Many drivers like fast cars, from sports cars to performance cars in the form of sports sedans, SUVs, hot hatches, and more. But far too many of us get hindered by a tight budget because, in today’s world, it seems the more money you spend, the faster you can go. But back in the day, that was not always the case, especially on the racetrack. In the past, your knowledge of how a car works determined the faster you could go. It's skill and mechanical wisdom that helped move the car down the road faster than the next guy.

Are you looking for a cheap fast car that will leave others chasing shadows on the freeway? We’ve done the research to help you narrow down your choices while balancing your budget and your appetite for speed. The prices vary because everyone’s definition of cheap is different. Likewise, car style is also varied, so this should be able to feed your next need for speed while staying within your budget. No matter the budget, you should find an affordable car of your choice here that will go from zero to sixty in under five seconds.

UPDATE: 2023/12/03 10:18 EST BY RON FP

How we chose the models: HotCars examined the vehicle specifications, performance figures, and press releases from manufacturers, and cross-referenced them with performance reviews from third-party evaluation sites like Zero To 60 Times and Edmunds to come up with a list of models with sub-5-second times in the 0-60 mph sprint. We sourced the used car pricing information from Kelley Blue Book to include only models that are available for $30,000 or less. The following models are sorted from least to most expensive.

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19 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4: Starts Around $5,936

1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Sports Car
Bring A Trailer

The Mitsubishi 3000GT was far ahead of its time. It boasted a modifiable exhaust note, active aero, and twin-turbocharged V6. But the VR4-variant is where the true magic lies.

The 1994 VR4 variant came with an all-wheel drive and a power upgrade that resulted in a total power output of 320 hp. These technological marvels contributed to its 3,803 lb curb weight, but somehow, this 6-speed stickshift '90s Japanese icon could pull off a 0-60 in as quick as 4.7 seconds.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.7 seconds

Top Speed

160 mph

Curb Weight

3,803 Lbs

Power

320 Horsepower

Torque

315 lb-ft

Transmission

6-speed manual

Layout

Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

18 2009 Audi S8: Starts Around $8,070

Silver 2008 Audi S8
Audi

The 2009 S8 is a full-blown German luxury sedan that's quick and affordable. The second-generation Audi S8 wasn't your average sluggish and sloppy limousine. It used a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 straight out of the Lamborghini Gallardo that puts out 450 hp, as well as 398 lb-ft of torque.

Thanks to Audi's impeccable Quattro all-wheel-drive system, its 4,300 lb curb weight was no burden when it came to acceleration. The 2009 Audi S8 could sprint to 60 mph from stationary in just under 5 seconds.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.9 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

4,586 lbs

Power

450 horsepower

Torque

398 lb-ft

Transmission

6-Speed shiftable automatic

Layout

Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

17 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition: Starts Around $11,354

2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition
Subaru

Now is the best time to buy a WRX STI since Subaru has confirmed the STI badge is now extinct and will be replaced by an electric counterpart. Whether you are into drifting or beating the average sedan off the line, look for the 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX Special Edition.

It only has a 4-cylinder engine, getting 23 miles to the gallon on the highway, but pumps out 305 horsepower. The power will have you hitting 60 mph from a stop in just 4.7 seconds.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.7 seconds

Top Speed

158 mph

Curb Weight

3,395 Lbs

Power

305 Horsepower

Torque

290 lb-ft

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Layout

Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

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16 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL: Starts Around $13,500

2006 Mercedes-Benz-SL 500
Mercedes-Benz

Since its debut in 1954, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has continuously improved its status as the German carmaker's go-to nameplate for the sports car and luxury touring class. For the 2007 model year, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class came with four different engine options, with power outputs that range from "mighty" to "monstrous". Even with the base 5.5-liter naturally-aspirated V8, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class can still launch from 0 to 60 MPH in less than 5 seconds.

Performance

0-60 mph

4.6 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Power

382 hp

Torque

391 lb-ft

Curb Weight

4,045 lbs

Layout

Front-engine, RWD

15 1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1: Starts Around $14,555

1991 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 light blue
Mecum

The '90s Chevy Corvette ZR1 is one hell of a muscle car capable of quick quarter-mile times and blistering acceleration. Best of all, it's rather affordable with good-condition C4 'Vettes costing below $30,000 according to J.D Power. So, let's unravel what made the C4 ZR1 so amazing.

Aside from its fiberglass body and all-aluminum suspension setup, this Chevy came equipped with a bonkers 5.7-liter V8. It produced more than 400 hp and an equally impressive 385 lb-ft of torque. In the real world, a skilled driver could put all its power down and achieve a 0-60 in as little as 4.5 seconds, and that's for a car released in the mid-90s. Many 'Vette fans are truly excited to see what Chevy's top-of-the-line C8 ZR1 Corvette will be able to do.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.5 seconds

Top Speed

180 mph

Curb Weight

3,239 Lbs

Power

405 horsepower

Torque

385 lb-ft

Transmission

6-speed manual

Layout

Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive

14 2015 Audi S3: Starts Around $15,996

2015 Audi S3 Sedan in red  - front quarter
Audi

Audi is common on our lists when it comes to manufacturers that build fast cars. They seem to always build cars everyone likes, but few know much about them, and the S3 is the perfect example.

The Audi S3, with its turbo-four engine, weighs in at just under 3,500 pounds and will get 22 MPH in the city and 28 on the highway. It is no Camry regarding gas mileage, but it's a peppy Audi with Quattro all-wheel-drive, which results in a zero to sixty time of 4.6 seconds.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.6 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

3,450 Lbs

Power

292 Horsepower

Torque

280 lb-ft

Transmission

6-speed automated manual

Layout

Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

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13 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8: Starts Around $16,625

A white 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 parked
Chrysler

Want to go fast and be able to cruise around while still being conscious of your fuel economy? The Chrysler 300 is the perfect budget fast car for you. This ride gets a whopping 30 mpg, and yet, in case you were unaware, SRT stands for Street Racing Technology.

The Hemi in the Chrysler 300 SRT8 will keep up with the best around town. It pushes 470 horsepower to the wheels, enough to sprint from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, leaving your opponents in the dust.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.3 seconds

Top Speed

175 mph

Curb Weight

4,365 Lbs

Power

470 Horsepower

Torque

470 lb-ft

Transmission

5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

12 2015 Volkswagen Golf R: Starts Around $18,621

Blue 2015 Volkswagen Golf R
Volkswagen

The Golf R is the most powerful variant in Volkswagen's Golf hatchback line. It boasts a decent dose of horsepower and fuel mileage blended with good looks at a decent price.

The 2015 Golf R offers 292 horsepower and gets 29 mpg on the highway. It will reach sixty miles an hour in a quick 4.2 seconds. While it still has four doors, it remains small enough to whip around a curvy road.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.2 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

3,340 Lbs

Power

292 horsepower

Torque

280 lb-ft

Transmission

6-speed automated manual

Layout

Front-engine. all-wheel-drive

11 2013 Nissan 370Z (Z34) Coupe: Starts Around $18,721

2013 Nissan-370Z- 1500x750
Nissan

The 2013 Nissan 370Z is part of the Japanese Z-car's sixth generation (Z34). With roots that can be traced back to the Nissan Fairlady Z (also called the Datsun 240Z) of the 1960s and 1970s, the 2013 Nissan 370Z propagated one of the two front-midship Nissan sports car lines - the Z-line and the GT-R line.

Powering all trims of the 2013 Nissan 370Z is a 3.7-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine that cranks out 332 - 350 hp and 270 - 276 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant gives the 2013 Nissan 370Z the legs to dash from naught to 60 in 4.8 seconds.

Performance

0-60 mph

4.8 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Power

332 - 350 hp

Torque

270 - 276 lb-ft

Curb Weight

3,272 - 3,353 lbs

Layout

Front-engine, RWD

10 2011 BMW Z4 Roadster sDrive35is: Starts Around $19,360

2011 BMW-Z4
BMW

The 2011 BMW Z4 is part of the model's second generation, which is known for being the first BMW Z series iteration to offer a retractable hardtop. Released from 2009 to 2016, the 2nd BMW Z4 generation rolled out exclusively from the company's German facilities, and it was also the last pure BMW Z4 that was built with no relationship with the Toyota GR Supra.

The 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is, which was the range-topping variant of the Z4 lineup then, benefited from the 335 horses and 332 lb-ft of torque generated by BMW's N54 engine. This 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine, which is regarded as one of BMW's best forced-induction powerplant ever, propelled the 2011 BMW Z4 from a standstill to 60 MPH in 4.7 seconds. Styling and swiftness were great factors in making the 2011 BMW Z4 earn a "great" 81/100 overall rating from J.D. Power and a 4.7/5 consumer review score from Edmunds.

Performance

0-60 mph

4.7 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Power

335 hp

Torque

332 lb-ft

Curb Weight

3,549 lbs

Layout

Front-engine, RWD

9 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR: Starts Around $19,517

2015 Mitsubishi-Lancer_Evolution_Final_Edition- 1500x750
Mitsubishi

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is a sought-after ride for many performance car enthusiasts. With its sleek looks and 291 horsepower under the hood, this thing looks beautiful when it hits full stride down the highway. That aside, it also gets good gas mileage, averaging 17 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway.

With 300 lb-ft of torque, you should be able to beat most cars off the line, hitting 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. One thing Lancer Evo models are also renowned for is their aftermarket support usually leading to some crazy modified Evos.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.4 seconds

Top Speed

146 mph

Curb Weight

3,527 Lbs

Power

291 Horsepower

Torque

300 lb-ft

Transmission

5-speed manual

Layout

Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

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8 2016 BMW 340i xDrive: Starts Around $20,072

2016 BMW 3 Series 340i rear view
BMW

The 2016 BMW 340i not only looks sweet but also has some sweet specs. With four doors and decent power at your disposal, you can take the family anywhere while having a fun journey.

Making our list of the most reliable BMWs under $50,000, the 2016 340i packs a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine and new front struts. There are 320 horses here, and thanks to an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive, this 340i is athletic. It is capable of 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds and gets a surprising 32 mpg on the highway and 21 in the city.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.3 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

3,695 Lbs

Power

320 horsepower

Torque

330 lb-ft

Transmission

8-speed shiftable automatic

Layout

Front-engine, rear/all-wheel-drive

7 2015 Ford Mustang GT Premium: Starts Around $20,251

2015 Ford Mustang GT in Yellow
Ford

With 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, the sixth-generation S550 2015 Ford Mustang GT will blow by everyday street burners with ease. It only weighs around 3,700 pounds and is as aerodynamic as they come in stock configuration.

The GT Premium will roar from zero to 60 in just above 4 seconds, faster than the base 5.0 GT. That is pretty quick off the lot. If you are on a budget, love speed, and want a Mustang, this is the model for you.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.5 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Curb Weight

3,705 Lbs

Power

460 Horsepower

Torque

420 lb-ft

Transmission

6-Speed manual

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

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6 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack: Starts Around $20,780

2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack in Lime
Dodge

The aforementioned Charger is not the only Dodge available with a Scat Pack. The Challenger comes available with it as well. Its 6.4-liter V8 will push 485 horsepower past every other stock car in the neighborhood, and the Challenger Scat Pack can even go head-to-head against some Italian exotics like the Lamborghini Huracan.

The V8 gets 24 miles to the gallon on the highway. Expect worse in the city, just like any other car, but the Challenger is a cool enough ride to handle the small drop in gas mileage. This Scat Pack will set you back in your seat, and if you hit the pedal just right, in 4.3 seconds, you'll be going at 60 mph.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.3 seconds

Top Speed

179 mph

Curb Weight

4,232 Lbs

Power

485 Horsepower

Torque

475 lb-ft

Transmission

6-speed manual

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

5 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS: Starts Around $20,853

2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Chevrolet

The 2016 Chevy Camaro SS 1LE is a beast precisely made for the track that drives as awesome as it looks. Chevrolet said, "The exterior of the SS 1LE has been carefully designed with a performance-first philosophy that combines striking looks with aerodynamic prowess."

Impressively, this Chevy muscle car manages to keep you at ease on the inside with comfort in mind as all the power slams you and your passengers back into their seats. The 2016 Camaro SS 1LE pushes 455 horsepower to the rear wheels, enough to burn plenty of rubber and take you from zero to 60 mph in only 4.1 seconds.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.1 seconds

Top Speed

165 mph

Curb Weight

3,685 Lbs

Power

455 Horsepower

Torque

455 lb-ft

Transmission

8-speed automatic/6-speed manual

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

4 2016 Ford Focus RS: Starts Around $23,377

Blue 2016 Ford Focus RS on the road
Ford

The Ford Focus is one of the Blue Oval group's modern-day classics. The Focus's affordability aspect has always been attractive, but the speed aspect, not so much. However, the Ford Focus RS exceeded everyone's expectations with its 350 horsepower rating and a matching 350 foot-pounds of torque. The RS takes its little four-cylinder EcoBoost engine to hit 60 in just 4.7 seconds. So, think again the next time you consider racing the Ford Focus.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.7 seconds

Top Speed

165 mph

Curb Weight

3,460 Lbs

Power

350 horsepower

Torque

350 lb-ft

Transmission

6-speed manual

Layout

Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

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3 2018 Kia Stinger GT: Starts Around $24,687

2018 Kia Stinger in Red
Kia

Kia may be one of the last brands that some people would expect to be on this list. However, through decades of performance and quality improvements, Kia cars are now leagues beyond what they used to be before the turn of the millennium, and the Kia Stinger GT is a prime example that displays the Korean automaker's achievements and capabilities.

The 2018 Kia Stinger GT has a 3.5-liter V6 engine pushing 365 horsepower. It punches a sting when you line it up, going from zero to sixty in only 4.8 seconds. The Stinger paved the way for Kia's newer, enticing models, such as the K5 (a model we reviewed and love).

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.8 seconds

Top Speed

167 mph

Curb Weight

3,829-4,023 Lbs

Power

365 Horsepower

Torque

376 lb-ft

Transmission

8-speed shiftable automatic

Layout

Front-engine, rear/all-wheel-drive

2 2016 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack: Starts Around $26,498

2015 Dodge-Charger 392 Scat Pack 1920x1080
Dodge

The Dodge Charger Scat Pack is the Charger to get if you want to be quick out of the gate. The 2016 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack produces 485 horsepower to carry its 4,400 pounds down the road and pushes 475 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.

So, you’ll not only beat everyone off the line but will also smoke the tires when you win. That celebration burnout is always the best. It also gets 15 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, which is not bad for a Scat Pack that will go from zero to sixty in 4.2 seconds.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.2 seconds

Top Speed

180 mph

Curb Weight

4,400 Lbs

Power

485 Horsepower

Torque

475 lb-ft

Transmission

8-speed shiftable automatic

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

1 2018 Honda Civic Type R: Starts Around $29,197

Honda Civic Type-R
Honda

Honda may get a bad rep because they can't decide whether to make commuters or sports cars. But the fact is that out of all the car brands, they last the longest. It is between them and Toyota, and both have upped their game.

The Honda Civic Type R FK8 draws out 306 horses from a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine that gets around 28 mpg on the highway. That doesn't stop it from pushing itself down the road, though; it will hit sixty in a fast 4.9 seconds.

Performance

0 - 60 mph

4.9 seconds

Top Speed

176 mph

Curb Weight

3,117 Lbs

Power

306 horsepower

Torque

295 lb-ft

Transmission

6-speed manual

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

External Sources: Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, Zero To 60 Times