Speed You Can Afford: The Fastest Cars Under $30,000

Affordable Speed Demons

You don’t need a fat wallet to go fast. In fact, with $30,000 or less, you can tap into some seriously exciting machines that are equal parts fun and furious. Whether you're looking for classic muscle, sharp-handling coupes, or hot hatches with bite, these are the fastest cars under $30,000, ranked by top speed—from the merely quick to the downright ballistic.

Honda Civic Si

The Honda Civic Si is a reliable rev-happy sport compact with a 1.5L turbocharged engine putting out 200HP, offering a slick six-speed manual and an athletic chassis that's a blast to toss around. Although you should expect to pay through the roof for insurance, the car will run you about $27,000 and has a top speed of 137 MPH.

Volkswagen GTI (Mk7)

The Mk7 GTI combines 228HP of turbocharged punch with everyday usability, sharp European handling, and a premium-feeling interior that makes it the ultimate do-it-all hot hatch. If you're looking for it used, you'll likely find it for about $25,000—if you can catch it, with a top speed of 155 MPH.

Subaru WRX

The Subaru WRX brings a rally-like driving experience at a reasonable price. Pushing 268HP and symmetrical all-wheel drive to the table, giving it rally-inspired performance and all-season traction for those who like their speed with a side of snow. With an electronically-limited top speed of 155 MPH, a WRX will set you back about $23,000.

Hyundai Veloster N

The Veloster N turns heads with its quirky three-door layout and rocks the pavement with 275HP and a rev-matching manual transmission, making it a track-capable beast hiding in plain sight. Track-capable? Yes. Will you win anything? Maybe not, as it's only capable of 155 MPH, but it is affordable, at an average price of $21,000.

HJUdall, Wikimedia CommonsChevrolet Camaro LT (1LE)

The Camaro LT with the 1LE package sharpens the turbocharged 275HP setup with stiffer suspension, upgraded brakes, and track-ready tuning that takes the Camaro to new levels of agility. Just slightly cheaper than the eco-friendly Mustang, the Camaro LT comes in at $28,000 and runs to a top speed of 156 MPH.

Nissan Altima 2.0 VC-Turbo

The Altima VC-Turbo sneaks into this list with its innovative variable compression engine making 248HP, proving that even a midsize sedan can pack a surprising punch on the highway. The turbocharged Altima has a top speed of 140 MPH and will fetch about $27,000 on the used car market.

Dodge Charger SXT AWD

The Dodge Charger SXT with all-wheel drive might have a V6, but it still offers 300HP and classic American sedan presence—plus confident grip and real straight-line performance. You'll need all wheels on the ground when the SXT hits it's top speed of 145 MPH. You pay a pretty penny for that kind of performance, though, expect to fork out about $28,000.

Genesis Coupe 3.8 Ultimate

The Genesis Coupe 3.8 brings a naturally aspirated 348HP V6 and rear-wheel drive to the fight, wrapped in sleek two-door coupe styling that feels far more premium than its price suggests. Genesis isn't a brand one might associate with speed and style, but the 3.8 Ultimate will hit 146 MPH and comes in at about $22,000. 

Infiniti G37 Coupe

The Infiniti G37 Coupe combines luxury and muscle with a 3.7L V6 making 330HP, offering refined comfort with the ability to absolutely scream when you put your foot down. It's very affordable at just $19,000, but is electronically-limited to a 155 MPH top speed.

Chrysler 300S V6

With 300HP from a 3.6L Pentastar V6 and a smooth, upscale ride, the Chrysler 300S V6 gives you big-sedan attitude and under-the-radar speed in one classy package. They say that class is permanent—it certainly is for the 300S, with a top speed of 131 MPH. It only costs about $23,000, a bargain!

Dodge Challenger R/T

The Challenger R/T unleashes a 5.7L HEMI V8 making 375HP, delivering classic muscle car vibes, brutal torque, and a whole lot of tire smoke whenever you want it. Another muscular Dodge, the Challenger R/T will go for about $28,000 and can hit a top speed of 155 MPH.

Chevrolet SS (2014–2015)

The sleeper of the decade, the Chevrolet SS hides a Corvette-derived 6.2L V8 with 415HP in a four-door sedan shell, combining Aussie roots with brutal American speed. The SS comes in at just under $30,000—$29,500 in fact, and will hit a mind-bending top speed of 163 MPH.

Pontiac G8 GT

This modern classic muscle sedan comes with a 6.0L V8 and 361HP, delivering highway-storming acceleration and a surprisingly sharp chassis for a full-size four-door. Another cheap but powerful entrant on our list, the G8 GT comes in at just $18,000, with a top speed of 155 MPH.

BMW 335i (E90/E92)

The BMW 335i with its turbocharged inline-six and 300HP blends speed and luxury, with rear-wheel drive dynamics and an available manual that’s hard to resist for the enthusiast crowd. It has a top speed of 155 MPH and can be had for about $15,000.

Cadillac CTS-V (2005–2007)

The first-gen CTS-V features a 6.0L LS2 V8 borrowed from the Corvette, producing 400 HP and delivering it through a six-speed manual for pure driving bliss in a luxury wrapper. The rather incredible top speed of the gas-guzzling sedan is 163 MPH, with a price point of about $25,000.

Audi S4 (B8)

The Audi S4 pairs a 3.0L supercharged V6 with Quattro all-wheel drive and 333 HP, creating a stealthy performance sedan that grips in all conditions and surges forward with German precision. The S4 rockets to en electronically-limited top speed of 155 MPH and comes in around $20,000.

Chevrolet Corvette C6

Topping the list is the C6 Corvette, offering a monstrous 6.0L LS2 V8 with 400 HP and a lightweight composite body that turns this bargain coupe into a certified supercar killer. The cheap Corvette can be yours for $20,000, but you'll think you're paying $200,000 for it's 186 MPH top speed.