10 Surprisingly Affordable German Sports Cars

German engineering prowess can hardly be doubted when the country’s cars are ranked among the top-performance machines on the market. Several German car brands have made their way into the North American car market and become household names for the average car enthusiast. On the other hand, this has often led to ridiculous car price tags that the average gearhead might find impossible to afford. When a budget-oriented buyer is looking for a German sports car, they usually start with the used car marketplace, as these machines are likely to be affordable when compared to newer models though not as advanced and as competent. However, there are some used sports cars from German manufacturers that are not only competent enough to take on modern sports cars but also accessible enough for buyers on a budget.

Here is a list of 10 such surprisingly cheap yet capable sports cars from German manufacturers. These used cars can boast great acceleration numbers while boasting powerful horsepower numbers and on-road agility, despite being cheap. Sports cars like these are usually offered at different prices depending upon the car’s condition and location, and the national average fair purchase pricing from KBB has been considered in this article.

10 2005 BMW M3

Fair Purchase Price: $10,937

A long time has passed since its release into the car scene, but the 2005 BMW M3 remains one of the most competent sports cars to have ever been produced by the German automotive giant. The 2005 model year of the badass BMW E46 M3 is considered to be its peak, as it was a performance beast able to conquer the 60 mph sprint in just 4.6 seconds. The coupe trim is more expensive, but the convertible can be bought for just around $10,937, according to KBB.

Performance

Since it is mounted with the same S54 engine that is housed in the Z4 M, the 2005 M3 reaches breakneck speeds with very little effort, just like its Z-series cousin. The M3 is tailored to be a competent sports car on the road as well as on track, so it should be no surprise that the car is admired by enthusiasts who like driving on racetracks.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why The E46 Is The Best BMW M3 Money Can Buy

9 2008 Volkswagen R32

Fair Purchase Price: $11,962

Many would rightly claim that the Volkswagen Golf is an unquestionable leader in worldwide sales when it comes to German cars, but there once was another performance hatchback from the same brand that is now nearly forgotten. The 2008 Volkswagen R32 was quick and nimble on the road, fitted with an impressive all-wheel-drive system that had great on-road performance when compared to other performance hatchbacks.

Performance

The 2008 R32 only had two model years before its descendants took over, making it a very rare Volkswagen car on the market. Using its naturally aspirated V6 engine, the R32 catapulted to 60 mph from a standstill in just 5.4 seconds. The 2008 Volkswagen R32 can be found at a fair purchase price of $11,962, according to KBB, making it a good performance hatchback for those who can’t afford a modern GTI.

8 2009 Audi TTS

Fair Purchase Price: $12,358

The 2009 Audi TTS can glide from a standstill to 60 mph in a mere 4.7 seconds, though the claimed acceleration times vary slightly from one source to another. Regardless, any car that can catapult to 60 mph from a standstill in less than 5 seconds using just an inline-4 engine deserves admiration, especially when it has an accessible national average price of just $12,358.

Performance

The Audi TTS has a stunning design and superb traction that leaves not a single head unturned as it drives down the street. The 2009 Audi TTS serves as a great example of a cheap used sports car under $15,000, that can run like the wind and give more expensive modern cars a run for their money.

RELATED: 10 Forgotten Facts About The Audi TT RS

7 2012 BMW 650i

Fair Purchase Price: $14,936

The BMW 6-series had some exciting model years that are now very accessible on the used marketplace. The 2012 BMW 650i can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds thanks to its turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that generates an impressive power output of 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque to go with it.

Performance

It is not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to the 6-series, as these models can have some issues too, but the 2012 BMW 650i is an affordable sports car that deserves more attention from fans, as its current national average price is just $14,936, according to KBB.

6 2015 Volkswagen Golf R

Fair Purchase Price: $20,980

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf R is a surprisingly accessible modern performance hatchback that boasts a powerful inline-4 engine capable of delivering almost 300 horsepower and nearly equivalent torque. This makes the Golf R competent enough to glide from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The GTI may offer a capable FWD layout to compete with the Civic Type-R, but the Golf R model has an AWD layout for extra traction in all weather conditions and on all terrains.

Performance

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf R has surprisingly decent fuel economy for a high-performance hatchback, which makes it a much more practical daily driver when compared to some of the other cars on the list. The Volkswagen Golf truly changed the automotive scene forever, setting itself apart as the world’s favorite hot hatch.

RELATED: Volkswagen Highlights Five Generations Of Golf R Models

5 2008 BMW Z4 M

Fair Purchase Price: $22,363

The 2008 BMW Z4 M belonged to the first generation of the model, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. The coupe trim is likely to be much more expensive on the used market, but the roadster is available at a national average fair purchase pricing of around $22,363, which is rather accessible when compared to more modern sports cars that offer similar performance numbers. The first generation roadster was produced from 2002 to 2008, replacing the Z3 in style.

Performance

The Z4 M was powered by a S54 straight-six engine that generated 330 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. BMW chose to mount the Z4 M with hydraulic power steering, instead of the electric power steering used by the base Z4. This was believed to deliver a more direct and communicative feel to the steering. The Z4 M can be an awesome luxury car that offers sporty handling and precise steering, as BMW seems to have many of its competitors beat in this category.

4 2007 Porsche Cayman S

Fair Purchase Price: $23,239

The Cayman is often considered to be the ‘poor man’s Porsche’ by some purists, as it is considered to be an entry-level sports car from the brand. This does not mean that the Cayman lacks when it comes to performance numbers. The 2007 Porsche Cayman S reaches 60 mph from a standstill in just around 4.9 seconds. It reminds us that no matter how ‘entry-level’ a vehicle is, it is still a Porsche, with quick and agile being its natural state.

Performance

The 2007 Porsche Cayman S can be obtained from the used market for a national average fair purchase pricing of $23,239. These prices vary significantly depending upon the car’s condition, but if one can get their hands on a used Porsche for a little more than $20,000, it’s a steal.

3 2013 Audi RS5

Fair Purchase Price: $23,402

The 2013 Audi RS5 featured a beastly twin-turbocharged V6 engine that allowed it to reach 60 mph from a standstill in an impressive 3.9 seconds. Those are impressive numbers for a car from 2013, especially considering that they are comparable to many modern sports cars. Every gearhead should drive the Audi RS5 at least once, as it can change one’s perception of what a performance car is capable of.

Performance

The fact that this 2013 luxury sports coupe can be purchased at an average fair purchase price of just around $23,402 is incredible. Even though the pricing varies with the car’s condition on the used market, it is surprising that such on-road competence can be obtained in just a decade-old car for such an accessible price point.

2 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

Fair Purchase Price: $25,323

The 2009 model year of the Mercedes SL63 AMG makes a statement when it comes to high horsepower numbers. Mounted with a big 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that is almost too powerful for its own good, the 2009 SL63 AMG finishes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in around 4.2 seconds.

Performance

The Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG can be a good addition to one’s garage if they are looking for a high-performance machine that can offer insane horsepower numbers while stunning onlookers as it drives down the road. The driver has to pay just around $25,323 in fair purchase price, and they can get around 518 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque to play with. Each car from the much-loved SL series has near-perfect weight distribution and can be a treat to own if maintained regularly.

1 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera

Fair Purchase Price: $25,537

There is no list of awesome sports cars that can be considered complete without mentioning the Porsche 911 Carrera. Some consider it to be as stunning as it is competent, while others seem to criticize its unconventional RR layout. Regardless of what makes it an amazing sports car, the fact that it is one is undisputed. The 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera takes just 4.9 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, which is certainly impressive for a sports car that was made more than two decades ago.

Performance

Porsche mounted the 911 with a 3.6-liter flat-6 engine that generated 320 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while perpetually combating against the laws of physics. Any car enthusiast who likes luxury sports cars should try getting their hands on an early 2000s Porsche 911, as they are now much more accessible than they once were.