A rumbling V8 engine, manual transmission, and pure driving joy – all for under ten grand? In 2025’s wild car market, scoring a cool ride on a budget feels impossible. But gearheads know better. Smart buyers still find hidden gems like the 350Z and other performance legends for bargain prices. We dug through thousands of listings to uncover 12 affordable cars that still pack impressive luxury. However, if you’re not super keen on luxury cars and would rather enjoy the thrill of a high-performance car, then our list of 10 high-performance cars that are now steals might be worth a look.
12. 2015 Cadillac CTS (Exterior)
The CTS exterior commands attention with its sharp, angular design and distinctive LED lighting signatures. You will notice the bold chrome grille that flows into the dramatic headlights, creating an aggressive front fascia. The sculpted hood and strong character lines extend to the rear, where vertical LED taillights frame the sophisticated profile. The 17-inch alloy wheels come standard, complementing the athletic stance of this luxury sedan. Examples under $15,000 can be found without much difficulty, and can go down to as little as $12,000 – but expect 80,000 miles or more on the odometer.
2015 Cadillac CTS (Interior)
The 2015 CTS interior delivers an upscale experience with hand-stitched leather surfaces and genuine wood trim. You will find yourself surrounded by premium materials, including the standard heated front seats with 14-way power adjustments. The CUE infotainment system integrates seamlessly with an 8-inch touchscreen display, offering intuitive control of entertainment and climate functions. The cabin provides ample space for five passengers, while active noise cancellation technology ensures a peaceful ride.
11. 2007 Chrysler 300C SRT-8 (Exterior)
The first-generation 300C SRT-8 makes a bold statement with its high beltline and prominent grille. The lowered suspension and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels create an aggressive stance. The subtle hood scoop and dual exhaust tips hint at the powerful Hemi V8 engine. While the bottom end tends to be around $16,000, you can find some high mileage examples that drop under $15,000 – just be ready for maintenance.
2007 Chrysler 300C SRT-8 (Interior)
The SRT-8’s interior combines American luxury with performance features. The leather-trimmed seats offer both heating and good lateral support. The simple gauge cluster includes performance information, while the Boston Acoustics sound system provides quality audio. The spacious rear seat and large trunk maintain everyday usability.
10. 2009 Volvo C70 Hardtop Convertible (Exterior)
The 2009 Volvo C70 offers the versatility of a hardtop convertible with clean Scandinavian design. The three-piece retractable roof transforms seamlessly between coupe and convertible. The distinctive Volvo grille and flowing lines create an elegant appearance, while the 17-inch wheels complete the sophisticated look. Plenty of examples costing anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 can be found, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find any with less than 75,000 miles on them.
2009 Volvo C70 Hardtop Convertible (Interior)
The C70’s cabin emphasizes comfort with its ergonomic seats and floating center stack design. The premium audio system sounds great with the top up or down. Climate control automatically adjusts for top position, while the rear seats accommodate adults more comfortably than most convertibles. The trunk space varies with roof position but remains practical.
9. 2011 Lexus IS350 (Exterior)
The second-generation Lexus IS350 combines sharp lines with subtle luxury touches. The L-shaped LED running lights create a distinctive signature, while the subtle trunk lip spoiler improves aerodynamics. The 17-inch wheels and dual exhaust outlets hint at the powerful V6 engine. These are, admittedly, hard to find at this price range – but they exist if you look hard enough.
2011 Lexus IS350 (Interior)
The IS350’s interior delivers typical Lexus quality with soft-touch materials and excellent build quality. The electroluminescent gauges provide clear information, while the comfortable front seats offer multiple adjustments. The Mark Levinson audio system produces concert-quality sound. Rear seat space proves adequate for average-sized adults.
8. 2015 Audi A6 (Exterior)
The A6 exterior presents a timeless design with its distinctive Singleframe grille and precise body lines. You will recognize the signature LED daytime running lights that create an unmistakable presence on the road. The athletic profile features subtle wheel arches and a graceful roofline, leading to LED taillights. The standard 18-inch wheels enhance the sophisticated appearance of this German luxury sedan.
2015 Audi A6 (Interior)
The A6 interior exemplifies German luxury with its clean design and superior build quality. You will appreciate the standard leather seating surfaces and three-zone automatic climate control. The MMI infotainment system features a retractable 8-inch screen, controlled by an intuitive rotary dial on the center console. The cabin offers generous headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, while ambient lighting creates a sophisticated atmosphere. This car is another hard find – but you can definitely grab one under $15,000 – but it’ll more than likely have 150,000 miles on it.
7. 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe (Exterior)
The Infiniti G37 Coupe captures sporting elegance with its flowing lines and muscular haunches. The distinctive front fascia features aggressive headlights and a low-mounted grille, while the sculpted side profile emphasizes its rear-wheel-drive proportions. The standard 18-inch wheels and dual exhaust outlets complement the athletic stance. There are plenty of these under $15,000 – they’re just a single search away.
2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe (Interior)
The G37’s cabin wraps around the driver with its angled center stack and clear instrumentation. The supportive front sport seats feature power adjustments and available leather upholstery. Aluminum trim accents create a modern atmosphere, while the Bose audio system delivers impressive sound quality. The rear seats accommodate occasional adult passengers.
6. 2007 Jaguar XKR (Exterior)
The 2007 Jaguar XKR showcases timeless British luxury with its flowing aluminum body lines and distinctive oval grille. You’ll notice the muscular hood bulge and side vents that hint at the supercharged V8 underneath. The adaptive xenon headlights and chrome accents perfectly complement the car’s sleek profile, while the 19-inch wheels fill out the wheel wells with sporting presence. Like any Jag, expect high maintenance – especially since most models with a price tag under $15,000 are likely going to be high on mileage too.
2007 Jaguar XKR (Interior)
The XKR’s cabin surrounds you with rich leather and real wood trim, creating an atmosphere of traditional British luxury. The heated front seats offer 16-way power adjustment, allowing you to find your perfect driving position. Modern amenities include dual-zone climate control and a premium sound system, though the navigation system shows its age. The rear seats serve better as additional storage space than passenger accommodation.
5. 2010 BMW 550i (Exterior)
The E60-generation BMW 550i represents the bold Chris Bangle design era with its distinctive character lines and controversial trunk lid design. The front fascia features BMW’s signature kidney grilles and adaptive xenon headlights. The 18-inch wheels and subtle V8 badges give this sedan an understated yet powerful presence on the road. As with many of the cars on our list, you can find examples under $15,000 without too much trouble – but they’re going to have over 100,000 miles on the engine.
2010 BMW 550i (Interior)
The 550i’s interior prioritizes driver engagement with its perfect driving position and logically arranged controls. You’ll find supportive leather seats, a thick-rimmed steering wheel, and BMW’s classic orange-lit instrument cluster. The iDrive system, while dated by today’s standards, controls the climate and entertainment functions. The spacious rear seats and generous trunk make this a practical luxury sport sedan.
4. 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL 500 (Exterior)
The Mercedes-Benz CL500 coupe exhibits Mercedes’ flagship design language with its pillarless hardtop profile and sweeping roofline. The wide grille, bi-xenon headlights, and chrome accents convey luxury and prestige. Active Bi-Xenon headlights swivel to illuminate corners, while the 18-inch wheels perfectly match the car’s grand touring character.
2009 Mercedes-Benz CL 500 (Interior)
The CL500’s cabin wraps four occupants in supreme luxury with premium leather, wood trim, and excellent sound insulation. The front seats offer heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Mercedes’ COMAND system controls navigation and entertainment features through a central screen. The back seats provide genuine comfort for adult passengers, unusual in a luxury coupe. These are hard to find and have high mileage – but with enough digging, you can find examples under $15,000.
3. 2017 Lincoln MKZ (Exterior)
The MKZ exterior showcases modern American design with its distinctive front grille and sophisticated proportions. You will notice the full-width LED taillights that create a unique lighting signature at night. The sleek profile features a sloping roofline and clean body lines, while standard 18-inch wheels complete the premium appearance. The panoramic sunroof option spans the entire roof, adding an extra touch of luxury to this refined sedan. Fortunately, these are easy to find under $15,000.
2017 Lincoln MKZ (Interior)
The MKZ interior delivers American luxury with its Bridge of Weir leather seating and real wood accents. You will enjoy the standard heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. The SYNC 3 infotainment system operates through a responsive 8-inch touchscreen, offering clear graphics and simple menu structures. The cabin provides excellent sound insulation and comfortable seating for five passengers.
2. 2011 Audi S5 Coupe (Exterior)
The Audi S5 Coupe presents clean, architectural design with its prominent single-frame grille and LED running lights. The muscular fenders house 19-inch wheels, while subtle S5 badges and quad exhaust tips hint at its performance potential. S5s are easy enough to find at this price point, they’re just going to be high in miles.
2011 Audi S5 Coupe (Interior)
The S5’s interior combines sport and luxury with excellent fit and finish. The front sport seats feature Alcantara inserts and strong bolstering. Audi’s MMI system controls entertainment and navigation functions through a clear display. The rear seats accommodate adults for short trips, while the trunk offers practical cargo space.
1. 2009 Nissan 370Z (Exterior)
The Nissan 370Z continues Nissan’s Z-car heritage with its long hood and short deck proportions. The boomerang-shaped headlights and tail lights create distinctive signatures. The wide stance, 19-inch wheels, and available sport package add authentic performance credentials to the striking design. The 370Z is also very easy to find – they’ll be high mileage, but they’ll clear the price ceiling easily.
2009 Nissan 370Z (Interior)
The Z-car’s cockpit focuses on the driver with its three-gauge pod on the dash and supportive bucket seats. The large tachometer takes center stage in the instrument cluster, while the steering wheel and shifter fall naturally to hand. Storage space remains limited, but the hatchback design provides reasonable cargo capacity. If you’re a Nissan lover and a racing enthusiast, then you might also enjoy reading through this list of 6 future Japanese Sports Cars that are built for speed.
