We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Fast, cheap, or reliable, you can only pick two of these traits when shopping for a car. But what if you could buy a car that’s fast and reliable for a very low price? In that case, you’ll have to look at the older Honda market. And no, we’re not talking about an 8^th-generation Civic Si. Actually, we’re talking about an older Accord Coupe.

Which Honda Accord are we referring to?

Any avid MotorBiscuit readers might remember that we covered the 2016 Honda Accord V6 with the manual transmission recently, but since a Honda Accord in that guise and vintage could cost nearly $20,000, we had to think of something similar but cheaper. So why not an Accord V6 with a manual transmission from an earlier generation?

Which generation?

The aforementioned 2016 Honda Accord that we wrote about is part of the 9^th-generation (2013-2017) of Honda’s mid-size model. So if you want something cheaper and just as quick, then you will want to look at the 8th-generation Accord, which was built from 2008 to 2012. Don’t worry, you can still find plenty of 8^th-gen Accords with V6 engines on the used market nationwide, but finding one with the six-speed manual transmission could be slim pickings.

What’s so special about the Accord V6?

Are you familiar with the term “sleeper?” If so, then one look at the 8^th-generation Accord and you will understand why we’re spending the time to write about it. For starters, it’s unassuming, meaning that anyone driving next to you, police included, will most likely not take a second look at the car you’re driving when they pull up next to you at a light. But what they are unaware of is what is lurking under the hood.

What’s under the hood?

Under the hood of some of the 8^th-generation Accords was a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 278 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque and was matched to either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. For the most performance, you’ll want to opt to row your own gears as doing so can lead to 0-60 mph times of around 5.6 seconds and jaunts down the quarter-mile in just 14 seconds flat, according to Motortrend’s testing once upon a time.

For reference, that’s as quick as a Ford Mustang with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine and the Chevrolet Camaro with the turbo four-cylinder. If you need more bragging rights, then you can tell your buddies that your Accord V6 is about as quick as the E36 BMW M3. Sure, that particular M3 was made in the mid-90s and it has less horsepower, but that’s beside the point.

What else is great about the 8^th-generation Accord?

Aside from the engine, the 8^th-generation Honda Accord had a lot going for it. It was larger than its predecessors, which means you will have plenty of room for you and your passengers. And since you’re opting for the model with the V6 and the manual transmission, which only came in the EX-L trim level (with or without navigation), you’ll have some luxuries including a full-leather interior, heated seats, power seats, and a backup camera.

Just don’t expect anything too high tech as Apple Carplay and Android Auto didn’t exist, nor did any driver-assist features. But don’t worry, you will be able to keep yourself entertained having to memorize all 37 of the buttons that exist on the center of the dashboard. Yes, its dash layout is cumbersome, and no, it’s not attractive. But, just like a true Honda, it gets the job done.

How much do one of these Accords cost?

We know that the 8^th-generation Accord with the V6 is fast and reliable, but just how cheap is it? A recent nationwide search on Cargurus revealed that most of the 2008 to 2012 Honda Accord V6 EX-L models currently for sale are listed anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000. That’s much cheaper than the 2016 Accord models we once told you about. So apparently, you can have a car with all three of those traits.