A tight budget doesn't mean you have to buy a clunker. Cool cars that are budget-friendly appeal to everyone from the techie to the rugged adventurer to the trendy college student looking to make a statement on the road.

The car industry is entering the era of smaller, more affordable cars as automakers are trying to offer higher-quality, entry-level cars for new buyers, says Mike Quincy, automotive specialist with Consumer Reports.

Quincy says most cars with a base price of less than $15,000 are stripped of some of the options that make them cool cars. Plan to pay $2,000 to $3,000 extra to add features such as a navigation system, keyless remote entry, cruise control, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth capability and a satellite radio. You could blow past $20,000 for a cool car that's loaded.

Here are some cool cars in the $15,000 range worth checking out.