Top 15 Fastest Used Cars Under $20,000

If you have a budget of $20,000 to buy a fast car, what will you do? Buy a new car or a used one? If you go the new car route, your options will involve cars like the Kia Soul, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Trailblazer, etc. Now, these aren’t bad cars for that price, but they sure aren’t ‘fast’. But, if you go the used route, the $20,000-budget will open you to a world of fast cars that will fulfill your adrenaline cravings rather comfortably. That said, it leaves you vulnerable to getting cars that might end up spending half the time in garages. So, which car should you pick? Well, we’ve listed 10 of the fastest used cars that you can buy for under $20,000 and have a good time with them.

Updated March 2023: We’ve included a few more great options for sporty and quick cars that can be had for under $20,000 including some American muscle, hot hatches, and sports cars that provide plenty of thrills for enthusiasts not looking to break the bank. Despite the continued volatility of the used car market, with these models there’s still plenty of options for fast fun under $20,000.

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

What better car to kick off this list, right? Almost every enthusiast has this little roadster on their bucket list at some point in life. The MX-5 nameplate rocked our worlds for the first time in the late 80s and has been a heartthrob ever since. We’ve picked the 2016 Miata because Mazda, after swerving off in between, went back to the original template with this model.

It was smaller and lighter, thus making it even more agile and fun to drive. Although 155 horses don’t seem a lot on paper, the Miata will prove you wrong. The 2016 MX-5 Miata started at around $26,000 and went up to $31,000, but you can get the top-end Grand Touring convertible for under $20,000 in 2022 if you search well.

2006 BMW M3 E46

The BMW M3 E46 is arguably one of the best versions of the M3 to ever come out. It was available in the market from 2000 to 2006, and it made a lasting impact on a lot of people when it was around. Part of the M3 E46’s appeal revolved around its stature as one of the best — if not the best — models BMW has ever built. It was lauded for being engaging, fun to drive, reliable, and all-out fun to drive. The M3 E46, in particular, added incredible power to that mix, drawing its juice from a 3.2-liter inline-six engine that produced 333 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque.

The M3 E46 could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 155 mph. The M3 E46 was a super hit model, so finding one won’t be a task. However, finding one for under $20,000 won’t be that easy. You can find some for a shade over $20,000, like the one we’ve linked, but it all boils down to your negotiation skills to bring it under $20,000.

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2016 Dodge Charger

If you’re looking for raw, brute power, the Charger should be on top of your list. It was offered with many engine options, but the one that will fall within this budget will be the 292-horsepower V-6 engine. It was mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that powered the rear wheels. Should you be lucky, you could also get yourself an all-wheel-drive model at this price.

The Charger offers ample space for passengers in the front as well as the back. To make it even better, it offers a rather spacious cargo space so you can carry luggage for a week-long vacation for your entire family without worrying about how you’ll travel with it.

2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS

The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro was a return to form for Chevy’s resident muscle car. Introduced in 2010 after an eight-year hiatus for the Camaro nameplate, the fifth-gen Camaro not only reignited interest in the Camaro as a muscle car, but also sparked a renaissance of sorts for the entire pony car industry.

Of all the versions of the Camaro that came out in that era, the SS was arguably the most sought-after. It wasn’t as fast as the Z/28, but the Camaro SS still packed an impressive 6.2-liter V-8 mill that put out 426 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Just as important as the Camaro’s power figures were its performance times. In full bloom, the Camaro SS could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds on its way to a capped top speed of 155 mph. You should be able to hunt down a model from this generation for under $20,000 relatively easily.

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2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI

This is one vehicle you just can’t go wrong with. While the 2022 range starts at around $30,000, you can lay your hands on models as new as 2017 for well under $20,000. The Volkswagen Golf GTI has been around for the longest time, and it is one of the best enthusiast cars you can get if you’re just starting off.

It comes with 220 horses which should be enough to make you chuckle every time you floor the A-pedal. When you’re ripping it on the roads, it will also serve as a good daily drive and a nice weekend-getaway car for the family. All said, there’s no way the Golf GTI can disappoint you, unless you’re a glass-half-empty kind of a person.

2004 Pontiac GTO

Here’s one model that you won’t find anywhere else other than the used-car market. The fifth-generation Pontiac GTO lived a short two-year life before it was canned. It didn’t last long enough to make an impression on a lot of people, but even with its short life, the GTO was able to serve notice that it wasn’t one to be messed around with.

As the last model to wear the iconic “GTO” badge, the fifth-generation Pontiac GTO lived up to the billing, thanks in large part to a 5.7-liter V-8 engine that produced 350 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The GTO wasn’t the prettiest performance car you can buy back then, but it sure packed the kind of meat that allowed it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 160 mph. Finding a used model under $20,000 is no big deal, but be careful of the car’s history before buying it.

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2015 BMW 328i

What better than getting a less-than-10-year-old BMW for under $20,000? It’s not just about the badge; you get a car that’s a looker, a performer, and an absolute keeper. The turbo-four engine is smooth, makes ample power, and can be a fun vehicle for your straight-line sprints. It’s not just that; you can potter it around town at legal speeds and even have fun on windy roads over the weekend. There’s a reason why BMW 3 Series is known as the sportiest compact luxury sedan, and the 328i is no exception.

2008 Impreza Subaru WRX STi

The Subaru Impreza WRX STi is an icon in its own way. It is powered by Subaru’s respected 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that produces more than 300 horsepower. The powerful engine is complemented by a six-speed manual transmission that sends all that power to all four wheels. All of this makes the WRX STI one of the most fun performance cars to drive on the road.

You can’t go wrong owning one. Depending on the year and trim, owning a second-hand Subaru WRX STI is easier than it sounds. 2008 STis are what you can get in this price band. If you’re fortunate, you might come across some 2010 models, too. But, be sure to check it thoroughly.

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2017 Honda Civic Si

The Type R is the pinnacle of performance in the Civic portfolio, but it hasn’t been present on our shores since the beginning. Until its arrival, the Civic Si held that spot, so it’s fair to put it on this list. The 2017 Civic Si is part of the 10th-gen Civic that came out a year before. Although the Si was known to come with its own identity (under the hood), from this generation onwards, it featured the same mill as the pedestrian Civics; albeit, in a different state of tune. The 2.4-liter free-breathing engine made way for a smaller 1.5-liter, four-pot with forced induction.

It makes the same 205 horses, but 18 pound-feet of torque more than the models prior to the 2017 range. This gives it a strong low- and mid-range, but also reduces the redline to just 7,000 rpm. It is a decent daily driver, too, and can be a good car for your urban commutes. The 2017 Civic Si hovers around $20,000 price. High mileage models will fall under it and low mileage, over. But, if you research well, you can get lucky and get the best of both worlds – low mileage and under $20,000.

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Mitsubishi doesn’t have the sparkliest of reputations these days, but it does have one model that still captures the imagination of sports car lovers the world over. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was produced from 1992 to 2016, and, to this day, it’s still considered one of the purest all-wheel-drive performance cars in the business.

That’s high praise for an automaker that has struggled to gain any traction (pun unintended) in the industry for the better part of two decades now. It is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced as much as 291 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Combine that with its all-wheel-drive setup, and the Lancer Evo was as fast as it was fun to drive.

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2018 Ford Focus ST

All enthusiasts can appreciate a good hot hatchback, and the Ford Focus ST was certainly a bright spot for the segment during its production run in the U.S. Though earlier versions exist, the most powerful version available in the U.S. had a production run from the 2013-18 model years with the facelifted version debuting in 2015. The Focus ST is powered by a sprightly 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder serving up 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.

Showing its enthusiast-driven nature, it is only available with a six-speed manual transmission. Alongside its more aggressive looks, plus available Recaro sport seats, the ST features a sport-tuned suspension and other kit that makes it a strong performer in the corners with all the everyday practicality of a Focus hatchback. To boot, even top-spec versions of the ST can now be had for under $20,000.

2011 Dodge Challenger R/T

The Dodge Challenger is a prime illustration of the automotive industry’s move to full electrification with the traditional model being replaced by the upcoming Charger Daytona EV. But thankfully for those who still want a burly V-8 under the hood, the Challenger R/T not only fits the bill on cylinders, but models from 2010-13 are fairly abundant at under $20,000.

The R/T is powered by a hulking 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that dishes out 376 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque with a standard six-speed manual transmission. That’s good enough to propel the 2011 Challenger from a 0-60 mph in five seconds and onto the quarter-mile mark at 13.5 seconds at 106 mph. And as a slice of American muscle, the Challenger R/T has the commanding presence, both visually and aurally, to match its engine’s performance.

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2012 Nissan 370Z

The new Nissan Z has garnered quite a lot of attention, but much of its underpinnings are shared with its predecessor, the 370Z. The 370Z is the continuation of the long-running Z lineup, and like its new iteration, it puts a premium on sports car thrills without breaking the bank — it won’t take too much searching to find a coupe model from 2008-14 that rings it an under $20,000.

Powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 offering 332 horsepower paired with a six-speed manual, the 370Z offers adept handling, sprightly acceleration, and a bevy of customization options to increase its performance. And though its design is now over 15 years old, the 370Z’s styling will still turn heads.

2010 Ford Mustang GT

While the standard, V-6 powered 2010 Mustang can be had for quite a bit cheaper than the V-8 powered GT version, the two extra cylinders provide a whole lot of added performance with most models still staying below $20,000. Better still, a $20,000 max budget doesn’t exclude the GT Convertible model for those who crave open-air cruising and to hear more of its V-8 soundtrack.

Even though well over a decade has passed, the Mustang’s retro-inspired exterior styling and cabin are still endearing, as is the 4.6-liter V-8 offering up a notable 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The 2010 GT is an appealing option as it was the first model year to offer a revised interior with better quality materials, a facelift over prior models, with a reduction in drag, wider wheels, a higher rev-line, and increased stiffness to benefit performance.

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2017 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

The Hyundai Veloster may not have the outright power of many of the cars on this list, but the quirky little hot hatchback isn’t short on driving excitement, particularly when its being thrashed around in corners. While the standard Veloster had to manage with 138 horsepower, the Turbo version is fitted with a 1.6-liter, you guessed it, turbocharged four-cylinder that offers 201 horsepower with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The Veloster Turbo’s small footprint helps its agility in corners, and its accurate, quick steering aids the cause. It’s also easy to appreciate the Veloster’s unique status as a hot hatch that comes with three doors, two big exhausts at the shortly overhanging rear end, and its overall idiosyncratic looks. And plenty of Turbo models can be found for several thousand under $20,000.