1. So what is the best way of breaking 400 horsepower without breaking the bank? 2. Punching out 160-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, the Abarth's turbocharged 1.4-liter wails absurdly Italian sounds and the stiffly sprung little car loves to hang its tail out in lift-throttle oversteer. There are plenty of great sub-$30K options available. The best part? You can pick up a 2008 model for around $10,000 under the $25,000 price cap. While the car doesn’t look like much, other than the hood nostrils hinting at something special, this thing packs a serious punch. Jump to: SUVs Sedans Trucks Hatch/Wagons Vans Hybrids Electrics Coupes Convertibles. 1. Current price: $28k - $30k+ Engine: 3.0L I6 - 320-hp; 0-60 time: 4.6 sec . Are you SURE you're ready for the HPDE season? The best cars under $30,000 in 2020. Autobytel Car of the Year Awards. The E39 M5 is one of the best M cars to date in our opinion. That said, few cars are as rewarding as the screaming V8-powered E90-generation M3 (2008-2013). The first generation used the LS6 with 400 horsepower for the first 2004 and 2005, then the LS2, which was also rated at 400 horsepower. How does 475 horsepower from an American-made 5.4-liter V-8 sound? If you want to take the whole family along for a terrifyingly good time without blowing the budget, the Dodge Charger SR8 is a great option. Nigel Atkinson June 24, 2016. Many of the following cars also just ooze cool, so even if people don’t know what’s under the hood, you’ll make quite the impression. ... or even a sports car. 30 Fastest Cars Under $30K in 2018. List: 400 Horsepower For Under $30K. Another big performance sedan, the Jaguar XF Supercharged is a real steal. Even a new BMW M5 or Corvette ZR1 is out of reach for the masses, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a used Ford Taurus. It uses the 6.0-liter V-8 lifted nearly intact from the C6 Corvette and makes 400 hp and 400 lb ft of torque. With some creativity and willingness to compromise some, it’s completely possible to get a car with 400 horsepower or more and not spend over $25,000. You need to go with a 2005 or 2006 model, which has the LS2 V-8 instead of the LS1 to hit 400 horsepower. The Premium package offers you enough of the tech and creature comforts you want to make this a great family option. Cheap power is music to enthusiasts’ ears, especially if you’re on a budget. Sure, you’ll see the car leaving your property on a flatbed tow truck on a regular basis, but to enjoy fine Italian automotive craftsmanship isn’t for the weak of heart or pocketbook. The Ford Mustang is one of the fastest cars, if not the fastest car you can get for under 30k, with a 305 HP v6 under the hood making 60 MPH in just 5.1 seconds, similar to the far more pricey G37 which does it in 5.0, at a 10 thousand dollar premium. To stay below the $25,000 limit you’ll have to shop a little, because these amazing, fire-breathing vehicles hover right around that mark if they have a decent number of miles and no mechanical issues. It snarled with a gnarly 500 horsepower, meaning this car more than qualifies for the list. We’re not talking about the Pontiac GTO from the heyday of muscle cars back in the 60s and 70s, because those go for well over the $25,000 price cap. Cars $50K-$70K. You can get one of these monsters for under $25,000 if you go with about the 2007 model year, and especially if the previous owner actually drove the car a fair amount, with somewhere around 60,000 miles on the clock. Considering there are numerous for sale at or near $10,000, this is one-budget-friendly performance machine. Cars Under $20K. The base Camaro LT offers a nice V6 with 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque. That effort will be rewarded with much tire shredding and other fun times. You need to go with a 2005 or 2006 model, which has the LS2 V-8 instead of the LS1 to hit 400 horsepower. The 12 Best Luxury Car and SUV Lease Deals Under $400 … Here is our list of the 10 Best Used Sports Cars Under $30,000. + WR Classic Video: 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10. It’s a car that was good enough for Heisenberg, thanks to the faux-Bentley elegance and raw power, so why wouldn’t it be good enough for you? These cars are a real blast to drive, but beware: they’re not something you should depend on as a daily driver. 2006 Chevrolet Corvette ZO6 (Credit: Chevrolet ). That means if you’re willing to take one likely made before the financial collapse, or sometime around when everything fell apart, you can pick up one of these cars for under $25,000. You must be logged in to post a comment Porsche Taycan Now Under $80k. It’s not always true that you need to spend a lot of money to get a great car. May 11, 2010. 2008 Dodge Charger SRT8 (Credit: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ). If you know that going in, you might not pull out all your hair and curse ever owning the car. In the not-too-distant past, if you wanted a car with 500 or more horsepower, your only choice was an exotic supercar, and cars with top speeds of anywhere near 200 miles per hour were part of a very It has a quiet, roomy interior, gets great safety scores and it’s a comfortable cruiser. Cars $30K-$40K. Login to reply Subscribe for our latest news, reviews, and lists. But that's just what the 2005 Quattroporte is, a 6.2 Liter V8 that packs only a few horses under 400. If you’ve heard the exhaust note from the C63 AMG, they just sound mean. With the Performance Package, the Veloster N’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger spools out 275 horsepower. Pairing garish looks with unbridled power is exactly what the Cadillac CTS-V is all about. If you want plenty of horsepower but don’t want to spend buckets of cash, check out any of the following vehicles. However, when big horsepower ratings are a requirement, ... 10 Cars With 400 hp Under $20k; 10 Cars With 400 hp Under $20k ... 10 Of The Fastest Cars Under $30k Build and Price a New Car. Cars like the Mercedes-AMG CLA45 and Ford Focus RS make huge amounts of horsepower from four-cylinder engines. If you stick with the earlier years in the C6 range, like 2005 or 2006, staying below a $25,000 budget shouldn’t be too hard. Research New Cars. Speaking of cost, tracking down a Quattroporte Sport GT S for under $25,000 isn’t hard at all. It’s not easy, and it’ll take some hunting and maybe a little bit of compromising, but you can grab an old Dodge Viper for under $25,000. See which ranks #1 and find the best vehicle for you today. Back when the GT500 was last on the market, the car was renowned for serving up explosive performance and power levels that for then were pushing the envelope. 10 Best Used Sports Cars Under $30,000. One reason you can grab one for so little is that repairs can be frequent and quite pricey. 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 (Credit: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ). There is an automatic transmission available as well, but it downgrades output to 400 horsepower since the L99 V-8 sits under the hood instead. Often a plaything of rich boys who graduated from their Subaru STI, the C63 AMG is a bona fide performance machine, with 451 horsepower pulsating from the 6.2-liter V-8. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS (Credit: Chevrolet ). Just remember rearward visibility is a huge weakness, so maybe back into parking spots? What’s also mean is the potential repair bills you’ll face, so this isn’t a car for the weak of stomach or finances. 2000 Dodge Viper RT/10: 450 horsepower, $29,830. Login. Hopefully he has a comfy waiting room and good loaner vehicles, because you’ll be quite familiar with both. While it would be great to have the finances for a McLaren 720S or a Ferrari GTC4Lusso, those are playthings for the 1 percent. Picking up a used BMW M5 for cheap isn’t hard, especially if you’re willing to get something that’s about a decade old. Find a BMW M3 for sale. In case you haven’t noticed, most cars on this list don’t have rear doors. Jaguar Land Rover To Be All-Electric By 2025, Speed Secrets: Preparing for a Season of HPDE, Caffeine Science Suggests Benefits For Racers, Price Breakthrough? Previous. Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited. The Acura TLX is a well-balanced midsize luxury sedan that presents a great value if you’re looking for a gently-used luxury car. With minimal hunting, you can find either version of the muscle car for under $25,000, especially if you stick closer to the generation launch in the 2010 model year. The ‘Vette is not only America’s Sports Car, it’s also been the go-to for cheap performance. It’s some of the cheapest power out there today. Everyone seems to have an opinion about Tesla these days. Dodge Vipers (Credit: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ). You’re likely looking at a 1995 or older model. The new breed of muscle cars (Mustang, Camaro, Challenger) can all be had with big V-8s that are north of 400, but when you are done with the options sheet, the grand total will still be in the mid-to-upper $30,000s. For example, you can easily find a 2009 model with low miles for around $14,000. Chrysler didn’t have a lot of money to spend on a “halo” car, so they took a bunch … It looks far different from the Mustang and Camaro, and arguably has a more comfortable and practical interior — plus you can get it in some pretty vibrant colors (Mopar has always excelled in that department). Oh, just the ungodly exhaust note of this performance sedan is reason alone to get one. There are many new cars, trucks, and SUVs with energetic personalities and price tags of $30,000 or less. 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (Credit: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ). The big reason, of course, was the 6.4-liter V-8 under the hood, which growled with a heavy 470 horsepower. The 2019 Hyundai Veloster N comes in under the $30k barrier. Just remember that not only is 90s nostalgia becoming quite the thing and you’re investing in that, you’ll be tasting the exhilaration of 462 horsepower throttling from the massive 8.0-liter V-10 engine. Chevy Trailblazer SS (380 hp) – some bidding for ~$15-16k, many in the low $20k range. 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG: 493 horsepower, $29,270. 13 Incredible 400HP+ Used Cars You Can Find for Under ... 10 of the Fastest 2014 Cars Under $30k. Shop carefully and there are plenty of nice ones out there for under $30,000, and droptop enthusiasts should take note that convertibles tend to be cheaper than hardtops. When Dodge first unveiled its radical Viper supercar in 1989, jaws dropped around the world. Sometimes they’re purely made for fun, like Jeep’s Easter Safari... One of the most depressing things is buying a new car, then pulling the value a... One of the unavoidable costs of car ownership is insurance. 200- to 350-horsepower cars can be had at a price that won't break the bank, but what if you want something more. You’ll feel the rush of 433 horsepower pushing you forward while soft Italian leather cushions your body, making for a cushy way to taste unbridled power. If you stick with a fifth-generation Camaro SS, you can get 426 horsepower from the 6.2-liter LS3 V-8, and it even goes with a six-speed manual transmission for added tire-shredding fun. If horsepower is the only thing on your mind when purchasing a car, the current market has no shortage of choices. 10 Cars with 400 hp Under k; 10 cars with 400 hp Under $20k Back; Page 1 of 11 … 10 of the Best Used Sports Cars Under $15,000 10 Best Used Sports Cars 10 Of The Fastest Cars Under $30k Build and Price a New Car. While the base car comes with a 305 horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine, the highlight of the Mustangs’ mid-$20K range is the turbocharged inline-four EcoBoost model. 400-horsepower cars, from your local dealer, are becoming more and more attainable, but are still a long way from being as common as a 300-horsepower car. All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 2005 - 2021 Winding Road All Rights Reserved. 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 You definitely get bang for the buck with a used Shelby GT500. Best Rear Wheel Drive Cars For Under $30K. Many people think the Chrysler 300 SRT8 was the only time Chrysler’s full-size sedan was interesting, and that’s not entirely inaccurate. We got ten ideas, here. By. For $28,395 (staying under $30,000 with destination fees), it’s a steal. ... score, which takes into account the opinions and expertise of professional car reviewers. They may not have massive engines or neck-snapping acceleration, but they'll get your heart racing. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 – cheapest are still in the low $30k range. 30 Fastest Cars Under $30K in 2018; Facebook Twitter. Individual throttle bodies supply air to a monster 5-Liter V8 producing 400 horsepower to the rear wheels. Austin Irwin Car and Driver 15 of 15 JLR is making a bold shift to EV, but is it possible? Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S (Credit: Maserati ). The Pontiac GTO might look like your typical 4 seat coupe but under the hood lurks a surprise. They don’t make cars like this anymore, unless you want to drop more than your mortgage likely costs, plus this is something that will turn heads everywhere you go. Agreed that this quest for 400 hp is a bit silly at this price range. 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (Credit: YouTube ). Thanks to the tendency for Chrysler to shed value like a winter coat in April, you can pick up one of these sedans that’s only a few years old for under $25,000. 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG: 469 horsepower, $29,900. While often underrated and forgotten, the fifth-generation Pontiac GTO that was actually a badge-engineered Holden Monaro from down under. Next >. Maybe it’s a little funny-looking with its three-door high-hatch design but you’ll have the giggles in the driver’s seat. Clocking a solid 425 horsepower from a Hemi V-8, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 was the beginning of what Motor Trend declared Ford’s lost stranglehold on the muscle car market. The Hemi V-8 pulsates with a raw 425 horsepower, and rear-wheel drive ensures you’ll be visiting the tire shop regularly. Will caffeine really give us a competitive edge? Under its long hood is a powerful V6 engine; ... Best Cars from $20K to $30K. 2017 Nissan 370Z The only kicker is that with an old M5, you’ll definitely be on your mechanic’s Christmas card list. It's an exciting day to see a Maserati make the under $25K list because it's not often you'll find such a high-performance sports car from a luxury company for such a good price. Cars Over $70K. A six speed manual will launch the car from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, which is almost V8 Mustang territory. Since this car is already pretty affordable when new, you can get a recent model from the 2018 model year or newer for under $30,000. Horsepower is generally the first number buyers look to when shopping for a new performance rig.... Concept cars are an odd beast. In the past decade, the world has seen its share of 400-hp cars, and they’ve now depreciated into the realm of attainability. You might even get lucky and find a great deal on a C6 ZO6, which pushes much higher to the tune of 505 horsepower, plus boasts sharper handling. To stay under the $25,000 budget for this luxury monster, you’ll have to likely go with a CTS-V that’s a 2009 or older. Chevrolet Camaro SS. Best Cars from $40K to $50K. Dodge Viper RT/10 . 2010 Jaguar XF (Credit: Jaguar Land Rover ). That, and if you pick up a white or black model, people might just let you pass because they believe you’re a cop. The supercharged 4.2-liter V-8 has a mean sound and a solid bite, pushing 420 horsepower to the rear wheels. We Finally Have Info on the Ford Bronco Delays. 2003 Audi RS6: 450 horsepower, $27,965. Best Cars from $30K to $40K. 30 Under $30K: Quick Vehicles that Won't Break the Bank. You don't have to rob a bank to get a new vehicle quick enough to be a getaway car. Here are the 10 Best Cars over 300 hp. It just happens to be a bonus that it is one of the few cars on our list of the fastest cars under 30K that seats more than two. What’s more, about 10 years ago the M5 packed a super potent 5.0-liter V-10 engine that’s nothing like what you can get these days. The top model is the 2018 Camaro V6 (335 horsepower, 284 pound-feet of torque), which hit 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and ran a quarter mile in 13.8 seconds in Car and Driver tests. The second generation, which started with the 2009 model, used a supercharged LSA for 556 horsepower, so it’s the more potent way to go. Paired with good looks and the BMW name, for around $20,000 a pristine example of performance and luxury could be yours. 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG: 469 horsepower, $29,900, 2000 Dodge Viper RT/10: 450 horsepower, $29,830, 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG: 493 horsepower, $29,270, 2006 Cadillac CTS-V: 400 horsepower, $27,135, 2008 Dodge Magnum SRT8: 425 horsepower, $26,900, 2006 Cadillac STS-V: 469 horsepower, $26,800, 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton W12: 420 horsepower, $26,235, 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: 405 horsepower, $25,745, 2006 Dodge Ram SRT10: 500 horsepower, $25,500. Just remember to roll down the windows often, especially when driving through tunnels, because the mechanical symphony is mesmerizing. Like many other luxury cars, this one depreciates in value like a rock. By Brandon Turkus. From $25,645, the unassuming four-banger puts out 310 horsepower, takes the car from zero-to-60 in the low-five second range , and still gets a combined 25 miles per gallon .