With 455 horsepower and a top speed of 190 mph, the 2022 Chevy Camaro 2SS is one of the fastest cars you can get for under $50,000—but it’s by no means the only one.

The best things in life may be free, but that idea doesn’t seem to carry over into the world of automobiles. Still, there are plenty of automakers who prioritize making quality affordable vehicles.

If you’re looking for a fast car that’ll clock in at under 50k,

Jerry

, the

trustworthy insurance comparison app

, has got you covered! We’ll take a look at some of the best models that you can get and still stay under the $50,000 mark—and also how to get the best deal on your

car insurance

at lightning speed. Ready? Start your engines!

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The fastest sports cars you can buy new for under $50,000

If you’ve got a need for speed and $50,000 to spend, here are some of the fastest new cars you can get for your money.

2022 Volkswagen Golf R: 155 mph from $45,185

Don’t let its understated looks fool you: the practical-yet-joyful

Volkswagen Golf R

is a delight to drive. This spicy little hatchback comes in one fully-loaded version only, but don’t worry—it’s got what you want.

The 2022 Golf R features a turbocharged inline four cylinder engine that will generate 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It boasts a top speed of 155 mph, although the 0-60 time seems to vary a bit depending on who you ask. U.S. News reported 5.1 seconds, while the lead foots at Car and Driver were able to blast out a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds. But even if you split the difference, it’s still downright impressive.

Throw in the practical hatchback design and all-wheel drive powertrain, and you’ve got a sporty little hatch who’s ready for anything. And for an added bonus, the 2022 Golf R is available with a manual transmission for gear box purists.

2022 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS: 190 mph from $43,845

If the SS stands for “super sport”, does the 2SS mean that’s it’s super super sport? We don’t know—and quite frankly this car goes way too fast to slow down and quibble over semantics. The 2022

Chevrolet Camaro

comes in seven different trim levels, but it’s the top-of-the-line

Camaro 2SS

that concerns us here.

This is everything a pony car should be: fast, stylish, and affordable, all wrapped up in a fierce little package. The 2SS has a V8 engine that packs 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. A manual transmission can be had here as well, allowing you full control as you rocket from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Top speed maxes out at hair-raising 190 mph, but we don’t recommend you try that out around town.

If you want to max out your 50k budget, you’ll have the opportunity here. Available performance enhancers include a dual-mode exhaust, performance air intake, and a performance data recorder so you can chart your stats like a pro.

2022 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack: 185 mph from $48,440

You won’t be able to add much of anything and still stay under your budget on this one, but for many it’ll be well worth it. The brash and muscly

Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

may be a bit of a mouthful to say, but when it comes to performance the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine speaks (or growls, rather) for itself.

With a top speed of 185 mph and a reported 0-60 time of as low as 4.2 seconds, the R/T Scat Pack will hurl you against the back of your seat—and you’ll love it. With a mighty 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque at your disposal, you’ll be able to make certain that people know you’re coming. The exterior styling is on point as well, with a cool, old-school look that just screams classic American muscle car.

2022 Toyota GR Supra 2.0: 155 mph from $44,635

You’ll have to stick to the base trim level here to stay under the $50,000 limit, but don’t worry—there’s nothing basic about it. The 2.0 refers to the 2 liter, turbocharged inline-four cylinder engine that powers this fun little sports car. You’ll get from 0-60 in 5.0 seconds while enjoying a posh, richly appointed cabin, and it gets good fuel economy to boot—an impressive 38 mpg combined.

Top speed of the

Toyota GR Supra 2.0

is 155 mph, which should be more than enough to keep any speed demon happy. The 2.0-liter engine gets you 255 horsepower and 296 lb-ft of torque to play with. There’s a more powerful 3.0-liter engine available, but that will push you above the $50k price point.

2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 35: 155 mph from $47,900

For folks who want to go fast in a luxury brand for under $50,000, the

Mercedes-Benz

AMG CLA 35 will work out just right. Sticking with the lower CLA 35 trim will keep you within the $50,000 budget, but you’ll still get ample amounts of Mercedes luxury and style.

The CLA 35 features a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4 cylinder engine that makes 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Top speed is 155 mph, and reported 0-60 times range from 4.4 to 4.8 seconds. A standard all-wheel drive powertrain gives you added traction, and the ability to shift all the power to the rear wheels will make sure you get off the line like nobody’s business.

2022 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman All4: 155 mph from $40,350

Minis are fun to drive with a very distinct style, but they're not the most practical vehicle out there. But if you’re a fan, you couldn’t care less. The

Mini John Cooper Works

Clubman All4 comes with a stout 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under the bonnet,yielding 302 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

A performance-tuned chassis means that the handling will be athletic, albeit a bit stiff—much like the signature driving feel of their cousin BMW. Top speed here is 155 mph with a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds, and standard all-wheel drive allows you to hug those curves with confidence. It’s not the car you want to take on a massive IKEA run, but it is the one you’ll want for giddily barreling down some twisty roads.

MORE:

20 of 2022’s fastest cars with good gas mileage

Fast used cars for under $50,000

So there’s six magnificent (and fast) new cars you can get for under $50,000—but what about the used market? The good news is, there’s no shortage of used cars that race in under the 50k cap.

Brands range from the luxurious to the everyday and all points in between, but here’s a trifecta of used cars under $50,000 that will be sure to satisfy any fan of a fast car.

2016 Subaru WRX STI: who you calling crunchy?

KBB fair market range: $24,156 to $27,381

0 to 60: 4.8 seconds

Top speed: 155 mph

Most people think of practical, outdoor-ready vehicles when they think of Subarus, but you’ll have no time to snack on trail mix when you’re behind the wheel of this sporty little sedan. And with a 2016

Subaru WRX STI

, you’ll have plenty left over in the budget.

2016 BMW M235i: for the driving enthusiast on a budget

KBB fair market range: $26,075 to $29,318

0 to 60: 4.9 seconds

Top speed: 155 mph

BMWs are known for an engaging, driver-centric experience behind the wheel—and for their high price tags. But there are plenty of fast and lovely used Bimmers out there to be had for less than $50k—the

BMW M235i

is just one of them!

2016 Porsche Cayman: for when there is no substitute

KBB fair market range: $42,451 to $47,035

0 to 60: 4.3 to 5 seconds

Top speed: 183 mph

If you want to max out your budget and your speed, a used

Porsche Cayman

will accommodate you on both fronts. You’ll likely have to go several years back to get something under 50k, but there’s still plenty of life left in these beauties.

MORE:

Fast cars under $5,000

Fast, cheap, and well under control—Jerry’s got you covered!

You know what you want to do when you get behind the wheel of a fast car—and the insurance companies do, too. That’s why cars with performance engines and impressive speed specs are more expensive to insure. With these kinds of vehicles,

car insurance

providers figure in the higher risk of speed-related traffic accidents or violations.

But the good news is,

Jerry

can help you get a great deal on your car insurance costs at a speed that might not be quite as quick as your ride, but pretty close! As a licensed broker, Jerry will search for policies from more than 55 of the best car insurance providers out there to find you the one that’s perfect for you.

“My speeding ticket raised my insurance to $310/month.
Jerry
got me full comprehensive coverage on two vehicles for $144/month through Progressive. I definitely recommend giving them a try.” —Brandon D.

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