16: Mazda 323 GT-X
Cheap and quick are two words that described Mazda during the ’80s and ’90s. The 323 was a compact car that was affordable and well-designed. When you factored in the standard features and the design of the car, you couldn’t go wrong. The GT-X was a special edition of the 323 that competed with other hot hatches that were on the market around this time. If you couldn’t get an RX-7 this was the next best affordable sports car to have.

The problem is that Mazda commanded a fraction of the market share during this period of time and most of the Mazda compact cars have become forgotten relics. The 323 GT-X was a fantastic driving experience, especially when you compared it to other cars that were competing in the segment.