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These fast cars can be yours for less than $10 grand, which really is a bargain.
Fast cars are at the heart of every automotive enthusiast's basic desires. Whether it is the straight-line speed afforded by massive American V8s or a road course special that can tear through corners. Having a fast car is a point of pride, but more importantly, a point of excitement and enjoyment. With that being said, fast cars tend to come with much heftier price tags than their less exciting, slower counterparts. This can often present an obstacle to someone looking for cheap thrills who does not have all the money in the world. Luckily, time heals all wounds, and the years have allowed once unobtainable cars to become quite obtainable.
Updated January 2022: Every year, faster sports cars become accessible to the average consumer thanks to the effects of depreciation. This is terrible news for supercar owners but amazing for an average Joe looking to buy a fast car. On the other hand, some classic sports cars that are no longer in production, such as the Honda S2000 only picked up in value in the last few years. That said, we've updated this list to feature all the fastest sports cars available under the $10,000 mark in 2020.
So if you are interested in finding the fastest cars for under five figures, read on. These cars range from modern contemporaries to aspiring classics, but they all have one thing in common: they are fast and can be had for less than $10,000.
Jaguar are masters of luxury performance cars, however, thanks to running and maintenance costs along with certain reliability issues, secondhand models are a real bargain. The XKR is no different here, and those with $10,000 burning a hole in their pocket can snatch up a genuine British sports car with a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 that delivers 390 hp. 0 to 62 mph only takes a mere 5.2 seconds and it has a genuine 150 mph top speed – that's a lot of performance for very little money. Being more of a grand tourer than an outright sports car, it's even quite comfortable,
A quintessential luxury roadster of the early 2000s, the Z4 did an amazing job of balancing style and performance for a relatively affordable price. The engines range from a 2.0L inline-four-cylinder developing a meager 148 hp to a respectable 3.2L V6 found in the Z4M coupe.
However, there were plenty of engine options available in between those two extremes. That said, finding a decent six-cylinder Z4 for well under $10,000 should be no problem And since all of these models are electronically limited to 155 mph, why bother with the more expensive ones anyway?
The G35 is a somewhat underappreciated and underrated luxury coupe from the mid-2000s with a more than respectable performance, courtesy of its 300-horsepower V6 engine. Its design may not sit with everyone but it's comfortable and quick, with a top speed of 151 mph. But most importantly, it's currently one of the cheapest grand tourers you can buy used, and models in decent condition can be found for around 6 grand!
Universally beloved by the automotive community, the 350Z has now been around for over a decade. In that time, it has accumulated a reputation as a fantastic platform to build on, whether that be a weekend track weapon or a fun drift car.
Despite being over a decade old, it still is a solid performer right out of the box and a safe purchase. Its naturally aspirated V6 produces just under 300 horsepower and the same goes for the car's torque figure.
These cars have undergone a serious decline in value, making this the ultimate project car for anyone looking to get one of the biggest Japanese sports car icons. AutoTrader has many of these going for between $5,000 and $7,000.
The Dodge Neon is normally one of the most forgettable cars in the automotive world. When it was finally given the SRT treatment, however, it became anything but forgettable. Thus, the SRT-4 was ushered in, changing the landscape of the mid-2000s forever. Well maybe that is going too far, but this car certainly did make a splash.
Boasting a turbocharged four-cylinder (the “4” in SRT-4), and 230 horsepower, this was a car that was bound to surprise. It was also under 3000 pounds, meaning it came with a superb power to weight ratio, as well as a tasteful boy-racer exterior.
If you are interested in a cheap, American tuner, this is the car for you. You will not have to break the bank either, clean Dodge Neon SRT-4 models with moderate to high mileage can be found on CarGurus for a paltry $6,000.
The Subaru WRX is every car enthusiast's sweetheart and has been for quite a while now. Paired with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that has plenty of potential thanks to a massive aftermarket, this presents an affordable option for someone looking for something quick and pretty.
If you are wondering just how much it will cost you to drive off with one of these bad boys, you can find good condition examples on CarGurus and AutoTrader for as little as $7,000. In the car world, this is a major steal.
Much like the Neon SRT-4, the Cobalt SS took a tried and true formula: take a normal, boring car and add a turbocharger and oodles more power to create a fast and affordable streetcar.
The 2008 Cobalt SS was definitely a step above the SRT-4, however, coming in with a 260 horsepower, 2.0 liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It also boasted 260 pound-feet of torque, as well as a decent fuel economy.
If you are intrigued, you could scoop one of these up for a very reasonable price in today's market. The 2008 model year Cobalt SS can be found on CarGurus and Auto Trader for the low price of $7,000.
Lexus has a long history of making great cars, and both the SC300 and the SC400 serve as testaments to this heritage. Specifically, the SC400 stands out as a particular example of a sports car done right by Lexus. It was in production for several years and came with an attractive spec sheet, as well as Lexus' bulletproof reputation for reliability. This coupe came with a 4.0 liter V8 that produced a healthy 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
There is also something to be said about this car's looks, despite the subjectivity associated with beauty, the SC400 has definitely withstood the test of time. Pick one of these up today on AutoTrader for a reasonable price of $7,000.
The newest generation of Mustangs are beloved for their more refined handling and power, but their older siblings are still capable of bringing their share of enjoyment to those with a need for speed.
The 2006 Mustang GT is one of those eager-to-please cars that are now at a price where it can be accessed by almost anyone in the market. The car's 4.6-liter V8 makes 300 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, modest but still stout numbers. Best of all, the Mustang may in fact have the largest selection of after-market parts in the automotive world, so there are endless possibilities with what can be done to this car. According to CarGurus, you can find one today trading for as low as $7,000.
Everyone knows the Porsche Boxster is a great, well-balanced, mid-engined sports car. Despite this, the car has garnered somewhat of a reputation as a hair dresser's car. In this writer's opinion, that reputation is wholly unwarranted.
The Boxster is fundamentally a formula for an engaging and fun driving experience, especially when equipped with Porsche's fantastic 6-speed manual. What you get is a top-down, mid-engined riot on four wheels that will leave those V8 snobs in the dust through corners. The aftermarket potential for this roadster is also insane, as evident if you have ever been to a track day with one of these. All it will cost to get into one of these today, according to AutoTrader, is about $7,500.
If you are a car enthusiast, chances are you are a fan of AMG. Unfortunately, the AMG badge comes with a heavy premium if you are buying new. If you are not, however, you definitely have options if you are trying to keep the price under $10,000.
Let me present to you the E-55 AMG, your solution to the lack of German horsepower in your life. This car comes with a massive supercharged V8, generating a ridiculous 469 horsepower and even more absurd 516 pound-feet of torque.
All of that power can be yours for a small fraction of this car's original MSRP. A look through both AutoTrader and CarGurus shows several cars from 2000-2004 going for between $7,000 and $9,000. Easily the most insane horsepower to dollar ration on this list.
The Corvette is the pinnacle of American sports cars. Supercars like the Ford GT aside, the Corvette is the relatively affordable go-to for anyone looking for sleek styling paired with a rumbling V8. Not to mention the cool factor of having the partial top-down feature most Corvette's have.
Therefore, the Corvette C4 presents the perfect value proposition of car enthusiasts on a budget. Weighing less than 3,300 pounds, and equipped with the same 5.7 liter V8 found in that era's Z28, this car also made 300 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque.
All of this could be yours today for a fraction of the C4's original price tag. A quick stroll through CarGurus shows several later-model Corvette C4s going for under $8,000, so act today.
General Motors has a storied history of great American V8s, going all the way back to the original muscle car era of the late 1960s. Since then, GM has kept that tradition alive with a continual stream of affordable, big-power muscle cars like the 2006 Pontiac GTO.
The GTO came with a massive 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 that made a cool 400 horsepower. This car was an ode to the original 1960s era GTO and definitely lived up to the name.
Nowadays, the GTO has reached a price point where many enthusiasts can easily get their hands on a cheap V8. Clean examples of the GTO can frequently be found on AutoTrader for about $9,000.
The Z28 has long been one of the most coveted among the diverse range of Camaros. So the 2000 Camaro Z28 is a fantastic option for those who want a piece of GM heritage. This car also can be built up like Legos, so if you want a track car or a drag strip special, look no further.
The car itself weighs less than 3,500 pounds while being powered by a typically massive 5.7-liter V8. This massive engine provides the car with just over 300 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. Those are pretty good numbers for a car that is nearly 20 years old now. Especially where its value has gone in today's saturated market because AutoTrader has cars with relatively low miles going for about $9,500. Definitely snag one of these up if you are at all interested in cheap muscle.
More Mopar! SRT has garnered a good reputation for fun, fast, high-horsepower cars, and their rendition of the Dodge Charger is no different. Boasting a classic, big-block American V8, this Charger is a definite contender for the fastest car under $10,000.
The SRT-8 sends power exclusively to the rear wheels and a lot of it. This car's massive 6.1 liter V8, makes 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy may be an issue, but luckily with the car's price tag, you can pass along those savings to your gas bill. According to CarGurus, this 10-year-old Charger can now be had for not much under $10,000. Not the cheapest car on the list, but definitely one of the most powerful.
Sources: autotrader.ca, cargurus.co.uk
