The BMW M3 has long been the go-to performance sedan for anyone who wants serious speed without sacrificing everyday usability. Since its debut in the '80s, the M3 has evolved into an icon, consistently delivering sharp handling, aggressive styling, and plenty of power under the hood. Even with modern M-cars packing more tech and luxury than ever, the M3 still defines what a proper driver’s car should be.The latest 2025 BMW M3 starts at $76,000 and offers two variations—either the standard rear-wheel-drive model with 473 horsepower or the M3 Competition with 503 horsepower and available xDrive all-wheel drive. No matter the trim, the M3 is quick, with 0-60 mph times dipping as low as 3.4 seconds in the Competition version. But while the BMW M3 continues to impress, its price tag puts it out of reach for many enthusiasts.That’s why we set out to find ten cars that deliver M3-level performance for way less. Every car on this list can keep up with the BMW M3 in straight-line acceleration and costs $30,000 or less on the used market. To verify prices, we used Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase values and recent Classic.com auction data. 2010 Jaguar XKR: $19,096 Bring A Trailer2010 Jaguar XKR SpecsThe Jag XKR is the kind of car you would use to roll up to the golf club, not the drag strip. However, while the Jaguar has all the glitzy credentials to mix it with high rollers, it turns into a wild animal when you floor the throttle. Under the hood of this second-gen model is a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 giving it some serious power, propelling the 15-year-old Jaguar to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds.When you don't want to go full gas, the Jaguar is a relaxed and luxurious cruiser too. The XKR didn't look as retro-tastic as the previous generation, which is a good thing – this model looks more modern and purposeful. It is a steal for under $20,000.Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop Now 2002 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06: $20,441 Chevrolet2002 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 Specs Since its debut in the 1950s, the Chevrolet Corvette has been a cornerstone of American performance. One of the best bang-for-buck versions is the C5-generation Z06, a car that was blisteringly quick for its time. With a 0-60 mph sprint in under four seconds and a top speed of 171 mph, it delivered serious speed without the supercar price tag.Today, a 2002 Corvette Z06 can be had for just under $20,500 based on Kelley Blue Book estimates, while Classic.com auction data puts the average price at $29,056. For what you’re getting, that’s a steal. It’s also quick enough to outrun a modern base Porsche 911 in a straight line, proving that great performance doesn’t have to come with a sky-high price.Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop Now 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS: $20,770 Chevrolet2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS SpecsLike the Chevrolet Corvette, the Camaro has long been a staple of American performance. It’s also a car where high-powered versions are surprisingly affordable. Take the SS trim, for example. By the time the sixth (and, for now, final) generation arrived, the Camaro SS was hitting 60 mph in just four seconds and could reach a top speed of 165 mph.A 2016 Camaro SS comes in at just over $20,700 according to Kelley Blue Book, offering performance that stacks up against a brand-new base Porsche 911. While Classic.com lists the average sale price at $43,367, there are plenty of well-maintained examples available for under $30,000, making this a serious bargain for the speed it delivers.Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop Now 2012 Cadillac CTS-V: $21,852 Bring A Trailer2012 Cadillac CTS-V Specs Cadillac wanted to shake off its image of retiree cruisers and one car that helped to do that was the CTS-V. Under the hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, churning out 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft. This American super sedan is blisteringly quick, despite a chunky curb weight of 4,292 lbs. The 2012 Cadillac CTS-V is capable of reaching 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, quicker than a contemporary M3. There was even a wagon version of this ultimate sleeper. 2014 BMW M6: $25,117 Bring A Trailer2014 BMW M6 SpecsThe BMW M6 may wear the fabled M badge, but it is not just about the racetrack. There is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and a twin-turbo V8 under the hood, with plenty of luxury. But with 560 hp and a mighty 502 lb-ft of torque available under your right foot, the M6 very quickly turns from a boulevard cruiser to a snorting V8 monster, complete with crackles and pops, with 60 mph arriving even quicker than its smaller cousin – and this car was built more than a decade before. 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG: $25,306 Bring A Trailer2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG Specs The SL63 is a very German type of muscle car. While the lesser SLs are perfect for donning a pair of shades and cruising down the Vegas Strip, the SL63 is better suited to the drag strip. This SL is fitted with a 6.2-liter AMG V8, connected to a multi-plate clutch, making it a growling hot rod in a tuxedo. The sprint to 60 mph takes just 4.0 seconds in the SL63, but that is perhaps not the most astonishing thing. This high-end Merc would have cost in the region of $140,000 new – and today you can pick one up for $25K. 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio: $25,791 Bring A Trailer2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio SpecsFrom the twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 that can trace its roots to Ferrari, to the subtly muscular styling, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a gorgeous super sedan. It is also incredibly quick, accelerating to 60 mph in an astonishing 3.6 seconds. The great thing about the Giulia is that it has been updated, but not replaced, so the model still looks relatively fresh. Early cars can now be had for $25,791, which is a steal for such an iconic Italian beauty. 2012 Audi TT RS: $26,553 Bring A Trailer2012 Audi TT RS Specs The Audi TT arrived way back in 1998 and was a massive hit for the company. Using bits from the Volkswagen parts bin, including basing the car on the transverse engine platform of the VW Golf IV, Audi was able to create a beautifully designed sports car for the masses. The Audi TT was never that quick – that is until the TT RS came along as a 2012 model in the US. This car tapped into Audi's most celebrated past, fitting a five-cylinder engine that harked back to its '80s motorsport glory, with a completely unique sound. The 2012 TT RS can hit 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, making it incredibly quick even today. 2017 Mercedes-AMG CLA45: $26,623 Mercedes2017 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 SpecsDon't let the Mercedes-AMG CLA45's swoopy, compact lines and four-door coupe styling fool you. This mini AMG is a monster. Packing 375 horsepower for a boosted 2.0-liter engine, the acceleration is ferocious – the CLA45 will reach 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, which is quicker than a BMW M3 and up there with some supercars. The power is handled by a four-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The base price of this dinky four-pot Benz was a heady $50,945 in 2017. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: $27,840 Bring A Trailer2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 SpecsThe 2nd-gen Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is a lot of car for not a lot of money. This Mustang had a supercharged V8 with 650 hp on tap. As you might imagine, the performance is sizzling - and this 12-year-old Mustang will leave the new M3 in its wake. The Shelby hits 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, which still means that it is one of the quickest cars on the road, bar a bunch of meg-bucks supercars and hypercars.