These are Some of the Most Powerful Cars You Can Buy for $20,000

Most car enthusiasts spend a lifetime chasing the thrill of performance. Speed, handling, and power. Unfortunately, performance cars are not cheap. Some of the fastest cars on the planet cost more than the average price of a home in California. That said, spending $20,000 on a powerful car for a fraction of the experience you’d get on a supercar feels like an awesome deal. But there’s a trade-off.

While $20,000 feels like a sensible amount for better handling, quick acceleration, and versatility on the track, the savings are often spent on maintenance expenses and never-ending upgrades. It’s a bittersweet experience any car buff will know all too well. You can start with these if you plan on going down that rabbit hole.

We’ve gathered 13 excellent performance cars you can buy for $20,000 right now. We’ve used reputable sources like Consumer Reports and popular car marketplaces, such as Bring a Trailer, to find the most up-to-date prices.

2011 Ford Mustang GT: $13,475 — 412 Hp

When the 2011 Ford Mustang GT came out, it sold for about $34,000 (coupe) and about $36,000 for the convertible. With that, you got a 5-liter Coyote V8 engine that is good for 412 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. It could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph.

Used versions of the Ford Mustang GT (2011 – 2014) range between $8,000 and $40,000, depending on mileage and condition. They’re perfect for enthusiasts who love raw American muscle and power.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS: $15,500 — 426 Hp

The fifth generation of the Chevrolet Camaro SS offers impressive torque and bulletproof reliability — all thanks to the LS3 engine, a 6.2-liter V8 capable of 426 hp raw power. This potent engine ensured the Camaro SS could bolt from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

Mechanics and performance car enthusiasts love the Chevrolet Camaro SS for its simplicity and aftermarket support. Used models in great condition cost anywhere between $10,000 and $22,000. You’ll enjoy this muscle car if you fancy a loud, fast, and unapologetic ride.

2011 Dodge Charger R/T: $10,300 — 370 Hp

Muscle car lovers will always appreciate the Dodge Charger R/T’s aggressive design and legendary Hemi V8. It’s possible to get a 2011 Dodge Charger R/T in decent condition for between $10,000 and $16,000. A 2011 8k mile Charger (original owner) on Bring a Trailer sold for $20,621 in May 2024.

For that, you’ll enjoy the power of a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which is good for 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. The Dodge Charger R/T (2011 – 2014) could bolt from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph.

2009 Mazda RX-8 R3: $5,757 — 232 Hp

Classic JDM performance car prices are going through the roof, but there’s still time to get yourself the Mazda RX-8 R3 (2009 -2011). This Japanese performance car features the legendary, and infamous, rotary engine. In this case, a 1.3-liter Renesis Rotary.

It may not have a big displacement, but the 1.3-liter rotary engine in the Mazda RX-8 R3 made 232 hp and sent the car from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. You can get this iconic Japanese sports car for between $12,000 and $18,000 in great condition.

2009 BMW 335i (E90/E92): $8,900 — 300 Hp

European performance cars are known for their steep price points, but the BMW 335i (2007 – 2011) ranges between $12,000 and $20,000 in the used car market (depending on the condition and mileage). This European performance car features an N54 engine (twin turbo 3-liter inline-6), a close rival to Toyota’s legendary 2JZ in terms of tuning capability.

The BMW 335i (E90/E92) is ideal for performance car enthusiasts who want a tuner car. Thanks to the N54 engine, this luxury performance car is capable of 300 hp and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

2008 Subaru WRX STI: $14,925 — 305 Hp

If you love performance and have $20,000 to spare, getting a Subaru WRX is a great choice. This rally icon has a massive cult-like following, and you’ll never worry about after-market support. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine is highly tunable and can surpass the stock rating of 305 hp without much investment.

You’ll love its turbocharged punch and 6-speed transmission combo. That’s not all. The Subaru WRX STI is a purebred rally car – its capabilities on and off the street remain unrivaled.

2010 Nissan 370Z: $16,250 — 332 Hp

We recommend the 370Z to driving enthusiasts. Track lovers will enjoy its superior handling capabilities thanks to its 3.7-liter V6 engine and rear-wheel-drive configuration. Add that to 332 hp from the naturally aspirated VQ37VHR engine and well-balanced chassis — the 370Z will take corners without hesitation.

You’ll also love its timeless design and rev-happy engine. You can get the Nissan 370Z (2009 – 2014) in decent condition and with reasonable mileage priced between $18,000 and $20,000 in the used car market. A clean 11k-mile unit (Touring Coupe) sold for $19,500 recently.

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: $17,625 GSR — 291 Hp

It’s a pity Mitsubishi Motors discontinued the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, a rally icon and a demigod in Japanese performance car circles. As a result, the Lancer Evolution’s price in the used car market keeps getting steeper each year.

Time has not run out yet! Performance car lovers can still get a decent unit for as low as $18,000. Remember, this is a legend among Japanese performance cars. This generation of the Lancer Evolution featured the iconic 4B11T — a turbocharged 2-liter engine good for 291 hp. It also features the Mitsubishi revolutionary AWD system that’s dominated world rally competition for decades.

2005 Chrysler 300C: $6,025 — 340 Hp

If you want a mashup of luxury and muscle, the Chrysler 300C is a great option for under $20,000. The 300C might not look like a powerful car, but it features a potent 5.7-liter HEMI V8 good for 340 hp, making it the perfect sleeper.

Decent Chrysler 300C (2005 – 2010) units cost between $14,000 and $18,000. You’ll love it for its excellent performance and laid-back executive looks. A 36k-mile unit sold for $12,250 earlier in the year on Bring a Trailer.

2009 Pontiac G8 GT: $12,650 — 361 Hp

If you can’t afford a decent BMW M5, I’d recommend getting the Pontiac G8 GT instead. The G8 GT may not be German, but like the BMW, it’s a mashup of luxury and performance. It was developed on the Holden Commodore Platform (Australian Legend) and is powered by a 6 -6-liter V8 (L76) good for 361 hp.

The Pontiac G8 GT (2008 – 2009) is perfect if you love rare, underrated cars. A decent unit costs between $18,000 and $20,000 in the used car market. A one-owner 2008 example sold for $20,100 on BaT.

2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe: $12,999 — 330 Hp

If you love the Nissan 370Z’s performance but hate its conservative looks, you can opt for the Infiniti G37 Coupe – its more refined sibling. The G37 Coupe perfectly blends luxury, power, and style.

You’ll still get the same VQ37VHR engine offering 330 hp, but it offers a more refined interior and smoother ride experience. The Infiniti G37 Coupe also makes a perfect drift car – and better yet, it costs between $15,000 and $21,000 on the used car market.

2012 Volkswagen Golf R: $13,950 — 256 Hp

If you are looking for blistering performance under $20,000, you can never go wrong with the VW Golf R. This hot hatch is a darling of performance buffs, thanks to its 256 hp turbocharged 2-liter inline-4, 6-speed DSG transmission and all-wheel-drive layout combo.

The Golf R is the ultimate all-weather performance car. You’ll love its precise handling and peppy acceleration. It is the perfect car for performance car enthusiasts who want a daily that doubles as a performance car on the weekend.

2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8: $8,425 — 348 Hp

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a steal for performance car enthusiasts looking for powerful cars under $20,000. It features a 3.8-liter V6 good for 348 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Add that to a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic, and you have an affordable performance car with extremely good looks and a surprising amount of power.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe’s naturally aspirated engine offers smooth, linear power delivery and great handling around corners. Decent units of the 2013-2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 cost as little as $8,000 on the used car market.