SUVs and crossovers are currently the most popular vehicles in the market. Three-row SUVs are especially gaining popularity even among those who don’t have big families. This growth has affected the production of other cars like coupes and performance sedans. Even though demand is low, there are brands like Mercedes who are still focusing their attention on their signature sedans. However, with these dwindling numbers, performance sedans might soon become extinct.
While that’s the existential threat at the moment, some sedans, even during their peak days, did not survive that long in the market. As a result, they faded away with time, eventually being completely forgotten. Of course, the upside is that they're often very cheap on the used car market.
10 Acura TL Type S
The Acura TL Type S is not a car that wins any popularity contests. However, those who had a chance to drive this beauty agree that it was a decent performer with an above-average styling and design. The Acura TL Type S was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that was paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission.
The max power output of this engine was rated at 270 horsepower. Acura has in the past stated that it is working on bringing back the TL Type S sedan. Let us hope that when they do so, it doesn’t get lost in the shadows of other cars in its category like its predecessor.
9 Buick Regal GS
While most of the cars on this list have been discontinued, there are a few that are still in production. The Buick Regal GS was in production throughout 2020, but that was the last production year for this ride as it has been discontinued for 2021.
The Buick Regal GS is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine that pushes 260 horsepower to either the FWD drivetrain or the optional AWD drivetrain. The FWD comes with an optional six-speed manual transmission. For $10,000, you can buy a used Buick Regal Gs that is in decent condition.
8 Cadillac STS-V
The Cadillac STS-V Series models are among the few Cadillac vehicles that are still respected by car enthusiasts. Sadly, the past few years have been a downhill run for Cadillac. Their cars are no longer what they used to be, and it is very evident that they are struggling to keep up with the competition.
The Cadillac STS-V was built with the hopes to go up against the BMW M Series and the Mercedes-AMG. While this remained a pipe dream, this performance sedan did manage to shine in its home country. The powertrain in this car was a 4.4-liter Cadillac Northstar V8 engine that produced 469 horsepower. Cadillac built only 2,503 units of this car.
7 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Chevrolet’s concentration on sports cars, supercars, trucks, and SUVs have left their sedans in peril. Chevrolet's sedans, especially the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, has been left behind in Chevy’s evolution. The Cobalt SS was once a twinkling star in the Chevy sedan lineup. At its peak, it was the quickest FWD sedan.
This performance sedan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that produced 260 horsepower. Chevy also had a naturally aspirated and supercharged engine option for the Cobalt SS. If you are in the market for this beauty, then $5,000 can get you one with a manual transmission.
6 Ford Taurus SHO
The Ford Taurus SHO was once a popular car in the American market. From 1988 to the mid-1990s the first-generation Ford Taurus SHO had somewhat of a cult following. However, when the four-generation Taurus SHO debuted in 2010, this car seemed to have lost its groove.
The fourth-generation Ford Taurus SHO was powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine pushed 365 horsepower to the car’s AWD drivetrain. You can buy a used Ford Taurus SHO for $10,000 or less, depending on its condition.
5 Lexus IS F
Lexus cars are known for their luxury touch. However, some cars in the Lexus lineup have been known to have the best of both worlds, performance, and luxury. The Lexus IS F falls into this category.
This second-generation sedan debuted in 2008, but only lasted six years before it was discontinued in 2014. The powertrain in this sedan featured a 5.0-liter V8 engine that had a max power output of 416 horsepower. If you are in the market for a Lexus IS F today, then you are looking at a maximum dent of $20,000 in your bank account.
4 MazdaSpeed 6
While most car companies have forgotten cars or at most line-ups, it is not every day that a company has an entire forgotten division. Mazda had an entire performance division, MazdaSpeed, that turned Mazda cars into something unique.
The MazdaSpeed 6 was an all-wheel-drive performance sedan that was powered by a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. This engine was paired with a six-speed transmission. The max power output from this engine was 274 horsepower. You can get your hands on this car for around $5,000.
3 Mercury Marauder
In 2003, Mercury revived the Marauder nameplate for its performance lineup, the Grand Marquis. The Mercury Marauder was built on the Panther platform. It featured a rack-and-pinion steering and an upgraded suspension.
The powertrain in this performance sedan was a 4.6-liter Modular V8 engine that was paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. This was the same engine that powered the Mustang, and it produced 302 horsepower. During the one year (2003 to 2004) the Mercury Marauder was in production, only 11,000 units were built.
2 Nissan Sentra SE-R
The Honda Civic Si is the leader of the pack when it comes to small Japanese performance sedans. However, Nissan challenged this when they unveiled the Nissan Sentra SE-R. There was even a Nismo variant. Unfortunately, the Sentra SE-R didn’t garner the sales numbers Nissan was hoping for.
Its lack of popularity saw the Nissan Sentra SE-R forgotten by many even when it was still in production. This performance sedan was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that pushed 177 horsepower. You can get your hands on this beauty for anything between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on its condition.
1 Volvo S60 R
Two years ago, Volvo unveiled an all-new Polestar S60 sedan. This beauty was preceded by the Volvo S60 R. The S60 R was in production for three years between 2004 and 2007. It was powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine that was paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission.
The max power output from this engine 300 horsepower. This power was pushed to the car’s all-wheel-drive drivetrain. The Volvo S60 R was also fitted with an advanced damper suspension. Getting your hands on this beauty today might be difficult, but if you find one then you only have to part with $10,000.