A few decades ago, covering the quarter-mile in 10 seconds was a feat that only highly customized professional drag-racing cars could achieve. However, thanks to advancements in technology, many production performance cars today can achieve a similar result with no modifications. And no, we're not talking about ultra-expensive supercars like the Bugatti Chiron. You can now find multiple 10-second cars for even less than $100,000, though you may have to look in the used car market for some of these cheap fast cars.

UPDATE: 2023/11/24 00:39 EST BY MARTIN PETER

Using data from reliable sites like Kelley Blue Book and Classic.com, we analyzed the new and used car market and found the most affordable cars you can buy today and be able to cover the quarter-mile in 10 seconds, including a few under $100,000. The following models are sorted in order of slowest to quickest in quarter-mile times.

2023 Tesla Model X Plaid: $91,380 For 9.8 Seconds

Specifications

As the leader in the world of EVs, it's no surprise that a Tesla is a 10-second car. Tesla makes high-end vehicles with incredible performance. The Tesla Model X Plaid covers the 1/4 mile faster than most cool supercars and speeds up from 0 to 60 mph faster than some Formula 1 cars. The Tesla Model X Plaid, with 1,020 horsepower, is the world’s fastest and most powerful production SUV.

With a trap speed of 144.88 mph, the Model X Plaid set a new SUV world speed record, finishing the 1/4 mile in just 9.754 seconds (according to YouTube channel DragTimes). With a starting MSRP of $91,380, this magnificent beast is a fantastic deal.

Watch The Model X Plaid Do The Quarter Mile

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: $110,000 For 9.65 Seconds

Specifications

Muscle cars are meant to be some of the fastest cheap cars money can buy, and the Dodge Challenger Demon shows that perfectly. For those unfamiliar, the Demon is a modified Dodge Challenger that, while legal to drive on the road, was designed with one goal in mind: to dominate the drag strip. In stock form, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demom is the ultimate dragstrip toy, as it can reach 60 mph in 2.3 seconds.

According to Dodge, it can complete the quarter-mile in 9.65 seconds. On the used market, this speedster's price is around the $110,000 mark as per KBB estimations.

Watch The Dodge Demon Do The Quarter Mile

2021 Tesla Model S Plaid: $73,000 For 9.2 Seconds

Specifications

Tesla’s Model S Plaid is the company’s pinnacle in terms of performance. It is the quickest vehicle in Tesla’s lineup and the quickest four-door production vehicle on the planet, with a 0-60 MPH acceleration time of 1.99 seconds.

Also, in 2021, the Model S Plaid ran a 9.247-second 1/4 mile at the Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California, but has lately improved on that time. According to CarGurus, this drag reaper is available for $73,000.

Watch The Model S Plaid Do The Quarter Mile

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170: $96,666 For 8.91 Seconds

Specifications

We already told you about the Dodge Challenger Demon and how fast and awesome it is. If you thought it couldn't get any better, think again. Dodge recently unveiled a new version of the Demon that will be sold exclusively to customers who already own a Demon. Dubbed the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, this insane muscle car is built to shatter all records held by muscle cars.

At the heart of the Demon 170 is the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 as the regular Demon but with multiple internal improvements to help it produce 900 hp with 91-octane fuel or a crazy 1,025 hp when burning E85. With a reported 1.66-second 0-60 mph time, the Demon 170 is the world's quickest production car and will cover the quarter-mile in under 9 seconds. The lucky original buyers will only pay around $100,000 for the Demon 170, but collectors will have to pay a lot more at auctions.

Watch The Dodge Demon 170 Do The Quarter Mile

Reference list: Acceleration Times, Kelley Blue Book, Fastest Laps