10 Cars Under $25,000 That Pack Incredible Performance And Speed

If you have the need for speed but do not have the money yet to buy the fastest sports cars in the world, don’t worry. You will still be able to find fast cars that will not break the bank. While you will not get the eye-catching aesthetics or performance of the fastest supercars in the world, you have a good variety of hatchbacks, roadsters, sports cars, luxury sedans, and even muscle cars to choose from.

These affordable, fast cars belong to brands known for their reliability, good quality build, and consistent performance. We have limited the list to fast cars under $25,000 for our purpose. We also picked used cars under $25,000 that deliver amazing performance, so we can give you specimens that can really give you the best value for your hard-earned money and thirst for speed.

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10 2013 Ford Focus ST Hatchback

Fair Purchase Price: $11,645

If you are looking for a car that exudes European style and matching punchy performance, the 2013 Ford Focus ST hatchback will give you the best value for your money. It boasts precise handling and substantial power from its 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine. The powerplant under the hood outputs 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the engine transfers the power to the front wheels and can bring the car to a top speed of 155 MPH.

Performance

Aside from giving you decent performance numbers, this Ford also hits the homerun if you need seats for five adults. It has ample space whether you want this as a daily driver to drop off your kids at school or for weekend getaways with the family.

9 2015 BMW 5 Series 535i xDrive

Fair Purchase Price: $14,546

You don’t have to spend a fortune to own a German luxury sedan that perfectly blends good looks and speed. You just need to know what to look for and where to look for it. Another budget-friendly fast car is the 2015 BMW 5 Series 535i xDrive. You can snag a good specimen of this car that has consistently gotten great quality and reliability scores if you spend between $13,000 and $16,000.

Performance

The 2015 535i xDrive still looks great for an executive sedan that’s been out in the market for nearly a decade. Aside from its luxurious and feature-packed interior, this four-door wonder delivers ample performance. Its 3.0-liter inline-six engine cranks out 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It can get you from 0 to 60 MPH in a matter of 5.4 seconds and can achieve an de-limited speed of 167 MPH.

8 2011 Ford Mustang GT

Fair Purchase Price: $15,244

Want a fast car? The 2011 Ford Mustang GT fits the bill. Its 5.0-liter V-8 engine gives out 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Aside from pleasing your ears with the grunt of its V-8, your pocket will also thank you because you can grab this American muscle car for just around $15,000. You’ll have a good amount of funds to upgrade and update. And yes, fill up that 16-gallon fuel tank.

Performance

You’ll know you made the right decision when you step on the pedal. You’ll hit 60 MPH from a full stop in just 4.6 seconds and can hit its top speed of 160 MPH without any issues. Fast, right? You can trust the Mustang nameplate when it comes to getting the needle to the redline. Even U.S. authorities trust a Mustang GT to be one of their fastest police cars to help catch bad guys.

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7 2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe

Fair Purchase Price $15,596

With prices of goods sky-high at the moment, satisfying the speed demon in you should not mean selling your soul to the depths of loan shark hell. If you’re desire calls for something quick and fast and under $25,000, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe is a perfect choice. It’s a high-performance two-door machine that gives you a good ratio for the horsepower and dollar you spend. When it was released, this mean beast outperformed other exotic cars that cost much more.

Performance

This Chevrolet Camaro will not hesitate to deliver if you want something fast. Its powerful and torquey engine quickly responds to your foot. The 6.2-liter V-8 outputs 426 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. This hefty block brings the ride from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.7 seconds, and if you stay on it for a bit more, it can hit the top speed of 184 MPH. Would you ask for more?

6 2014 Dodge Charger SRT8

Fair Purchase Price: $21,168

We have a Mustang, a Camaro, and now a Charger. The 2014 Dodge Charger is another fast car below $25,000. You can get a good unit of this iconic vehicle between the high $19,000 to the mid $22,000. It checks all the boxes if you want a ride with four doors and performance numbers that can make that automotive body go fast. As a bonus, you have a good amount of space inside.

Performance

The 2014 Charger SRT8 relies on a 6.4-liter V-8 that delivers 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard with a five-speed automatic gearbox that transfers the engine’s raw power to the car’s rear wheels. Step on the accelerator, and you’ll hear the throaty singing of the potent V-8 that brings the car from 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds. With much gusto, it can hit 175 MPH.

5 2015 Nissan 370Z Coupe

Fair Purchase Price: $21,817

A sports car that boasts comfortable handling, quick acceleration, comfortable ride, and a well-designed cabin. That’s the package you’ll get with the 2015 Nissan 370Z Coupe. Even this base model has a potent 3.7-liter V-6 engine that delivers 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, you’ll be propelled to 60 MPH from a complete standstill in 4.9 seconds. It has a top speed of 155 MPH. It also comes with SynchroRev Match feature, which automatically does the heel-and-toe on the brake and throttle for you.

Performance

The Nissan 370Z was engineered for one purpose– driving enjoyment. It is sharp and balanced, so you’ll be confident to try its potential on the road or track. It can easily match or surpass key competitors such as the Subaru BRZ, Chevrolet Camaro, or the Ford Mustang, of course, depending on various factors.

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4 2010 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan

Fair Purchase Price: $21,832

No car enthusiast will tell you it’s a bad deal if you’re getting 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque. That’s what the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V sedan will deliver for just roughly $22,000. That raw power from the 6.2-liter V-8 goes to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. This combo can bring the car from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds and zoom as fast as 191 MPH. With these performance numbers, the Cadillac CTS-V sedan can easily get on the list of the coolest V-8-powered luxury sedans in the last two decades.

Performance

This four-door sports sedan also boasts a comfortable and grippy ride thanks to its Magnetic Ride Control that comes with selectable modes. This feature uses electro-magnets to adjust the shocks depending on road conditions automatically.

3 2017 Subaru WRX STI

Fair Purchase Price: $23,538

The Subaru WRX is already an exciting package, but make it the 2017 Subaru WRX STI, and you add more power, get bigger brakes, better aerodynamics, and much better race-tuned suspension. It is a rally machine that will give you the driving excitement and oomph you’re looking for a ride. Under the hood, you’ll find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that churns 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. There’s only a six-speed manual, so it can get pretty tiring. The driving dynamics of the Subaru WRX STI might not be ideal for a daily driver, but you’ll definitely have entertaining commutes.

Performance

You can get a decent representative of this legendary car for about $24,000. For that money, you’ll get to enjoy the raw feeling of being connected to this machine. It’s not as polished as fast sports cars, but who needs refinement when you’ll have fun, whether driving it fast or slow?

2 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i Roadster

Fair Purchase Price: $23,777

The BMW Z4 sports a classic roadster proportion with a long hood, rounded rear, and a tight cabin. It offers excellent visibility, making it easier for you to make the most of its powerful engine. The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive351 packs a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine that outputs 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. As attractive as it looks is its character on the road.

Performance

If you’re looking for a luxurious ride that you can easily open to enjoy the breeze, this used BMW Z4 is a good deal. It is far from just being a show car that will impress your neighbors. It is an excellent roadster that will be a fun drive for an experienced driver or someone who’s just beginning to discover what it’s like to feel your heart thumping while the needle on the speedometer rises.

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1 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Fair Purchase Price: $24,954

It’s always fascinating when you see some of the most iconic Chevy cars in the company’s history. However, if you’re looking for a fast car today, spending every penny on one of these beloved American sports cars is worth every penny. For $25,000, you can get behind the wheel of a performance car that you can drive every day. You’ll love the roar of the 5.7-liter V-8 engine that delivers 405 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.

Performance

Why a 2004 Corvette? But why not when you’re getting a Z06 that was finely tuned at GM’s Proving Grounds and at the fabled Nurburgring track? Because of these refinements done by the carmaker, you have a ride that can achieve a top speed of 171 MPH, and yet it’s still glued to the ground. Vroom.