RWD cars have a special place in the hearts of many gearheads, and you can get some pretty fast ones on a tight budget.
AWD is a godsend in the automobile industry. Cars with all-wheel-drive powertrains are more capable in inclement weather and thus are regarded as among the safest vehicles on the road. However, if swinging the rear end out makes you thrilled like a ballerina, you're looking for a rear-wheel-drive coupe. Rear-wheel drive is terrific. But, in a world where front-wheel drive reigns supreme in terms of cost and efficiency, while all-wheel drive is coveted for the few occasions when it is required, rear-wheel drive is becoming increasingly difficult to come by. Nevertheless, if you know where to search, it is still possible to find it among the ocean of used sports and fancy cars.
Most car aficionados will tell you that they want rear-wheel drive in their sports cars, ideally in a coupe body shape. Even if you don't have $100,000 to spend on a car, you could now choose from a plethora of new models. Although more and more manufacturers worldwide want to power both axles, there are many rear-drive cars that provide the thrills that drivers want. Here are our top ten recommendations for the fastest rear-wheel-drive automobiles under $30,000.
There's a lot to enjoy about the 370Z, especially if you find the design and aesthetics intriguing rather than odd, and don't expect soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. If you can get over these two potential stumbling blocks, you'll fall in love with your 370Z.
A 332-horsepower, 3.7-liter VQ37VHR V6 engine is locked and loaded. On its way to a quarter-mile run of 13.3 seconds at 105.7 mph, the Z blasts to 60 in just 5.1 ticks. This speedster costs between $15,000 and $25,000 on the market.
BMW has produced some gorgeous, weird (Z1), retro-inspired (Z8), and uninspired two-seat roadsters over the years (Z3). Only the first-generation Z4 is divisive. The 2014 BMW Z4 is a sharp, fast sporty roadster.
BMW equipped the Z4 sDrive35i with a 300-horsepower 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder turbocharged engine. It also has a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for the automatic transmission, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. On CarGurus.com, we found 2013-2015 models starting from as low as $24,000.
The sixth-generation Mustang arrived in 2015 and it has only improved since then. The Ford Mustang 2022 appears to have received some much-needed thinking. There isn't a slouch in the Mustang family.
The standard 2.3-liter turbo-4 produces 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds with the manual transmission and mid-five seconds with the 10-speed automatic transmission. Starting at $27,205, this beautiful monster is a great value.
The Dodge Viper is among the most well-known cars on the planet, made appearances in numerous films, TV programs, and video games, as well as numerous modifications and models compared to the original form. It boasts all the features that Dodge could give, including the 415-horsepower 8.0-liter V10 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.
The top speed is around 168 mph, with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of around 4.2 seconds. For about $30,000 you can have one in fair condition, not a bad deal, all things considered.
Nissan's current 370Z has expanded on its long legacy throughout the course of this generation, culminating in a truly modern sports car with superb driving characteristics and excellent ride quality. The 3.7-liter V-6 engine of the NISMO model is boosted to 350 horsepower.
A special H-pattern exhaust and engine tune settings provide some extra power. In 4.8 seconds, it goes from 0 to 60 mph. Even at $27,991 on the resale market, its dependability makes it valuable.
The Pontiac GTO is the most famous and popular muscle car of the 1960s. GM revived the logo on a two-door V8-powered car that speeds up from zero to sixty miles per hour in 4.7 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds for the 2005-2006 model years.
The GTO was a drag racer's nightmare as well as a capable muscle car. To keep under $20,000 on the used market, you might have to haggle a little.
The Chevrolet SS, a four-door sedan, surpasses every other automobile in the large car segment in 2014. It may appear to be a rental car from the exterior, but this sleeper contains a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 415 horsepower that delivers quick acceleration and exciting speed.
That's M5 performance, and it's all going to the back wheels. It speeds up to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches 111 mph in 12.9 seconds for the quarter mile. There's one available for just under $30,000 near you, if you happen to live near Salem, Oregon.
Since its introduction in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette has combined a gorgeous appearance with high-end performance that continues to challenge the best sports cars. Every Corvette is an absolute performance. For the money, the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette boasts a lot of power.
The 6.2-liter V-8 engine in the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe and Convertible produces an outstanding 430 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque, allowing for a 0-60 mph time in 4.2 seconds. According to AutoTrader pricing listings, it starts from $27,000 to drive one home today.
Before we dive into the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302, let us state unequivocally that this is not a techie vehicle. Ford's Sync voice command infotainment system isn't available on the Boss, which makes it one of the few vehicles in the lineup without it. But, what you get is 444 horsepower at 7500 rpm, which is an excellent compromise between the 412 horsepower of the Mustang GT and the 550 horsepower of the Shelby GT500.
Through a unique quad-exhaust system, the Boss's 5.0-liter V8's growls and burbles are a pleasure to hear. In 4.1 seconds, the car speeds up from 0 to 60 mph. A used Boss 302 starts from $27,950.
A Camaro is, by definition, a powerful and fast car with a sleek body style. The 6th Generation, which debuted in 2016, utterly defied expectations and established itself as one of the finest muscle cars available. Since its debut in 1967, we have known the Chevy Camaro as a muscle vehicle.
The Camaro is one of the most capable performance cars you can buy used, period, with its athletic handling and ground-breaking V-8 power. The SS version is a true sports car in every sense of the term. For its four-second sprint from 0 to 60 mph, it captures all 455 horses and 455 lb-ft of torque. According to Carfax, a 2016 model may be found from $25,000 to $38,000.
Ramya is a Computer Engineering graduate with a lifelong love of automobiles. Digs all types of cars but has a special place in his heart for Japanese and Italian two-seater sports cars.
