10 Cheap Cars That Are Faster Than Most People Think

Some cars don’t look as fast as they actually are, and that’s certainly the case for some of the cars on this list.

Slammed bodies, huge rear wings and extremely loud exhausts will always make our heads turn. However, over the years, we have come to realize that fast cars don’t necessarily need to be supercars or even very sporty-looking.Although several drivers favor showy and expensive cars — and they don’t hesitate to boast their loud and fast rockets — some enthusiasts have chosen sleeper cars, in other words, cheaper cars that look like everyday-vehicles, but actually hide hundreds of horsepower under the hood. Let’s take a look at some cars you’d never expect to be as fast as they actually are.Related: These Are The Cheapest New Cars With V8 Engines

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2004 BMW 330i Convertible – $7,150 – 7.2 Seconds 0-60

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In all its versions, the BMW M3 has been able to offer drivers outstanding performances. However, an M3 isn’t exactly cheap. A decent alternative is the BMW 330i. Its 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, can make up to 225 hp and push the car from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.

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It’s not the most competitive car around, but for sure, is one of the fastest convertibles you can get for a cheap price. If you want something more, BMW released the Performance Package, which drops the 0-60 time to just 5.6 seconds.

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Mercury Marauder – $14,000 – 6.8 Seconds 0-60

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The Mercury Marauder is exactly what we mean when we talk about sleepers. Although the car has nothing to do with exotic sports cars or high-end vehicles from which you would expect a thrilling performance, under the hood there’s a sleeping beast that unleashes all its power once awaken.

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The Marauder packs a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produces 300 hp. The 32-valve engine grants the car an enjoyable sprint from 0 to 60 in just 6.8 seconds, making the Marauder one of the most interesting rear-wheel-drive performance sedans.

Related: These Were The Coolest American Cars You Could Buy In The ’90s

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Subaru SVX LSI – $6,600 – 6.8 Seconds 0-60

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The Subaru Impreza owes its fame to the numerous wins in Rally competitions. The fact that the SVX LSI hasn’t seen the same glory probably contributed to its bargain price. The car presents some really interesting specs though.

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First of all, embracing the Japanese philosophy of built to last, the Subaru SVX LSI is considered a reliable car. Also, the engine is a 3.3-liter 24-valve 6-cylinder horizontally opposed engine. In order to control better the 230 hp unleashed by the engine, only the automatic transmission was made available on this model.

7

2015 Ford Focus ST – $14,200 – 6.3 Seconds 0-60

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It’s compact and with a desirable, modern hatchback look. The 2015 Ford Focus behaves as an everyday car, but you can demand much more from it. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, mated with a 6-speed manual transmission, is capable of 252 hp.

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The Ford Focus ST does not hide its racing-oriented soul: it features large air intakes, 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch was optional) and a spoiler on the tailgate. The interior received Recaro seats, and the three instruments above the console (turbo boost pressure gauge, oil pressure gauge and thermometer) make you feel like you’re inside a real race car.

6

2004 Nissan 350Z – $7,300 – 5.7 Seconds 0-60

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The history of the Nissan Z series begins in 1984 with the first series of 300ZX, which can be considered an ancestor of today’s 350Z. This generation was made between 2003 and 2009, and the most thrilling version boasted a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 300 hp.

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Generally considered a reliable sports car, the Nissan 350Z is everything but gentle when you press the gas pedal. The top speed is 155 mph and 0-60 miles is delivered in just 5.7 seconds, which is pretty decent for a car that could be easily bought for less than $10,000.

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2001 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG – $23,100 – 5.7 Seconds 0-60

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Here is another sleeper that is ready to be awakened on an empty and straight road. This Mercedes-Benz E55 features the AMG package, which takes the car to another level. The supercharged V8 of the car is squeezed to 476 hp.

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Of course, the AMG performance package is not limited to the horsepower figure. The car, in fact, presents upgraded suspension and ventilated brakes. The 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission is not what we’re accustomed to seeing on modern performance cars, but it’s surely decent enough on this large, yet fast, sedan. Some models have sold for peanuts.

4

2004 Pontiac GTO – $14,200 – 5.3 Seconds 0-60

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There was a time in which the Pontiac GTO was the ultimate answer to demanding drivers who asked for fewer amenities and more performance from their muscle cars. The 2004 GTO came to life with the intention of emulating that era, in which horsepower was made by massively large V8s.

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This Pontiac GTO is packing a 5.7-liter Gen III LS1, producing 350 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. The options for the transmission were the Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic or the Tremec close-ratio six-speed manual shift. The top speed was a fairly impressive 160 mph.

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2007 Audi S8 Quattro – $15,000 – 5.1 Seconds 0-60

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Not all sleepers look mediocre. Take a look at this 2007 Audi S8 Quattro and try not to be tempted to purchase this car only because of its stunningly classy lines. But digging deeper, the Audi S8 actually throws a mean punch.

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The beating heart of the car is a Lamborghini-derived 5.2-liter V10 block, which unleashes 450 hp at 7,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission with overdrive. Of course, being an Audi, the car features Quattro all-wheel-drive to send the power to the ground.

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1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 – $16,600 – 5.1 Seconds 0-60

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Performance and fast Corvettes is not news. What’s unusual, though, is to talk about “cheap” Corvettes. One of the reasons why the ZR-1 Corvette comes at such a cheap price is because of the rivalry with the Porsche 911, which proved to be the best choice during those years.

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This Corvette presents some features that still make it a decently fast car. In memory of its predecessors, the car is packing a 5.7-liter V8 with 375 hp. The ZR-1 can take you from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. Top speed, for the adventurous, hits 175 miles per hour.

Related: This Is What Makes The Porsche 911 Turbo So Awesome

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2000 Jaguar XJR – $16,600 – 5.0 Seconds 0-60

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Another sleeper with style: this is the 2000 Jaguar, and when it comes to class and power… well, it has that in spades. The 4.0-liter V8 version came in two versions; naturally aspired and supercharged. Of course, it’s needless to say that the supercharged version is a truly furious beast.

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The car presents all kinds of comforts you would expect from a British sedan. It’s not only the wooden inlays and leather interior that make it so great. The mechanic component, the sound-deadening system, and the suspension allow you a smooth ride no matter what speeds you’re traveling at. Finally, the car gets you from 0 to 60 miles in just 5 seconds, proving that, at times, there’s no need to own super expensive sports cars to get some thrilling vibes.