21. Nissan Sentra SE-R
The Sentra SE-R was one of the most surprising economy cars from the early 2000s. It featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission. It delivered 175 HP to the front wheels. But from the outside, the Sentra looked as ordinary as any other economy compact. However, when the driver pressed the gas, this little sedan could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds, embarrassing pricier cars at the stoplight. It was affordable when it was new, it’s still affordable now, but be sure to look for cars from the 2004 to 2006 model years. And because this is a front-wheel-drive car, it doesn’t have great handling compared to other cars on this list.

However, the Sentra SE-R still handles well and has decent brakes and steering. Also, the main selling point is that this is a relatively modern car. Because of that, you can get power windows, air conditioning, ABS brakes, and a leather-trimmed interior. Since consumers praised the Sentra SE-R when new, it is bound to be a classic soon. So purchasing one of these gems now could be a wise move for you.