Most Affordable Used Cars That Reach 60 Mph In Under 5 Seconds

When asked about cars with lightning-quick acceleration, most gearheads usually think of some fancy supercar or hypercar, like a Lamborghini Aventador or Bugatti Chiron. That's all good, but those cars cost a fortune, so they're out of reach for most people. However, there are still plenty of fast cars readily available for those of us who aren't millionaires.

Updated September 2023: If you're looking for an affordable performance car, you've come to the right place. We've updated this list with more accurate info and prices to show some of the awesome fast cars that you can buy on a budget.

Whether we're going for brand-new, slightly used, or classic cars, there are plenty of fast and affordable used car options. Whether we want American, European, or Japanese cars, when we know where to look and what to look for, it turns out we're actually spoiled for choice when it comes to affordable performance cars. So let's just dive right in and check out some of the cool and "cheap" options that are available right now and capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds.

We used top sites like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds to find pricing information and AccelerationTimes and ZeroTo60Times to find performance information.

19 2003 Audi RS6

Starting Used Price: $13,500

Audi

After the huge success of the first Audi RS model – the iconic RS2 Avant super wagon – the German marque knew it had struck gold. Not too long after, Audi built yet another fantastic RS model – the RS6 C5. The 2003 Audi RS 6 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.4 seconds. This machine cranks out some 450 brake horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque from its 4.2-liter biturbo V8

The 2002 Audi RS 6 is electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph. Equipped with a 5-speed automatic manual transmission with Tiptronic manual shift mode, this car does a quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds. You can get your hands on one of these bad boys for as little as $14,000.

Specifications

Engine	4.2-liter biturbo V8
Horsepower	450 hp
Torque	415 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, all-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.4 seconds
Top Speed	155 mph (limited)

RELATED: The New Audi RS6 Performance Shows Why The 'Long-Roof' Sports Wagon Is Worth Fighting For

18 2006 BMW M3

Starting Used Price: $15,500

via BaT

The M3 has been one of the most popular BMW models since the first E30 generation many years ago. The 3 Series exemplifies what sports sedans are supposed to be like, which is why gearheads are always eager to see how it performs. The E46 M3 is a great car to buy used if you're on a budget. Powered by a naturally aspirated 3.2-liter inline-6 engine that produces 333 horsepower, connected to either a 6-speed manual transmission or the SMG II, the 2006 BMW M3 can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds. It's possible to buy an E46 M3 for around $15,000, but they're getting more expensive as we speak.

This car has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph and is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 mph in 11.5 seconds.

Specifications

Engine	3.2-liter inline-6
Horsepower	333 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.8 seconds
Top Speed	155 mph (limited)

17 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack

Starting Used Price: $29,000

via Dodge

Although the modern Dodge Charger looks more like a sedan than the muscle car it's supposed to be, it still offers incredible performance, particularly high-performance versions like the R/T Scar Pack. Powered by a naturally aspirated 392 Hemi V8 engine that produces 485 horsepower, connected to an 8-speed auto transmission, the 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. This relatively new car is on sale in the neighborhood of $30,000.

The Charger has a top speed of 180 miles per hour and can also accelerate from 0 to 100 mph in 10.2 seconds.

Specifications

Engine	6.4-liter Hemi V8
Horsepower	485 hp
Torque	475 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.4 seconds
Top Speed	180 mph

16 2003 BMW M5

Starting Used Price: $23,000

BringATrailer

The 2003 BMW M5’s prices can go as low as $20,000 for a high mileage example in need of some work, but these cars are highly sought-after and regularly fetch in excess of $50,000. This car comes with a naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 394 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The BMW M5 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, 0 to 100 mph in 11.3 seconds, and has a top speed of 181 miles per hour without the limiter.

It manages 13 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway. This 4-door rear-wheel drive compact executive car also features a 6-speed manual transmission and has a fuel capacity of 70 liters.

Specifications

Engine	4.9-liter V8
Horsepower	394 hp
Torque	368 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.8 seconds
Top Speed	155 mph (limited)

15 2001 Chevrolet Corvette C5

Starting Used Price: $15,000

HotCars/Jack Santage

The C5 Vette picked up right where the C4 had left off, offering looks and performance that similarly-priced European exotics could only dream of. The 2001 Chevrolet Corvette C5 can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds thanks to its naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 350 brake horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque.

The 2001 Chevrolet Corvette has a top speed of 175 miles per hour. Equipped with a 6-speed automatic manual transmission, this car does a quarter mile in 13.0 seconds. It's possible to pick one up for less than $15,000, which makes the C5 Corvette a real bargain!

Specifications

Engine	5.7-liter LS1 V8
Horsepower	350 hp
Torque	360 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.8 seconds
Top Speed	172 mph

RELATED: 10 Things We Love About The Chevrolet Corvette C5

14 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8

Starting Used Price: $9,500

Dodge

Another Dodge Charger version that's impossible to leave out of a list such as this is the 2006 SRT8. Powered by a naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 425 horsepower, the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds, and you can get your hands on a nice example for under $10,000.

The 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 comes with a 5-speed automatic with AutoStick manual shift mode transmission. This car has a top speed of 174 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 100 miles per hour in 11.7 seconds.

Specifications

Engine	6.1-liter V8
Horsepower	425 hp
Torque	420 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.8 seconds
Top Speed	174 mph

13 2005 Jaguar S-Type R

Starting Used Price: $5,000

Jaguar

The Jaguar S-Type had a terrible reputation due to reliability issues, but it was a pretty good car nevertheless, particularly the high-performance 'R' version. The 2005 Jaguar S-Type R costs as little as $7,000. This car draws its power from a supercharged V8 engine that produces 390 horsepower and 399 pound-feet of torque. The S-Type R accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, 0 to 100 miles per hour in 11.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 177 miles per hour.

It manages 12.7 miles per gallon in the city and 25.5 miles per gallon on the highway. This 4-door rear-wheel drive executive car also features a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Specifications

Engine	4.2-Liter V8
Horsepower	390 hp
Torque	399 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.9 seconds
Top Speed	177 mph

12 2003 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

Starting Used Price: $7,500

Via: Mercedes-Benz

The letters 'ÁMG' on any Mercedes-Benz model usually indicate that it's fast, and the 2003 E55 AMG is no different. The 2003 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG can accelerate from rest to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds thanks to its turbocharged V8 engine. The 2003 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG has an electronically limited top speed of 155 miles per hour.

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Equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, this car does a quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds. You can snag this car for as little as $7,500.

Specifications

Engine	5.5-liter supercharged V8
Horsepower	469 hp
Torque	516 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.2 seconds
Top Speed	155 mph (limited)

11 2011 Nissan 370Z

Starting Used Price: $15,000

Nissan

Although the current Nissan Z generation is among the most affordable new sports cars on the market in 2023, it still costs more than $40,000. This is why budget-minded gearheads should get the 370Z instead. Powered by a naturally aspirated V6 engine that produces 323 horsepower, the 2011 Nissan 370Z can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds, and you can get this car for as low as $14,000.

The 2011 Nissan 370Z comes with a 6-speed manual transmission and has a top speed of 176 miles per hour. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 mph in 11.7 seconds.

Specifications

Engine	3.7-liter V6
Horsepower	332 hp
Torque	270 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.8 seconds
Top Speed	176 mph

10 2004 Mercedes-Benz S600

Starting Used Price: $5,500

Via Bring a Trailer

If you are in the market for a car that combines sheer luxury, performance, and affordability, the W220 S-Class is a no-brainer. The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S600’s prices can go as low as $5,500 even though it comes with a twin-turbocharged V12 engine that produces 493 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.

The S600 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, 0 to 100 miles per hour in 10.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 192 miles per hour without the limiter. This 4-door rear-wheel drive executive luxury sedan features a 5-speed automatic with manual shift mode transmission.

Specifications

Engine	5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V12
Horsepower	493 hp
Torque	590 lb-ft
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
0-60 MPH	4.5 seconds
Top Speed	155 mph (limited)