So you want a car to get you from where you are to somewhere else as fast as possible while spending minimal cash, yes. Well, this list is for you. Here are our top 5
5. Mercedes Benz CLK430
In fifth, it’s a rear-wheel drive 4.3-litre V8 platform wrapped in a classy German body, it’s the 1997 to 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK430.
0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds, loads of delicious V8 torque meaning its mid-gear acceleration is also very impressive and a price of around $12,000 here in Australia, the svelt looking German will provide some serious class to your performance driving attributes.
Ok, the costs involved in keeping these things maintained and actually working is eye-watering, but ignoring that, this is a load of performance for not much cash, again, if you ignore the running costs.
4. Mazda 3 MPS (Mazdaspeed 3)
In fourth place, it’s a hot hatch and it’s from Japan, it’s the Mazda 3 MPS or depending on where you’re watching this from, it might be called a Mazdaspeed 3
You can pick up the first-gen 196kW Mazda 3 MPS for around 10 grand here in Australia.
Unlike the CLK430, the hatch puts its power down through the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox and is one of the hardest working limited front diffs in the business.
While the German may have more torque and power, the Japanese pocket rocket beats the V8 Merc in acceleration and price. The Mazda is slightly quicker to 100km/h and should cost you a couple of grand less.
Plus it’s still a practical 5-door hatch.
3. BMW 545i
In third it’s another V8 German, it’s the BMW E60 545i.
0-100km/h in under 6 seconds and again, like the Mercedes-Benz CLK430, with loads of V8 torque for excellent mid-gear acceleration, the 2003 to 2005 BMW 545i beat out its more powerful replacement, the 550i as it is so much more cheaper on the used car market yet it retains the same excellent balance and handling characteristics.
Also, like the CLK430, the cost to keep the 545i running properly is probably best ignored, hence why you can pick up a BMW 545i for just $10,000, but the 545i brings some practicality to this list and with a bit of an exhaust modification, can sound amazing.
2. Mercedes-Benz E500
In second, it’s another V8 but this time we’re up to a 5-litre and it’s again from Germany, it’s the Mercedes-Benz W211 E500.
The larger displacement turns up the wick to 225kW and 459Nm of torque and even though the Mercedes-Benz E500 is 4kg heavier than the BMW 545i and shares the same 5.8 0-100km/h time, where the big Merc beats the previous 3 is in price.
We’ve seen E500s sell for under $10,000 here in Australia. That’s a luxurious 300hp leather-lined V8 Mercedes from the early 2000s for under 10 grand, amazing.
Again, we’ll ignore the running costs but when nothing goes wrong, these 2003 to 2006 E500s are a bargain, until something goes wrong.
1. Subaru Impreza WRX
In first place, it’s the ugly duckling of an iconic range of performance cars, it’s the second-generation 2000 to 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX.
While it’s less powerful than the others, the WRX wins for two reasons. One is traction. It’s all good and well-having hundreds of horsepower but power is nothing without traction and the WRX, with its symmetrical all-wheel drive, has traction in abundance.
Even in standard form, the WRX will rip you out of corners in even bad weather conditions faster than the others and if mechanical sympathy is not something you care for, dumping the clutch with a load of revs on board will propel it to 100km/h in just over 6 seconds.
Ok, while it might be slightly slower to 100km/h than the Mercedes-Benz E500 and even the BMW, it’s the lightest of the group by 70kg meaning it’s super nimble through the corners. But, where the WRX wins is price.
Here in Australia, you can pick up these second-gen WRXs for as little as $8000. Ok sure, at that price, it’s going to be in a pretty interesting condition, but when it comes to maximum performance for minimal spending, the WRX is extremely hard to beat.
We’ve reviewed versions of the Subaru WRX here.
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NOTE: This article was originally published in July 2021, so some pricing information may have changed.
