When it comes to affordable used cars, sports cars and performance cars don’t typically come to mind. However, there are many new and used sports cars that can help you live life in the fast lane for under $20,000. That’s far less than the average one- to five-year-old used car, which costs $35,020.

Here are the fast cars that provide an adrenaline rush at an affordable cost. Because brand new versions of performance cars cost well above $20,000, the list focuses exclusively on used models.

Fastest Sports CarsUnder $20,000

These used sports cars all have starting prices of under $20,000 and are ranked in ascending order of their 0-60 time.

1. AudiS5

Earning the top spot is the Audi S5, which is the performance variant of the Audi A5 sedan. The 2011 S5 coupe has a direct-injection 4.2-liter V-8 engine with 354 horsepower, while the convertible has a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 333 horsepower. Both come standard with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The Audi S5 can go from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.

2. Chevrolet Camaro SS

The “everyman’s sports car,” the Chevrolet Camaro ranks second. The 2012 Chevy Camaro SS comes standard with a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 426 horsepower and a manual transmission. The 2012 Camaro SS can travel 0-60 in 5.2 seconds.

3. Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger four-door sedan ranks third. The 2010 Charger in the SRT8 trim is among the fastest used cars under $20,000. The Dodge Charger SRT8 has a 6.1-liter, 425-horsepower Hemi V-8 that reaches 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.

4. Dodge Challenger

An American muscle car ranks fourth, the Dodge Challenger two-door coupe. For under $20,000, you can get the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with a 6.1-liter hemi V8 engine that produces 425 horsepower. The SRT8 Challenger can hit 60 in 5.3 seconds.

5. Nissan 370z

A classic Japanese sports car, the Nissan 370z ranks fifth. The 2011 Nissan 370z is available as a coupe or convertible and comes with a 332-horsepower 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission. The 370z can go from 0-60 in 5.4 seconds.

6. BMW328i

The 2015 BMW 328i coupe ranks sixth. The 328i has a 230-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and comes with either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. With the automatic transmission, the 328i achieves 0-60 in 5.4 seconds.

7. VolkswagenGolf GTI

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI ranks seventh. The four-door Golf GTI has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 210 horsepower, and with an added performance package the Golf GTI can travel from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.

8. Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang ranks eighth. The 2014 Mustang comes standard with a 305-horsepower V6 engine and six-speed manual transmission. The entry Mustang can reach 60 in 5.8 seconds. For faster acceleration, you can find a Ford Mustang GT from an earlier model year, which features a more robust V8 engine.

9. MazdaMX-5 Miata

Earning the ninth spot is the Mazda MX-5 Miata two-seat roadster. The Miata has one engine choice, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 160 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. The 2013 Miata Club trim can hit 60 in 6.1 seconds.

10. BMWZ4

The tenth-ranked fastest car under $20,000 is the 2008 model year version of the BMW Z4. The 2008 BMW Z4 comes standard with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and a manual transmission that makes 255 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. The 2008 Z4 can accelerate from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds.

11. SubaruBRZ

The 2013 Subaru BRZ ranks eleventh. The BRZ has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The BRZ also has a rear-wheel drive (RWD) drivetrain, which is rare for Subaru vehicles. The BRZ can reach 60 in 6.4 seconds.

12. HondaCivic Si

The 2015 Honda Civic Si rounds out the list. The Civic Si has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 205 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. The Civic Si does 0-60 in 6.5 seconds.

Bottom Line

All sports cars are fun to drive, but the high-performance vehicles on this list offer a fast-yet-practical option for those who want a thrilling driving experience in the under $20,000 price range. Be sure to also check out our guide on the best sports cars under $30,000 for additional practical sports cars, as well as our companion guides: Fastest cars under $50,000, Fastest cars under $40,000, and Fastest cars under $30,000.

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