Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy the heat from inside a nicely air-conditioned sports car. The hot sun gets motoring fun on people’s brains -- and during this time of year, friends, relatives or acquaintances ask me to suggest the best “fun” machine for the money almost every week.

Today, automakers are putting higher-than-ever levels of performance and functionality into more-affordable-than-ever packages. These “fun” rides come in all different sizes, shapes and price points, too.

There’s no “best,” but for the sake of discussion here’s a cross-section of some of this writer’s favourite “fun” rides to get the decision-making juices flowing if you’re checking out the market for four-wheeled entertainment.

MINI Cooper S: It won’t do John Force style burnouts down half a drag strip, but the MINI Cooper S puts efficient turbocharged thrust, cheeky looks and go-kart handling abilities into the hands of the masses. This is one of the affordable market’s most purely entertaining driving experiences and one of my favourite fun cars.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Ford Mustang GT: Ford’s new 5.0L V8 kicks serious ass -- mainly because it performs suspiciously well compared to its rated output, sounds nearly exotic and pulls to 7,000 rpm with a smile on its face. The new 5.0L may be one of the most compelling reasons to get into the Mustang GT, which will embarrass many a pricier car in a light-to-light race. Instant recognition and sharper-than-ever handling round out the package of this favourite fun car.

Photo: Rob Rothwell

Mazdaspeed3: This discreetly styled five-door favourite fun car has cargo space, an upscale cabin and is torque-y as all snot. Great brakes, great handling and plenty of turbocharged power make it a blast to drive. The Mazdaspeed3 is a car that’ll rip around a weekend racecourse and get you back home in air-conditioned comfort with a trunk full of gear. It’s an affordable, track-attacking hot hatch that’s ready for every day life.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Hyundai Genesis Coupe: Bang for the buck? Very yes. Get the new one with the V6, and you’re into the better part of 350 horsepower for about 37 grand. Brembo brakes, rear-wheel drive and six manually shifted gears are included in this favourite fun car. And, since the Genesis Coupe isn’t tiny, you can still drive one even if you’re sized like a human mozza-burger repository. Oh, and you should hear the freshly direct-injected V6 sing when pushed to the upper end of its tachometer. This one’s nearly impossible to beat for the money.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: Forget the fact that the engine is noisy, the ride is harsh and the trunk is small and shallow. The Lancer Evolution packs nearly 300 hp, delivers track-busting, winter-ready all-wheel drive and is available with a high tech, twin-clutch gearbox. In the affordable marketplace, this is as close as it gets to parking a video game in your driveway. As an added bonus, it’s also cool looking and has four doors making it an easy sell to the wife.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: This favourite fun car is big, thirsty and low-tech, but Chrysler’s latest SRT V8 is massively entertaining in an awesomely redneck sort of way. With 470 horsepower and exhaust sounds that send children running for their mother’s bosom, it’s an exercise in excess. But, in the Grand Cherokee SRT8, that all-American power comes with good ride quality, all-wheel drive and a plethora of family-ready features. After all, fun cars are even more fun if you can take your favourite folks along for the ride.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour