10 Cars Under $20,000 That Can Keep Up With A 2024 Porsche 911

​​​​​​The Porsche 911, currently in its eighth generation (992), remains one of the best luxury sports cars that has repeatedly set the standards for performance cars. The entry-level Carrera is the slowest in the family, reaching 60 mph in 4.3 seconds (911 Carrera T) and a top speed of 180 mph (911 Carrera 4). The 911 Turbo S is the fastest Porsche in 2024, boasting an acceleration time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph.

Although Porsche carried this sports car largely unchanged from the satisfying-to-drive 2023 model year, there are a few minor updates for 2024. These include color availability, infotainment updates, and a new lightweight 911 S/T trim with bits from the 911 GT3 Touring and the 518-hp flat-six that underpins the 911 GT3 RS. For many gearheads, the 2024 Porsche 911’s price tag of between $114,400 and $290,000 is out of reach for many buyers. New cars under $20,000 for sale are few and slouches. So, with a limited budget to match a 911, your best bet is to look for used cars under $20,000.

How we got our model selection:
HotCars analyzed the used market for

performance cars

under $20,000 (according to KBB’s fair market price) and filtered for models with either an acceleration time of under 4.4 seconds or a top speed of 180+ mph (according to respective manufacturer estimates and Zero60times), or both. We ranked the cars according to their used prices, from the most expensive to the cheapest. Performance specs and data were also sourced from Zero60times and Edmunds.

10 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 65 AMG Sedan: $19,725

Performance

The 2008 S65 AMG Sedan Can Keep Up With The 2024 Carrera, Carrera 4, And Carrera T

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is among the best luxury sedans, having become the designated ride for high-ranking executives thanks to its precision engineering, technology, and incredible interior fit. The 2008 model was not only luxurious, but it also boasted sports-car-beating performance, particularly the S65 AMG.

Under its elongated hood was a 6.0-liter V12 engine that cranked out 604 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. It was so powerful that it utilized a 5-speed transmission since the available 7-speed transmission couldn’t handle the V12’s torque output. The 2008 S65 AMG’s performance is still impressive even by today’s standards.

Its 4.2 seconds acceleration time is quicker than the 2024 Carrera T, and a top speed of 186 mph makes it faster than the Carrera, Carrera 4, and Carrera T. While it had a premium starting price of $127,000 when new, the 2008 S65 AMG is among the cheapest fast cars under $20,000 today, with an average price of $19,725.

9 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 63 AMG Coupe: $19,692

Performance

The 2012 C63 AMG Can Keep Up With The 2024 Carrera T

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class received several key changes, reclaiming its top spot as one of the best luxury sports sedans in its class. While the base models lean more on the luxury side, the 2012 C-Class can still be plenty sporty, especially the high-performance C63 AMG.

Under the hood, the 2012 C63 AMG is essentially a German muscle car masquerading as a luxury vehicle, thanks to its 6.2-liter V8 that produces 451 tire-shredding horses. If that’s not powerful enough, an available AMG Performance package ups the ante to 480 hp, but torque remains unchanged at 443 lb-ft. The result is a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.3 seconds, matching that of the 2024 Carrera T, and a top speed of 166 mph, making it one of the fastest used cars under $20,000 today.

8 2015 Audi A8 4.0T: $19,189

Performance

The 2015 A8 4.0T Combines Luxury With Sporty Performance

The Audi A8 boasts one of the most luxurious interiors in the industry, filled with abundant high-tech features and top-of-the-line materials. And with a standard all-wheel drive, the A8 provides a tenacious grip around curvy roads and confident road manners.

However, for gearheads, the A8’s most impressive feature is its on-road performance. The 2015 A8 4.0T combines all the above features, which makes it one of our top, fastest, and most affordable luxury sedan picks. On top of that, its acceleration of 4.3 seconds can keep up with the 2024 911 Carrera T, making it such a performance bargain for about $19,189 on the used market.

7 2013 Audi S8: $18,936

Performance

The 2013 S8 Can Outrun The 2024 Carrera, Carrera 4, And Carrera T

The Audi S8 returned in 2013 after a brief hiatus. Based on the A8 platform, it was quicker than ever, powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 that also underpinned its S6 and S7 siblings. The engine also utilized cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy, meaning it could run on four cylinders efficiently.

According to Audi, the 2013 S8’s V8 produced 520 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, enough for an acceleration time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. That means the 2013 S8 gets from 0-60 mph quicker than the 2024 Porsche 911 Carrera, Carrera 4, and Carrera T. Better yet, it achieves this feat while providing its occupants with a classy and pampering ride, making the 2013 S8 one of the best luxury performance cars for under $20,000.

6 2013 BMW Alpina B7 F01: $18,294

Performance

The 2013 B7 Has A Ridiculous Top Speed Of 194 MPH

The 2013 Alpina B7 was part of the fourth-generation BMW 7 Series produced from 2011 to 2015. Initially, the B7 (F01) had the same power rating as its predecessor, albeit from a hand-built variant of the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged N63 V8. However, in late 2012, it received a mid-life update alongside the standard BMW 7 Series.

The update increased the 2013 B7’s power output to 540 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, giving it an acceleration time of 4.3 seconds. While the 2013 B7 would struggle to keep up with the 2024 911 from 0-60 mph, it will ultimately outrun every Carrera model in the long run thanks to its top speed of 194 mph. Only the 911 Turbo and Turbo S have a higher top speed at 199 mph and 205 mph, respectively.

5 2010 BMW M5 E60: $16,910

Performance

The 2010 M5 Was Once The World’s Fastest Four-Door Sedan

The E60 generation of the M5 holds a special place in the hearts of its fans as it was the first production sedan to utilize a V10 gasoline powerplant in the world. And true to its reputation, the E60 V10 engine that underpinned the 2010 M5 was a thing of beauty – even arguably better than the Lamborghini’s V10. Its sound was a head-turner, particularly as the car approached its stratospheric 8,250-rpm redline.

But the E60 M5’s V10 was more than just its attention-grabbing soundtrack. It had the power to match its appeal, cranking out an incredible 500 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque in the 2010 M5. That power made the E60 M5 the fastest four-door sedan. It had an acceleration time of 4.3 seconds, according to Zero60times, and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph that could be increased to 190 mph with the optional BMW MDrive package. That means the 2015 M5 is as fast as the 2024 Carrera 4S and faster than the base Carrera, Carrera 4, and Carrera T.

4 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) E 63 AMG Sedan: $16,813

Performance

The 2011 E63 AMG Produces An Impressive 518 HP

The 2011 E63 AMG was part of the fourth Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) generation. Compared to its predecessor, the high-performance luxury sedan didn’t gain significant performance upgrades besides a slightly bigger V8 that added a few ponies, bringing its total power to 518 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.

When it comes to straight-line acceleration, the 2011 E63 AMG can go toe to toe with many modern sports cars, including the 2024 911 Carrera. Both have an acceleration time of 4.3 seconds, but the E63 AMG loses in the top speed department. Regardless, its performance is still impressive, considering that it’s one of the best second-hand cars you can get for under $20,000, making it one of the best budget Mercedes-Benz cars on the used market.

3 2013 BMW 550i XDrive: $12,810

Performance

The 2013 550i xDrive Is A Performance Bargain

The BMW 5 Series has been in production for over five decades, helping define the midsize luxury sedan market with its perfect blend of comfort and all-around performance. The 2013 model continued with this tradition, offering an impressive lineup of luxury performance cars.

Among its most impressive trims was the 550i xDrive that featured a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 churning out an impressive 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. According to Zero60times, this power is enough to propel this sporty sedan from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. As one of the cheapest vehicles under $20,000, you can collect a used 2013 550i xDrive for about $13,000.

2 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) E 63 AMG Sedan: $11,105

Performance

The 2008 E63 AMG Featured A 6.2-Liter V8

The Mercedes E-Class is among the most popular midsize luxury performance sedans, as it serves as a middle ground between the C-Class and the costly S-Class. It underwent a midlife refresh in 2007, which carried mostly unchanged for the 2008 model year. The E63 AMG W211 replaced the E55 AMG as the high-performance model of this particular generation.

Contrary to its “63” name, the 2008 E63 AMG utilized a 6.2-liter V8 rated at 507 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the car from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. That’s on par with the 2024 911 Carrera T, which makes the 2008 E63 AMG one of the best Mercedes-Benz E-Class models, and a performance bargain for under $20,000.

1 2008 BMW Alpina B7 E65: $10,854

Performance

The 2008 B7 Hits A Top Speed Of 186 MPH

High-performance luxury sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG and Audi S8 forced BMW to turn to its long-term tuning counterpart, Alpina. This gave birth to the Alpina B7, which, although included in the standard 7 Series lineup, is very different under the hood. It utilized a supercharged version of the 754i’s 4.4-liter V8 that produced 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

According to BMW, that power is enough to accelerate the 2008 B7 from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. While this is no match for the 2024 Porsche 911, the B7 isn’t hobbled with a speed limiter, allowing it to hit a top speed of 186 mph – faster than the Carrera, Carrera 4, and Carrera T. This makes the 2008 Alpina B7 one of the fastest under $20,000 cars.

Sources: KBB, Manufacturer Websites, Zero60times