Top 10 cool cars for under $10K

The choice of classy rides for the picky P-plater has never been so large

Several momentous events punctuate the lives of modern youth and right up there is signing on the line and driving away in a car you can call your own.

OK, so maybe a chunk of it is owned by a credit union, or there's a loan from mum or dad, however plenty of youthful car-buyers have been flipping burgers or stacking shelves for long enough to accumulate a decent swag of cash.

In preparing this list of out-there possibilities we've assumed that some newcomers to the car market will have access to around $10,000. In the currently crowded used market, that amount is going to buy a chunk of fairly interesting transport.

Conventional suggestions are that new drivers look for something light, basic and economical. However, in an age of rampant depreciation lots of prestigious and dynamically superior vehicles have become very affordable. In addition to quality engineering and luxury inclusions, these cars often incorporate safety devices that aren't available in recent but more basic models.

Assuming a market newcomer can lay hands on our notional $10K, an array of up-spec models becomes available. That array would be a good deal broader except for regulations in several Australian states that restrict P-plate access to larger-engined models or cars that are perceived to be 'high performance' -- often just because they have a turbo or supercharger. Rules also may not be consistent across the country and can change without generating a great deal of publicity.

It is therefore vital that before agreeing to buy a vehicle, P-platers check with transport authorities in the state or territory where they live to ensure the car of their dreams won't get them pulled over by the police and banned from driving it.

Next place to do some homework is the service counter at your nearest dealership or specialist repair shop. The experts there will generally be very open about what busts frequently or expensively on older models and how much the things cost to repair.

They might even help you to the bus stop once you recover from the shock, however it is better to find out now than when your new acquisition is haemorraging tranny fluid on the back of a tilt-tray.

Older prestige models will often come from well-to-do backgrounds and with full service histories. If you're not sure about a car's recent past be very wary and never buy something that has been repaired after a major crash.

Distance is the big killer of older models, so if you intend using your new ride as daily transport and clocking up more than 20,000km a year, something more recent is recommended. So here is our pick of the top 10 coolest cars for under $10K.

BMW 328i Convertible 1997-2000

Pure class and one of the sweetest straight-six engine notes you will ever hear, that's BMW's 328i. They came as a sedan, coupe or convertible and it's the open-top that offers greatest value. Well-kept examples of the leather-trimmed High-Line can be found below $10,000 and many in this price bracket haven't yet reached 150,000km. The 2.8-litre motor was good for 142kW and BMW thoughtfully added traction control and ABS to help less-experienced drivers stay out of trouble. Be sure when choosing your 328i that the roof retracts and raises smoothly and without untoward noises. Sun exposure does horrible things to open-car interiors so check the leather and plasti-wood trim aren't on the verge of self-destruction.

Mazda MX-5 1989-2001

If you're looking to cruise the streets with a car-load of fun-loving friends then an MX-5 isn't the car for you. Just cramming two decently-proportioned people into the Mazda's cosy cabin without awkward elbow clashes can be tough work, however the fun factor delivered by the world's top-selling sports car is unrivalled. Early 1.6-litre versions have only 85kW of power but are headed for 'classic' status. For that reason they cost around the same money as a more recent model with 1.8 litres and 25 per cent more power. Mechanically, Mazdas are pretty tough and easy to fix if things do wear out. Find a car with history that hasn't had a string of owners.

Ford BA XR6 Utility 2003-05

Soft-top show ponies are all very well, but if you're a newly-licensed person who needs to carry tools or tow a trailer for work or recreation you need a car that's powerful and practical. The P-plate rules put XR8s and the XR6 Turbo out of reach, however BA-BF XR6 utes with 182-190kW slip under the bar. That's still a fair bit of grunt and even with traction control the throttle needs to be prodded with caution. That said, the straight-six Falcon with its more consistent torque delivery and softer suspension is preferable for an inexperienced driver to a V6 Commodore. XR6 utes were considerably cheaper when new than sedans and our $10,000 limit should fund a late-series BF with features like a hard tray lid and 18 inch alloys.

MINI Cooper 1.6 2002-05

Minis have been in existence for longer than almost any other vehicle. The first one was sold in 1959 but today's BMW-built version is vastly different from the bare tin box that grandma with her short skirt and sky-high beehive hairdo would have driven. The shape is vaguely similar but the new Mini is larger and a lot safer with full-sized wheels, comfy seats and even air-conditioning. Basic 1.6-litre cars have just 85kW and that's not much when needing to move 1100kg. Newcomers will need to wait a few years before being eligible to drive one of the supercharged Cooper S models, however if you like the Mini's shape, packaging and hatchback practicality a Chilli version offers fun and style for less than $10K.

Toyota Kluger CVX 2003-06

If you live at the end of a rough track or need to tow a boat or big trailer, showy hatchbacks and soft-tops aren't going to be much use. However you don't want some nasty fuel-guzzling piece of quasi-military hardware either. Think of the Kluger as a GS300 Lexus on steroids and you'll love it. All early ones came with 3.3-litre V6 engines, 50/50 torque split via five-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip rear differential. $10,000 probably won't buy a top-shelf Grande but with the mid-spec CVX you still get power seat adjustment, climate control, seven-seat capacity and a six-CD stacker. They go OK in mild 4WD terrain but aren't a serious off-roaders so check for worn suspension bushes at the front and underbody damage due to beach driving or scrub-bashing.

Honda Integra Luxury 2003-05

With just two litres and not a turbo or supercharger in sight the 118kW Integra might on paper seem challenged in the performance department. All we can say to doubters is 'drive one'. Run to its red-line and with the Variable Valve Timing doing its stuff, the Honda engine leaves nothing on the shelf and a grin on the driver's face. Luxury versions of the Integra often come as automatics but also give the slick five-speed manual a go. The massive rear hatch makes loading sporting gear or even the dog easy and folded seats provide a big cargo platform. Cars that have topped 200,000km can be cheap but the enjoyment will be short lived should the engine start munching up its valve gear.

Jaguar X-Type 2001-05

OK, the littlest Jag's underpinnings reek of Ford Mondeo but that just means cheaper and less-frequent repair bills than if you'd bought an XJ6. The X400 never really fitted into Jaguar's range and that hurts resale value but people who bought them usually loved and looked after them and it's hard to find an X that's had a really difficult life. Even the smallest V6 delivered a decent 117kW and the 3.0-litre soared to 172kW but still seems OK for the P Plate use. All of these miniature XJs came with full-time all-wheel Drive and while they will never make a rally car or get far on a beach or bush track, the grip helps keep things tidy if the driver gets a bit exuberant with the throttle.

Mercedes-Benz CLK320 1997-2000

If Mercedes-Benz has taught the automotive world anything it is how to style a car that will age slowly and with great dignity. Should you choose to spend your $10K on rehoning a CLK, be prepared therefore to be accused of drug dealing or a clandestine Lotto win because nobody is going to believe how little you paid. The rule-makers say that P Platers can't drive the 142kW, 230CLK version because it's supercharged but a 320 with almost a litre of extra engine and 160kW is OK. Go figure that one. Yes it will cost a bomb to fix if something significant fails but buy the right car, don't flog it and chances are this Benz will hang together for a few years yet.

Jeep Wrangler 4.0 1997-2004

The rugged and rudimentary Jeep might look a bit incongruous parked amongst all of these ageing lux-mobiles but younger drivers love them. The dynamics are awful, the road noise is horrific but not a lot gets junior driving juices flowing than heading into the yonder in a vehicle that really can deliver the goods when pointed at some rough stuff. With the diff locks engaged and low-range whining there aren't too many places that a well-driven Wrangler won't go. Manual models in this price bracket are generally a little dearer than the more common 4.0-litre automatics but better in the bush. Reliability issues have dogged Jeep for many years and using a Wrangler as daily transport can be a risk.

Audi A3 Ambition 2.0 Hatch 2003-05

Audi's chunky A3 comes in a range of trim levels, but a one we like is very definitely aimed at aspirational buyers and named 'Ambition'. In common with Audis going back to Day Dot, depreciation has savaged A3 values and it's easy to slip into a car that's yet to clock 100,000km without blowing a $10,000 budget. Early A3s can be found with the optional six-speed manual gearbox and are great fun. They are also reputedly more reliable than the Tiptronic auto. With well-shaped leather seats, a classy dash layout and lengthy list of included frills, the baby Audi offers more luxury than Japanese 2.0-litre hatchbacks you might find for similar money.

Top 10 cool cars for under $10K

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