Fourth Place: 2005 Mazda 3s
Touting 160 horses from a 2.3-liter four-cylinder motor that is as smooth as silk all the way to redline, the Mazda 3s enters our list with the least expensive base price at $17,175. Its combination of excellent value, sharp steering, and a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission makes navigating any road in the Mazda 3s a delight. Combine the low price tag with a fun-to-drive character that mimics a BMW and mileage numbers of 25-mpg city and 32-mpg highway, and the Mazda 3s will keep owners happy in almost all respects. Now we just need a little more power under the hood.