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These cars are proof that you don't have to spend a fortune on a performance car to enjoy a thrilling drive.

When asked to name a fun car, most enthusiasts might name the fastest, most expensive car that comes to mind. Most people perceive a car as more fun when it has more power and speed. Even though this is true in most cases, sometimes, these cars can be scary to drive.

Some enthusiasts believe that it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. There’s some truth to the statement because driving slow cars is rewarding. In a fast car, you only need to floor the throttle and take off at neck-breaking speeds. Here are some cheap, slow vehicles that will teach you how to drive properly while working to keep the speed up.

The first-generation Subaru BRZ came into production in 2012. It was also known in some markets as the Toyota GT86 and the Scion FRS. These models offer near-perfect weight distribution with a light 2,800 lb curb weight. They manage to offer serious fun with their remarkable agility and composure.

However, neither vehicle is perfect when considering the torque department. They feature a 205 hp engine that you need to work hard to go fast. Besides their shortcomings, these cars are available for cheap in the used market, with a new Subaru BRZ having a reasonable sticker price of $28,595.

The Miata is Mazda’s pride and joy. Since its introduction in 1989, Mazda has sold over 1 million units of the Miata, making it the best-selling two-seater sports car. There are many things to love about the Miata, the main being its reliability, design, affordability, and driving feel.

The Miata was created with the aim of prioritizing driving feel over speed. This helps make the Miata a blast to drive, even when it tops out at 130 mph top speed. No matter the engine you choose, the Miata won't shine in a straight line; however, it will amaze you when cornering.

Related: This Is Why The Mazda Miata Has Always Been The Best Sports Car For Regular People

The old and lovely classic Mini managed to win races without being a fast car. It was fun to drive fast on narrow, twisty tracks and roads. The new Mini Cooper is more luxurious, heavier, and powerful than the classic Mini.

Surprisingly enough, it maintains the original's fun factor making it a worthy consideration for anyone looking for an underpowered car that’s fun to drive. The great thing about the new Minis is that they are more fun than their bigger BMW siblings.

To most people, the Abarth 500 is a tiny cure car. However, enthusiasts love this car for its variety of peppy engines that will make you grin with every corner you take. The Abarth 500 is one of the best small sport hatchbacks on the market.

It has a lovely style and is exciting enough to provide a great overall experience. The 500 first appeared in 2007 and later received a minor facelift in 2015. The Abarth variant is the most powerful Fiat 500 and is available with manual and automatic transmission options.

Related: Why You Should Avoid The Fiat 500e

Over the years, the Nissan 240SX has been the go-to drifting car. It's slow enough for beginners to learn, but when it's properly set up, it can be a magnificent race car. The 240SX has a robust chassis capable of handling much more power than what’s currently available.

Besides having a solid platform, the S13 and S14 variants of the 240SX are over 300 lbs lighter than a Ford Focus. With a $10,000 budget, you can easily find a good 240SX that’s fun and easy to drive. Besides, you have many modification options, allowing you to have unlimited fun.

The Karmann Ghia was one of the best cars from Volkswagen. The magic formula for the Karmann Ghia was its Italian design and the Beetle floorplan. Both aspects helped make the Karmann Ghia one of the most beautiful cars of the 1950s.

The Karmann Ghia was in production in the 50s and 60s and was the fastest and most luxurious post-war car from Volkswagen. It was also a reliable version that was fun to drive because of its rear engine placement.

Related: Why The Gotham Garage Baja Bug Is A Badass Off-Road Ready Volkswagen Beetle

The GTI is considered one of the best hot hatches of all time. The Mk1 was the first-generation Golf, and it helped usher in the hot hatch genre. Even though it wasn’t the first hot hatch, it's widely considered to be the reason why we have a hot hatch segment.

Over the years, the Golf GTI has grown in popularity and cemented its reputation as a practical daily driver with just enough power for anyone to have fun. Since its birth in 1975, Volkswagen has produced millions of examples of this model, and they’re still doing so to date.

When looking for the best Toyota MR2, you'll have to choose from three generations. None of these is particularly fast apart from the second-generation turbo versions. The first generation MR2 was arguably the most fun to drive, but it's also becoming rare nowadays.

All MR2 generations offer a thrilling driving experience, but they aren’t as newbie friendly as the Nissan 240SX. These require a bit more skill, especially when driving on a twisty road or track – thanks to its mid-engine placement.

Related: The Iconic Toyota 2000GT Returns As The Ultimate Grand Touring Sports Car

Porsche’s 944 was the successor to the 924. It was one of Porsche’s first front-engine sports cars. It was slightly more powerful than the 110-hp Porsche 924, making it a fun-to-drive car and a great grand tourer. Besides, Porsche mounted the gearbox at the rear giving the 944 outstanding balance and handling.

The 944 was also a reliable car that you can still have tons of fun with nowadays. Its gas mileage was also fairly decent, with the naturally aspirated engines offering between 27 and 32 MPG on average. Porsche’s 2.5-liter inline-four engine produced 163 hp before the introduction of the catalytic converter that lowered the power to 150 hp.

The 240 was one of the best Volvo models and was built like a tank. Unlike the Nissan 240SX, the Volvo was heavier. It was never intended to go fast, even after Volvo introduced the turbo versions. However, the 240 was a robust, large, and boxy overengineered masterpiece.

The 240 was available in multiple variations, including a coupe, sedan, and the more popular wagon. It was also available with a choice of diesel and gasoline engines. One of the things that made the 240 great was that it was a great, slow drift car allowing you to throw the rear end sideways when there was snow.

Brian is a husband, father and freelance writer. He's also a tech and automotive junkie passionate about cars and motorcycles. Brian is also an F1 fan - team Mercedes (LH). When he's not writing, Brian goes for impromptu drives and walks.