It’s a perennial desire of muscle car and luxury vehicle enthusiasts everywhere: fast cars with high horsepower and chassis-bending torque. However, fans who want that magical 500-horsepower figure don’t have to sell a kidney. Instead, performance lovers can opt for one of these muscular machines with horsepower to spare, like the 2015 BMW M5, 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, and 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

Which fast, affordable cars produce 500 horsepower?

Fast cars with 500 horsepower don’t have to demand six-figure price tags. These five cars are sub-$50,000 performance options with well over 500 ponies. 

• 2015 BMW M5
• 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
• 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
• 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
• 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

How much horsepower does a 2015 BMW M5 produce?

The 2015 BMW M5 from the F10 generation produces 560 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Better yet, M5’s tire-shredding power is courtesy of a twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8. As a result, the F10 M5 is a superpowered sports sedan with luxury credentials. 

However, the 2015 BMW M5 doesn’t have to obliterate a fast car fan’s bank account. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB),  an F10 M5 from 2015 has a fair purchase price of around $36,386 with average mileage. However, even with 50,000 miles, the M5’s value is as low as $41,737. 

How much is a 2013 Shelby Mustang worth?

A 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has a fair value of about $36,828. However, that value reflects an example with an average mileage of roughly 90,803. Still, the supercharged 5.8L Shelby Mustang model produces a stratospheric 662 horsepower and 631 lb-ft of torque with a notchy six-speed manual transmission, more than enough to make it a wickedly fast car.  

How much horsepower does a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat make?

The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat was a nuclear option in the constantly evolving American horsepower wars. The Challenger model produced 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque from the factory, making it the most powerful production muscle car ever at the time of its release.

Better yet, fans can snag the first model year of the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat for a bargain; the 2015 model has a fair value of around $38,570 with average mileage. Moreover, the Hellcat was available as a six-speed manual or quick-shifting eight-speed automatic. Even today, the Hellcat is one of the best fast car bargains in the used muscle car market.  

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 a fast car?

Chevy says the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is fast enough to hit 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds on its way to an 11.7-second quarter mile. That savage speed is courtesy of a 505-horsepower LS7 V8 and a curb weight of 3,041 lbs. 

Moreover, the sixth-generation Corvette model is a performance bargain. For instance, a 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has a fair value of $49,852.   

How much is an old SL63 AMG?

An older Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG has the potential to be a raucous roadster with budget-friendly fast car credentials. For instance, the 2013 SL63 AMG starts at around $37,126 for an example with average mileage.

Moreover, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG produces 530 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque from its thunderous twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8. As a result, the AMG model will hit 60 mph in as little as 3.8 seconds, per Car and Driver.

500 horsepower on a budget

So we can see that it’s not impossible to find a satisfying powerful option on a budget. These models are all examples of exciting cars that offer more than 500 horsepower for under $50,000. While some of the cheaper options will approach 100,000 miles, lower mileage models still come in at decent price points.