Hey, let’s face it — nobody ever said “Cool minivan,” right?

But you don’t need Lamborghini money to roll up in something that turns heads. In this solo episode of Cool Cars with Chris, I’m giving you 7 of the coolest used cars you can buy in 2025 for under $20,000 — and I’m not talking about boring commuter boxes.

These are the kinds of cars that make strangers say, “Now that’s a cool ride.”

Whether you're into American muscle, sleek Japanese coupes, or refined daily drivers with serious street cred, this list hits all the marks: looks, performance, reliability, and wow factor — without blowing your entire savings account.

We’re covering everything from Chevy Corvette C5s to Mustang GTs, Dodge Challengers, Toyota 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ, and even a Nissan 370Z (yes, I owned one — and I’ve got stories). Plus, I’ll break down the pros, cons, hidden gotchas, and what to look for when buying each one used.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What makes a car truly cool in 2025

• My top 7 picks for used cool cars under $20K

• Real-world buying advice (from someone who’s owned a few of these)

• What to look out for: clutches, carfax reports, sketchy mods & more

• • Why you don’t need a Hellcat to get noticed

  
  

  Featured Cars:

  • Chevrolet Corvette C5 (1997–2004)

  • Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ (2017–2020)

  • Infiniti G37 Coupe (2009–2013)

  • Chevrolet Camaro (2010–2015)

  • Dodge Challenger (2015–2018)

  • Ford Mustang GT (2011–2014)

• • Nissan 370Z (2009–2020)

  
  

  🚘 Perfect For:

  • Car lovers on a budget

  • First-time buyers who still want performance

  • People who want cool daily drivers without a car payment

• • Anyone searching best used sports cars 2025, cool cars under 20k, or affordable cars that don’t suck

  
  

  👉 CoolCarsWithChris.com – Show archives, Social Media, Videos, and more!

  
  

  00:00 – 🏁 Intro: Why Cool Cars Don’t Need to Be Expensive

  01:33 – 🤔 What Makes a Car “Cool” in 2025?

  03:36 – 💸 Can You Really Get a Head-Turner for Under $20K?

  04:08 – #7: 🦅 Chevrolet Corvette C5 (1997–2004)

  09:13 – 🔧 C5 Corvette: What to Watch Out for When Buying Used

  09:27 – #6: 🌀 Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ (2017–2020)

  15:51 – 🚗 Why the FR-S Platform Is a Budget Performance Gem

  16:15 – #5: 🎩 Infiniti G37 Coupe (2009–2013) – Grown-Up Power

  22:00 – 🧰 G37 Buying Tips – What to Check & What to Avoid

  23:10 – #4: 🐝 Chevrolet Camaro (2010–2015) – Bumblebee Vibes

  28:03 – 😬 Camaro Cons: Poor Visibility & Cheap Interior?

  29:24 – #3: 💪 Dodge Challenger (2015–2018) – Retro Muscle

  34:13 – 🛑 Watch for Ex-Rental Damage & Big Maintenance Costs

  35:17 – #2: 🐎 Ford Mustang GT (2011–2014) – Pure Pony Power

  41:52 – ⚠️ Mustang Warnings: Insurance, Mods & Clutches

  42:04 – #1: 🥇 Nissan 370Z (2009–2020) – My Personal Pick

  49:07 – 🔍 What to Inspect Before Buying a Used 370Z

  52:08 – 🎉 Final Thoughts & How to Get in Touch

  Cool cars, used cars under 20k, best used cars 2025, affordable sports cars, cheap cool cars, budget car build, car buying tips, car podcast, auto enthusiast, fast cars for cheap, car guy life, muscle cars under 20k, first car ideas, used sports cars, car culture 2025, car reviews 2025, fun cars for less, best cars under 20k, car shopping 2025, gearhead approved, cool car club, project car goals, fast and affordable cars, cars that turn heads, Cool Cars with Chris

  #CoolCars #UsedCarsUnder20k #AffordableSportsCars #CarBuyingTips #FastCarsCheap

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Are EVs actually cool… or just overhyped appliances with torque?

In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, I sit down with my good friend Courage (yes, that’s his real name — we get into it) to talk all things EV in 2025. From Tesla drag strip dominance to battery drama, we unpack the truth behind electric vehicles today.

We cover the real pros and cons of EV ownership, including:

• 🔋 Battery life and charging cycles

• 🏁 The insane speed of even the “boring” EVs

• 📉 Range anxiety and road trip nightmares

• ☀️ My dream for solar-powered hoods (Tesla, call me)

  
  

  And yes — we count down the Top 10 Best-Selling EVs in the U.S. for 2025. Some will surprise you. Some will offend your car guy soul. Some… are Teslas (duh).

  🚗 Topics We Hit:

  • EV vs gas car convenience in real life

  • What makes an EV fun (or not)

  • The F-150 Lightning's party trick that might backfire

• Courage’s EV rental experience (spoiler: range anxiety is real)

  The EV we’d actually buy (if we had to)

• 
  

  Whether you're team gas, team electric, or just here for the jokes — this episode has something for every kind of car fan.
  👂Hit play and let’s get into it.

  
  

  Cool Cars with Chris

  
  

  00:00 – 🎙️ Intro: Are EVs even cool?

  00:27 – 🧔🏾‍♂️ Courage is back! Name origin + childhood stories

  02:18 – 🧔🏾‍♂️ Why Courage thinks his name helped him stand out

  03:18 – ⚡ EVs in 2025: Hype or hassle?

  04:12 – 🏁 Drag racing Teslas and EV performance

  05:20 – 🎧 The hidden costs of making EV batteries

  06:50 – 🔋 Battery tech, charging cycles & the recycling problem

  08:02 – 🎧 How long do EV batteries really last?

  10:35 – ⚡ Why charging to 100% is bad for EVs

  12:11 – 🚙 F-150 Lightning and power backup features

  13:45 – 🎧 EV vs gas car convenience

  14:33 – 📉 “Range anxiety” is real

  15:17 – 🚗 Courage’s Tesla rental story

  16:07 – ⚡ EV driving feel & one-pedal braking

  18:09 – ⚡ Are EVs fun to drive?

  20:00 – 📉 Long drives & charging station gaps

  21:53 – 🎧 EV road trip planning headaches

  22:38 – ☀️ Chris’s dream: Solar panels that actually charge your EV

  23:47 – 🔄 Range extenders and hybrid tech explained

  25:13 – 🔄 Are hybrids actually the best of both worlds?

  26:47 – 🔊 Fake engine noise on EVs – cool or cringe?

  27:54 – 🚨 PSA: Stop parking your Tesla at gas pumps

  28:40 – 🎧 What car guys *really* hate about EVs

  30:14 – 🏙️ EVs for city driving vs long hauls

  31:28 – 💡 Grid strain, infrastructure, and the future of EVs

  31:41 – ⚡ Top 10 Best-Selling EVs of 2025 (countdown starts!)

  33:35 – 🛻 Tesla Cybertruck – hate it or love it?

  34:56 – 🇰🇷 Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the performance EV scene

  38:07 – 🐎 Is the Mustang Mach-E a real Mustang?

  39:26 – 🇺🇸 Chevy’s SUV-heavy EV lineup

  41:52 – 🚗 Tesla takes the crown: Model Y & Model 3

  44:14 – ✅ Wrap-up: Would we buy an EV right now?

  
  

  #ElectricVehicles #CoolCarsPodcast #CarPodcast #EVPodcast #AutoTalks #EVs2025 #ElectricCars2025 #TopEVs #EVTrends #BestEVs #EVPerformance #EVBatteries #RangeAnxiety #BatteryTech #EVCharging #TeslaModelY #Model3 #Cybertruck #FordLightning #MustangMachE #PodcastEpisode #NewPodcastDrop #CarTalks #PodcastForCarLovers #CarGuysUnite

  
  

Buckle up — because this one’s equal parts hilarious and horsepower. Chris and Courage share the real stories behind their failed driving tests (yes, more than once!) before building their ultimate 3-car garages — with one big twist: they can only pick from a single car brand.

Chris goes all-in on Ford, dreaming up a Shelby-powered garage full of trucks and muscle cars, while Courage flexes with a sleeper-spec Infiniti lineup. The two debate used BMW headaches, underrated V8 SUVs, and whether anyone actually needs 4WD.

If you love car talk with personality, this one’s for you.

Highlights:

• Real stories from failed driver’s tests 🚦

• Building dream 3-car garages (Ford vs Infiniti showdown)

• The rise & fall of Nissan’s golden era

• Underrated performance SUVs & luxury sleepers

• Why 4WD gets used twice a year

• BMW buyer beware talk — what to avoid

🎙️ Hosted by Chris Smith & Courage
📍 More at coolcarswithchris.com

• 
  

  00:00 – 🎙️ Intro: Courage Returns & Why Driver's Tests Still Haunt Us
  00:40 – 😬 First-Time Pod Guest Nerves & Car Guy Talk
  01:12 – 🚗 Getting Our Licenses at 16 (Sort Of…)
  02:12 – ❌ Chris Bombs the Written & Driving Test
  04:22 – ❌ Courage’s “No Turn on Red” Fail
  06:13 – 📵 Phone Use on the Road & Traffic Frustrations
  07:42 – 📸 IG Car Clips, Cop Chases & Ghost Corvette Lore
  09:05 – 🚘 The 3-Car Garage Challenge: One Brand Only
  10:27 – 🛻 Chris Builds His Ford Dream Team (F-150, Shelby, Bronco)
  14:31 – 🧱 The Garage Problem: Big Trucks, Small Spaces
  19:49 – 🧠 Courage's Infiniti Picks (G37S, Q70 V8, QX80)
  25:25 – 📉 The Rise & Fall of Nissan + Underrated Infiniti Era
  29:02 – 🚙 SUV Invasion: Santa Cruz, Maverick & Hyundai’s Strategy
  33:07 – ⚠️ BMW Buyer Beware: Used Euro Car Warnings
  35:35 – 💸 Would You Pay $40K for 3 Cars? We Would.
  37:16 – 🏎️ Grocery Getters That Could Smoke You
  39:00 – 🔒 Hidden Truck Features: Safes, Sunroofs & Stuff We Never Use
  42:07 – 🌲 Chris Finally Uses 4WD… Twice
  45:51 – 🌐 Wrap-Up & Visit coolcarswithchris.com

  
  

  #CoolCarsPodcast #DrivingTestFail #DreamCarGarage #FordVsInfiniti #CarPodcast #FordF150 #ShelbyMustang #InfinitiG37 #InfinitiQX80 #CarEnthusiast #UsedBMWProblems #CarTalkPodcast #TruckLife #GarageGoals #CarGuyStuff #AutoFails #CarCulture #SUVLife #PerformanceCars #CarMods #DrivingStories #GearheadLife #CarDebates #NissanZLife #CarBuyingTips

  
  

In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we meet Barbie and her jaw-dropping hot pink 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe! 💖She takes us inside the mod journey — from her very first Genesis 2.0T to this bold 3.8L build that’s turning heads all over San Diego’s car scene. From custom wraps, spoilers, emblems, and Barbie-themed mods to the dream of an LS swap — this isn’t just a car, it’s a statement.Whether you're into Genesis Coupe mods, female car builders, or just love a good custom story, this ride will inspire you!▶️ Watch now to see why Barbie built the coolest coupe in town, what it means to her, and how it all started from a love of speed and pink.http://coolcarswithchris.com/

Hey cool car lovers, it's Chris here and on today's episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we are diving into one of the most jaw-dropping builds cruising the streets of San Diego. I'm talking about a hot pink, fully modded 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, driven by none other than Barbie herself.

We talk about her inspiration, the car's journey from bone-stock to Barbie bombshell, what it means to be a woman in car culture, and how she’s taking over car shows and meets with her ultra-personalized ride. She also shares the ups and downs of modding, the community love (and hate), and what's next for the build—including a possible LS swap and Lambo doors?!

It's fun, it's fast, it's full of pink, and it's got heart. Buckle up.

👉 Watch the full car tour and interview on YouTube: coolcarswithchris.com
👉 Submit your ride to be featured: Visit the "Showcase Car" section on my website!

00:00 🎀 Intro – Meet Barbie & Her Hot Pink Ride

00:55 💬 How the Build Started – From IG Discovery to Interview

02:29 🚗 Modding the Genesis Coupe – From Stock to Barbie

03:27 🎨 Why Hot Pink? Wrap Details & Favorite Color

04:14 🧠 Car History & Sentimental Value

05:31 ⚡️ Power Up – Comparing 2.0 Turbo vs 3.8

07:42 👀 Car Meet Reactions – A Head-Turner for the Girlies

08:33 🧸 Barbie Aesthetic Mods – Emblems, Shifter & More

10:07 😤 Facing Criticism – Going Against the Norm

11:02 🔧 Clean Mod Style – OEM+ Vibes

12:00 ❤️ Support System – Husband, Community & Vibes

13:15 💬 Haters Gonna Hate – But Why Not Mod a Hyundai?

15:03 🕹️ Learning Stick Shift & Future LS Swap

16:11 🛠️ Mod Legality – Carb Legal & Air Intakes

17:46 🎯 Future Plans – Tunes, Interior Mods & More Shows

19:11 🚗 Car Show World – Fees, Applications, and Exposure

20:30 🎬 Fast & Furious Talk – Favorite Characters & Car Love

21:13 👑 Local Fame – Meeting the Mayor, Modeling Gigs

22:33 🤝 Car Community Goals – Collaboration Over Competition

23:29 🎤 Final Thoughts – Vision, Wraps, and Staying Inspired

29:44 🏁 Closing – Watch on YouTube & Feature Your Ride!

#BarbieGenesisCoupe #CoolCarsWithChris #GirlsWhoModCars

#HyundaiGenesisCoupe #CustomCarMods #SanDiegoCarScene

#BarbieCarBuild #PinkCarVibes #GenesisCoupeBuild

#LSswapDreams #BarbieWrap #CarGirlsUnite

Could this be the cleanest Honda CRX still alive?We take a deep dive into one of the most pristine 1991 Honda CRXs in existence — from flawless paint to a bone-stock engine bay, this is a build you don’t see every day.If you’re into beautifully preserved classics, detailed car culture, or just love a clean Honda, this episode is for you. Join us for a full walk around, under-the-hood breakdown, driving impressions, and the story behind this legendary CRX.🛎️ Subscribe for more clean builds, collector cars, and real enthusiast stories every week!

On today’s episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we’re stepping back in time with Mike and his incredibly clean, all-original 1991 Honda CRX Si — no mods, no swaps, no neon, just pure 90s Honda greatness.

Mike takes us through what makes this CRX special, how rare it is to find one unmodified, and why he chose this car over newer, flashier models — including a GTR he once owned (!).

We also dig into the golden era of Honda, the challenge of keeping this beauty mint, where he shows it off, and even touch on California’s wild exhaust laws. If you're a fan of old-school Hondas, JDM culture, or just clean, classic cars, this is one for the books.

Make sure to check out the new website: coolcarswithchris.com for episodes, videos, and social links.

Thanks for listening and don’t forget to hit that follow or subscribe button!

00:00 – Intro: A pristine 1991 Honda CRX Si

00:52 – Meet Mike and the CRX Si

01:25 – Why a stock CRX is so rare

02:24 – The definition of “Si” and trim levels

03:22 – Competing hot hatches of the 90s

04:05 – Mike’s personal connection to the CRX

04:55 – Mike’s collection of 80s and 90s Hondas

05:12 – Why unmodified Hondas are special

06:00 – How Mike found this car

07:06 – Mileage and reliability

07:46 – Engine specs and performance

08:34 – Driving experience and freeway vibes

09:06 – Parts availability and insurance

10:25 – Buying story: Temecula pickup memory

12:02 – When and where Mike drives it

12:24 – Paint job: matching factory Real Red

13:41 – The car’s flaws (or lack thereof)

14:09 – The one thing Mike wishes it had

15:07 – Driving without power steering

16:21 – Longest drive Mike’s done with it

17:24 – Oil type and gas usage

18:15 – Reactions at car meets and shows

19:11 – This car belongs in a museum

20:01 – Reproduction window sticker

21:05 – People’s reactions and Cars & Coffee details

22:51 – Rarest cars at Cars & Coffee

23:39 – Why Mike prefers classic Hondas over supercars

25:04 – Stock Miatas and Monster Miatas

26:20 – CARB states and exhaust law talk

27:30 – Street legal issues and ticket stories

28:52 – Chris's old exhaust and VQ engines

29:03 – Manual transmission & 5-speed details

30:17 – What “Si” means today

31:03 – The appeal of fuel injection back in the day

31:16 – Final thoughts: nostalgia and value of old cars

32:09 – Let's go for a ride!

32:29 – Recap: A ride down memory lane

33:10 – Wrap up and thank you

33:32 – Website, socials, and closing message

#HondaCRX #CRXSi #1991HondaCRX #StockNotModded #ClassicHonda #JDMClassic #TimeCapsuleCar #90sHonda #GoldenEraHonda #UnmodifiedCRX #CleanCarCulture #HondaHeritage #CoolCarsWithChris #JDMIcons #VintageHonda #PreservedNotRestored #CRXLove #CarsAndCoffee #OldSchoolHonda #RareJDMFind

Welcome back to Cool Cars with Chris! 🚗🔥In this episode, Chris meets up with Courage, a passionate car enthusiast and dad of two, to check out his Hyundai Elantra N — a practical yet performance-packed daily driver. From the mods he's added (including a sneaky JB4 piggyback tune) to how this car handles daily duties and weekend backroad blasts, you'll get a full tour, honest impressions, and an exciting ride-along!📍 Topics include:✅Why Courage chose the Elantra N over other sporty 4-doors✅The surprising performance and tuning potential✅Road trip stories (like packing for Monterey Car Week!)✅Real talk on reliability and ownership✅A live driving experience with Chris's real-time reactions!💬 Drop a comment — Would you pick the Elantra N over the Civic Type R or GR Corolla?👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on the 🔔 for more episodes of Cool Cars with Chris!🔧 Car Specs & Mods Mentioned:Hyundai Elantra N (DCT)JB4 Piggyback TuneCustom Wheels, Intake ModsE30 Fuel Blends + Octane LearningActive Exhaust Setup00:00 Welcome & First Impressions00:28 Meet Courage & the Hyundai Elantra N01:06 Why He Chose the Elantra N (Turo Story)02:15 Family Life & Road Trip Ready02:41 Real-World Reliability of the Elantra N03:19 Courage's Mods: Intake & JB4 Tune04:07 Power Gains & Dyno Results05:14 Active Exhaust & Sound Tricks06:00 Fuel Options: E30, E85, and 95 Octane06:56 Octane Learning & Boost Issues07:28 Turbo Lag? Power Band Talk08:45 What Other Cars Did He Consider?09:22 Civic Type R vs. Integra Type S11:05 V8 Dreams: CT5-V Blackwing11:49 What the Car Means to Courage13:12 Community Reactions & Drive-By Moments14:02 Ride-Along Begins14:42 Chris Reacts to the Acceleration15:30 Cornering & Road Feel16:07 Turbo Feel & Throttle Response17:05 Why He Doesn’t Want More Power17:54 Fuel Mixing Hacks & Knock Protection18:52 Wrap-Up: Final Thoughts19:12 Cool Car Thumbs Up 👍#ElantraN #CoolCarsWithChris #HyundaiElantraN #CarReview #POVDrive #SportSedan #TunedCars #DailyDriverGoals #DadCar #CarMods #CivicTypeR #GRCorolla #IntegraTypeS #CarEnthusiast #DrivingExperience