10 Cheapest Cars That Pack 300+ HP Without Breaking the Bank

Looking for raw power without emptying your wallet? These 10 cars offer 300+ horsepower while staying surprisingly affordable. Perfect for enthusiasts who want thrilling performance on a budget.

Ford Mustang GT

Okay, so obviously we gotta start with the Mustang GT, right? It’s kinda the go-to answer for cheap horsepower. You get 435 HP if you’re talking about the 2015-ish models, but even older 5.0s from 2012 or so are still monsters. You can find ‘em easily for around $15K, sometimes less if it’s got some miles. And it’s loud like “neighbors hate you” loud. Honestly, it’s probably the most fun $15K you’ll ever spend on four wheels. Yeah, the plastic interior kinda sucks, but who cares when a V8’s yelling under the hood?

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Now, I used to think the Camaro was all show, no go, but man, those SS models changed my mind fast. You get 426 HP with the manual version, and the thing feels like a muscle car should—big, rude, and slightly terrifying in the rain. I saw some 2013 SSs going for around $14K recently. Yeah, rear visibility sucks, but that’s part of the game. Drop a gear and suddenly none of that matters.

Chrysler 300C Hemi

Alright, hear me out the Chrysler 300C with the 5.7-liter Hemi. It’s like driving a couch that punches stuff. Around 360 HP, huge inside, and you can pick one up for $10K-ish easy. It doesn’t have that “sports car” feel, but it’s a straight-line bruiser. Kinda feels like if a rapper’s tour bus had a baby with a muscle car. It’s comfy, though, and honestly underappreciated as hell.

Dodge Charger R/T

Speaking of Hemis, the Charger R/T is basically the 300C’s louder, rowdier brother. Same engine, similar horsepower around 370 HP and you get that mean sound that makes you wanna rev it at every stoplight. Used ones? Dude, they’re everywhere. Around $13K–$16K gets you a solid one. And if you have the AWD version, you can kind of justify it in the snow. Kind of. Maybe.

Infiniti Q50 3.0t

So the Infiniti Q50 with the 3.0t is one of those sneaky cars. Twin-turbo V6, about 300 HP, and still looks sharp as heck. You can find 2016–2017 ones hovering around $17K to $19K now. Interiors are a bit weird lots of buttons, and the screens are, uh, kinda slow—but performance-wise? It moves. Like, sneaky fast. One second you’re cruising, next second you’re accidentally doing 90.

BMW 335i

Oh man, the 335i was the “rich guy’s tuner car” for a long time. Twin-turbo inline-six, smooth as butter, makes about 300 to 320 HP. You can score an E90-era one for maybe $12K–$15K. Just… budget for maintenance, okay? When they work, they’re awesome. When something breaks… eh, it’s “interesting money.” But man, the sound, the turbo shove it’s addictive.

Lexus GS 460

You wouldn’t think Lexus when you think 300 HP bargains, but the GS 460 is sneaky fast. A 4.6-liter V8 pushing over 340 HP, buttery smooth, and quieter than most libraries. You can get one under $18K, no problem. You sit in it and just feel… fancy, you know? Like, you’ve got taste but also enjoy donuts both the snack and the burnout kind.

Cadillac CTS-V (First Gen)

Okay, so this one’s wild. The first-gen CTS-V had a freaking Corvette engine dropped into a Caddy body. 400 HP from an LS6 V8. It’s insane. I’ve seen rough ones go for around $17K, maybe less if you don’t mind high miles. The thing is raw though no fancy traction stuff, just torque and chaos. You will grin and almost die at the same time.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8

This one’s an underdog. The Genesis Coupe 3.8 V6 makes right around 348 HP, and honestly, it’s fun. Rear-wheel drive, solid manual, looks kinda aggressive too. You can steal one for $13K–$16K and still feel like you’re driving something special. People sleep on these, man. It’s one of those cars where you don’t expect much, but it surprises you every time you get behind the wheel.

Jaguar XF Supercharged

Alright, so this one’s a little random, but older Jaguar XF Supercharged models with the V8 are crazy value right now. Around 420 HP, leather everything, and you can find ‘em under $20K easy. Maintenance might make you cry a little, but when it’s running right oh boy it’s like a British gangster car. Refined and rowdy at the same time.