10 Fast Cars Under $10,000
Looking for a fast car that also doesn’t break the bank? Perhaps fast car under $10,000 with a manual transmission or a turbocharged engine? Check out some of the sporty options on this list, and don’t overlook the 2002 Toyota Celica GT.
1. 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda Miata is the king of these lists. The Miata is fun to drive, easy to drive, and pretty cheap, Autobytel says. The 2008 model years are a great deal right now and can be had for under $10,000. It comes in a convertible which makes it even more fun for a summer ride. The 2.0L four-cylinder gets around 170 horsepower with the manual. The automatic gets 166 horsepower.
2. 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX
The 2007ish Subaru Impreza WRX is one of the more exciting and sporty cars available for under $10,000. The WRX has a following for a reason. With a turbocharged 2.5L boxer four engine, it gets 224 horsepower. It has a quiet cabin, it’s fun to drive, and comes with all-wheel-drive standard.
3. 2008 Honda Civic Si
Too obvious? The Civic is on every list, but the Si is where it really shines. The 2008 Honda Civic Si might be a bit harder to find, but it is worth waiting. This one comes with a 2.0L inline-four that makes 197 horsepower. It also comes in a manual option with both two and four-door body styles.
4. 2002 Toyota Celica GT
First of all, it’s a Toyota. Second of all, it’s under $10,000. What’s not to love about the 2002 Toyota Celica GT? With 140 horsepower from the 1.8L four-cylinder, it isn’t the fastest. However, you can basically run this thing into the ground and keep going. Try it sometime.
5. 2007 MINI Cooper S
The 2007 MINI Cooper S gets 172 horsepower from the 1.6L four-cylinder engine. It comes with two doors and a six-speed manual for extra fun. These new MINI vehicles can be expensive, but the 2007 model is fun to drive and affordable.
6. 2003 Mercury Marauder
The 2003 Mercury Marauder might not look like much, but it is probably one of the harder-to-find vehicles on this list. Drivers love the Marauder for its 4.6L V8 with 302 horsepower. While you might have to dig a little, you can probably find a Marauder for under $9,000. Be stealth, much like the car itself.
7. 2007 Volkswagen GTI
The 2007 Volkswagen GTI might be a little hard to find under $10,000. That’s because the GTI gets 200 horsepower from the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder and it’s a lot of fun. You can go up or down a year and see where the price gets you, but 2007 should inspire your initial search. The GTI is fast and highly modifiable, should that be the route you take.
8. 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
The fourth generation 1995 Chevrolet Corvette comes in a variety of colors. It was offered with a 5.7L V8 that got 300 horsepower. There is also a higher horsepower offering 405 hp, but that might price you out of $10,000. The Corvette speaks for itself as far as entertaining to drive picks.
9. 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8L
To be more specific, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8L V6 is the one worth buying. The base model isn’t great, but the 3.8L V6 gets 306 horsepower. Two-wheel-drove, two-doors, and and it comes in a manual option.
10. 2010 Mazda RX-8
The 2010 Mazda RX-8 is a rear-wheel-drive coupe with a lot to offer drivers. The rotary engine gets 232 horsepower from the manual option and 212 from the automatic (get the manual). The RX8 isn’t for everyone, but it scratches a certain itch for an under $10,000 pick.