12: Toyota Corolla FX-16
Another uncommon contender in the cheap and fun category was the Toyota FX-16. The high-powered hot hatch to come out of Toyota took everything that was great about the Corolla and made it less boring. The design was egg-shaped with sharp lines and the interior was all business when you got behind the wheel. The performance was better than you’d expect and the car came with signature Toyota reliability. The FX-16 is a prize to drive no matter which way you look at it, and resale value is decent as well.

These cars have developed an unusual following because you don’t see them on the road very often. Much like the Mazda 323, these were affordable and fun to drive hatchback that offered a reasonable amount of value for the price. Toyota hasn’t made the Corolla this fun to drive since the FX-16.