Media | Articles
5 Mid-Engine Machines Under $20,000
Stirling Moss’ victory in a Cooper T43 at the 1958 Argentine Grand Prix signaled the dawn of the mid-engine revolution in motorsport, and the balance of power quite literally shifted over the next decade. Putting the horse before the cart infiltrated nearly every racing series on earth, and by 1962, Frenchman René Bonnet had followed suit with the first mid-engine road car, the Djet. The mid-engine/rear-drive layout has generally been reserved for performance-minded machinery; no one ever thought grocery-getters of this ilk were the wave of the future. As such, mid-engine cars have tended to command big prices, as the Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, and Bugattis of the world will attest.
However, a handful of manufacturers over the years have gone a little more mass market with their mid-engine platforms, and today several fun performance cars can be had on a budget. We’re eschewing some of the usual suspects—your Porsche 914s and Boxsters, your Toyota MR2s and Fiat X1/9s—because they tend to get plenty of love. So here are five that don’t quite get the recognition they deserve, and in #3 (good) condition will carve up corners (or tight parking spaces) with the best of them, without carving up your wallet in the process.
1956–58 Heinkel Kabine
Inarguably the cutest mid-engine car on this list (and arguably ever), the Heinkel Kabine was the Isetta-inspired brainchild of Ernst Heinkel, who during WWII built bombers for the Luftwaffe. Barred from aircraft manufacture after the war, but armed with engineering knowledge, Heinkel one-upped the Isetta with a monocoque shell, which made his microcar a full 220 pounds lighter than its rival. Three-wheeled Type 153 models and four-wheeled Type 154 models were offered, each powered by a 204-cc one-cylinder four-stroke engine that was later reduced to 198 cc, with four forward gears and a reverse gear. All of the engines produced 10 horsepower. One other key difference from the Isetta, which avoided patent infringement, was that the Kabine’s steering wheel did not fold outward with the single front door when opened. In the classic car market, cute sells, and Heinkels in #2 (excellent) condition can sell in the mid-$20K to low-$30K range, but in #3 condition a 154 (four wheels) model is worth $16,400 and a 153 (three wheels) model is worth $19,900.
1967–74 Lotus Europa
No one has ever accused the Europa of being the sexiest Lotus, but there’s no denying the fun factor when driving one. With a backbone chassis derived from the front-engined Elan, a fiberglass body originally drawn up for a joint Lotus/Ford project that never got off the ground, a curb weight of around 1500 pounds and a height of just 42 inches, these Brits offer something just a bit different. For the most part, all variants easily fall under our $20,000 ceiling in #3 condition, with the Renault-powered SI and SII cars of 1967–71 being the cheapest in the mid-teens, and the later (and arguably better-looking) 1972–74 Europas with 105 hp from their 1.6-liter Lotus Twin Cam engines slotting in around $21,000.
1976–77 Lancia Scorpion
You’d be forgiven for not really knowing what a Lancia Scorpion is. They’re not nearly as ubiquitous as their Fiat X1/9 cousins (which also fall under $20,000), because only about 1800 ever made it to these shores. In Europe, they were badged as the Montecarlo, a nod to Lancia’s rally successes in the Principality, but since General Motors owned the name here, we knew them as Scorpions instead. Pininfarina designed and built them, in both coupe and targa body styles, though only the open cars came to America. Initial plans called for a 3-liter V-6 behind the seats, but the first oil crisis scuppered that notion and Euro cars got a 118-hp 2.0-liter four, while U.S. imports were powered by a 1.8 making just 81 horsepower. Not exactly mind-bending, but the cars were well balanced and a blast to flick around. Currently, their #3 value is $17,800.
Marketplace
Buy and sell classics with confidence
1980–84 Matra Murena
If you thought the Scorpion wasn’t quite obscure enough, try the Matra Murena on for size. Founded in 1945, Matra was a French conglomerate with its hands in all sorts of industries, and with the 1963 acquisition of Automobiles René Bonnet, it entered the car business. (Matra’s racing arm would hit its zenith with three successive outright victories at Le Mans in 1972/73/74.) Building on Bonnet’s revolutionary 1962 Djet, Matra introduced the 530, then the Bagheera, then the Murena for 1980, which would be the final new Matra road car built. An attractive plastic body sat over a galvanized steel frame, with unusual three-place front seating and a transversely mounted 1.6-liter four-cylinder amidships. With 91 horsepower on tap, the Murena hit 60 mph in under 12 seconds, with a top speed of 113 mph. And its #3 value is just $11,000.
1984–88 Pontiac Fiero
Fieros, man. One of the coolest cars to come out of General Motors in the 1980s was also one of its biggest failures. Thanks to penny pinching and quaking management, the Fiero didn’t get the mechanicals it deserved from the get-go, chief among them a worthy powerplant and the suspension to tame it. Instead, the little notchback coupe made do with the 92-hp 2.5-liter “Iron Duke” four and parts-bin components shared with the Chevette and Citation, among others. And yet it was still a hoot to drive. Pontiac made up ground in 1985 with the introduction of the GT and its 135-hp 2.8-liter V-6, and a year later a second body style, with elegant buttresses that created a fastback look, joined the fray. Production ceased after 1988, but not before 370,000 Fieros had been produced. Base cars, SEs, GTs, and Formula Fieros all fall well under our $20K ceiling, and good ones are still out there, with four- and five-speed transmissions, and the ’88s feature an upgraded suspension truly befitting of these neat little econo-rockets.
Find more values
Search for prices of other cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles
The only thing you’re going to carve going into a corner with the Heinkel is the side of your head, not that you’ll going very fast into the corner to begin with
Yeah, the “tight parking spaces” was a nod to the Heinkel…
So many =b ! LOL
That first one is a stretch. Calling that mid-engine is like calling a motorcycle mid-engine.
On that subject, the term mid-engine has always amused me. A motorcycle is probably truly the only mid-engine vehicle. In practice, it’s front engine or rear engine. My C3 Corvette probably has the engine closer to the center of the car than most of the examples here.
Mid engine does not mean the engine is in the middle of the car. It means the engine sits behind the driver but ahead of the gearbox. This gives a weight distribution of somewhere around 45-55 front and rear, making for truly great handling. Not 50/50 as many people think is best.
It just means between the axles. You are describing REAR mid, the moist common kind of mid-engine layout.
Picky picky, picky
Agree. My Ginetta DARE G4 is a front mid-engine car since the motor sits rearward of the front axle but ahead of the driver.
Well, l guess the most successful mid-engined car ever is the Ford Model T!
I’m moist just thinking about getting between those rear axles!
My Porsche 928’s have better weight balances, 51 / 49. With modern 18″ low profile tires, handles pretty good…. front engine car.
Quite a few of the vintage Chris Crafts are a true mid engine.
What about a RX7 with it’s tiny engine pushed back behind the front axle. Nissan 300 ZX with the engine ahead of the rear axle.
Makes my 2004 Boxster S purchase back in 2015 REALLY look like a smart decision.
10 years later, I’m still driving the snot out of my mid-engine dream car and living life in the fast lane.
For sure! Those are great performance bargains. Glad you’re enjoying yours so much.
Totally, I was wondering why they left out the best mid-engine value and smiles per miles winner ?? Recently Saw an immaculate 2000 two owner, low mileage with complete service history trade hands for $18k.
Yes, you can definitely get older models that are well sorted and in really nice, well kept condition without a ton of miles for under $20K all day long, and parts would be much easier to source than a 70s Lancia or Lotus.
I’d add the MGF, now that it’s legal to import them. They are a bargain as well as a joy to drive.
What about the Porsche 914?
Totally I agree. You missed the 914, Geeez, how lame.
The article is about mid-engine cars you can get for under $20,000.
914’s have gone up significantly in price in the last 10 years and a decent one is going to cost more than that.
914 prices have gone up? It’s actually the “Dino” of collector Porches! Buy a 914, join a Porsche Club, but the jacket, hat and gloves. Cool beans!
I’d rather die in a Fiero.
Read the article.
Exactly – always stunned by folks that make comments after bypassing the writers prelude…
The Fiero GT with the “elegant buttresses” is easily my favorite look for the car. I did really like the Formula models also with their “simpler” sporty looks.
I own a 1985 Fiero GT and yesterday checked the current value on Hagerty’s site.
Concours Condition $25,900.00
A good one will not qualify for this list.
A good one is a #3 car. Almost no cars are in Concourse condition, and I doubt any Fieros are.
For the last time: ‘Concours’ is an auto beauty contest; ‘Concourse’ is a hallway with pretensions.
I can’t believe how often I see that word misused, even in ads for 6 and 7 figure cars placed by high-end dealers who also brag about their ‘ruthless attention to even the smallest detail’ in the same ad,,,,
Back in the 80’s (probably) I saw a Fiero V8 smallblock/tunnel ram/sidewinder conversion in Hot Rod mag.
Tried to find it now but ran across this: https://www.v8fiero.com/
Aluminum? 32V? A much more elegant solution.
Attend any Pontiac or Fiero car show, and you will see a handful of V-8 modified Fieros. The Fiero has a strong community, and according to the price guide published by N.I.F.E, the largest Fiero club in the world, based on selling price, the prices of almost all Fieros have been rising over the last three years, and yet these are still affordable cars. I am the original owner of a 1985 Fiero that has accumulated 108,000+ miles, and I can attest that it is one of the most reliable, and fun to drive vehicles I have ever owned.
Notably absent from this list is the Toyota Previa which can be had under 20K with a manual.
Interesting pick! Those are very cool vehicles.
the biggest issue in finding a previa is finding one with under 250K on them. They were extremely expensive to buy (35K – 45K when new in the early 90s ) so alot weren’t sold but the people that bought them loved them and drove them as long as possible until a major repair usually occurred around 300K and they finally gave up on them
I purchased my 2003 Toyota MR2 about 3 years ago for under $18K. It is also a mid-engine runabout that is fun to drive. There are many examples available from the generation 1 through 3 that fit the price range. A great choice that is easily maintained, and has a good parts network.
Love my “03” MR2 with JDM replacement engine, coil overs, K”n”M intake, Megan control arms/tie rods ect. Custom wheels, With 6 speed manual and easy to work on with parts accessible. Super fun to drive.
Let’s keep the MR2 Spyder a secret. No sense in creating demand for it and driving the prices up. 🙂
I was excited to read this article, seeing the title with “mid-engine.” I have a 1975, Porsche 914, a rather famous mid-engine. To my surprise and disappointment it was not recognized. Is that because they are priced above $20K? I’m biased, but I’d take a #3 914 over any of these cars,..any day.
Yes.
I really enjoyed my Fieros, especially the ’88 with the (finally) upgraded suspension. They all seemed to suffer from a clutch that did not disengage until the pedal was almost to the floor. No amount of bleeding seemed to help. They never got the engine they deserved.
I saw one yesterday with a supercharged 3.8 from. 90’s Bonneville. Now that is the engine it deserves.
You need to look closer at the upgraded engine options in Fiero’s. Northstar’s, 3.8 super and turbo, LS swaps. You want to drive a scary fast ride try an LS6. My friend built an 88 GT and it literally leaps forward..better point it where you want to go.
Pretty sure you lose A/C with this swap.
I bought an ’84 when they were released and then an ’85 2M6 when the local dealer was greatly discounting 4 speeds. It cost a fair amount less than the 2M4 from the previous year.
I suffered through most of the early problems. The 2M4 engine got replaced at about 15,000 miles for porous castings and coolant intrusion. The 2M6 needed the coolant hoses through the body panels replaced as the original design didn’t protect them from rubbing on panel edges. The AC compressor died early and that was a hoot to replace. It also leaked a bit on the passenger foot well when it rained.
All that aside, I loved that model. It could have used more power, but only if you were into extreme speed. It would get me to the end of a freeway entrance ramp at way over what was necessary. I also drove 3/4s of the way from St. Louis to Kansas City, at a fair amount above the posted speed limit, in 3rd gear and didn’t realize it until I went to pass someone a found I didn’t need to downshift. That engine and transmission was really fine.
I had an ’88 Formula for about 7 years. Sold it when I could get out of it due to a bad hip.
I did all the breathing improvements recommended by those in the know over on Pennock’s website. Made quite a difference in that little 2.8, enough so that I gave up plans to upgrade the engine. It really became a well balanced machine. Funny thing is, GM could have done everything I did as these weren’t any exotic mods, just improved breathing.
It is something that can be fixed, but it is something that either just ends up working perfectly, or annoying you forever no matter how much you try to fix it, it’s really hard to bleed and any amount of impatience at all and you’ll miss a step or do something to quickly and break up an air bubble into smaller ones, and from there the only thing to do is wait a good while for the air to gather again. The more you try to get it bled, the less it works, slow is fast.
No way you could have left out the great Toyota MR2 N/A 1993-1995. Yet the Fiero made it?
Some folks should have read the entire article: “We’re eschewing some of the usual suspects—your Porsche 914s and Boxsters, your Toyota MR2s and Fiat X1/9s—because they tend to get plenty of love.”
Ok but “plenty of love”? I have an ’89 Supercharged MR2 and it gets no love at JDM car meets, 80’s Japanese car video’s on YouTube or even Cars and Coffees! It’s ALWAYS about the Skylines, Hondas and FC or FD RX-7’s. They should’ve included it here IMHO. They get “plenty of love” from their owners but very few other folks.
After 50 years of building and owning from a Europa to big block vetts .The one I still regreat selling was my 86 Fiero GT fun little roller skate car
I won a N.California autocross Championship (C/Stock, 10 events) with an ’87 Fiero GT. No mods except Kumho tires and a bit of wheel alignment. I ran against a Lancia Scorpion and shoals of Miatas which were faster but poorly driven. One little known ‘odditiy’- If you put your CB radio on the back of the console tunnel, keying it to transmit killed the ECU which was underneath that spot. Expensive lesson.
Article should have been titled “2nd and 3rd Tier Mid Engined Vehicles”….
Right ?!
I wouldn’t take a FREE
Fiero……
Sorry you feel that way. My 2M6 was the best handling car I have ever driven. That list includes many German, British, and Italian roadsters.
And surprisingly comfortable on long trips.
Good calls on the Europa (I didn’t realize they were so inexpensive) and Monte Carlo (I wish there were more in the US). But the Fiero made the list despite its many shortcomings while the MR2, X1/9, 914, and early 986 — none of which needed excuses like the Fiero — didn’t?
Your other two are not really North American cars, although I wish the Murena had been. But no matter — keep the creative articles coming!
Or maybe the title should have been “5 Uncommon, RoW, or Flawed Mid-Engine Machines Under $20,000″… 😛
When I was a kid, I had a Hot Wheels Europa. It looked so cool and I dreamed to own one someday. Around 10 years ago there was one in a used car lot. I’m 5’10 and 200#, I don’t think I could have slid in behind the steering wheel!