Fast cars are fun, but that comes at a price. Car lovers tend to stay away from fast cars, thanks to their steep prices and difficulty maintaining. However, today we’ve come up with a list of cheap fast cars you can buy to enjoy the thrill of driving without breaking the bank. Read along to find out.
We’ve compiled a list of the most affordable fast cars available from a variety of international automakers, from German to Japanese and American.
Dodge Neon SRT4
$9k-$10k (approx.)
Image by Tony Lee from Pixabay
First up on the list is a worthy American, The Dodge Neon SRT4. A turbocharged variant of the Neon, this is one car that stays true to its SRT badge. It came packed with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine churning out 215 horses. Talking about speed, the Neon SRT4 was quick enough to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in less than 6 seconds with a top speed of 153mph. You could find a mint condition SRT4 under $10,000, making it one of the best cheap cars to buy.
Chevrolet Corvette (C5)
$20k-$30k (approx.)
TTTNIS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Corvette is one of Chevy’s most famous models. Every generation of this model was special, and so in the Corvette C5 introduced in 1997. This rough and tough automobile features a 5.7L LS1 V-8 engine that produces 339 hp. The C5 Corvette could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, complete the quarter mile in 13.2 seconds at 110 mph, and reach a staggering top speed of 175mph with this massive power output.
Ford Focus ST: Versatile, cheap fast car
$12k-$15k (approx.)
The Ford Focus is one car that is available in a variety of body types. Our pick out of it would be the Focus ST four-door hatchback variant, which boasts a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 252 hp. Clocking 0-60 in just over 6 seconds, the Focus ST is capable of crossing top speeds beyond 150mph. The fact that you can get one for around $15k makes the Focus ST a worthy contender in the cheap fast cars list.
Also read: Cheap Cars to Modify: List of Affordable Tuner-Friendly Cars!
BMW 330i
$10k (approx.)
Need an M3 but can’t afford it right now? Never fear! If you’re thirsting for an M car but can’t quite justify the price tag, the 330i may be the car for you. We recommend getting one in the timeless E46 shape that came out with BMW’s famed inline-six M54B30 engine. This 225-horsepower car with a top speed of 155 mph can be yours for around $10,000.
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Porsche Boxster: Best cheap fast car?
$22k-$25k (approx.)
Porsches are pure enthusiast cars, and it’d be a crime if we didn’t feature one on this list. You must be wondering which Porsche would be eligible for a cheap fast cars list entry. Well, the Porsche Boxster is the answer. This mid-engine flat-6 car accelerates to 60 miles per hour in just 5.2 seconds. You can get a 987 Boxster at rock-bottom prices at the moment. It is available in both Tiptronic S as well as a conventional manual transmission.
Pontiac GTO
$10k-$15k(approx.)
America’s original muscle car, the Pontiac GTO, should be your best bet if bulkier, macho cars are your thing. The 2005 edition of the GTO came out with a GM’s 6.0-liter LS2 engine, with mammoth power figures of 400hp at 5200rpm. It also had functional hood scoops, better brakes, and split rear tailpipes, all of which helped the car cruise from 0-60 in just 4.8 seconds. Even though Pontiac later brought a Holden Commodore-based GTO in 2008, we’d still recommend you get the 2005 version for its sheer presence and handling. The GTO is one of the cheap fast cars you can find in the market, and you can find one in pristine condition for around $10k to $15k.
Mercedes Benz E55 AMG: Cheap and Fast Mercedes
$15k-$20k (approx.)
AMGs aren’t regular Mercs, and the E55 AMG, which came out in the early 2000s, isn’t different either. Equipped with a 5.5L V8 delivering 469hp at 6100 rpm, the E55 has an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Even in 2023, when they’ll cost you between $15,000 and $20,000, we still think it’s a good idea to pick one up. Also, did you know that the E55 AMG was once the fastest production sedan in the world?
Lexus LS400
$10k-$12k (approx.)
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lexus cars are known for their luxury and reliability, and we’re sure that you wouldn’t expect them to feature on a cheap fast cars list. But did you know that the LS400 is capable of hitting speeds like 150mph? The model, which came out with V8 and V6 powertrains, can be yours at a meager sum. So this is one car you should zero in on if you’re in the market for a fast luxury car.
Audi S4
$5k-$7k (approx.)
Get ready to shell out as low as $5000 and take home a German speedster! The B5 and B6 generations of the Audi S4 are capable of hitting top speeds of more than 155mph, thanks to their punchy 2.7L V6 and 4.2L V8 engines.
Volkswagen Golf GTI: Cheap and fast German car
$15k (approx.)
A timeless classic and a hot hatch mixed in one, the Golf GTI is one cheap fast car that we think shouldn’t miss out on featuring in this list. With a punchy 2.0-liter inline-four engine pumping out 241hp on the Sport trim, the GTI can sprint from 0-60 miles in an impressive 5.9 seconds. A seven-speed DSG with paddle shifters makes the Golf GTI a convenient, fast car. Though a 2023 model can set you back by close to $32k, you can get your hand on some older examples for around $15,000.
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