Do you love speed? Carving corners? Rocketing away from a stop? Then you’re sure to love this list of affordable used performance cars. If you’re after a convertible, a coupe, a sedan, or a hatchback, there’s something here for you. Better yet, every single model on this list is available with a manual transmission — and one doesn’t even offer an automatic as an option. Here are 10 of the best used performance cars on a $15,000 budget.
1. 2013 BMW 3 Series
If a German performance car like the 2013 BMW 3 Series has always seemed out of reach, you’re in luck: It’s in reach of your $15,000 budget now, with your choice of the 240-horsepower 4-cylinder 328i or the 300-horsepower 6-cylinder 335i. Either way, you’ll get a beautifully balanced chassis, great steering feel, and excellent brakes. See 2013 BMW 3 Series models for sale near you
2. 2014 Chevrolet Camaro
The wild 2014 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Z/28 are outside our budget, but even the “base” V6 engine rates 323 horsepower, making every Camaro plenty of fun. Better yet, the Camaro handles well from the factory and has lots of available upgrades in the aftermarket for even more performance. See 2014 Chevrolet Camaro models for sale near you
3. 2014 Ford Focus ST
Surprisingly robust for a front-drive car, the 252-horsepower 2014 Ford Focus ST combines aggressive dynamics and handling with a practical compact hatchback body and up to 32 mpg on the highway. Who says you can’t have it all? See 2014 Ford Focus models for sale near you
4. 2014 Ford Mustang
Like the Camaro, the 2014 Ford Mustang’s highest-performance variants don’t quite fit within our budget, but the 305-horsepower V6 in the base Mustang is still plenty quick. While the Mustang is perhaps a bit less of a sports car than the Camaro, the Ford may have the advantage at the drag strip thanks to its old-fashioned solid rear axle. See 2014 Ford Mustang models for sale near you
5. 2013 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Like the Focus ST, the 2013 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 is a punchy, potent hatchback with as much practicality as it has performance. With 263 horsepower on tap from its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a dynamic chassis setup, it has enough performance to put your license at risk if misused. If you can’t find this model year, you can expand your search to include the 2012. See 2013 Mazda Mazda3 models for sale near you
6. 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata
No affordable performance car list would be complete without a Miata. The 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata is an excellent example of the breed, its light weight and nimble handling making the most of its 167-horsepower output. While it won’t haul the kids or the groceries, the purity of the roadster driving experience is well worth the compromise. See 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata models for sale near you
7. 2014 Mini Cooper S
And we’re back to nimble turbocharged hatchbacks. The 2014 Mini Cooper S and its 189-horsepower engine split the difference between the Miata’s lightweight-focused nimbleness and the dynamism of the Focus ST and Mazdaspeed3. It’s also a notch more premium than those three, and of course, it has that unique Mini personality. See 2014 Mini Cooper models for sale near you
8. 2014 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ
In the same school of lightweight, nimble performance as the Miata, the 2014 Scion FR-S and its twin, the Subaru BRZ, add the practicality of a fixed metal roof and a small back seat. This 2+2 layout adds a layer of practicality that can make the FR-S or BRZ a great sporty daily driver. See 2014 Scion FR-S models for sale near you
9. 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX
The king of the practical, affordable performance vehicles in some eyes, the 2012 Subaru WRX comes with AWD and a turbocharged engine for some genuinely spectacular launches. It also makes quick work of snow, gravel, and your local winding road while having plenty of space to seat five or haul the mountain bikes out to the trail. See 2012 Subaru Impreza models for sale near you
10. 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI
It’s not too hard to see a theme here, is it? The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI’s 210-horsepower output (or 220 with the optional performance pack) perfectly complements its performance-meets-daily-comfort suspension tune. It’s available as a 2-door or 4-door hatchback, each with a functional rear cargo area. See 2015 Volkswagen Golf models for sale near you
10 Best Used Performance Cars on a $15,000 Budget
- 2013 BMW 3 Series
- 2014 Chevrolet Camaro
- 2014 Ford Focus ST
- 2014 Ford Mustang
- 2013 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
- 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata
- 2014 Mini Cooper S
- 2014 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ
- 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX
- 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI
