10 Cheap Performance Cars That’ll Outrun A Dodge Challenger

10 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Used Price Range: $38,500 – $43,000

Of all the special versions of the Ford Mustang you can buy, the Shelby GT350 is arguably the best to drive. The Shelby GT350 offers a lot more power than the regular Mustang versions, and since it’s smaller and lighter than the Shelby GT500, it handles its power well.

The Shelby GT350 is no longer in production today, but gearheads can still get early years of the final generation model for less than a new 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T. The 2016 Shelby GT350 has a 5.2-liter V8 making 526 hp, giving it a 0-60 mph time of just 4.3 seconds, which is quicker than the Challenger.

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Specifications:

9 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 63 S AMG

Used Price Range: $35,000 – $39,000

The C-Class is the entry-level Mercedes-Benz luxury sedan, which is why gearheads don’t expect much from it when it comes to performance. However, the AMG division knows some C-Class buyers are willing to dig deeper in their pockets to get a faster C-Class, which is why it builds the C 63 AMG.

The W205 C 63 AMG is a fantastic alternative for the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T. It looks much better, offers more luxury, and thanks to its 469-hp twin-turbo V8, it’s much faster.

2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 63 S AMG Specifications:

8 2012 Jaguar XKR-S

Used Price Range: $34,000 – $40,000

Jaguar has a reputation for building some of the best-looking British sports cars, and the XK is a perfect example of that. The XK debuted in the ’90s and was such a hit that it stayed in production until 2015. Its blend of beauty, luxury, and performance earned it many fans along the way.

If you’re looking for some Challenger-rivaling performance, the best version to get is the XKR-S. Thanks to a supercharged V8 pumping out 542 hp, the XKR-S takes 4.2 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph and goes on to reach a top speed of 186 mph.

2012 Jaguar XKR-S Specifications:

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why Every Gearhead Should Drive A Jaguar XKR-S

7 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Used Price Range: $30,000 – $34,000

One of the main reasons why the Corvette has stuck around for so long is its ability to offer affordable performance. A brand new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette already offers more value for money than its European rivals, and when you go for one that’s been around for a while, things get even better.

One of the fastest Corvettes you can get for less than the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T’s price is a 2008 Corvette Z06. The 2008 Z06 had the largest-displacement small-block V8 engine ever – a 7.0-liter unit making 505 hp, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Specifications:

6 2012 Audi TT RS

Used Price Range: $22,500 – $26,500

The Audi TT has been among Audi’s most popular models over the last two decades. However, many gearheads have always complained about its lack of power, which is why the Audi RS division built the TT RS in 2009.

The Audi TT RS had a new 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine producing 360 hp mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, giving it superb performance.

2012 Audi TT RS Specifications:

5 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Used Price Range: $31,500 – $34,500

The Chevy Camaro is one of the few muscle cars, giving the 2023 Challenger a run for its money. Not for long, though, as Chevrolet is putting an end to the Camaro’s production run soon.

New Camaros offer a lot of fun, but if you want to obliterate a 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T for less than $40,000, we recommend getting a 2015 Camaro ZL1. The 2015 ZL1 has a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 making 580 ponies, giving it a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 184 mph.

2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Specifications:

RELATED: Even After All These Years, The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Continues To Impress

4 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 63 AMG

Used Price Range: $19,000 – $22,000

If you want something bigger and nicer than a Mercedes-Benz C-Class but don’t have enough in the budget to get the top-of-the-range S-Class, the next best option has always been the E-Class. The E-Class is one of the best all-round luxury sedans, making it perfect for a wide range of buyers.

As it does for other Mercedes-Benz models, the AMG division builds a high-performance version of the E-Class that’s insanely fast – the E 63 AMG. A 2012 E 63 AMG costs less than half the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T’s price, but it can easily outrun it. It comes with a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 developing 549 hp, allowing for a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph with the electronic limiter off.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 63 AMG Specifications:

3 2015 BMW M3

Used Price Range: $35,000 – $39,000

The performance luxury sedan segment is alive and well today. However, that would likely not be the case if the BMW M3 didn’t exist. The M3 has been among BMW’s most popular models since the ’70s as gearheads love its sporty design, lightweight frame, powerful engine, and superb driving dynamics that make it one of the best drivers’ cars.

An early model of the F80 M3 can still be yours for less than the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T’s price. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six engine produces 425 hp, propelling it past the 60 mph mark in just under 4 seconds.

2015 BMW M3 Specifications:

2 2015 Cadillac CTS-V

Used Price Range: $31,500 – $35,000

Cadillac is always looking for opportunities to compete with its European rivals. So, when the Europeans started building fast sports sedans like AMG-tuned Mercedes-Benz models and the BMW M3, Cadillac introduced a high-performance version of the CTS to compete.

Dubbed the CTS-V, this fantastic car looked much like the standard CTS, but was essentially a Corvette underneath. The 2015 CTS-V, for example, had a 6.2-liter V8 similar to the one used in the Corvette C6 ZR1, whose output of 556 hp allowed the CTS-V to hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

2015 Cadillac CTS-V Specifications:

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why Gearheads Should Consider The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

1 2015 Jaguar F-Type R

Used Price Range: $38,000 – $42,000

British sports cars can be expensive, but the Jaguar F-Type doesn’t seem to follow this trend. The F-Type debuted in 2015 as the successor to the XK and the E-Type, and it’s been a huge hit.

The 2015 Jaguar F-Type makes a superb alternative for the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T as it has a fantastic design, superb driving dynamics, and a roaring V8 under the hood. We recommend getting the high-performance 2015 Jaguar F-Type R, which comes with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 cranking out 542 hp. It goes from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, beating the Challenger by over 1 second.

2015 Jaguar F-Type R Specifications: