9 Cheap Cars With Tons Of Power For Under $10k

We live for horsepower. Although driving a Mazda Miata can be fun, there’s something truly thrilling about having a lot of power. The only bad thing is that horsepower usually costs a lot. We are going to show you nine cars that have a lot of horsepower without costing a lot of money.

Even if only getting to know these mechanisms is enough. To keep the excitement going, each ride we talk about will have more horsepower than the last one, but that doesn’t mean we’ll start with a boring machine.

1. Chrysler 300 SRT8

The Chrysler 300 SRT8 is the first sleeper car on our list. I know it’ll be difficult to turn down Mopar’s 425 horsepower. With over 400 horsepower, this car is ideal for street driving. In reality, that’s the correct number for a streetcar. I doubt you will either. Prior to the Hellcat, the SRT HEMI with 425 horsepower received the most attention. The Chrysler 300 SRT8 uses the same architecture as the previous muscle vehicles, but it has a more attractive appearance. However, this also keeps it out of sight.

2. Infiniti G37

If you’re worried about how reliable BMWs are, the next car on our list might be just what you need. It has the powerful VQ series engine and the same platform as the famous Nissan 370Z. Our next car is the more expensive Infiniti G37. These days, people don’t think highly of Infiniti because they think Lexus is better. It was the middle of the 2000s, though, and Infiniti had big plans. They thought they could compete with German brands.

Do you remember the Infiniti G35? The more powerful G37, with its 330 horsepower engine, could actually go faster in a straight line than most of its German rivals. More than other high-performance cars, their resale value has dropped so much that you can get one for less than $10,000 these days. The G37 came in a coupe, a convertible, and a four-door sedan, among other body styles. Your dream sleeper is here: a four-door, rear-wheel-drive car with plenty of power to go sideways.

3. Chevy Corvette

The Chevy Corvette, also known as the Vette. Why does everyone put an LS engine in everything? That’s because the LS is a legendary engine, just like the RB and the 2JZ. The Chevrolet Corvette C5 is my favorite generation, and you can get one for less than $10,000.

These iconic cars, with their pop-up headlights, have finally dropped below the $10,000 mark. Even though they don’t have as much power as newer models, their 345 horsepower is still pretty good. We even found one for $9,000, although someone foolishly removed those distinctive pop-up headlights. But hey, who needs headlights when you’ll be leaving everyone in your dust?

4. Dodge Charger

We understand that not everyone is a fan of Corvettes, and let’s be honest, these older models are starting to show their age. Fortunately, Dodge has always been a remedy for that horsepower itch. The first and second-generation Chargers have become quite affordable. We can all agree that the Hellcat is a marvel of modern engineering, but before the Hellcat came along. Look for one owned by an older individual reliving their Dukes of Hazzard days. Those owners usually took excellent care of their cars, ensuring the paint remained pristine and oil changes were never missed.

5. BMW 650i

Nothing against Dodge, but let’s head back to Europe for a moment and revisit the ultimate driving machines, this time with a 6 Series. Enter the BMW 650i. The 6 Series might not be as common as its M counterparts, but that just means you can get a staggering 360 horsepower for a bargain. It’s hard to fathom how much these cars have depreciated. When new, they were priced around $75,000, which, adjusted for inflation, is almost $100,000 today. So, getting one for nearly 90% off the original price is mind-boggling.

And these cars love to burn rubber. Not only that, but the 6 Series boasts an incredibly luxurious interior, packed with every luxury feature you could desire, and even a few you didn’t know you needed.

6. Genesis Coupe

In the beginning, when Hyundai released the Genesis Coupe, its V6 engine didn’t make a lot of horsepower. Then Hyundai shocked everyone by releasing Genesis, a high-end brand. A 4.6-liter V8 engine gave their top-of-the-line car 385 horsepower. There is also a stronger 5-liter version, but it’s hard to find one for less than $15k. On the other hand, it’s easy to find older siblings with 4.6-liter engines for less than $10,000. The red one we found works. Just be ready to tell people who are interested what a Genesis is.

The car has great sound quality, is smooth to drive, and has high-quality materials inside. Genesis is a band that not many people know about unless you’re talking about classic rock.

7. Mercedes SL550

Don’t worry if 385 horses aren’t enough for you. The competitors to BMW thought the same thing, which is why the Mercedes SL550 has 22 more horsepower and is sometimes even cheaper. We don’t actually suggest that you buy an S550 because the repairs on a BMW 6 Series can wipe out your savings, and a Mercedes will drain your family’s funds as well.

No one will guess that your car is a bit older if it has four doors, a luxurious interior, and classic styling on the outside. Let them think you’re rich because you have a Mercedes license plate. Also, Mercedes is known for attracting older people, right? The next car on our list is also very fancy, but it doesn’t have the same history or reputation. Why? Because it’s from Hyundai, a car company that’s not very old. We are, in fact, talking about the Genesis.

8. Pontiac GTO (Holden Monaro)

Speaking of classic rock and badges that became famous in the 1960s, we have the Pontiac GTO. This badge disappeared for quite some time and then reappeared on a rear-wheel-drive car powered by an LS engine from Australia. The Holden Monaro, or as we know it in the States, the Pontiac GTO, can often be found in decent condition for under $10,000. That’s like getting three Miatas for the price of one! The best part is that since it’s a Chevy, these are the most affordable cars to own on our list. No BMW taxes, Mercedes markups, or hard-to-find Hyundai parts. You can just head to your local auto shop and pick up inexpensive parts from the shelf. Simply slap them on your LS-powered GTO, and you’re good to go.

9. BMW 335i

The German 2JZ, the BMW 335i, is one of the all-time great cars. And without a doubt, the 335i is a great deal for how well it performs. With a 300-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine and the classic BMW driving feel, this car truly lives up to its name as the ultimate driving machine. Even better, with a few mods, you can easily tweak it to produce 400 horsepower.