13 Cars for ~$10,000 That Will Get You To 150 MPH

11. Jaguar XJR

If you love the everlasting Jaguar XJR’s style and looks, you will be pleased to know you can pick up one of those beautiful but problematic machines for under $10,000. Jaguar introduced it in 1998 and discontinued it in 2002. The Jaguar XJR featured a supercharged version of their venerable 4.0-liter V8 engine. It powered the rear wheels through an automatic transmission and delivered 375 HP.

Thanks to a blown 4.0-liter V8 motor, the sleek and sexy Jaguar XJR could accelerate to 60 mph in just five seconds. They electronically limited its top speed to 155 mph. But, by removing the limiter, it could reach almost 170 mph. Even with the looks, luxury, driving dynamics and sheer power, it is not the most reliable car in the world. Maintenance could be expensive, so keep that in mind before you go looking for this gorgeous sedan.

12. Infinity G35 Coupe

Arguably the best-looking Infinity coupe up to date is the 2003 to 2007 G35 Coupe. It was a well-engineered two-door model based on the G35 sedan’s architecture. With a 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood and 280 HP on tap, the G35 Coupe was a more mature, luxurious version of Nissan’s 350Z, which is not a bad thing.

This means that the G35 possessed the same sharp handling, great driving dynamics and performance, but only in a more upscale package. The 0 to 60 mph acceleration took just below six seconds. The top speed was close to 160 mph. Decent examples with a full-service history and updated equipment cost less than $10,000. Lastly, with this car, maintenance shouldn’t be a problem.

13. BMW M3 E36

The original E30 M3 is stratospheric in price and the E46 is still expensive, so the only way to feel the M Power magic on a budget is with the E36 M3. They built it from 1992 to 1999 and the E36 M3 featured a newly designed six-cylinder motor. Earlier models had a 3.0-liter engine with 291 HP. However, from 1995 until the end of production, they installed a bigger 3.2-liter producing 321 HP.

In America, those E36 M3s had only 240 HP due to emissions regulations, which crippled the otherwise powerful BMW engine. Available as a sedan, coupe or convertible, the E36 M3 was popular. It also introduced new standards in handling and performance. The 0 to 60 mph times were around six seconds. Thanks to a good chassis and sharp steering, the driving dynamics are perfect.

You can find well-maintained and accident-free examples for around $10,000 which is a bargain compared to newer M3 and M4 prices. The best part is, you’ll get one of the most legendary performance models of the 90’s, which are destined to be classics in the near future.

If you have $10,000 to spare, consider grabbing one of these great cars before prices skyrocket. You’ll be the owner of a fast yet an affordable street machine that will turn heads wherever you go.