These Are Worthy Project Cars

Our Picks For The Best $10,000 Used Cars

2005 BMW 325i – Greg Migliore

A decade-old 3 Series hits on a number of levels. It still looks reasonably cool. Friends will notice and nod approvingly at your choice of a Bimmer, while enthusiasts will appreciate your good taste in suspensions and steering. It’s like drinking a Heineken. It’s seldom out of place and conjures class and appeal with a lot of different crowds.

There’s plenty to like in the 325i: rear-wheel drive, an inline six hooked up to a five-speed manual and an interior that’s simple and clean. The outside has a similar vibe. Yes, this is obviously not the latest 3 Series, but it still looks smart and stylish. The car is just old enough that it hearkens back to a time before seemingly every luxury car was dripping in LEDs, fantastic curves and eye-popping nav screens. If you look hard, it’s not difficult to get one well under $10,000.

1999 Mercedes C43 AMG – Dan Roth

It’s a lot easier to find something interesting at $5,000 than it is for $10,000. It’s probably because $10K is pretty serious used car money. You can get a respectably boring vehicle all day long for 10 grand. Or a box truck.

Because we’re talking about real money, I felt obligated to be marginally responsible. I puzzled for a while, trying to come up with something that seems responsible, even conservative, but really isn’t.

How about a Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG? When Mercedes had the chutzpah to introduce this car in the late 1990s, I was impressed. Take the C-Class sedan, stuff in a V8 from the S-Class; it’s a Krautrock take on good old rock n’ roll.

These are pretty rare, so you’ll need to work hard to find one, and it’s not like anyone won’t know that it’s something special, so be prepared to spend all the money. Also be prepared for expensive upkeep. Who cares, though? Toe into that V8 and hilarity will have the propensity to ensue.

Complete list (AutoBlog.com)