The market of modern performance sedans is surprisingly limited, mostly dominated by the German big three: Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. There is, of course, also Cadillac, which still rivals German dominance with its V-performance sedans. While all these models are fast and impressive in their own right, they are extremely expensive, with some models surpassing the six-figure price tag.Certain sleeper cars, like some older sedans, are an excellent alternative to new models, still providing plenty of thrills at a fraction of the cost. Another benefit of looking for an older performance car is choice, as there are many performance models to choose from brands that are typically not associated with making performance cars anymore. All of the models on the list can be picked for around $20,000, an amazingly affordable entry point for some serious performance cars. Mazdaspeed6 Bring A TrailerMazda is typically not a brand associated with performance cars, with the exception of the Miata, which is a model more designed for experience rather than speed. Mazdaspeed is Mazda’s performance brand, equivalent to BMW's M division.Two notable models received the Mazdaspeed configuration: the Mazda3 and the Mazda6. It's the latter that’s now become an absolute bargain, with many people completely forgetting about the early 2000s model and the Mazda6 as a whole.The Mazdaspeed6 was released for the 2006 model year as a separate trim for the Mazda6. It wouldn’t last long; it was only produced for the 2006 and 2007 model years.It features a turbocharged 2.3-liter 16-valve inline four-cylinder producing 274 horsepower at 5500 rpm, and 280 pound-feet at 3000 rpm. These are significant performance figures for a 20-year-old sedan, with more power than a modern Volkswagen Golf GTI or Hyundai Elantra N. To handle all the power, the Mazdaspeed6 is all-wheel-drive, equipped with the classic six-speed manual transmission.Bring A TrailerThe Mazdaspeed6 also gets a stiffened chassis, bigger stabilizer bars, and larger brakes for better handling. In 2007, prices for the Mazdaspeed6 started at $28,590 for the sport version and $30,520 for the more luxurious Grand Touring versions.However, the Mazdaspeed6 can be purchased at a fraction of the price today, with Kelly Blue Book values being between $9,000 and $12,000. Many models on the used market typically transact for under $10,000. Chevrolet SS ChevroletChevrolet isn’t typically associated with producing fast sedans, with muscle cars like the Camaro, and sports cars like the Corvette being the brand’s bread and butter performance cars. There is the exception of the Chevrolet SS, sold between 2013 and 2017.In comparison to models like the Dodge Charger, the SS was pretty under the radar, especially when it came to its more elegant, subdued styling. It's difficult to determine why the SS didn’t succeed, as it has a lot to offer. The SS was a rebadged Holden Commodore from General Motors’ Australian division, which shared its platform with the domestic Chevrolet Camaro.It featured a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LS3 V8 producing 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet, a slightly detuned engine found in the Camaro SS. Power is sent to the rear wheels, with both a six-speed automatic and a six-speed manual transmission available.The SS was also designed with cornering in mind, with nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution and Brembo brakes.ChevroletIn 2017, the SS’s last year of production, prices started at $48,920. However, nowadays the SS has significantly depreciated with early models from 2014 and 2015 transacting from around $20,000 to $30,000. Later models fetch higher prices, typically transacting closer to $40,000, meaning the Chevrolet SS held its values surprisingly well 10 years after its release. Cadillac CTS-V (1st Gen) CadillacCadillac is the last American automaker to offer a fast sedan in 2026 with the CT4 and CT5 Blackwing models, the last rear-wheel drive manual performance sedans on sale. Cadillac’s V performance line began in the early 2000s, with the brand's new Art and Science movement intended to shed Cadillac’s old-man image.The CTS was the first model to adopt this new approach, intended to genuinely rival German sedans and be a cool, hip Cadillac. It was largely successful at this goal, with sharp new styling and a hot V performance model.The first-generation Cadillac CTS-V followed the traditional muscle car formula, taking a small sedan and fitting a large V8 in it. The 2004 and 2005 CTS-V featured a 5.7-liter LS6 V8 from the C5 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, making 405 horsepower and 395 pound-feet. Models from 2006 and 2007 received a larger 6.0-liter LS2 that had the exact same power output as the LS6. The CTS-V also received the six-speed manual transmission from the Corvette Z06. To put the power down, the CTS-V received larger tires, brakes, and stiffer suspension.CadillacWhen it debuted in 2004, the base price for the CTS-V was $49,995, making it a very expensive car 20-years ago. However, depreciation has been kind to the CTS-V with nice examples typically selling on the used market anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000, making the first-gen CTS-V an absolute bargain. Chrysler 300 SRT8 Bring A TrailerIn the early 2000s, the Chrysler group went mad with its SRT model lineup, with all Chrysler group brands receiving some SRT performance models. The most well-known and longest-lived are the Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT8. However, these two models had a more dignified cousin, the Chrysler 300 SRT8.The Chrysler 300 used the LX platform, which was based on the Mercedes E-Class due to the now-defunct Daimler-Chrysler group. The 300 was introduced in 2005, with SRT8 being released at launch as the top-of-the-line trim. It received a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 making 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet, along with a more aggressive grille and rims to really drive home the SRT8's performance image.Via; StellantisThe first-gen 300 SRT8 lasted until 2010 when the second generation was released. Just like the previous-gen, the SRT8 was released at launch, now with a bigger 6.4-liter HEMI V8 making 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet. In 2023, the final edition of the performance 300 was released, with the SRT8 now renamed to the 300C, which was limited to just 2,200 units. The engine received a slight power upgrade to 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet. The only downside of the 300 SRT8 was that both generations were only available with automatic transmissions, more fitting for a luxury car like the Chrysler 300.Prices for the first generation range between $10,000 to $20,000, while second-generation models are slightly more expensive, with prices typically hovering around $30,000. Pontiac G8 GXP PontiacThe G8 was one of the last Pontiac models made before the brand was unceremoniously discontinued in 2010. Like the Chevy SS, the G8 was based on an Australian Holden, in this case, the Holden Caprice. Like the SS, the G8's styling has held up rather well, with a few lines that keep its design sharp but aggressive.Due to the G8 being released at the tail-end of Pontiac’s life, the G8 was limited to only two model years, 2008 and 2009. The GXP was the high-performance version of the G8, featuring an LS3 6.2-liter V8 that’s found in the Chevy SS. The power output is the same, with 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet, mated to a six-speed manual transmission.PontiacThe G8 GXP is extremely rare, with production limited to just 1,829 units, making finding GXP’s rather difficult. Despite its rarity, the G8 GXP remains relatively affordable with prices ranging between $15,000 and $30,000 on the second-hand market, making it an affordable and rare bargain muscle car.