Our idea of sports cars usually leaves us thinking that they are generally unaffordable, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, there are a handful of great roadsters you can get even on a pretty tight budget, but one of the best by far is the Fiat 124. It’s unique styling, and relatively rare appearances make the car something special, and you’ll be surprised to see the price tag for one brand new.

The Fiat 124 isn’t particularly common

If you like the idea of owning a car that’s a little bit more unique than every other sports car you see on your daily drive, the Fiat 124 might be within your budget. With a starting price of just over $25,000, it’s a great roadster option for owning any brand new sports car, and your chances of parking next to one are pretty slim. The Fiat 124 is far from the most popular affordable sports car on the road, but that isn’t because there is anything wrong with it. In fact, it has some unique qualities that you don’t see in many other sports cars of the same price range.

Not a powerhouse

The Fiat 124 isn’t a powerhouse like many of the common muscle cars. You won’t be impressed when you pop the hood and find a modest 160 horsepower 1.4-liter engine. The turbocharger does add a punch of power to give the driver a boost, but power isn’t where the car excels. Because of the weight distribution and small size, the 124 handles corners and turns with expertise. While having a large powerhouse of a car can be exciting, a more nimble car like the 124 is excellent in traffic.

The perfect fit for the right driver

For the price, the Fiat 124 offers an enjoyable driving experience, but it isn’t a good daily driver if you need to do much else with it. The biggest downfalls of the car is the noisy ride, moderately uncomfortable seats, and lack of cargo space. Regardless, owners speak very highly of the sporty little roadsters, and for the right driver, these odd-looking little cars can be the perfect fit.

There isn’t much else you can get brand new for the price of the Fiat 124 that is quite as fun, except the base model Mazda MX-5. They are, however, far less common, which might be something that interest drivers who are looking to stand out without breaking their budget. If handling and agility are just as important to you as power, chances are this is the car you’ve been waiting to test drive.