When you think of used cars, the first thing that comes to mind might be an undesirable two-year old SUV with a bargain price tag. While 2018 Kia Sorentos and 2019 Honda Civics may take up the bulk of your local CarMax listings, there's still a healthy number of unique and enjoyable cars that won't break the bank. This list sums up fifteen cars, most of them being discontinued, that will put a smile on your face while turning heads...without surpassing the $25K mark.

(1: Buick Cascada

The Buick Cascada was probably the most interesting Buick model to this day. It was the first convertible Buick in more than a decade, made in Poland, and designed by German automaker Opel. Its quick demise was due to slow sales, mostly because no one knew about it. The Cascada was the last fun car from Buick, from its funky design to the smooth, relaxed ride. It really is a laid back droptop, cruising from zero to sixty in a mere 8.3 seconds despite packing 200 horses. From our findings, the average nationwide price for a Cascada would be about $23,000. It may not be a Regal GS without a roof, but we think its overall uniqueness makes for a fun ride that brings thrilling weekend drives.

(2: Volkswagen Beetle

We all remember when Volkswagen announced that they were pulling the plug on their iconic Beetle hatchback last year, but that doesn't mean you won't find tons of used models for sale. Based on nationwide listings, we're estimating that the average price for a third-generation Beetle reaches around $20,000. Even the more desirable models, like the rugged Beetle Dune, won't even touch $25,000 in most cases. What makes the Beetle so fun, anyway? Well, the cute design is an obvious reason, but who doesn't want to zip around with a 174-hp turbo four sitting in the engine bay? It only gets more fun with the top off on the convertible variant.

(3: Honda Civic Si Coupe

The Honda Civic Si is a fun car on its own, but things get even better when you choose the two-door door variant. Its 1.6 liter 4-cylinder packs 205 horsepower, and is paired a standard manual (you heard that right). The Si Coupe is a true enthusiast's car, while also keeping the sedan's practical side. This Si surpasses non-performance cars in terms of fuel efficiency, with a rating of 26 city / 36 highway. Additionally, this Honda's trunk volume measures about 11.9 cubic feet, thanks to the lack of rear seats. Further sweetening the deal is major depreciation, since the Civic Coupe is no longer offered by Honda. Adding to that is the newly redesigned 2022 Civic, which means that this older generation can be had for around $20,000 or $25,000.

(4: Porsche 911 (996)

The iconic Porsche 911 sports car may cost $100 grand when new, but you may be surprised that used examples of 996 generation (1997-2005) are selling for much less than you'd expect, even during the chip shortage. The majority of these 996 911s are selling for $23,000, but if you want one for that price, avoid the sportier GT3 and Turbo models. All other 911 models, including the Cabriolet and Targa, retain shockingly affordable prices. If you opt for a manual transmission, the price could dip as low as $20,000.

(5: Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice

This coupe and convertible duo comes from GM's two now-defunct brands, Saturn and Pontiac. They served as smaller, cheaper alternatives to Chevrolet's Camaro and Cadillac's XLR. But, unlike the Pontiac Solstice, the Saturn Sky was only available in convertible guise, while the former was available with both body styles. Both the Sky and Solstice top out at 260 horsepower over the standard 173 horses, and run on a 2.0 liter fur-cylinders engine. More expensive models with over 200 hp came with slightly more powerful 2.4 liter units. If the 5-speed automatic isn't good enough for you, they also offer 5-speed stick shifts. Since the Pontiac and Saturn are identical, with the exception of their designs, you could find either one listed for about $12,000.