Being able to own an extremely fast car with little money is not just one of those car myths – it can be a reality. Buying a pre-loved car is like inheriting a treasure because it comes loaded with all the features you desire and fits perfectly into your budget.
Updated January 2023: Prices of used cars, especially sports and muscle cars, change depending on their age and demand. Below is an updated list highlighting some of the fastest cars you can get for under $10,000.
If you find a car with fewer miles on it and if the paint still sparkles, it’s a joy to drive it home and park it on your curb. If it’s a bit well-ridden and worn, remember to be a kinder owner to it, and it will love you back. So, here are twelve fast cars you can get for under $10k at the used car lot.
12 2006 Audi S4
The 2006 Audi S4 boasted a beautiful naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 power mill. And this motor is in an equally beautiful car – the 2006 S4, which is still, first and foremost, an Audi. No turbocharger and no reduced displacement – and still, this beauty gushes out 340 horsepower and 302 ft-lb torque, which, even by today's standards, makes the 2006 Audi S4 one powerful contender in the car bazaar.
In 2006, this would have cost around $50k, and even then, it was well worth the price. Today, you can get a pre-loved beauty for less than $10k, from anywhere between $7,000 and $9,500, and it will still fly at 155 mph (electronically limited).
11 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4
The Dodge Neon was not a good car – it was one of the worst cars of the early 2000s, and probably came at a time when no one wanted a car this size or with these features. But when Dodge went SRT on it, it revived and became the SRT-4.
The turbocharged inline-four mill jetted out 230 horsepower, and on a car that weighed less than 3,000 lbs, this made it fly the roads at 153 mph. It’s a basic American tuner and a reasonable used car to have for $4,000-$6,000. The SRT-4 has slight racer-like looks that will definitely please any enthusiast.
10 2000 BMW Z3M Roadster
With top speeds of around 160 mph, this one is quite the steal – the 2000 Z3M Roadster managed 235 horsepower and 197 ft-lb torque. These average-sounding numbers, coupled with the roadster's under 3,000 lbs curb weight, gave it a superb power-to-weight ratio.
The engine was a smooth inline-six naturally aspirated power mill that nailed top speeds with barely a shudder and could equally coast smooth roads at cruising speeds. This car is not very common, but you can have it for approximately $10,000 – and well-preserved models may go slightly higher even. Choose one with some miles under its belt, and you get your under $10k car, and it's a BMW roadster, no less.
9 Nissan 350Z
For over 15 years now, the 350Z has been the quintessential affordable JDM sports car, as it offers one of the best price-to-performance ratios on the market. Not only that, but the 350Z is also stunning to look at, with tons of aftermarket support for those wishing to tune it up even more.
But if you're looking for a regular stock one, you'll still get a burbling 287-horsepower V6 for anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000 moderately used. But good luck finding one that's not tampered with.
8 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
The E55 AMG is nothing short of iconic among used performance cars you can get for cheap. It's the closest thing Europeans offer to a true muscle car, sending a ridiculous 469 horsepower to the rear wheels, courtesy of a 5.5-liter V8.
However, performance is not the only thing this car offers, as it's a Benz. You're also getting a top-notch interior with leather upholstery and cool features (at least for 2003). The used car price ranges from $5,000, but if you want one in good condition, you can expect to pay much higher. The only downside to owning one of these could be the potential repair costs you'll probably encounter after buying one of these monsters. It's still worth every penny.
7 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
If model years also matter to you, then the 2000 Chevrolet Cobalt SuperSport may fit your needs better. Chevrolet followed Dodge’s Neon to SRT-4 conversion formula for this and made the Cobalt, an erstwhile boring car, into the Cobalt SS that came with three options – a sunroof, limited slip-differential, and a rear spoiler.
The Cobalt SS, because of being a few years later than the Neon SRT-4, was a better-tuned ride. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine powered out 260 horses and 260 ft-lb torque and went 155 mph when gently nudged. The supercharged SS went even faster at 158 mph. A Chevy Cobalt SS can be yours, pre-loved at $6000-$8,000 from the used car lot.
6 2006 Mustang GT
Need we say anything about the Mustang GT? A plain old Mustang (which is, of course, anything but plain) is a very capable muscle car. The GT is several steps ahead. The 4.6-liter V8 churns out 300 horses and 320 ft-lb torque, which are not supercar numbers, but they are very muscular.
The 2006 Mustang GT is good enough on its own, and you can tune it to your heart's content with the number of Mustang specials available in the auto parts market today. With a 0-60 mph sprint time of 5.6 seconds, this car can satisfy the speedster in you while keeping your pocket happy too. At $6000-$8,000 in the used car lot, it’s a great car to buy.
5 2006 Pontiac GTO
The 2006 GTO was not as great as the 1960 GTO, but if you have to have a Pontiac GTO, the 2006 version goes for under $10k. And that may be the high point of you buying it. The main issue had been with its looks and the fact that you could not replicate greatness.
That said, the second copy wasn't bad if you didn’t experience the original GTO. With a 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V8, this car jetted out 400 horses and 400 ft-lb torque, and since its demand was never astronomically high, you can have it from the used car lot between $8,000-$10,000.
4 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
The Z28 is one of the Camaro’s greats – not to say that any of the Camaros suck per se. The 2000 Camaro Z28 housed a 5.7-liter V8 that pulsed out 300 horses and 335 ft-lb torque, which could take this speedster from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds.
Not only was the Camaro faster than the 2006 Mustang GT, but it also weighed less than 3,500 lbs and was pretty aerodynamic. This makes it a perfect choice for those who want something like a Mustang but not a Mustang in regard to what lies under the hood. At $9,000-$10,000 – this one is also a good steal.
3 1996 Chevrolet Corvette C4
The Chevrolet Corvette is a favorite supercar of all dad-bod dads in America – somehow, despite the beer belly and the receding hairline, the 'Vette makes us all feel young and joyous again. And it doesn’t have to be a brand new 'Vette.
How about the 1996 Corvette C4? Yes, that’s a lot of years older than today, but it’s still a Corvette. And it had a Lotus-engineered 5.7-liter V8 that made 300 horsepower and 335 ft-lb torque and could make it race to 175 mph under able hands and steering. At nearly $10,000, it is a cool and classic buy for anyone looking for some fun on wheels.
2 2008 Dodge Charger SRT8
The Dodge Charger is a good car. And when it is the SRT8 trim, it's one of the best muscle cars to be had from the used car lot, even though getting one under $10k is a steal. Of course, the owners of these cars would ride them hard and rack many miles under their belt – but it is still all Mopar.
The 6.1-liter V8 big-block engine jets out a cool 425 horsepower and 420 ft-lb torque – and it looks awesome while achieving that. Of course, with a Hemi engine, you cannot expect fuel economy from it, but with a 0-60 mph sprint of 5 seconds, do you want speed or fuel economy? Lucky ones can have this car for slightly under $10k, though mint condition ones will go for more cash.
1 2004 Porsche Boxster 986
The Porsche Boxster came roaring to Porsche’s rescue with the M96 engine – a water-cooled inline-six variable-cam mill that jetted out 225 horses and 190 ft-lb torque. The Boxster’s aerodynamic design made it fun to drive, especially when paired with Porsche’s six-speed manual transmission.
The rag top mid-engine car was fun to drive but got a bad rap for having a weak engine – it may not have been the best of Porsches, but it was still a Porsche and makes for a great driving experience. A 2004-model Porsche Boxster goes for $8,000-$9,000, depending upon its condition – though later models go much higher.