Want a fast vehicle without breaking the bank? We've selected the most affordable high-performance vehicles available, and their acceleration will blow your mind. If you're looking for entertaining cars with excellent performance and maneuverability, it may seem as if you've exhausted your options. Even though the prices of many new cars are going up, we have compiled a list of performance automobiles that are still within most people's price range and yet offer a good deal of excitement.
Furthermore, all of the shown cars have performance-oriented trim levels that retail for about $40,000, while some may be outfitted with extras that increase their price. There is a wide variety of cars to select from, including versatile hot hatchbacks, large yet swift-performance SUVs, and luxurious SUVs that can suddenly take to the air.
Whatever your preferences and requirements may be, we are confident that our list has a low-cost, high-performance vehicle that will slake your craving for speed. We've scoured the web to bring you a list of cheap fast cars, so if you're in the market for a fast and affordable vehicle, look no further.
Nissan 300ZX
Along with its dramatically sloped body that drives home its sports car look, the Nissan 300 ZX had an integrated headlight design as part of its exterior design. The Z32's standard T-tops are just one more dramatic design element in this sports car's striking exterior design.
Assuming you can ignore its appearance, the 300ZX is capable of movement. The car's 3.0-liter VG30 V-6 engine can produce 300 horsepower and 283 pound-feet of torque if the original customer selected the twin-turbocharged version. The 300ZX TT Z32 was just as powerful as the Ferraris of its day.
It's easy to forget that Nissan designed this sports car to take on the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette C4 and the Porsche 944. This allowed it to reach 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds and reach a maximum legal speed of 155 miles per hour. Find a 300ZX with a five-speed manual transmission if you can afford a fast car on a budget.
2023 Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro, like its main competitor, the Ford Mustang, is one of the few remaining contemporary automobiles with a true muscle car background. The Camaro stands out in part because of its low price; it is one of the cheapest sports cars on the market.
The Camaro is a fun car to drive regardless of which engine option you go with (the base 275-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder, the more refined V6, or the powerful V8s). Its superb handling and agility also turn up the heat. The Camaro has a pleasant cabin, but its materials aren't as high-quality as those of its rivals. The front seats are roomy and comfortable, but the back seats are better suited for youngsters. You can get more information about this vehicle on Chevrolet Official Website.
The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system has a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The sixth generation of the Camaro debuted for the 2016 model year. There was a minor cosmetic refresh in 2019, but otherwise, the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro is virtually indistinguishable from any 6th generation vehicle produced between 2016 and 2022. However, before you purchase the vehicle, you should use our Chevrolet VIN decoder to know more about the car’s history.
E39 BMW 540i
The BMW E39 is often considered to be one of the most underestimated variants of the 5 Series. The BMW 540i appears to be a very high-end version of the E39 5 Series. However, inside, it is essentially an M5, although a less powerful one. The 540i's features and performance are excellent. A 4.4-liter V-8 engine supplied the vehicle with 282 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
The 540i's acceleration was enhanced by this output, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 15.8 seconds at 104 mph. The 540i, like most other versions, had a maximum speed of 155 miles per hour. The BMW 540i E39 is one of the greatest used vehicles you can buy for under $10,000, with prices starting at only $6,000. The 540i E39 is a great option if you want to revive the M5's fame and perhaps include a more powerful engine in the process.
2023 Subaru WRX
While the 2023 Subaru WRX's design may divide opinion due to its use of what some may consider too much black plastic, the vehicle's performance, and promise are inarguable. Features a 271-horsepower, 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 258 lb-ft of torque. If you’re looking for affordable new cars for sale, this vehicle may be the right option for you.
In addition, Subaru provides both a basic six-speed manual and an optional continuously variable gearbox, the latter of which facilitates remarkably swift and sure gear changes. The standard all-wheel-drive system gives the vehicle superior cornering performance and outstanding grip in all conditions. It takes around 5.5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
Despite its hefty 3,737-pound chassis, the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 drives and handles like a sports car. The Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang would be no match for it, despite its heft. The vehicle retains its pristine 1990 appearance even after being driven about town or kept at a car dealership for the past twenty years.
The original customer could have taken the vehicle to a whole new level by opting for the VR4 version. The inverted airfoil spoiler is only one of the many aerodynamic additions seen on the performance-oriented 3000GT VR4. In addition, it has a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine, good for 320 HP and 315 lb-ft of torque. It was quicker than many modern sports cars and could go from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds despite being rear-wheel drive.
Its highest speed was 165 mph. A second-hand 3000GT may be purchased for under $20,000, leaving the customer with plenty of spending money. The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 was offered a choice of three different transmissions: a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual, or an automatic with four gears. You should, of course, look for a six-speed version.
Audi S8 D3
The S8 D3 can reach its electronically regulated peak speed of 155 mph regardless of its hefty 2,400-pound curb weight. It can also reach 60 mph in only 5.1 seconds. What's hiding out there behind the front hood is quite impressive. If you open it, you'll see a V-10 engine with 5.2 liters of displacement.
A motor that shares DNA with the 5.0-liter V-10 used in Lamborghini's Gallardo supercar. The V-10 engine in the S8 D3 was capable of producing 444 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The S8 D3 is an elegant vehicle that looks the part. Used cars and models of the Audi S8 D3 may be purchased for as little as $6,000, but behind the hood lies a sports vehicle just waiting to be driven. It's a fast and affordable vehicle.
Infiniti G35 Coupe
It's safe to assume that any vehicle conceived and constructed after the Nissan 350Z will be a quick automobile even if it isn't advertised as such. The Infiniti G35 Coupe can go from zero to sixty miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. Under ideal conditions, it can complete the quarter-mile in less than 14 seconds.
Even though it's not the most potent engine, the 3.5L V-6 can generate up to 302 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The G35 coupe has the weight and performance necessary for such an engine to function quickly, and because it is not among the most popular sports vehicles on the market, you can pick one up for as low as $10,000 if you're willing to put in some maintenance effort.
2023 Dodge Challenger R/T
The Dodge Challenger 2023 is the last of its kind. Dodge has decided to end production of the automobiles after the current model year so that they can create a place in their lineup for electric muscle cars. Meanwhile, the 5.7-liter V8 in the Challenger R/T generates 375 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque.
A standard eight-speed automatic transmits engine torque to the back wheels. The V8 not only easily smokes tires, but also makes a tremendous noise and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 5 seconds. The Challenger also has high-quality interior design and cutting-edge technology.
Chevrolet C5 Corvette
Chevrolet has demonstrated that it can successfully update the Corvette from one generation to the next in ways that will excite the Corvette fan base. This occurred in 1989 with the release of the Corvette C4 and again in 1997 with the release of the Corvette C5. The chassis of the Chevrolet Corvette C5 was redesigned from the ground up to be stronger and more long-lasting than its predecessors.
By relocating the transmission to the differential housing, Chevy was able to achieve a nearly ideal weight distribution. One other option is the 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 found in the C5 Corvette. The engine could generate 339 HP and 356 lb-ft of torque. The 'Vette C5 could reach 60 miles per hour from a stop in only 5.3 seconds with that power, go through the quarter mile in 14.6 seconds at 110 miles per hour, and reach an astounding peak speed of 174 miles per hour.
Jaguar XJR
Even though the XJ X308 wasn't a particularly good automobile, the second-generation Jaguar XJ was on sale for 17 years. Its defective engine might put the owner in the red at the worst possible time. It also had an outdated appearance, which was the result of Jaguar's lack of effort in designing it. Because of the car's age and general wear and tear, the owner probably won't get the most out of the engine.
However, in the past, the V-8 could generate 370 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of under 5.6 seconds and an electronically capped peak speed of 155 mph. The fact that pre-owned XJR X308s can be gotten for a few dollars demonstrates the model's widespread problems. However, a second-hand model can be purchased for as little as $7,000, making it affordable for anybody who wants to try bringing it back to prominence.
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Golf GTI isn't the most potent hot hatchback on the market, but with a basic 241-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, it gets the job done. Now that the seventh-generation GTI has been out for six years, low-mileage early models may be purchased for much under $15,000.
The 155 mph top speed is impressive for a hatchback. The engine is responsive and provides satisfying acceleration. While we prefer the silky manual, the optional dual-clutch automatic delivers quick changes without compromising the engaging nature of the engine.
The GTI's handling is very agile, especially in turns. The driver's comfort isn't sacrificed for the sake of performance in the GTI, unlike in some sporty hatchbacks. The GTI is not only fun to drive, but it has a sophisticated and comfy interior and a suspension that won't pound you about. The GTI's 34.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity exceeds expectations for such a small vehicle.
Porsche 944 Turbo
When it initially appeared on the market, the Porsche 944 Turbo was a very desirable vehicle. It was so well received that its nine-year run resulted in nearly 160,000 copies being printed. Despite having a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine that generates 217 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, the car's inexpensive status can be attributed to its high manufacturing volume and front-engine configuration.
Due to its advanced age, its new owner will be unable to fully use the vehicle's capabilities. However, if you act quickly, you can still get 944 Turbo early production vehicles with 50,000 to 60,000 miles on the odometer for roughly $12,000. The 944 Turbo models' base prices are going up, which means that the days of the 944 being known as a budget-friendly sports vehicle are slowly ending. Above all, be sure to check the VIN number of the car before you purchase it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Gas Monkey Garage-sponsored 2006 Ford GT, also known as the "BADD GT," attained a peak speed of 310.8 mph (500.1 km/h) on December 9, 2022, at Space Florida's Launch and Landing Facility, which is situated in Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This speed makes this car the fastest street-legal automobile in the whole world.
Lamborghini Aventador, 2022's Fastest All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle. The Aventador is the name of a Spanish fighting bull that competed in 1993 in Zaragoza, Aragon, and the Lamborghini Aventador is a handcrafted, mid-engine sports vehicle.
The typical top speed of a contemporary automobile is around 120 miles per hour. The top speed of the fastest ones is capped at around 200 mph. Manufacturers intentionally limit the maximum speed of their vehicles through the engine computer.
The SRT Demon Dodge Challenger can reach 60 miles per hour in 2.3 seconds. (0-60mph). In addition to its claim of being the quickest production vehicle to 60 mph, the 829 horsepower Challenger SRT Demon made a stir when it was released because it frequently lifted its front wheels out of the ground. Even while it can supposedly reach 60 miles per hour in 2.3 seconds, it costs extra money to make the necessary modifications, such as switching to a different type of gasoline and different tires.
The way to go is turbocharging. Compared to the hundreds of pounds it would take to modify a naturally aspirated vehicle, a simple tune on any turbocharged vehicle will generate a lot more horsepower.
If you consider the Chrysler 300 to be a regular automobile, then it could be among the quickest cars you can buy. The 300 can reach speeds of up to 175 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds when equipped with the optional V-8, which produces up to 470 horsepower. Additionally, well-known electric vehicles like the Kia EV6 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds.
