a powerful 197kW boxer four. It is easy on the eyes with its grip, excellent steering, and excellently bolstered seats which give the car a more premium interior.

6. Toyota 86

The Toyota 86 is known for being the drift legend of the ‘80s which made it popular all over the world. It is now revived and made even better. Although it is not particularly powerful, its flat-four engine and sheer mechanical balance mean that its cornering and drifting ability is on par and even better than cars twice its price.

7. Mazda MX-5

The Mazda MX-5 has all the right elements for a sports car, whether in 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre guise. Each variation of this car offers outstanding steering, response and an incredible sense of connection between the driveline and chassis. It is very comfortable and is perfect for long drives. However, this car only has two seats which may be impractical for some.

8. Volkswagen Polo GTI

The Volkswagen Polo GTI has been upgraded to a 1.8-litre turbo engine, of 141kW and 320Nm tune. This means that its performance puts it at the pointy end of the segment. 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds. It is undeniably exceptional. On top of that, it has five doors and an amazing interior in tartan seats.

9. Mini Cooper

Mini Cooper is a popular model and it continues to be the fun and cutesy car that everybody knows and love in its revived version. The engine is a 1.5-litre triple that develops 100kW and 220Nm. It has 5.3L/100km economy and a BMW-derived chassis. You simply cannot beat it when it comes to style and flair.

10. BMW 1 Series

You can get the BMW 1 Series in a slick and direct six-speed manual or ultra-high-tech eight-speed automatic. It offers both 100kW and 220Nm. Both versions have enough power to maximise the use of the rear-wheel-drive package with exceptional balance and clean, smooth steering. On top of that, the Eco Pro mode has an official average of only 5.2L/100km.