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The Volkswagen Golf GTI is an example of a cheap, cool first car that you can buy for not a lot of money.

Cheap, Cool First Cars

There are quite a few options for a cheap, cool first car. If you want a sweet first ride, you can buy a retired Ford Crown Victoria or a Volkswagen GTI.
A blue US-market 2008 Volkswagen R32 drives down a road

Bring a Trailer Bargain of the Week: 2008 Volkswagen Mk5 R32

Volkswagen only brought over 5000 examples of the Mk5 R32, but the AWD hot hatch is still a comfortable, refined, and practical performance car. And its VR6 engine remains a burbly icon to this day. Plus, as the 2008 R32 on Bring a Trailer demonstrates, it's more affordable than the Golf R or Mk4 model.