The 11 Fastest Cars You Can Buy (New Or Used) for Under $40K
From the brand-new Chevy Camaro SS to the best fast cars on the new and used markets, here are the 11 fastest cars for under $40K!
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
With a 0-to-60 time of four seconds and a MSRP of $37,500, the 2022
Chevrolet Camaro
SS is the fastest new car you can get for under $40,000. But other new and used options fit the bill if you’re hungry for speed.From speedy sports cars to bonafide roadsters, there are a ton of fast cars to choose from. If you’ve got a budget cap to work with, never fear—
Jerry
, the trusted car insurance broker app
, is here with speedsters that won’t break the bank, even if they come close to breaking the sound barrier. Plus, we’ll show you how to save on sports car insurance
with the Jerry app! The fastest sports cars you can buy new for under $40,000
Here are the top six sports cars in terms of speed that you can buy new for under $40K.
6. 2022 Hyundai Veloster N: 155 mph for $33,595
The high-performance version of the Veloster, the 2022
Hyundai Veloster N
hot hatch boasts a turbocharged 275-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Manual transmission comes standard, though an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission can be had for $1,500.As for speed, the Hyundai Veloster N goes from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 155 mph. Practical as well as fast, the Veloster N’s hatchback style allows for added cargo space. Plus, Car and Driver awarded it with an Editors’ Choice award for being super fun to drive.
5. 2022 Kia Stinger: 167 mph from $36,590
The base GT-Line model of the 2022
Kia Stinger
is powered by a 300-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 311 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, but all-wheel drive is available as an option.In addition to its top speed of 167 mph, the Stinger bursts from 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds. The base trim also provides a premium driving experience for less, with comfortable rear seats and a sleek hatchback hold for cargo.
4. 2022 Dodge Challenger: 156 mph from $32,140
With an old-school vibe and a muscle car’s demeanor, the 2022
Dodge Challenger
is a sturdy pick. The way to go if speed is your game is to upgrade to the 6.4-liter V-8 engine, which produces 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque.This two-door coupe boasts a 0-to-60 time of 5.0 seconds with the upgraded engine and has a roomy back seat and a large center console for storage. This beast is a better choice for drivers heading for the drag strip as opposed to speeding down two-lane road courses.
3. 2022 Subaru WRX: 155 mph from $30,600
The 2022
Subaru WRX
is a sports sedan equipped with a turbocharged 271-horsepower four-cylinder with 258 lb-ft of torque paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Newly redesigned for this model year, the WRX comes with all-wheel drive. Bump up to the
WRX STI trim
, however, and you’ll get a turbocharged 310-horsepower 2.5-liter flat-four with 290 lb-ft of torque—with the STI, you’ll be zooming from 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds.2. 2022 Ford Mustang GT: 137 mph from $39,420
It’s probably no surprise that the 2022
Ford Mustang
is in the top three for fastest cars on this list. With an Editors’ Choice accolade from Car and Driver and an iconic history, this pony car continues to provide a personalized driving experience that can’t be beat. The only drawback is the almost nonexistent headroom in the back seat—but if you’re looking for a car to take out on the track, that’s probably a non-issue for you.The
GT trim
especially provides an extra boost of speed for drivers looking for something under $40K. The GT’s 460-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 with 420 lb-ft of torque can go from 0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds. 1. 2022 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS: 165 mph from $38,895
The smooth and satisfying performance of the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro is beyond compare in the under-$40K segment. An everyday sports car, the Camaro can serve as your daily driver as well as your ride on the racing track.
The
1SS trim
provides the best performance for the best value. It comes with an upgraded 455-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine with a six-speed manual transmission that delivers a 0-to-60 time of 4.3 seconds. Modern styling and a fun-to-drive demeanor place this speed demon at the top of our list.Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversFast used cars for under $40,000
Now that we’ve reviewed the six fastest cars under $40,000 from 2022, it’s time to dive into the used car market.
Here are some of the best and fastest used options for under $40,000.
Best used roadster: 2016 BMW Z4
- KBB fair market range: $29,900
- 0 to 60: 5.5 seconds
- Top speed: 130 mph
The last model of this generation, the 2016
BMW Z4
is a luxury roadster with a retractable hardtop and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower. Best used muscle car: 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
- KBB fair market range: $28,990-$39,590
- 0 to 60: 4.5 seconds
- Top speed: 182 mph
Retro style and modern features like keyless ignition and an eight-speed automatic transmission combine to bring you the authentic muscle car experience with the
Challenger R/T Scat Pack
. This particular model provides a 485-hp 6.4-liter V8 and roomy seating for all passengers.Best used hot hatch: 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI
- KBB fair market range: $32,990
- 0 to 60: 5.7 seconds
- Top speed: 155 mph
A hot hatch that has a perfect 10/10 rating on Car and Driver, the
Volkswagen Golf GTI
is a perennial pick for an affordable speedy hatchback. The SE trim is still under $40,000 and adds luxury features in addition to an inline-four engine paired with a six- or seven-speed transmission.Best used AWD sports car: 2019 Audi S4
- KBB fair market range: $37,184
- 0 to 60: 4.4 seconds
- Top speed: 155 mph
Audi has some speedy sports cars in the running, but for the fastest at the best value, the 2019
Audi S4
is a solid pick. A turbocharged 349-hp 3.0L six-cylinder engine paired with Audi’s Quattro AWD makes driving this sports car an unforgettable experience.Best used hatchback coupe: 2021 Hyundai Veloster Turbo N
- KBB fair market range: $33,750
- 0 to 60: 5.1 seconds
- Top speed: 155 mph
A hatchback coupe may be trickier to find, but the 2021 Hyundai Veloster Turbo N provides a fun drive for less. With a 275-hp 2.0L inline-four engine and surprisingly practical interior, this three-door hatch is a fast pick from the used car market!
How to find cheap car insurance fast
One of the downsides to owning a fast car—in addition to more expensive repair bills—is the cost of insurance. Insurers tend to view sports cars and performance vehicles as high risk, due to the higher chance of getting in accidents due to high speeds.
But if you have the
Jerry
app, shopping for car insurance can be both quick and affordable! Just download our trustworthy super app
, and in less than 45 seconds, you’ll be breezing through custom rates from over 55 top providers nationwide! You won’t have to wait around on hold or fill out mountains of paperwork—just tap your favorite rate and Jerry takes care of everything through the app.
On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year!
“As a young person who owns a sports car and a high-end sedan, I couldn’t find quotes below a certain threshold. By usingJerry, I managed to find full comprehensive coverage on both vehicles and saved $150 a month!” —Channing Y.
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