Always wanted a turbocharged car? Well, you are in the right place, and browsing the right article on HotCars. Not only have we compiled a list of turbocharged cars for you, the kind that you can really get your jollies in, we have also managed to find some that are dirt cheap.
Now do remember, when we say dirt cheap, you have to apply the theory of relativity behind it. So do not expect cars in four figures because these are turbocharged performance cars after all. And even with some years on them, they can still run a few circles around the fast cars of today and do it with a certain style.
So here go ten cool cars from back then to the almost now that can be rustled cheap from the used car market, and still make you have loads of fun while driving them. See anything you like?
10 The Posh Porsche 944 Turbo
The Porsche 944 was one hot car when it came out in 1982, and managed to complete a fairly successful run in 1991, with its 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine making 217 horses and 243 lb-ft torque.
The fact that it was water-cooled was what drove some Porsche purists bonkers but all in all, it was a great car with plenty of speed and thrills to be had. It isn’t easy to get these cheap but we found a 1988 model in red, for just $20,000.
9 The Overlooked Buick Regal Turbo T-Type
There was the Buick Regal, a cool enough and much-admired car until they brought out the Buick Grand National, and finally the GNX, as final curtain call to performance in Buick. Obviously, these cars were awesome, only, they are so awesome that cheap is not something you associate with them.
So if you move just a little southside of these beauties, you get the Turbo T-Type, with tamer looks but the same turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 from the Grand National, good for 200 horses. Interested? Here’s a 1984 classic under $20,000 for you.
8 The Superquick Subaru Impreza WRX STi
The Subaru Impreza WRX STi comes fast from the factory and new, it never came cheap, with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four that jets a whopping 305 horses and 290 lb-ft torque, for a car that weighs less than 3,000 pounds.
The top speed is 160 MPH, so there’s a car that has a speedy devil under the hood, and you can tune it even more. If this got your attention, here’s a 2004 model for under $15,000 for some superfast driving.
7 The Deceptive Dodge Dart Turbo
The Dodge Dart arrived in 2014 to replace the Caliber as a compact performance car, especially in the Turbo trim where it came powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that made 160 horses and 184 lb-ft torque. The best thing was that it also came paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
It came good-looking with plenty of inside features and while it was not the fastest thing on the road, it was a ton of fun. So here’s a 2016 model listed at less than $11,000.
6 The Buxom VW Beetle
The Beetle is a force all unto its own, and a car that comes with a legacy of being Hitler’s dream. Yet the world bears it no ill-will, considering millions of Beetles have been sold since its conception. For a small car, it comes punchy too, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 175 horses and 184 lb-ft torque.
It's cute and has a definite road presence, and if you want one of these turbocharged little wonders, it won’t empty the bank. Here’s a 2018 model for $16,000, to prove our case.
5 The Rebellious Jeep Renegade
The Jeep Renegade is one of the cheapest of the Jeeps, and one that is only popular because it's compact, a crossover, affordable, and still rugged enough to be part of the Jeep brand. With a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Renegade makes 160 horses and 184 lb-ft torque.
The six-speed manual is fun, and while the Jeep actually shares body parts with the 500X, there is no contest there. It’s a fun drive and you can have a 2018 example for around $13,000.
4 The Charming Chevrolet Cruze
The Chevy Cruze is one compact sedan in the US that also falls under the purview of one of the most affordable cars, turbocharged of course. The 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder makes 153 horses and 177 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed manual.
The insides are pretty and the Cruze drives smooth but fast, making for a near sleeper. If you want a deceptive sedan, then a 2017 Chevy Cruze can be yours for $11,000, and it will come with tons of fun driving.
3 The Nifty Nissan 300ZX
The Nissan 300ZX is one zippy Japanese car and brought with it a whole new era of sports cars with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that could jet an amazing 300 horses, way back in the early ‘90s.
It took on the likes of the Corvette and the Porsche 944 and managed to hit 0-60 MPH in flat-six seconds. So this listing for the Nissan 300ZX for under $20,000 is a real steal if fast, turbocharged cars are what you dream of every night.
2 The Terrific Toyota Supra Turbo
Yep, the 10-second car that started it all. Only while that was an Mk IV, as in a fourth-gen Supra, here were have a turbocharged Supra from the third generation. With an intercooled turbocharger added to the inline-six, the suspension was beefed up to handle all that extra power.
This Supra may not have been perfect but it was well on its way to turning into the legend it is today, and here’s a 1987 model for $15,000 for you to indulge all your F&F fantasies in.
1 The Majestic Mazda RX-7 Turbo II
In 1987, the FC RX-7 Mazda Turbo II arrived, this time with a turbocharged rotary motor that made 182 horsepower and zipped 0-60 MPH in less than seven seconds. It was mated to a five-speed manual transmission and basically ran circles around all other sports cars of its time.
It was not the fastest but it was definitely the sunniest car around, managing to put a smile on the face of even the worst of the grouches who drove it. If you want fun, Mazda style, here’s a 1988 option for less than $15,000.
Sources: Hemmings, CarGurus, Carfax, BringaTrailer