Top 15 Cheap Cars That Are Really Fast

Most gearheads dream of one day owning a car that can satisfy their need for speed. An adrenaline rush that can only be achieved by blasting down a quarter-mile track in the time that it would typically take a driver to get up to 60. Of course, that is not the case with very many of the new cars coming out onto the market because some of them can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.0 seconds or less, such as the Tesla Plaid and the Porsche 911S. Unfortunately, these cars are still out of reach for most performance car lovers, but luckily there are some vehicles out there that are under $15,000 that are really fast.

A buyer will have to spend a little extra restoring some of these affordable, fast cars, but that’s part of the challenge — and excitement — of diving deep into this pond. Spend a little and spend a little more until the car only found in dreams sits in the garage. One that’s fast, powerful, and cheap, all rolled up into one awesome vehicle. Let’s take a look at these 15 cheap but fast sports cars that can get every car lover moving down the right path.

Updated March 29, 2023: The value of cars can change without notice and faster than an alcohol-powered funny car on a quarter-mile track. They largely depend upon the location, the condition, and the vehicle itself, so be sure to check into the current local prices to get an exact value of the car being considered.

Related: Top 10 Fastest Used Cars Under $20,000

Nissan 300ZX Can Accelerate From 0 to 60 In 6 Seconds

The Nissan 300 ZX carried an integrated headlamp design to go along with its dramatic sloping body that hammers home its sports car design. Don’t sleep on the roof too long because T-tops came standard on the Z32, adding yet another dramatic styling cue to the sports car’s overall aesthetic package. Looks aside, the 300ZX could move. If the original buyer opted for the twin-turbocharged variant of its 3.0-liter VG30 V-6 engine, the car would benefit from a power output of 300 horsepower and 283 pound-feet of torque.

Yes, the 300ZX TT Z32 had as much power as the Ferraris of that time. It’s easy to forget, too, that Nissan built this performance car specifically to compete against models like the Chevrolet Corvette C4 and the Porsche 944. That’s why it was able to hit 60 mph in 6.0 seconds or better and had a governed top speed of 155 mph. If a buyer is looking for a fast, cheap car, check around for a 300ZX and try to find one with a five-speed manual transmission.

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Has A Top Speed Of 165 MPH

Speaking of a desirable 90s-era sports car, the Mitsubishi 3000GT — it’s also known as the GTO in Japan and the Dodge Stealth in America — was a grand tourer that didn’t look the part of one. It was better described as a sports car because it performed like one despite carrying a bulky 3,737-pound frame. Despite its weight, it could make short work of the Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang. Today the car can be driven around town or parked in a car lot and will still look as fresh and new as it did in 1990. If the original buyer wanted to take the car to a whole new level, they would have ordered the VR4 variant.

The performance-spec 3000GT VR4 has many aerodynamic add-ons, including an inverted airfoil spoiler. More importantly, it featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that produced 320 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque. Despite being rear-wheel drive, It only took 5.7 seconds for the sports car to hit 60 mph from a standstill position, and it peaked at a top speed of 165 mph, faster than a lot of today’s sports cars. If a buyer has around $20,000 to spare, they can score a used 3000GT and still have enough change in their pocket after the purchase. The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 was available with a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual, and a four-speed automatic transmission. Obviously, you should try to find a six-speed model.

Related: Top 10 Fastest Porsches Ever Made

Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 Could Shoot through The Quarter-Mile In 13 Seconds

Many Corvette enthusiasts cried foul when the Chevrolet Corvette C4 arrived in 1983, but the rancor has subsided to a great degree. Despite the mixed reactions to its looks, nobody could deny that the Corvette C4, particularly the ZR1 variant, could destroy a lot of exotics of its time. The rear-wheel-drive Corvette C4 ZR1 boasted a 5.7-liter LT5 engine that could produce as much as 405 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque.

It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 180 mph. It’s even done quarter-mile times in the 13-second mark at 110 mph! These days, used versions of the Corvette C4 ZR1 are available for as little as $25,000, while standard Corvette C4 models can be bought anywhere from $12,000 to $18,000. However, avoiding models built through the 1988 model year is probably best. These had the Doug Nash “4+3” manual transmission with a funky automatic overdrive attached to the three upper gears. 1989 and newer models came with a new, thoroughbred ZF six-speed manual.

Audi S8 D3 Sprints 0 To 60 In 4.6 Seconds

Despite weighing more than two tons, the S8 D3 can slap you senseless with a sprint-to-60-mph time of just 5.1 seconds on its way to maxing out at an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. A big part of the credit goes to what’s sitting underneath that sheet metal of the front hood. Pop that open, and a 5.2-liter V-10 will be displayed.

An engine that’s considered a cousin of the 5.0-liter Lamborghini V-10 engine that powered the Gallardo supercar. Unsurprisingly, the S8 D3’s V-10 unit could produce 444 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. The S8 D3 looks like a stately car, and it fits the bill of one. Underneath all that, though, is a sports car waiting to be unleashed, and if a buyer is in the market for one, used versions of the S8 D3 can be bought for as low as $6,000. It’s one of the fastest cheap cars out there.

Related: Top 10 American Performance Cars

Dodge Neon SRT4 Had A Surprising Top Speed Of 153 MPH

Despite the shortcomings of the basic Dodge Neon, it had a trump card called the Neon SRT-4. The high-powered Neon SRT4 was the turbocharged variant of the Neon that was developed by Performance Vehicle Operations, the in-house tuning arm of what was then Daimler Chrysler. The Neon SRT4 packs a wallop. It is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine, producing 215 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque.

It doesn’t sound like much by today’s standards, but the Neon SRT4 was created to surprise many people. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds – 0.4 seconds faster than the rear-wheel-drive 2001 Ford Mustang – and hit a quarter-mile time of just 14.1 seconds before maxing out at a top speed of 153 mph. Perhaps the stink of the “Neon” nameplate has kept demand low for the SRT-4 because used turbocharged Neon models can be found for under $10,000. Point-blank, the Neon SRT-4 was a fast car.

Chevrolet C5 Corvette Produced an Awesome 339 Horsepower

From one generation to another, Chevrolet has shown that it could reinvent the Corvette in ways that will elicit a reaction from the Corvette faithful. It happened when the Corvette C4 arrived in 1989 and when its successor, the Corvette C5, arrived in 1997. Among many changes, Chevrolet completely re-engineered the Corvette C5’s chassis, making it tougher and more durable than the one its predecessor wore.

Chevy also created a near-perfect weight distribution, partially aided by moving the transmission to the differential housing. Then there’s the Corvette C5’s 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 engine. This engine produced 339 horsepower and 356 pound-feet of torque. That output propelled the ‘Vette C5 to 60 mph from an idle position in just 5.3 seconds on its way to a quarter-mile time of 14.6 seconds at 110 mph and an impressive top speed of 174 mph.

Related: 10 Hypercars That Push Performance to the Extreme

Jaguar XJR Has Quarter-Mile Times Of 15 Seconds

The second-generation Jaguar XJ was in the market for 17 years; to be fair, the XJ X308 wasn’t that great of a car. Its faulty engine could set a person back in the red if it conked out at the most inopportune time. It also had a dated look, a product of laziness on Jaguar’s part. A car owner probably won’t enjoy peak use of that engine due to its age and all-around wear-and-tear.

But back then, the V-8 could summon 370 horsepower and 387 pound-feet of torque, allowing for a 0-to-60-mph time of just 5.6 seconds to go with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Used versions of the XJR X308 are dirt cheap, underscoring the model’s myriad of issues when it was in the market. Still, if a buyer wants to take a stab at one and restore it back to prominence, it is possible to buy a used model for as low as $7,000.

E39 BMW 540i Accelerates From A Standstill To 60 In 6 Seconds

The BMW E39 is arguably one of the most underrated versions of the 5 Series. On the surface, the BMW 540i is a top-end spec of the 5 Series E39. But inside, it’s basically an M5, even if it wasn’t as powerful as that generation’s actual M5. There’s a lot to like about the 540i’s capabilities. It was powered by a 4.4-liter V-8 engine that produced 282 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

That output helped the 540i sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and post a quarter-mile time of 15.8 seconds at 104 mph. Like most models, the 540i’s top speed was limited to 155 mph. Used versions of the BMW 540i E39 sell for as low as $6,000, with some of the best used cars for under $10,000. If looking for an M5 that can build back up to prominence — and maybe throw in a bigger engine — the 540i E39 is an excellent way to go.

Related: 10 Most Powerful BMWs Ever Made

Chevrolet Z28 Camaro Had An Impressive 325 Pound-Feet Of Torque

The fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is the last Camaro that Chevrolet built before the nameplate took an eight-year hiatus. Despite that stain in its name, the gen-four Camaro was still something else. The top-spec Z28, in particular, was a barn burner. It featured a 5.7-liter LT1 V-8 unit with 275 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque at its disposal.

Here’s the challenging news about the Camaro MkIV Z28; only 633 units were made during the fourth-gen Camaro’s entire production run. Scoring one cheap is tricky, but if a buyer looks hard enough, they can get a deal anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000, depending on its condition. It has all the hallmarks of a cheap fast car.

Porsche 944 Turbo Accelerates To A Top Speed Of 162 MPH

The Porsche 944 Turbo was a hot ticket item when it first came out. Its popularity sustained throughout its nine-year run, culminating in a production run approaching 160,000 copies. The sheer production volume and its front-engine layout have contributed to the car’s affordable status despite boasting a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four cylinder engine that produces 217 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque.

Given its age, a new owner won’t get to maximize its full power and performance potential. However, early-production models of the 944 Turbo with around 50,000 to 60,000 miles on its odometer can still be bought for approximately $12,000, but act quick. Prices for the 944 Turbo models are going up; the days of the 944 carrying the label of an affordable sports car are coming to an end.

Related: The Best Used Sports Cars Under $5,000

Lexus LS400 Races To 60 In 6.2 Seconds

Throughout the years, the Lexus LS series has been a mainstay for the company. Even though they have always been marketed as a personal full-size luxury sedan, they can get up and go. In fact, the second generation Lexus LS400 has a 1 UZ-FE V8 under the hood that can pump out up to 260 horses and has a torque rating of 270 pound-feet.

That equals a 0 to 60 time of just under seven seconds and a quarter mile track time of around 15.2 seconds at 94.3 mph. The top speed of the LS400 is somewhere near 155 mph, but that all depends upon the track conditions. Even though this car is a Lexus, the second generation cars can still be bought up for under $10,000, but the average going price today is close to $15,000 for a model in good condition.

Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Has A Mind-Blowing 516 Pound-Feet Of Torque

What can be said about the mighty Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG that true fans do not already know about? The luxury sedan is not built to be a sports car, but with its handling and power, the driver would never know it. As a rule of thumb, any Mercedes that has the AMG designation is a highly sought-after car, but for some reason, this generation has never really gotten the attention that it deserves.

That is good news for people looking to buy one because the average cost of a car in good shape runs between $10,000 and $20,000, which is a steal for a performance car that is actually a family car. Under the hood of these luxurious vehicles can be found a supercharged, 24-valve 5.4L V8 with a brake horsepower rating of 469. It produces a ground-pounding torque of up to 516 pound-feet. These numbers help the car rocket down the quarter-mile track in 12.4 seconds, and it can achieve a top speed of 155 mph.

Related: 10 Sports Cars from the 2000s Still Worth Buying

Chrysler 300C SRT8 Is A Family Sedan With 425 Horsepower

Now on its way out, the Chrysler 300C series was not a high-end car designed to be a beast on the track and streets, not many adrenaline junkies even know about the SRT8. It is still a full-size sedan designed to be a daily driver, but with the 6.1L V-8, it can hang with any of the big dogs.

Straight out of the factory, the engine could push out up to 425 bhp and 420 foot-pounds of torque, giving it just enough power to push the heavy car from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds. The great news about the Chrysler 300C SRT8 is that since not many people are after it, it can be picked up dirt-cheap. Since they look like an average family car, it is one of the best sleepers on the roads today.

Volvo V70 R Is A Wagon With Some Hidden Power

One car that nobody would ever expect to be on a list of fast and cheap vehicles would be a station wagon. Not only a wagon but one produced and built by one of the most dependable carmakers on the planet, Volvo. Although this vehicle looks like the typical car dubbed a “grocery getter,” it packs a 2.5L four-cylinder graced with a turbocharger.

Since it is already a small four-cylinder, it has better than average acceleration, giving the car a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. The acceleration of this V70 R station wagon is not the only thing that makes it great, though. It can achieve a top speed of 155 mph, just like the average V-8. Since this car is a Volvo, it is not as price friendly as some other choices, but it can still be bought for less than $15,000.

Related: Top 15 Fastest Used Cars Under $20,000

Infinity G35 Coupe Is A Z-Car At Heart

Anything built and designed after the Nissan 350Z will be a fast car, even if it is not marketed as such. The Infinity G35 Coupe is a car that can scoot from a dead stop to 60 within a matter of 5.8 seconds. If the conditions are right, it can get down the quarter-mile track in under 14 seconds. The 3.5L V-6 may not be the most powerful of engines, but it can still pump out up to 302 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.

The key to making this type of engine fast is weight and performance, which the G35 coupe has, and since it is not one of the most popular sports models on the market, they can be bought for as little as $10,000 or less if wanting a project car that needs some work.

FAQ

Q: What are some cheap cars that are fast?

Sports cars from the last two to three decades populate this segment of the industry, and depending on their condition and all-around wear-and-tear, you can buy a cheap fast car for as little as $5,000.

Q: What cars are fast and cheap?

The Mitsubishi 3000GT, Honda S2000, and even the Toyota MR2 are all considered fast and cheap.

Q: What fast cars are cheap in 2022?

Models like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota 86, and Subaru BRZ count as fast cheap cars in 2022. Hot hatchbacks like the Ford Focus RS, Volkswagen Golf R, and Honda Civic Type R all qualify as affordable fast cars in our current year.

Q: What is the Fastest Normal Car?

If you consider a car like the Chrysler 300 a normal car, then you could consider that as one of the fastest. If you opt for the optional V-8, you can have as much as 470 horsepower, which will put the 300 up to as high as 175 mph while getting you to 60 mph in less than five seconds. If not, there are mainstream EVs like the Kia EV6 that can do 0-60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds!