Used car prices skyrocketed during the pandemic, and even today, they remain higher than they were. In addition, enthusiasts and collectors are seemingly scooping up all the cool cars from the 80s and 90s that used to be affordable. However, there are still some great deals to be had; you just need to know where to look.
In this article, we’ve gathered a selection of cars that punch above their price point. We set a max price of $15,000, but you can find most for a lot less than that – sometimes for as little as a couple of grand. The best part is that these cars can easily keep up with more expensive machinery.
All the prices are from sources such as Kelley Blue Book, Hagerty’s Price Tool, and a selection of used car sites. Remember that prices for cars of the same generation will vary depending on model year and mileage. Make sure you have your wallet ready because there’s no guarantee that these beauties will stay cheap for long.
E46 BMW 330i
Forget about the E46 BMW M3; the 330i is almost as good for a fraction of the price. It has a 3.0-liter straight-six engine with 230 horsepower, can reach 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
Thanks to its agile chassis, rear-wheel drive, and manual gearbox, few cars from this era can match the Bimmer’s driving dynamics. It’s almost surprising that buying one of these for just a couple of thousand dollars is still possible. It is worth paying a bit more for a well-maintained, rust-free example with lowish mileage. Get one now before they skyrocket in price.
2nd-Gen Saab 9-5 Aero
The second generation 9-5 arrived just a couple of years before Saab went bankrupt, and the car was only in production from 2010 to 2012. If you want speed and power, the Aero model is the one to go for. It packs a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 that sends 300 horses to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic. Zero to 60 mph only takes 6.3 seconds.
Saab was commonly considered the architect’s choice of car, and architects tend to know a thing or two about design. So here, you can basically buy taste and style for $9,000. However, the cars often have some complicated engineering solutions, and since the brand no longer exists, parts may be a problem.
FN2 Honda Civic Type R
The FN2 is the least-loved of all the Civic Type Rs, and if there ever was a car that deserved more respect, it’s this one. In true Type R fashion, it has a high-revving VTEC engine, and the fact that it’s the last naturally aspirated Civic Type R only makes it more desirable.
The FN2 is one of the cheapest ways to own a Type R, and the car is as solid as one would expect from a Honda. Make sure it’s serviced regularly and that the timing chains and tensioners are in good condition; other than that, it’ll last a lifetime. Surprisingly, driving something that’s this much fun for so little money is still legal.
F10 BMW 550i Sedan
The F10 BMW 5 Series still looks great today, and most people would never guess that this design is almost 15 years old. It has a smaller V8 engine than its predecessor, but the turbocharged 4.4-liter is more powerful, so there is a replacement for displacement after all.
With 400 horsepower and a 0 to 60 time of 4.3 seconds, the BMW 550i is fast enough for all your daily needs. You can find one for around $8,000—more if you want lower mileage, and maybe a bit less if you’re willing to take a chance on high-mileage examples.
Mazdaspeed 6
The Mazdaspeed6 may be the ultimate Japanese sleeper car, so it’s perfect if you want to fly under the radar. It’s the performance version of the first-gen Mazda6 and features a 270-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, a 6-speed manual gearbox, and AWD. Zero to 60 mph is achieved in just 6.2 seconds, and the top speed is 150 mph.
While the Mazdaspeed6 isn’t as exciting as the Mitsubishi Evo or Subaru WRX, it’s probably more reliable than both and certainly cheaper. You can buy a Mazdaspeed6 for as little as $5,000, but moving closer to the $10k mark will get you a much better car.
5th-Gen Chevrolet Camaro LS V6
If you’re willing to sacrifice the V8 engine, getting your hands on a 5th-generation Chevy Camaro LS for less than $10,000 is possible. The 3.6-liter V6 does lack the V8’s rumble, but you still get 312 horsepower, a choice between a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive.
In addition, you get to tell your 5th-gen Ford Mustang-loving friends that your V6 is more powerful than their V8, as the Chevy has a whopping seven extra ponies. Every little bit counts, right?!
2nd-Generation Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is a large sedan with an intimidating look. Its 5.7-liter V8 engine packs a hard enough punch to back up the mean exterior’s statements. 363 American muscle ponies will send the big Chrysler to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds.
Early second-generation cars are available for less than $10,000 and have a lot more tech than the predecessor. As an added bonus, there’s a decent aftermarket for those who enjoy modifying their cars.
Mk5 Volkswagen Golf R32
From the large American sedan to an agile German hot hatchback. The Mk5 Golf R is an absolute bargain for performance car enthusiasts. It’s as practical as any other Golf but with a 250-horsepower 3.2-liter VR6 engine under the hood.
The Golf R32 will reach 60 mph in just over 6 seconds, and if you keep the pedal buried long enough, the needle will stop at 155 mph. The engine sound is what really does it for us, though, as it sounds like a proper supercar if you fit an aftermarket exhaust. Prices range from $7,000 for cars needing some TLC to $25,000 for pristine examples. You’ll get a good one if you’re willing to part with $15,000.
7th-Gen Dodge Charger R/T
In 2011, Dodge gave the Charger some much-needed updates as they released the seventh-gen version of the legendary American muscle sedan. The R/T’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8 produces 370 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic gearbox.
The Dodge Charger is not a small car, yet it can reach 60 mph in a mere 5.8 seconds. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, you’ll be happy to know that you can find one for under $10,000.
Nissan 350Z
Right now, the Nissan 350Z is probably as cheap as it’ll ever be. Early cars with high mileage are listed for as little as $5,000, which would make for a great project. However, spend just a couple of thousand more, and you can snag a good one.
With a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 under the hood, sending its 300 horses to the rear wheels, you know the 350Z will be fun to drive. There are a ton of aftermarket parts available for it as well, so if you put some time and money into it, you can turn it into something truly special.
4th-Gen Ford Taurus SHO
Ford brought back the Taurus SHO in 2010, and although it’s a bit bloated compared to the original, it packs a harder punch than ever. The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine sends 365 horses to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic.
Zero to 60 mph only takes 5.2 seconds, which is impressive. Even more remarkable is the fact that we’ve found 4th-gen Tauruses with the Performance Package for under $10,000. The Performance Package adds better tires, improved brakes and steering, and the stability control gets Sport Mode. Ford also removed the spare wheel to save some weight.
986 Porsche Boxster S
The 986 Boxster has seen its prices creep up ever so slightly in the last few years, probably because most 911s are now out of reach for the average enthusiast. However, it’s still a performance car bargain – especially if you go for the 3.2-liter Boxster S.
The regular Boxster is fun but lacks power, and the Boxster S rectifies that problem with its mid-mounted 250-horsepower flat-six engine. It’ll sprint to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of 161 mph. All that fun costs $5,000 for a well-used example or around $10,000 for one that’s in decent condition.
Hyundai Genesis 5.0
Hyundai introduced the Genesis luxury sports sedan for the 2009 model year, and from 2011, it was available with a 429-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine. It doesn’t surprise us that this monster scrambled to 60 mph in under 5 seconds; it did it in 4.9 to be exact.
While some gearheads may turn their noses up at a Hyundai, they’ll soon be a speck in your rearview mirror. You can even find the R-Spec version for less than $15,000, which really is a bargain.
E85 BMW Z4 3.0 Roadster
Unfortunately, $15,000 won’t get us anywhere near a Z4 M in reasonable condition, but it’s possible to get behind the wheel of the 3.0-liter version for much less. Like certain other Bimmers from this era, the Z4 has aged like fine wine, and it actually looks better today than it did a decade ago.
The 3.0-liter inline-six engine pumps out between 220 and 230 horsepower, and accelerating to 60 mph takes roughly 6 seconds. Before you hand over the money, make sure the previous owners have serviced it at the recommended intervals; otherwise, it could be a costly affair.
V36 Infiniti G37 S Coupe
The Infiniti G37 S Coupe is basically a more posh Nissan 370Z. It has a 330-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine, which means zero to 60 mph is taken care of in 5.4 seconds.
The S Coupe version has a 6-speed manual transmission, sportier suspension, bigger wheels, and upgraded brakes. High mileage cars can be found for $10,000, but spending a bit more will get you behind the wheel of a clean example.
Ford Fiesta ST
Ford nailed it with the Fiesta ST! This is easily one of the best hot hatches ever made, and that says a lot. It only has a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that produces less than 200 horsepower, but the chassis is superb. The Fiesta ST has excellent handling and driving dynamics, making it a proper driver’s car.
Getting to 60 mph takes around six and a half seconds, which is alright, but find a twisty road, and you’ll be laughing. We’ve found some Fiesta STs in good condition and with reasonable mileage for under $12,000, which is cheap considering how fun it is to drive.
Jaguar XF Supercharged
The Jaguar XF is as luxurious as it is good-looking, and to make things even better, it’s fast, too. Granted, they’re not the most reliable cars on the used market, so make sure you get one that’s properly maintained and looked after. Prices for decent cars start around the $8,000 mark but be prepared to pay a little more for the right example, especially facelift models from 2011 onwards.
The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine produces a respectable 470 horsepower, which is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox. If you can keep the wheelspin to a minimum, the Jag XF will reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds from a standstill.
E90 BMW 335i
A quick Google search will tell you that the E90 BMW 335i does have some issues, but if it’s a well-maintained car, it could be reliable for years to come. In stock form, the inline-six engine produces 300 horsepower, which is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The 335i will reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 5.1 seconds.
Sedans are cheap as chips now, so it’s possible to pick one up for a couple of grand, but unless you’re a decent mechanic, you probably shouldn’t. Later cars with low mileage are the best sedans to go for. Coupes are more expensive, but picking up one of the later years for under $15,000 is still doable.
C5 Chevrolet Corvette
We can’t imagine a better sports car bargain than the 5th-gen Chevy Corvette. It looks great, and it has pop-up headlights. Under the hood, the C5 Corvette hides the legendary LS V8 engine.
The base model C5 ‘Vette has 350 horsepower, and you can lure out many more horses with some aftermarket parts. Good examples are available for less than $15,000, and if you spend a bit more on performance parts, you’ll make some supercars eat dust.
B5 Audi S4
The first Audi S4 (not counting the one based on the Audi 100) looks mean, sounds even meaner, and its turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine packs a serious punch. With 250 horsepower sent to all four wheels, it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and had a top speed of 157 mph when unrestricted. At the time, it was one of the fastest sedans on the market.
It’s possible to find a B5-generation S4 for less than $5,000, but it’s wise to spend a bit more for an example that’s in excellent condition. Maintenance can be expensive on these, so make sure you keep some money stashed away to deal with anything that may occur.
Mk3 Ford Focus ST
The Ford Focus ST isn’t quite as fast and powerful as its RS sibling, but it’s not far behind. In ST guise, the third-generation Focus delivered 252 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, and its 6-second 0 to 60 mph time meant it was 1.4 seconds slower than the RS.
We’ve found 3rd-gen Focus STs for as little as $9,000, but if you can stretch the budget closer to $15,000, you can get your hands on a good one.
2nd-Gen Cadillac CTS Coupe
The Cadillac CTS packs a 3.6-liter V6 engine that sends 318 horsepower to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. While it doesn’t hold a candle to the CTS-V, the CTS Coupe is still a fun performance car, and it’ll reach 60 mph in just six seconds.
The CTS Coupe was discontinued after 2014, so even the newest cars are a decade old now. You can find them for as little as $10,000, but with $15,000 in your pocket, you’re spoiled for choice.
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 was the Japanese carmaker’s flagship model, so it’s jam-packed with fancy tech that didn’t become standard in the automotive world until a couple of decades later. That can be a problem, so you’ll want to look for a clean and preferably unmodified example.
The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter DOHC V6 engine produces 300 hp. It’ll scramble to 60 mph in roughly 5 seconds and on to a top speed of 160 mph. Prices range from $12,000 to $60,000, depending on condition and mileage.
6th-Gen Ford Mustang V6
The Ford Mustang is an American icon, so we had to include it on this list. It’s been around since the mid-60s, so there are plenty of options to choose from. To keep within our budget, we’d look at the sixth-generation Stang. Like the Camaro we mentioned earlier, it will have the V6 engine.
The 3.7-liter V6 engine produces 300 horsepower, and 0 to 60 mph only takes 5.5 seconds, so while it doesn’t get the V8 roar, the V6 Mustang is no slouch.