Many people dream of owning a high-performance car. However, many top cars are beyond the reach of most. But that’s not to say that there aren’t bargains any out there. We’ve taken a look at 10 top second-hand high performance cars currently available for less than $30,000.
Pontiac G8 GXP, 2009
Price: $29-$33,000
First in the list is a car ranging from $29k to $30,000. It has 415-hp and a6.2-liter V8 engine. It’s quite a classy car compared with many out there. And it has a lot of space – making it a very comfortable drive. This makes the Pontiac G8 a favourite among many.
Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
Price: $28,095
The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is a great all-rounder. With a background from the world of rally, you can definitely feel the high-performance edge of this car. It’s a subtle, yet powerful choice – this car is my favourite.
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
Price: $25-$35,000
You get a lot of car for your money here – prices that I’ve checked out range from $25,000 to $35,000. It’s a vehicle with monster potential. Consisting of a 6.1 litre motor and a V8 rated at 420 hp it possesses 420 of torque. And it’s fast too – it handles high speeds with ease. This option gives you a very smooth riding experience.
Chevy Cobalt SS Turbo, 2008-09
Price: $16,000-$22,000
This vehicle has been added to the list because it’s a bargain – prices start from just $16,000.The new turbo version consists of a smaller 2.0-liter (versus a 2.4-liter) motor. As a result the car is lighter and easier to drive. The lightness makes the car feel pretty fast and smooth. This particular model is also super charged with 55 more horsepower than the earlier versions.
Acura RSX Type-S, 2005
Price: $15,000-$17,000
Acura is another bargain. It has a wonderful I-VTEC valve which offers intelligent variable valve control and the engine has dual phase cams that can give high muscle rpm.
Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, 2002
Price: $14,500
This fairly modern classic car ranges from just $14,000. The second generation version of the Ford Lightning is a fire breather! It can deliver up to 380 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. Having a 5.4-litre motor makes it a real beast. It’s a heavy car, but this helps to make it feel solid and drive very reliably. The front is 2 inches closer to the ground than the rear, helping it still retain the feeling of being a sporty vehicle.
Mazda RX-8, 2005 or later
Price: $12,000+
Another affordable car, starting from just $12,000, this car is within the reach of many people. This cutely poised small car is among the best balanced sport cars of the last past few years. It has a tiny 1-3 litre rotary engine that revs comfortably. The steering, the slick six-speed and suspension all feel in harmony and sporty. There are also a couple of small rear seats which could even make this a cute little family car.
Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, 2006
Price: $12,000-$14,000
The Pontiac Grand Prix has a 5.3 litre V8, a 303 hp and 323 lb-ft of torque with a very affordable price. Probably most grunt for your money!
Toyota MR2, 2000-02
Price: $8,000-$12,000
The MR2 is an iconic, affordable car. It is very light and reasonably comfortable, having a weight of 2200 pounds with 138hp. Its lightness might make it a little prone to feel a touch insecure, but it is a really fun ride.
Ford Contour SVT, 1999
Price:$5,000
This bargain can be purchased from just $5000. With a 2.5-litre motor it can deliver up to 200hp. It is a four door car with a proud V6 under the hood. Offering four-wheel disc brakes and good suspension it’s good for going round corners.
I hope that the above list will help you find your dream high performance car without breaking the bank!
Mohammad Patel is a self-employed taxi driver in the Melbourne area buy loves fast cars. He hopes that you found the above list interesting!


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