It's almost a given that as a gearhead, you must appreciate plenty of power, whether for daily drivers or track-ready machines. But buying a high-powered car shouldn't be a luxury reserved for the well-to-do enthusiasts only. With less than $20,000, you should be able to get a neatly-used car that produces more than 300 horsepower.
Some of these cars don't just offer ample horsepower, but also a host of luxury amenities to boot. But then, don't expect them to win street races or break speed records. That said, here are the cheapest used cars you can get with 300-plus horsepower.
10 2010 Jeep Commander Limited V8 - $10,995 - 357 HP
While the 2010 Jeep Commander Limited is good for on-road trips, its true monstrous nature is revealed off-road. The Limited model comes with a standard 5.7-liter V8 engine that's tied to a five-speed automatic transmission. The engine spits out 357 horsepower and 389 lb-ft of torque.
The 2010 Commander Limited is available in either two- or four-wheel drive and can tow up to 7,400 pounds. In terms of fuel economy, the Commander is a bit lackluster with a rating of 14/20/16 mpg.
9 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged - $9,000 - 470 HP
The Jaguar XF received a significant power boost in 2010. Only the base model retained the 385-hp 4.2-liter V8, as the other got a 5.0-liter V8 that produced up to 470 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque in its supercharged form.
The XF Supercharged is almost as powerful as the XFR but equally fast as it hits 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. You can get a neatly used 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged for less than $10,000.
8 2012 Chrysler 300C - $12,000 - 363 HP
The Chrysler 300 is one of the few remaining American RWD sedans and despite its full redesign the previous year, the 2012 iteration receives several significant updates that help it challenge the Ford Taurus, Cadillac CTS, and Toyota Avalon.
The 2012 300C is equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine that is joined to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Chrysler sedan pumps out 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Its EPA economy estimate is 16/25/19, which is slightly more efficient than the AWD.
7 2012 Ford Taurus SHO - $9,999 - 365 HP
The special badging, glossy finish trunk-lid spoiler, and twin chrome exhaust tips give the Ford Taurus SHO performance-driven appeal. The all-wheel drive SHO is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that produces 365 hp.
The heavy sedan, which weighs 4,224 pounds, is quite fast on its feet with a 0-60mph time of about 6.0 seconds. The thicker anti-roll bars and stiffer shocks provide well-balanced handling for the Taurus SHO, which is great around corners.
6 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec - $11,988 - 429 HP
With handsome styling, a burly 5.0-liter, and a host of luxury features, it's hard to find another luxury sedan that offers so much for so little. The 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec has a gasoline direct-injected V8 that makes up to 429 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque.
The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and sends power to the rear wheels. The Genesis 5.0 R-Spec offers a smooth ride with refined suspension. And the best part is that you don't have to break the bank to get one in good condition.
5 2013 BMW 3 Series 335i Sedan - $14,900 - 300 HP
The BMW 3 Series 335i Sedan is one of those cars that evokes a sense of prestige without costing you a pretty penny. It comes with a throaty 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that cranks out 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60mph time is estimated to be around 5.4 seconds.
The 2013 BMW 3 Series sedan offers a smoother ride that's perfect for long-distance trips. You will also enjoy it around back roads, even though it doesn't feel as sporty as the coupe version.
4 2013 Buick LaCrosse Touring - $13,990 - 303 HP
The 2013 Buick LaCrosse looks handsome and graceful on the outside and luxurious on the inside. If you want the experience of a traditional luxury car for your everyday driving, the Buick LaCrosse is a good choice, and you can get a clean one for less than $15,000.
The 2013 Buick LaCrosse Touring is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine with an output of 303 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. Buick blesses it with precise steering and secure handling, but only offers a 6-speed automatic transmission for the entire LaCrosse line.
3 2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe - $13,950 - 330 HP
The Infiniti G37 has remained quite the same for years and even though the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A6 have had a few interesting updates, it's still a formidable competitor, largely due to its 3.7-liter V6 powertrain that produces 330 horsepower.
You can think of the G37 Coupe as a luxury version of the Nissan 370Z, and it's slightly more powerful than the Audi S5. The 7-speed automatic transmission maintains power on tap, as it doesn't seek low engine speeds via short shifting.
2 2014 BMW 5 Series 550i xDrive - $9,999 - 445 HP
The BMW 5 Series is a midsize luxury sports sedan that is marketed as the “ultimate driving machine”. The 2014 550i is more practical, fuel-efficient, and powerful than previous generations. Power comes from a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 that's paired with 8-speed automatic transmission.
The midsize luxury sedan, which you can find for less than $10,000, makes up to 445 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. It works with an xDrive AWD system and is impressively quick in its own right.
1 2016 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost - $17,962 - 365 HP
Even though the 2016 Lincoln MKS comes with no significant updates, its decent power rating, fuel economy, and spacious interior make it a good choice for luxury sedan buyers on a budget. The Lincoln MKS is noiseless and composed on highways, but it doesn't exactly inspire much confidence around tight, twisty back roads.
While the base model makes about 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, you can rely on the EcoBoost model for an additional 60 horsepower. The MKS is propelled by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine and zooms to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, according to third-party testing.