Thinking about buying a new car? Before you make any hasty decisions, take a step back and look at the big picture. As of January 2025, Kelley Blue Book reports the average new car sells for $49,740. That’s a serious chunk of change — especially when you could get a high-quality used car for cheaper and skip the instant depreciation hit.

To help you find the best deals, we’ve ranked great used cars from cheapest to most expensive, all under $50,000, using average list prices sourced from Kelley Blue Book. Whether you need a daily driver, a sports car, or an off-road beast, there’s something here for you.

2019 Volkswagen Golf R – $28,048

Volkswagen claims the stick shift Golf 7.5 R runs from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, and the DSG-fitted examples in 4.9 seconds. That’s possible thanks to its 288-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged EA888 engine and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

The Golf R blends luxury, performance, and practicality into one compact package. With a plush cabin that fits five adults with their luggage, it’s one of the best fast daily drivers you can buy for under $30K. Typically, well-kept examples sell for around $28,000.

2014 Audi RS 7 Sportback – $29,792

If you prefer a luxurious, high-performance sedan, the first-gen Audi RS 7 is one of the best German sleeper cars money can buy. With a 552-hp twin-turbo V8, a rapid eight-speed automatic gearbox, and Quattro all-wheel-drive, it rockets from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. And don’t forget its timeless leather-wrapped interior.

There’s one catch, though. RepairPal reports annual repair and maintenance costs will run you $1,849 on average. But if you can stomach that, you’re getting a true powerhouse for around $30,000.

2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimted Rubicon – $30,311

If adventure is your priority, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon might be the perfect fit for you. And because modern Jeeps tend to drop in value harder than a rock falling from space, you can get behind the wheel of a 2019 model for just over $30,000.

The four-door Wrangler comes with heavy-duty axles, front and rear locking differentials, a two-speed transfer case, and beefy 33-inch all-terrain tires. Even if you just want to look rugged in the city, and skip the rock climbing, this Jeep will fit your need.

2020 BMW M340i – $36,598

Used BMWs have a reputation for being unreliable, but the G20-generation BMW M340i debunks that trend. Owners on Bimmerpost forums go as far as to claim that the 2020 BMW M340i is one of the most dependable BMWs they’ve ever owned. But I digress.

Under the hood of the M340i sits the famous B58 engine — a 382-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six. Coupled with xDrive, the M340i propels itself from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds while offering a luxurious, tech-filled cabin. As of writing this article,  the average example sells for $36,600.

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – $38,147

If your only priorities in life are golf and speed — while keeping your wallet alive and well — look none further than the C6-generation Corvette. Not just any old Vette, the LS7-powered Z06 model, of course.

Corvette Forum states the C6 Z06’s 7.0-liter V8 has 500 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque to play with, which allows it to reach a top speed of more than 190 mph. It might not be as luxurious as some of the other, newer cars, but it’s an incredible bargain considering its sub-$40,000 price tag.

2017 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 – $39,352

The Shelby GT350 takes everything great about a traditional Mustang and makes it even better. Instead of retaining a 5.0 cross-plane V8,  Ford put a 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V8 engine in the GT350 that had a reline of 8,250 rpm and produced 526 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque.

And since all 2017 GT350 models came standard with a massive spoiler and MagneRide damping system, it felt at home on a race track. Since it costs around $40,000 on average, it’s also one of the most affordable track-ready muscle cars on the market.

2018 BMW M2 – $40,063

If you want a true driver’s car, the BMW F87 M2 might be your heart’s ultimate desire. I will admit the M2 Competition is the faster car, and perhaps one of the most beautiful BMWs ever made, the Comp is also heavier and more refined than a base model M2 — things you don’t want in a driver-focused car.

The standard M2 keeps things raw and engaging, thanks to its turbocharged N55 straight-six and rear-wheel drive system — and if you[‘re lucky, six-speed manual. For $40,000, you get a car that’s less of a scalpel or more of a samurai sword.

2023 Honda Civic Type R – $43,487

The FL5 Honda Civic Type R ditches its boy-racer look for a more mature, refined design, inside and out. But don’t be fooled — the new Type R is just as serious as all its predecessors.

Honda kept the turbocharged 2.0-liter K20C1 four-cylinder from the previous-gen FK8 but upgraded it to produce 315 hp. And because Honda has a soft spot for enthusiasts, they only offer the new Type R with a 6-speed manual. These are pretty expensive, though, with a two-year-old model costing almost $43,500 on average.

2022 Ford Bronco Wildtrak – $44,848

The revived Ford Bronco Wildtrak is perfect for those who want off-road capability with modern amenities. It sticks to its predecessor’s eye-catching square design and comes with two or four doors — that are removable, of course. With a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 producing 330 hp and 410 lb-ft, Fox adaptive dampers, and 35-inch mud-terrain tires, it’s every bit as capable as the aforementioned Jeep, if not more. At $45,000, it’s pricier than a Wrangler but offers a more refined persona.

2016 Porsche Boxster GTS – $48,385

Some call the 718 Boxster a “poor man’s Porsche,” but they couldn’t be more wrong — especially in GTS spec. While the 911 has a rear-engined motor, the Boxster has its engine mounted in the middle to strive towards a perfect weight distribution. Instead of a flat-six, the GTS only had a turbo-four, but it puts out an impressive 361 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque and a 180-mph top speed.

Porsche offered the Boxster GTS with a manual or PDK automatic, and a wide range of performance goodies were standard, like the Sport Chrono Package and torque vectoring. Despite cheaper alternatives existing, the Boxster GTS is one of the most undervalued performance cars, with the average example listed at just over $48,000

There you have it — proof that you don’t need to spend $50,000 on a new car to drive something amazing.  Whether you want luxury, off-road capability, or raw speed, buying used is a smart financial move — especially when new cars still average around $49,740.