Car modification is a fun way to get creative and explore a vehicle’s potential. But if you don’t have a lot of money, it’s hard to know where to start. Here are some ideas for the best cheap cars to modify, including the Honda Civic, Ford Mustang, and VW Beetle.

Car mods push the possibilities of a vehicle to their max. You can improve the speed, power, ride, appearance, and even sound of your car with some tinkering. And surprisingly, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get started!

Considering affordability, availability, and ease of modification, the

trusted broker

and

car insurance

app

Jerry

has created this list of the best affordable cars to modify. You can find the best deals on these models from the mid- to early-2000s. Go get ‘em!

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

9. Mercury Marauder—$8,000

The

Mercury

Marauder is a great option for cheap modification. It’s #9 on our list because its base price is a little higher than other options, but the parts aren’t too bad. Additionally, the Marauder comes with over 300 horsepower. You can spend your modification budget on fine-tuning, looks, and other priorities since this sedan comes out of the gate roaring.

8. Dodge Neon—$5,000

The

Dodge Neon

is a sporty little compact car with some zip. With a low initial purchase price, the Neon can be a great option for someone looking for an easy financial entry into car modification. Pros include an already-fast base model and super easy modification. The only reason it’s not higher on the list is that aftermarket performance parts can be expensive.

7. Subaru WRX—$9,000

The

Subaru WRX

is a cult-classic tuner beloved by car enthusiasts everywhere. This car is harder to come by because it wasn’t popular in the United States, but it has had aftermarket support since the early 2000s.

A great plus of this Subaru is that it comes stock supercharged, so you can work on other parts of the car with your mod budget.

MORE:

Easy car mods

6. Volvo 240—$4,000

As the oldest car on our list, the newest available model of the

Volvo

240 is from 1993. But don’t let its 90s vibe turn you off. The Volvo 240 is not only cheap and easy to find, but it’s also one of the most reliable cars out there. They have great engines and solid bodies, so it’s easy to find them in great condition for a low price.

The Volvo 240 is also an excellent blank slate for car modifications, and the rear-wheel-drive makes it fun to drive on track day. Its look isn’t what’s expected for a superfast car, so it can be a fun way to show off and surprise.

5. Volkswagen Beetle—$4,000

When you think of tuner cars, you probably don’t think of the classic

Volkswagen Beetle

, but you should think again. Besides being cheap, the VW Beetle is very easy to turbocharge. It’s also a great pick for anyone looking to get creative with their car’s appearance since its whimsical charm is different from other cars people typically tune for performance.

4. BMW 3 Series—$5,000

Did you ever think you could own a

BMW

for $5,000? You can if you buy a tuner from the early 2000s. If you want an even deeper discount, look into 90s models—just be aware that the older you go, you’ll be looking at a wider variety of conditions.

The early 2000s model was already a high-performer, and it is easy to max out with some tweaks. Additionally, the BMW 3 Series has many models, so there are tons of modification options to really make the car your own.

MORE:

Illegal car modifications to avoid

3. Ford Focus—$3,000

The

Ford Focus

is a top pick for the best cheap cars to modify for both performance and appearance. It comes off the lot with cool styling, and there are four different body styles available, including the coupe, hatchback, sedan, and wagon.

It’s also a top pick because of its low price. Newer Focuses come in at around $5,000, while early 2000s models start around $2,000. The Focus is also a great cheap car to modify because it’s simple—Ford offers a line of OEM performance parts specifically designed to upgrade the Focus.

2. Ford Mustang—$5,500

No list of best cheap cars to modify would be complete without the classic, iconic Ford Mustang. This powerful pony car has been around so long that it has loads of aftermarket support.

Ford Mustang

owners are diehard loyalists, and it’s easy to understand why. This car is easy to make roar, and you look cool doing it. It’s also easy to find, making prices better than some competitors. Look for models from the late 90s and early 2000s to find the best deals.

1. Honda Civic—$5,000

The #1 spot on our list of best cheap cars to modify belongs to the

Honda Civic

. These Hondas are not only cool and reliable, but they’re also easy to transform into mean-speed machines. You can find deals as low as $3,000 on early 2000s models, and years 2012-2015 can be found for around $6000.

The Honda Civic is an extremely popular tuner car, and because of that, it has some of the best aftermarket support out there. If you’re a beginner, there are also plenty of easy-to-find Honda Civic modification tutorials online.

MORE:

How to modify a car

How can I find affordable car insurance?

Once you’ve picked the best cheap car to modify and packed it to the teeth with as much power (and cool factor) as possible, you’re ready to drive! Er, almost. Actually, what you need to do first is buy car insurance. If that sounds about as exciting as a long line at the DMV, we hear you—but hear us out.

Comparison shopping with

Jerry

is fast, easy, and it saves you tons of money (around $887 on average). Sign up in less than a minute to get quotes from top insurance companies, pick your plan, and purchase it—all from the app. There are no extra steps, no spam or endless phone calls, and no hassle. Jerry can even help you cancel your old policy if needed!

“I was struggling to find an affordable deal in Detroit, MI because insurance here is so expensive. Working with
Jerry
, filling out the information is painless, and I connected with an agent to talk about specific plans. I definitely could not have found a better deal without Jerry!” —Marlin M.

MORE:

Cheapest car insurance

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

FAQs

Which old car is best for modification?

That depends on what you mean by old! But the Ford Mustang is a great option if you’re looking for a classic feel, as models go as far back as 1964 and have great aftermarket support.

What's the easiest car to modify?

The Honda Civic is one of the easiest to modify cars that you can get.

Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™

Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.

Try GarageGuard™