Best cheap driver's cars to buy in 2025
Are you a petrolhead on a budget? Here are five fun and affordable cars you can buy for less than £15,000
There's a very large number of petrolheads worldwide who don't all have Ferrari and Porsche money to spend on their next fun sports car. In fact, luxury supercar owners make up less than 0.05% of British road users.
Thankfully, there's a whole range of impressive fun sports cars that are more accessible around the £15,000 mark, and we've selected some of the best driver's cars – you're welcome.
Top five fun driver's cars under £15,000:
Abarth 595
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When it comes to lots of performance in a small package, the Abarth 595 is the place to start.
It may be small but this Abarth pocket-rocket has a massive personality that harks back to the original 1960s version. Fun has always been at the heart of everything this plucky Italian car stands for.
Powered by a peppy 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 165hp in its most basic form, it's no slouch either – especially considering it weighs just 1,090kg.
Plus, sharing its underpinnings with the Fiat 500 means it's very familiar indeed.
Read our Abarth 595 review
Ford Fiesta ST
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'Long live the King' is a phrase hardcore Fiesta ST owners often say, but now – unfortunately – it's 'the King is dead' after Ford announced the demise of this small hatchback in 2023.
However sad it is, this is great news for used car buyers who want a piece of the Fiesta ST pie without forking out for a new one. With its unique personality and epic driving feel that can be likened to the iconic Renault Clio Renaultsport182, it's a surefire way to enjoy a car for less.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine in latter models, which offers great fuel efficiency and a healthy 200hp at the top of the rev range.
Read our Ford Fiesta ST review
BMW M140i
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Adding to the BMW 1 Series platform is the M140i – a sportier version with dual exhausts at the rear and a mean personality.
We'll admit that this breaks our £15k budget slightly, but it's a worthy mention if you want a proper M Performance BMW without paying for an M2, M3 or M4.
Sitting under the bonnet is a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine that produces a staggering 340hp, which means it rivals some cars sitting in the higher sports car bracket.
Saying that, it still competes well in its own league, offering a unique BMW steering and overall driving feel.
Read our BMW 1 Series review
Mazda MX-5
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If you enjoy driving but you're on a budget, one of the best cars you can buy is a Mazda MX-5, and this has been the case since the first-generation NA Miata launched in 1989.
With genuine sports car capabilities and the short-shifting manual gearbox to match, this two-seat convertible makes any average commute an absolute hoot.
Responsible for its raspy exhaust note is either a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 130hp and 180hp respectively.
Read our Mazda MX-5 review
Mini Cooper
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One of the most recognisable faces in the automotive industry – aside from Jeremy Clarkson – is the Mini Cooper.
This small British (now German-owned) hatchback has been on our roads since 1961, offering a fun driving experience on the road and throughout races, winning the famous Monte Carlo rally in 1964.
Its engine is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that's mated to either a manual or automatic gearbox and offers decent power for its capacity of 136hp.
Read our Mini Cooper review