When drivers are searching for a used car, they now have access to all sorts of stats and figures on the Internet. But its hard to quantify exactly how "fun" a car is without driving it.

Although this quality is highly subjective, Edmunds' Inside Line recently listed their personal picks for the most fun vehicles. The one restriction was that the vehicle must be commonly available as a new or used car in America.

While the list had some high-priced vehicles like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, there were also more than a few choices that will fit into many drivers' price ranges, especially if bought used rather than new.

One choice that didn't surprise anyone was the BMW M3. For whatever reason, this car has become one of the darlings of the automotive press over the years, frequently earning top reviews from a wide variety of sources. Available as either a coupe, convertible or sedan, BMW's performance-enhanced version of its popular 3 Series is definitely a car to have fun in. The news source writes that "like few cars new or old, the beautifully balanced M3 has always made its operator feel like a better driver than he is."

The Cadillac CTS-V took a lot of cues from the M3 in its design, but adds a bit of a muscle car soul under the hood. Powered by a V8 engine that produces 556 horsepower, the CTS is nowhere near as subtle as the M3 – which is exactly what makes it a fun vehicle.

But for pure muscle, there's no beating the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang. This is the highest trim level of Mustang available and it shows. In recent years, Ford has updated the vehicle's suspension and given it an aluminum-block engine to make for better handling – so now its not just a drag racing straightway vehicle, but a track car as well.

Also from Ford is something that pickup truck fans might appreciate: the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The Ford F-150 is a popular model, but not exactly what people would think of as a "fun" vehicle. It's great for towing or helping a friend move, but not exactly tearing up the road. That changes when a driver upgrades to the SVT Raptor performance package. This off-road monster packs a 6.2-liter V8 engine, and its large size only adds to the fun.

One of the choices wasn't actually a specific model at all, but a nondescript used car that the news source dubbed "The Beater." This car's value is that it has no value, making it perfect for taking it off-roading or pulling tricks like donuts. Even if something happens to the car, it's okay because it will never be used as a main ride.

There's no shame in wanting a fun vehicle. Drivers who aren't happy with their current non-descript vehicle may want to think about selling or trading their car for one of these models and introducing a little fun into their lives. 

Drivers with a need for speed often assume that they’ll be sacrificing fuel economy in order to get the performance they desire. Yet while Ferraris and Lamborghinis may still have EPA ratings in the low teens, many performance cars from major automakers are able to boast impressive horsepower numbers without causing their owners to empty their wallet every time they go to the pump.

While miles per gallon (mpg) ratings in the low twenties may not be as impressive with models regularly eclipsing 40, bundling hundreds of horsepower with decent fuel economy was unheard of a few years ago. Now, there’s a whole range of vehicles that’ll impress on the racetrack while also not draining a bank account.

MSN Autos recently looked at 10 performance-oriented models that still look and run great while offering some great mpg ratings. Although prices on these vehicles may be high when bought new, drivers can save by shopping on the used car market and taking advantage of the increased fuel economy.

Sometimes the aerodynamics and sheer power of an engine means that a vehicle can do more with less – in this case put out more performance while guzzling less gas. That’s the case with the Dodge Viper, the first car mentioned by the news source. The Viper boasts 600 horsepower with it’s V10 engine, yet still manages to post a 22 miles per gallon EPA rating on the highway. That’s because when driving at highway speeds, the V10 is powerful enough to maintain a comfortable clip while not draining the tank all at once.

Another option from GM is the iconic Corvette line. The base model gets 435 horsepower – which might seem like a downgrade compared to some of the higher numbers boasted by the other cars on the list. But for most drivers, 435 will be more than enough to get them from A to B, and they’ll get 26 miles per gallon as compensation. Of course, true speed demons might upgrade to the supercharged ZR-1 which skyrockets the horsepower to 638 while losing just 6 miles per gallon.

Finally, the latest line to make waves in both performance and fuel economy is the new 2011 Ford Mustang. The V6 model offers a very impressive 305 horsepower while still clocking 31 miles per gallon on the highway – and its lighter V6 engine means that power goes further. Drivers can still upgrade to a Mustang GT at 412 horsepower and 26 mpg or the Shelby GT with 540 hp and 22 mpg.

Car buyers have options when they want to get some bang for their buck. Those interested in fuel economy and breakneck speeds may want to look at a used Ford, Chevy or Dodge today.