CHEAPEST CARS THAT DO 0-60 IN UNDER 5 SECONDS
Due to advanced materials and performance-orientated technologies, sports and performance cars usually always carry a hefty premium above and beyond what is asked of their lesser-powered counterparts. While it's easily justified, the extra cost acts as a barrier for so many gearheads who simply don't have pockets deep enough to shell out for such models and trims.
However, shopping around on the used car market reveals that some older performance trims are now trading hands for significantly less than their original MSRP, which all of a sudden brings them back into the realm of affordability for many of us. This list includes appealing models from Audi, Chevrolet, and BMW.
So, if you're thinking of a new performance car but don't have a bottomless pit of cash to shop with, then don't worry, as we've compiled some of the cheapest cars with 0–60 times of under 5 seconds.
This article takes a look at 10 of the cheapest ways to crack 60 mph in under five seconds. In order to ensure affordability, only models which are currently available for under $20,000 have been selected, with valuations taken from either Hagerty's Valuation Tool in 'good condition', or from Kelley Blue Book, using the 'fair purchase price'. Where possible, 0 to 60 mph times have been taken directly from the manufacturer, although some are based on results from independent tests. The entries have been ranked in order of their performance, with the fastest appearing last.
2015 Audi S3 Sedan
0 to 60 MPH: 5.0 Seconds
Powered by a boosted 2.0-liter inline-four engine, the 2015 Audi S3 Sedan is a potent sports sedan which packs a more powerful punch than what the somewhat understated appearance may hint at. No fewer than 292 horses are distributed to all four wheels, via the legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which allows the diminutive S3 to power from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds exactly. With that time, it kicks off our list of cheap cars with fast 0–60 times, while also checking in with a very reasonable valuation from KBB at $15,183.
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG
0 to 60 MPH: 4.9 Seconds
The Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG's starting price was certainly anything other than cheap when new, at just north of $65,000, but the powers of depreciation have decided that this mighty V8-powered rocketship is now somewhat of a bargain, with KBB suggesting a fair purchase price of $16,075. It's more than just a looker, too, as evidenced by a period independent test, which clocked the mighty SLK 55 sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. That should come as no surprise though, as this compact two-seater sports a huge 5.4-liter V8 AMG lump, which produced a mighty 355 horsepower - all of which is sent directly to the rear wheels.
2016 BMW 340i xDrive
0 to 60 MPH: 4.9 Seconds
This handsome BMW is one of the less obvious choices for cars with 0–60 times of under 5 seconds, as by all accounts, it looks rather unassuming, even with the twin exhaust exits, and M-Sport bodywork. When new, this flagship 340i xDrive model could have commanded an MSRP nearer to $50,000, but fast-forward a decade, and good examples are trading for much less. Under the hood sits one of BMW's iconic straight-six engines, sporting a 3.0-liter capacity and a turbocharger for good measure, which sees output peal at 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque.
1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
0 to 60 MPH: 4.8 Seconds
Hagerty pegs the valuation of a good VR-4 at almost $10,000 above our maximum spend. However, there is no shortage of recently sold examples available for under $20,000. This suggests that prices are almost certainly on the move, although affordable examples are still trading hands at the moment. Although the VR-4 is now 30 years old, it still sports enough grunt to crack the five-second 0–60 barrier, as evidenced by this period Motor Trend test drive review, which saw the modern-classic complete the all-important sprint in just 4.8 seconds.
2010 BMW Z4 Roadster sDrive35is
0 to 60 MPH: 4.8 Seconds
While the 2025 BMW Z4 Roadster may be a quicker and more dynamic offering, especially now that it's finally available with a proper six-speed manual transmission, this older 2010 model certainly sports more value for money. KBB suggests that most change hands for around $16,534, and it'll dart from 0–60 mph in under five seconds too - all with that ever-so-desirable wind-in-the-hair option. More potent engine options do exist in the newer Z4, although this rear-driven sDrive35is model still produces a healthy 335 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged inline-six, which is more than enough for some budget-minded fun in the sun.
1997 Chevrolet Corvette C5
0 to 60 MPH: 4.8 Seconds
The C5-generation of Corvette is arguably one of the most slept-on and underrated performance car bargains out there right now. According to this period Car & Driver test drive review, even the base 1997 model was fast enough to crack the five-second 0–60 barrier, and with a modern valuation from Hagerty at just over $16,000 for one in good condition, it really does stand out as one of the best and cheapest cars with the fastest 0–60 time, especially when you consider what period European rivals are fetching at the moment.
2010 Chrysler 300 SRT8
0 to 60 MPH: 4.7 Seconds
There are many different recipes out there for building one of the cheapest cars with 0–60 times of under 5 seconds, but potentially the most exhilarating is the approach taken here by Chrysler, of slapping a great big V8 engine into an otherwise unassuming and luxurious sedan. For the uninitiated, the 300C SRT8 looks like just another 20-year-old executive-level sedan, but underneath the hood lies a 425-horsepower secret, which also makes this the second most powerful budget-friendly car to feature on our list. A KBB-supplied fair purchase price below $15,000 also makes this one of the cheapest options, which should further amplify the big Chrysler's appeal.
1992 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR-1
0 to 60 MPH: 4.5 Seconds
Before the ZR-1 model arrived, the C4 Corvette was never a true contender to the sports and performance cars being churned out of Europe. However, Chevrolet was keen to set the record straight, and so with the arrival of their $70,000 flagship C4, the Corvette finally had what it took to rival the best of the best. Power for the C4 ZR-1 peaked at 405 horsepower - almost double the 205 horses which base-model C4 Corvettes were equipped with.
The very best examples are now starting to command serious money, with collectors scrambling to acquire low-mileage and immaculate examples. However, Hagerty pegs a good-condition model at $19,400, which means there is still time to grab this performance icon for sensible money.
2015 Volkswagen Golf R
0 to 60 MPH: 4.5 Seconds
Sure, the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R might not outwardly look as exciting as a modern-classic Corvette or V8-powered muscle car, but it's still a brilliant contender for someone after plenty of performance on a wallet-friendly budget. Much like the aforementioned Audi S3, power is delivered courtesy of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, also to all four wheels, although the Golf only needs 4.5 seconds to crack 60 mph, according to Motor Trend, whereas the contemporary S3 Sedan required an extra half-second to complete the same feat.
2015 Ford Mustang GT Premium
0 to 60 MPH: 4.5 Seconds
Sporting a KBB-guided fair purchase price of $20,253, the Coyote V8-powered S550 Mustang is ever so slightly over budget. So, in order to sneak it in under the $20,000 limit, you might need to brush up on your haggling skills, but with a naturally aspirated V8 propelling it from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, we felt it more than deserved to feature on the list - even if it does stretch the parameters by an extra $250 or so. It's also one of the last full-fat muscle car experiences available at this price-point, which should make it all that more appealing for gearheads with a taste for American muscle.
2025-03-13T06:55:18ZSources: Bring A Trailer, Motor Trend, Car & Driver, KBB, Hagerty, Ford, Chevrolet, Audi, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, BMW
