The 2026 Honda Civic Si is a perfect balance of daily drivability and spirited driving. For $30,995, it features a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Furthermore, it is paired with an engaging six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching. It gets sturdy independent suspension, complete with stabilizer bars and three drive modes to adapt to the changing driving conditions. It’s genuinely a fun affair for the price.
But what if we said that it was possible to get more engine, more power, and more sportiness for a lot less, even as low as $16,000! Thanks to depreciation and the wide variety of cars on the used marketplace, we can have a lot more fun for a lot less money. Sure, spare part availability and maintenance can be a hassle sometimes, but if you pull the right chords, you might get the dream deal. From forgotten icons from Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Chrysler to older versions of still-popular sporty sedans from Lexus, Jaguar, and BMW, this list is as vibrant as it gets.
2017 Chevrolet SS
Average Used Price: $30,660
The 2017 Chevy SS packs a grin-worthy LS3 Small Block V8 that produces 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. It is coupled to a standard six-speed automatic transmission and sends power to the rear wheels. Making things more engaging is an available six-speed manual gearbox.
The 2017 SS has some serious chassis and hardware features to make the driving dynamics spicy. It gets Magnetic Ride Control, an adaptive suspension system that tunes its parameters on the go. Furthermore, stopping duties are taken care of by standard Brembo performance brake pads, consisting of four-piston front and rear calipers. Also, this sporty Chevy has a solid reliability score of 4.9/5.0 according to KBB consumer ratings.
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2020 Lexus IS 350 F Sport
Average Used Price: $28,686
This is a nameplate that is still quite popular and on the roll for quite some time. The Lexus IS beautifully fuses luxury, sportiness, and sharp looks into a well-rounded package. The F Sport trims further dial up the sporty appeal. The 2020 IS 350 F Sport is a steal deal right now with an average used price of around $29,000. Basking in the sporty appeal is a potent 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 that produces 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via an eight-speed direct-shift automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
It can also be equipped with an available AWD system. Dynamics is also enhanced by F Sport-tuned suspension for firmer handling, with optional Adaptive Variable Suspension. The IS 350 F Sport features a Torsen limited-slip differential on RWD models, improving cornering grip. Thanks to its Toyota backing, reliability is well sorted, with this IS scoring 4.5/5.0 in KBB Consumer ratings. It also gets a solid reliability rating of 8.9/10 on iSeeCars.
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10 Used Cars That Cost Less Than $15,000 But Offer Over 300 HP
Hungry for more power? Check out these used cars with over 300 horsepower. As an added plus, they won’t break a tight budget.
2019 Jaguar XF S
Average Used Price: $26,486
For under $27,000, the 2019 Jaguar XF S offers plush British appeal and supercharged V6 performance. Complementing its drop-dead gorgeous looks, this sporty sedan packs a 3.0-liter engine producing 380 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with paddle shifters to a standard AWD system. This Jag can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in approximately 5.3 seconds.
Handling duties are also sharp and nimble, thanks to the lightweight aluminum suspension system. The XF S can look even cooler with its available sport-focused body kits that add black accents and 20-inch wheels. Also, contrary to popular belief, this Jaguar is a reliable sports sedan, with a KBB ‘Consumer Reliability Rating’ of 4.8/5.0. It scores a commendable 7.3/10 in reliability on iSeeCars.
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2017 Cadillac CTS 3.6 VSport
Average Used Price: $22,489
Before the current wave of CT4s and CT5s, we had the understated CTS models. The grin-worthy one that smashed the new Civic Si left and right with its value proposition is the 3.6 VSport trim. The Caddy CTS packs serious performance with a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 420 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
To enhance the driving experience, the 2017 CTS models share a lightweight aluminum-alloy chassis with the 2017 Chevy Camaro and Cadillac ATS-V. Further strengthening the package are features such as standard Magnetic Ride Control, an electronic limited-slip differential, and standard Brembo brakes at the front. It offers four drive modes, including Snow and Track, and is equipped with sticky Pirelli P-Zero tires. The reliability rating is also commendable, with iSeeCars giving it a solid 8.1/10 and KBB Consumer Reviews giving it 4.6/5.0.
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10 Compact Cars That Deliver Big Performance On A Budget
Compact cars are no longer boring. Check out these family-friendly compacts that also offer a lot of performance on a tight budget.
2018 BMW 540i xDrive
Average Used Price: $21,460
This used Beamer offers exceptional value compared to a brand-new Honda Civic Si. The 2018 540i xDrive may not be as sporty as the others on this list, but BMW has honed its mid-size sedan into a well-rounded, highly engaging luxury car. It is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine, producing 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
The result is a subtle-looking sub-$25,000 BMW that accelerates from zero to 60 mph in under five seconds. To spice things up, look out for specimens equipped with BMW’s available Adaptive dampers. Furthermore, its drive modes adjust throttle, steering, and suspension to deliver a different driving experience in each mode. Reliability scores are solid, too, with KBB Consumer Reports giving this Beamer 4.4/5.0. The BMW 5-Series gets a solid 82/100 for reliability on JD Power and 7.1/10 on iSeeCars.
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2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Average Used Price: $19,424
For under $20,000, this highly acclaimed small block-powered Pontiac is a wild sedan that will leave the Civic Si in the dust. Powering this forgotten hot American car is a Corvette-derived 6.2-liter LS3 V8 that produces 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed automatic transmission. The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP also comes with a standard limited-slip differential for improved cornering grip and handling. An optional six-speed manual gearbox is also offered here.
Elevating its handling characteristics are its multi-link independent suspension with sway bars (with unique FE3 tuning), Brembo brakes, and standard traction and stability control features. This is impressive for a 2009 car. Also, do the powertrain specs sound familiar? That’s because it’s the same setup as the aforementioned 2017 Chevy SS. But since the Pontiac is much older, it is much cheaper, thereby enhancing its value for money. The reliability quotient of this Pontiac G8 is well-supported, with a rating of 4.8/5.0 from KBB Consumer Reviews.
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10 Affordable Sedans That Hit 60 MPH In Under Six Seconds
These sedans are available on the used market at reasonable prices, allowing buyers to experience strong acceleration without breaking the bank.
2019 Chrysler 300S
Average Used Price: $16,080
This is a discontinued yet still highly desired American sporty sedan that turns heads. A standard 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 powers the 2019 Chrysler 300S, producing 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. There is also a more powerful optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that produces 363 horsepower. The V-6 models start under $17,000, and spending an additional $1,000 can get you a used Hemi V8 300S.
Power is sent in both cases via an eight-speed automatic transmission to the standard rear wheels. An AWD system is optional. Other notable drive-enhancing features include performance-tuned suspension, dedicated Sport drive mode, and paddle shifters. Despite the 300‘s brutish nature, the reliability ratings are good. It scores 4.7/5.0 in reliability ratings on KBB Consumer Reviews, 83/100 on JD Power, and 7.5/10 on iSeeCars.
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Sources: Kelley Blue Book, JD Power, iSeeCars