Dan Neil's picks: 10 cars for less than $10,000

Nissan's announcement last week that it would offer a stripped-down version of its Versa model less than $10,000 -– a Sub-Versa, if you will -– got a lot of media attention and interest, as if there was something to celebrate.

But Dan Neil wasn't impressed. As he puts it: "To me is sounds like 1.6 liters of boredom, a mouthful of sand to thirsty car buyers. Please. Ten grand? I can put you in automotive paradise for $10,000. Walk this way."

Of his alternatives (a Mercedes, a Mini, some classic cars) he wrote: Yes, these cars are a little older, but if you were to compare, wheel-to-wheel, the new Versa with, say, a 1991 BMW 850i –- a 12-cylinder supercoupe on 18-inch Hamann wheels and with only 47,120 miles on the clock –- well, your head would explode. The Bimmer has more technology in its ashtray.

Check out his list of 10 cars for less than $10,000.

-- Rene Lynch

Photo: Nissan Versa /Nissan