There’s a plethora of memorable cars in movies. Vehicles that inspire a following, influence entire generations, and become a subject of every teenage boy’s dream.
Most of the cars from the Silver screen are out of reach for a lot of folks, with a price tag often equal to that of a house. But I’ve got good news for you. Some of these four-wheeled celebrities may be within the realm of your bank account.
In this post, I will share the 7 movie cars that you can afford without breaking your bank. Ready to drive like a movie star? Buckle up!
7 famous movie cars you can afford
Volkswagen Beetle — “The Love Bug”
The intensely lovable bug that stole many hearts when “The Love Bug” premiered in 1968. That same year, Disney released five more movies featuring Herbie the Love Bug, a 1963 Beetle with a racing number 53. The “people’s car” became the symbol of the 60s and instilled the “small is beautiful” philosophy on the roads.
In 2018, one of the cars that starred in the 1977 “Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo” and 1982 “Herbie Goes Bananas” sold at Barrett-Jackson for a hefty $128,700. Luckily, you can own a Bug for much less.
This adorable car can be yours for only $20,895. If you prefer more performance-oriented models, the cost will be consequently higher. In 2019, after an 81-year-old run, VW announced the production of the Beetle to be officially over. Farewell, little Bug.
Mini Cooper — “The Italian Job”
This subcompact got its share of fame after “starring” in “The Italian Job”. The Mini Cooper is made of high-quality materials and offers great driving dynamics to everyone behind its wheel. You can own this joyous car new for the base price of $22,400.
If you are looking for more power, go for a Mini with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Don’t expect it to have the same performance as in The Italian Job, though. You should always be skeptical when it comes to car performance in any movie, most likely it’s heavily exaggerated. Nevertheless, the Mini Cooper provides great acceleration and overall handling. A bonus – it’s cute. In fact, it’s so cute, we’ve included it on our list of the most romantic cars.
1969 Dodge Charger Coupe — “The Dukes of Hazzard”
This particular model gained a lot of popularity thanks to the 1969 “The Dukes of Hazzard”, where it starred as General Lee. During the TV series, General Lee was driven by Bo and Luke, as well as their cousins Coy and Vance. With a 2-door coupe body style and a 3-Speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, the Dodge Charger is a desirable car for many.
The 1969 Charger Coupe currently available for auction is only a replica of the original car featured in the movie. However, it is in great shape and even has a horn that blows the Dixie call.
The car has also appeared in Bullitt, The Fast and the Furious, and Death Proof. If you are interested in buying the V6 Charger, the base price is $27,995 and can go up to $65,945 should you want a 707 horsepower V8 Hellcat.
1973 Ford Ranchero GT— “Breaking Bad”
The 1973 Ford Ranchero GT made an appearance during the fifth season of “Breaking Bad”, which you have probably binge-watched. The Ranchero that appeared on the series, is one of the 15,320 cars produced and can be yours for only $10,000. It’s the most affordable celebrity model on our list. This special car made an appearance in the “Give Me Back My Hometown” music video by Eric Church as well.
1953 Mercury Custom — “Ant-Man and the Wasp”
While some fantasize over sleek expensive rides of the “Fast and Furious” franchise, others stay faithful to classic models. One such beauty is the 1953 Mercury Custom from the romantic ’50s era.
The model had a good run in movies and on television. One particular unit owned by Universal Studios has appeared in film productions, including “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and “The Fate of the Furious”. You can find this classic beauty for around $13,000.
2006 Subaru WRX — “Baby Driver”
The 2006 Subaru WRX from “Baby Driver” headed to auction in November 2018. According to Motor Authority, “The opening scene star car, a red 2006 Impreza WRX, is only expected to fetch between $20,000 and $25,000. Likely due to the fact it has 156,477 miles on the odometer and plenty of scratches and paint chips, according to the auction site. If this is indeed the rear-wheel-drive movie car (six WRXs were used, only one was RWD), it will be the second time the car has sold at auction.”
For drifting scenes in the film, All-Pro Subaru converted the car to rear-wheel drive and upgraded it with a turbocharger from a 2004 WRX STI to increase its power.
Buying the newest Subaru WRX will set you back by at least $27,495. But if you go for the 2006 model, it’ll cost you around modest $10,000.
1968 Ford Mustang Fastback S-code GT — “Bullitt”
Last, but not least on our list of the movie cars you can afford – Ford Mustang. You can’t go wrong with this stunner. The Mustang is one of the most iconic American cars – it’s sporty, fast, and loved by many.
The model has been popular in Hollywood, but the movie that really brought it into the spotlight was Bullitt. Its memorable 13-minute car chase scene lasted 13 minutes. Another remarkable thing about the scene is it being real and not full of computer-generated imagery (CGI) or any other special visual effects like most movies today.
Ford Mustang has also made appearances in “Gone in 60 Seconds” and “Need for Speed”. You don’t need to be a movie star to buy a Mustang, but driving one will make you feel like a celebrity or at least a millionaire. Thanks to its popularity, you can dig up a classic Mustang for around $10,000.
Honorable mentions
- Toyota Tacoma — The automotive superstar from “Back to the Future” has a starting price of $23,300. This compact pickup truck will not break your bank and still make you feel like a superstar. So stop daydreaming about it and figure out how you can make it yours.
- Chevrolet Camaro — This mighty sports car appeared in Transformers in 2007 and its price ranges from $25,700 to $48,300.
- Chevrolet Corvette— Yet another Chevrolet! The Corvette has appeared in a wide range of films such as ‘True Lies”, “Terms of Endearment,” and “Death Race 2000.” This luxury sports car can be yours for $55,400 (starting price). It is more affordable than many luxury sports cars but is the most expensive among the movie cars on our list.
- Ford Explorer —The automobile star of Jurassic Park can be yours if you are willing to spend $31,050 – $52,970. Some say this SUV is very close to going extinct, but we still hope that Jurassic Park fans won’t let this happen.
Looking for a dream ride may take you beyond the borders of your home state. In that case, you will need to figure out how to get your “celebrity” car home.
Corsia Logistics has shipped a variety of vehicles, including classics, muscles, and luxury. We understand that these cars are unique and deserve to be treated as such. Our logistics experts will offer you a customized quote, an appropriate type of carrier for your car, and comprehensive answers to whatever auto transport questions you may have.
If you have already found your car, do not hesitate to reach out for your free car shipping quote. And if you’re still browsing the movie cars you can afford, don’t skip our online car buying and shipping guide. Thank you!
