- 1. 2004 Nissan 350Z
- 2. 2009 Hyundai Genesis
- 3. 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
- 4. 2006 Pontiac Solstice
- 5. 2000 Ford Mustang GT
- 6. 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4
- 7. 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX
- Fast cars for less than $5,000
Considering the price of used cars has been crazy over the past year, it can seem impossible to find a sports car for under $5,000. Believe it or not, it is possible. You may need to search long and hard to find an example in decent condition for less than $5,000, but it could be worth the effort. If you’re unsure where to start, check out your local Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist ads for one of the following cars.
1. 2004 Nissan 350Z
2004 Nissan 350Z | National Motor Museum, Heritage Images, Getty Images
The 2004 Nissan 350Z might not be the most practical car, but it’s pretty quick for a road-going sports car. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 287 hp and 274 lb-ft of torque. That power is enough to get the car up to 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds.
However, keep in mind that the 350Z lacks some interior refinement as plenty of cheap plastics are used throughout the cabin. Also, it can be tough to find sub-100,000-mile examples for less than $5,000. But if you’re handy in the garage, you keep maintenance costs low after purchasing the car.
2. 2009 Hyundai Genesis
2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan | STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)
Before Hyundai created the Genesis brand, it had a Genesis sedan (and coupe). The Hyundai Genesis sedan was a comfortable and stylish luxury car that looked like a genuine Mercedes-Benz rival. It had an upscale leather interior and many features that you would find in German competitors that cost nearly twice as much.
Under its hood was a choice of either a 3.8-liter V6 or a 4.6-liter V8, which pumped out 375 hp. That power allowed the Genesis to get to 60 mph from a standstill in less than 6 seconds. That’s pretty quick for a luxury sedan – let alone one you can buy for less than $5,000.
3. 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 | Wikimedia Commons
It’s hard to beat a 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 when it comes to the dollar-per-horsepower ratio – especially if the car costs less than $5,000. This vintage of the Camaro Z28 came with a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produced 310 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough power to rocket the car to 60 mph in a little over 5 seconds. Now that’s value!
4. 2006 Pontiac Solstice
2006 Pontiac Solstice | Wikimedia Commons
The 2006 Pontiac Soltice might seem like an unorthodox choice, but it has what you need in a sports car. According to Jerry, “With a convertible design, flowing body lines, 18-inch wheels, and 50-50 weight distribution, [the Solstice] oozes speed and luxury.”
More specifically, under the Solstice’s hood is a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that puts out 177 hp. That engine can be connected to either a five-speed automatic or manual transmission. For the most fun, we recommend the latter.
5. 2000 Ford Mustang GT
2000 Ford Mustang GT | Wikimedia Commons
The Ford Mustang is one of the most popular cars ever made and has widely been considered an icon since the 60s. If you look hard enough, you might be able to find a 2000 Mustang GT model, which was quick for its time. Under the hood is a 4.6-liter V8 engine that’s paired with a five-speed manual transmission and churns out 260 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque. For $5,000, it’s quite a speedy bargain.
6. 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4
2002 Dodge Neon SRT-4 | Wikimedia Commons
Although the Dodge Neon may be hard to recommend, the Neon SRT-4 is something we can get behind. Thanks to a turbocharger, it has 65 more horsepower than the normal Neon. All in, the Neon SRT-4 made 215 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque, which is stout for a lightweight compact sedan.
Keep in mind that finding a clean model for $5,000 could be tough. But if you don’t mind dealing with a project car, there could be a lot of potential with this platform.
7. 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX
2002 Subaru Impreza WRX | Getty Images
The 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX was the first turbocharged version of the car we received in the U.S. Its four-door body style was practical, and its powertrain was capable and provided a good amount of power. Sitting under the hood was a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that pushed out 227 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque.
That power was routed through a five-speed manual transmission to all four wheels via a Symmetrical AWD system. It may not be quick by today’s standards, but for $5,000, this version of the WRX will still put a smile on your face.
Fast cars for less than $5,000
Finding a few of these cars for less than $5,000 might sound like a stretch, but it’s possible. Some may be in worse shape than others, but you never know what you can find in your local classifieds. Either way, you’re getting a lot of speed for not a lot of money.
Keyword: 7 Fast Cars That Cost Less Than $5,000