.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
There are several reasons gearheads willingly shell out dizzyingly-huge sums of cash for high-end sports cars. These reasons, among others, could include unrivaled luxury, exclusivity, class, or the extremely-high performance prowess typical of such expensive cars. Also, performance-wise, lightning-fast speed remains an enthralling attribute of most expensive cars. However, with the insane speed capability of modern high-end cars, there’s a school of thought that opines that people seem to be paying too much for an unneeded feature.
Contextually, the Chiron Super Sport with a staggering speed achievement of 304.8 mph remains one of the fastest production cars in the world, and the latest model of the French hypercar is expected to cost as much as a staggering $4 million. Honestly, that’s an extreme price to pay for a speed range only a handful of gearheads will ever achieve. Hence, if you’re a speed enthusiast with a tiny budget, here is a meticulously collated list of fast cars you can acquire for a budget as paltry as $10,000, or even less.
10 Scion FR-S & Subaru BRZ – $7,000
The Toyobaru twins made their grand entry into the American and Canadian markets in 2012. A product of the partnership between Toyota and Subaru, the awesome 2+2 sports cars, upon introduction, featured a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 195 horsepower-producing mill.
This helps the twin sports cars to a comfortable acceleration from rest to 60 mph in about six seconds, with a top speed of 145 mph. Realistically, that’s probably all the go-power you require, and you can get a decently used example for about $7,000.
9 Chevrolet Corvette (C5) – $10,000
With a top speed of 175 mph, the fifth-generation Chevrolet Corvette (1996 to 2004) otherwise known as the C5 is an insanely fast sports car. Notably, the C5 adopted the all-new LS1 powerplant with an engine and transmission arrangement that enabled a 50 / 50 front-rear weight distribution.
Initially producing an incredible 345 horses, by 2001, the C5’s mill was churning out 350 horses, for a zero to 60 mph acceleration of a mere 4.8 seconds. The good news is, 1996 was quite a long time ago, hence, high mileage C5s are gradually falling below the $10,000 price tag.
8 BMW Z3 Coupe – $9,990
A car so amazing, BMW made a special version called the James Bond Edition. This is the Z3, a relatively cheap two-seater sports car produced by BMW as a roadster and shooting brake. The coupe version of the Z3 was introduced in 1998 with the then newly fabricated 2.8-liter DOHC inline-six.
With an output of 189 horses, the mill blasts the Z3 from rest to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 135 mph. Even with its luxurious interior, older Z3 examples can now be found with a $9,990 price tag.
7 Mazdaspeed 3 – $9,000
Mazdaspeed 3 was Mazda’s first hot hatchback since the release of the Japanese company’s BG Familia GT-X in the 1990s and being true to its name, it’s incredibly speedy. The car came equipped with an engine that was listed in “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” for three long years in the Mazdaspeed Atenza’s turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, capable of an output 263 horsepower.
Notably, the Mazdaspeed 3 can accelerate to 60 mph in less than six seconds and both the first- and second-generation versions of the car can now be acquired with less than $9,000.
6 Subaru Impreza WRX – $10,000
JDM’s superstar performance car, the Subaru Impreza WRX has been in production since 1992, hence, there are a handful of used examples of the amazing car for eager enthusiasts. In the market of used cars, high availability often drives down prices. The Impreza WRX is a highly sought-after car, and the 2021 model of the sports compact car sells for a starting price of $28,420.
Therefore, the older used year models of the car even with all its incredible performance capabilities are being listed bought below the $10,000 price.
5 Porsche Boxster S (986) – $9,000
As though the standard Boxster wasn’t fast enough, Porsche introduced the Boxster S in 2000. A higher variant, the S-model produces an incredible output of 250 horsepower courtesy of its 3.2-liter engine.
-.jpeg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
In its most potent form and when mated to a manual transmission, the Porsche Boxster S can accelerate from rest to 62 mph in a mere 5.7 seconds. Needless to say, age has since caught up with this classic car, and you can find a good example for as low as $9,000.
4 Ford Fiesta ST – $10,000
The hot hatch sector is replete with amazingly-built models. An example is the Ford Fiesta ST, which was made available in the North American Market in 2013 for the 2014 model year. Still as potent as ever, the 2021 model of the Fiesta ST has a starting price of $24,000.
However, older models with slightly higher mileages can be found below the $10,000 price range. An equally great performer, the 2014 model of the car has a 180-horsepower-producing mill, and it accelerates from rest to 62 mph in less than 7 seconds.
3 Chevrolet Corvette (C4) – $9,000
In case you aren’t so lucky with the C5, you could however take some consolation in the fourth generation Chevrolet Corvette, otherwise known as the C4. Produced from 1983 to 1996, the C4 is equally an insanely fast car, with the ZR-1 model’s 375 horsepower LT5 helping it set a new 24-hour 5,000-mile land-speed record.
It exceeded the 175-mph land speed limit in March 1990. With the diligent search, good examples of the C4 can be found around, and they aren’t as expensive as used C5s.
2 Jaguar S-Type R – $7,995
The S-Type is an executive compact car introduced by Jaguar at the 1998 Birmingham Motor Show. After a series of updates, a supercharged model known as the S-Type R was introduced in 2002, and it featured a hand-built 4.2-liter V8 boosted with an Eaton M112 supercharger for an output of 400 horsepower.
With this engine setup, the R is capable of acceleration from rest to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and a limited top speed of 155 mph. The great news is that good working examples are available for as cheap as $7,995.
1 Nissan 350Z – $10,000
A two-door, two-seater sports car, the iconic 350Z was produced from 2002 to 2008 as a Coupe and Roadster, during which it was available in a series of powerplants that include the VQ35DE with an updated version which produces up to 300 horsepower.
It will also later feature the VQ35HR V6, with an output of 305 horsepower. In its most potent form, the 350Z is capable of a zero to 60 miles dash in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 104 mph. Notably, good examples have also crept below the $10,000 price tag.