The Cars Jalopnik Readers Would Buy With a $20,000 Budget

With a $20,000 budget, Jalopnik readers don’t shop like normal buyers. They look for cars with personality reliable, fun to drive, and a little unconventional. These are the kinds of cars that appeal to enthusiasts who value driving feel, practicality, and long-term ownership over flashy badges.

honda civic

uh, the civic, right? like, if you’ve got about $15k to play with, you can actually get a decent one, 2018 or even 2019 if you’re lucky. honestly, it’s kinda boring, but like, in a good way? you know, you can drive it forever and it’ll still start. i remember my uncle’s old civic, smelled like stale coffee and burnt rubber, but man, it never quit. i kinda feel like if you want reliability, this is the one. but sometimes i think, is it too reliable? like, does it ever surprise you? probably not. (but hey, reliability is sexy in its own way, right?)

toyota corolla

so the corolla… $14k, maybe $15k for a newer one. it’s the same deal as the civic, really. reliable, safe, but honestly, sometimes i get sleepy just looking at it. i mean, i respect it, for sure. my first car was a corolla, and it survived my terrible driving and a few questionable shortcuts through fields. but the interior? smells like plastic and regret. and the infotainment? ugh, feels like a 2007 cell phone. but hey, if you want something that won’t break, this is it. (also, it’s like, the car your parents would approve of. which is weirdly comforting sometimes.)

mazda 3

this one’s actually kinda fun, right? $17k or so for a newer model. the way it drives… it’s like, actually fun. i drove one once, and it felt sporty, like it wanted to dance. the interior doesn’t smell like burnt toast, which is a plus. but the trunk’s kinda small, and if you’ve got, i dunno, four people and groceries, it gets tight. i kinda feel like mazda gets overlooked, but honestly, it’s got style. (and the steering wheel feels good in your hands, which is dumb, but also… not?)

subaru impreza

$15k for a newer impreza, and it’s got all-wheel drive. that’s the thing, right? you feel like you’re ready for anything, snow, mud, whatever. but the engine’s kinda weak, like, if you’re merging on the highway, you gotta floor it and hope. and the seats? sometimes they smell like wet dog, but that’s probably just my friend’s car. honestly, i like the idea of it more than the reality. but if you live somewhere cold, it’s not a bad pick. (also, the badge is cute. like, a little snowflake. weirdly charming.)

hyundai elantra

$14k, maybe $15k. the elantra’s… fine. it’s not exciting, but it’s not bad either. i kinda feel like it’s the car you buy when you want to save money but still feel like you’re driving something decent. the infotainment is okay, not great, but it works. and the ride? smooth, but sometimes too smooth, like it’s trying to put you to sleep. i remember driving one with my buddy, and we argued about music the whole time. (which says more about us than the car, i guess.)

kia forte

$15k, maybe a bit less. the forte’s… similar to the elantra, but somehow feels cheaper? not in a bad way, just… it’s like the budget version of everything. the steering feels light, almost too light. and the seats? sometimes they squeak. but honestly, for the price, it’s not bad. i kinda feel like it’s the car you buy when you’re broke but still want something that doesn’t feel like a death trap. (also, the warranty’s good. which is nice, but also makes me wonder… why do they need such a long warranty?)

volkswagen jetta

$18k for a newer jetta. it’s got that european feel, you know? the steering’s heavier, the ride’s a bit firmer. i kinda like that, but sometimes it feels like the car’s judging me for my life choices. the interior’s nice, smells like leather and… i don’t know, regret? but the infotainment’s actually pretty good. i drove one once, and it felt like it wanted to be a luxury car, but couldn’t quite afford it. (which is kinda relatable, honestly.)

mitsubishi mirage

$14k, maybe $15k. the mirage… it’s tiny. like, really tiny. i drove one once, and it felt like i was piloting a go-kart. the engine’s weak, but hey, it’s cheap and gets great gas mileage. sometimes i wonder, who actually buys this? but then i remember my cousin bought one, and she loves it. the seats smell like new plastic, and the ride’s bouncy, but it’s not a bad car if you’re just trying to get around. (also, it’s kinda cute. like, a little toy car. which is weird, because i’m not usually into cute cars.)

chevrolet cruze

$14k, maybe $15k. the cruze’s… well, it’s a chevrolet. it’s not flashy, but it’s not bad either. i kinda feel like it’s the car you buy when you want something American, but not too American. the interior’s okay, not great, but it works. and the ride? smooth, but sometimes too smooth. i remember driving one once, and the radio kept cutting out. (which is annoying, but also kinda funny in hindsight.)