If you’re willing to embrace a throwback sports car that may need a little work done or an early-2000s vehicle with higher mileage, an older model Dodge Charger or Volvo S60 could be yours for under $3,000—it might just take a bit of searching.

Performance-minded cars are known to hold their value longer than your average coupe or sedan. But with a budget of $3,000, you’ll need to embrace some flaws and keep an open mind.

To help you gain perspective on what fast cars are available at this price point,

car insurance

shopping app

Jerry

has profiled 11 fast cars you could call your own for under three grand. Speaking of not overpaying, we’ll also let you in on how you can save hundreds on car insurance in mere minutes—after all, Jerry is the

#1-rated insurance app

for a reason.

The fastest cars you can buy for under $3,000

In all honesty, $3,000 doesn’t give you a ton of vehicle options these days (thanks inflation!), but if you can live with high mileage or minor cosmetic wounds it’s possible to find a cheap car that goes fast. From compact cuties to gracefully aged sedans, here are the top contenders for fast cars that sell for under $3k.

6. 2007 Kia Rio LX: 109 mph from $3,299

Technically this one’s a touch over three grand, but if you’re looking at the

Kia Rio

, why not spring for the

instead of the base model so you can enjoy modern-day basics like air-conditioning and power steering? These days the LX is the entry-level trim of the Rio, but back in ‘07, there was a super stripped-down version simply known as

Base

Base and LX share the same engine—an inline four-cylinder producing 110 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm—but you’ll get sturdier tires and more comfortable ride quality in the LX. By forking over $3,299 for a 2007 Rio LX you can anticipate mileage to be in the vicinity of $169,140.

The 2007 Rio is capable of hitting 111 mph, but when you’re not flooring it, you’ll still reap the benefits of quick handling and impressive lane change acceleration which give this modest subcompact sedan a sporty feel.

MORE: Are Kias expensive to maintain?

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

5. 2008 Kia Spectra: 118 mph from $2,499

The

Kia Spectra

is a compact car with a 2-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 138 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm. Its solid performance makes the price feel right, but the 2008 Spectra was not a top pick in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests due to a subpar ranking for side-impact safety. If you’re ever tempted to push the Spectra to its maximum limit of 127 mph, keep that in mind.

There’s definitely sporting quality to the Spectra—like its fun spoiler—but experts agree that the engine gets noisy at higher speeds. Ultimately, the fact that you can purchase a 2008 Spectra with about 101,626 miles for well under $3,000 makes its entry on our list well-deserved.

4. 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo: 129 mph from $2,999

Spacious yet aerodynamic, the 2001

Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

offers a taste of luxury and an extra helping of performance. The SS was the top-level trim in 2001, with upscale options like leather seats and a power sunroof.

The Monte Carlo SS reaches a maximum speed of 129 mph thanks to a burly V6 that generates 200 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm. An automatic transmission is the only option, as is FWD.

For a sale price right at the 3k mark, the exterior should be in good shape and the mileage will hover at $176,832. The Monte Carlo is known to last for many miles.

MORE: Are Chevrolets expensive to maintain?

3. 2003 Lincoln LS Sport: 132 mph from $2,999

The mighty

was only around for a few years but its redesign in 2003 was strong. There’s nothing like a 3.9-liter V8 under the hood to pump up the power, which is exactly what you get in a Lincoln LS Sport.

The 2003 LS comes with a V6 for its lower trims—and we suggest going for it. RWD provides a smooth drive quality, to remind you that you’re behind the wheel of an American luxury sedan—one that happens to reach speeds upwards of 132 mph. At this price, the LS Sport should be in good used condition with mileage in the 132,848 range.

2. 2004 Volvo S60 2.5T: 146 mph from $2,495

Leave it to the understated nature of Swedish engineering to produce a deceptively fast, elegant sedan at a sensible price. A 2004

Volvo S60 2.5T

could be yours for well under $3,000 with 154,645 miles on the odometer. It’s not unusual to see older Volvos on the road—because they last.

Who knew the ‘04 S60 2.5T could be so fast? Guided by its unique five-cylinder turbo engine, the S60 can cruise up to significant speeds, topping out at 146 mph.

MORE:

How many miles can a Volvo last?

1. 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E430: 149 mph $2,700

Mercedes-Benz is used to being at the top, but it might come as a surprise to see a sedan like the E-Class E430 rounding out our list of fastest cheap cars. Even at 168,000 miles, it’s classy inside and out.

Mercedes reminds us why it’s worth the big bucks when you actually get the E-Class E430 up to its potential top speed. In 0-60 seconds, its 4.3-liter V8 brings the E430 to 6.7 seconds with top speeds hitting 149 mph.

MORE:

Coupe vs. sedan insurance: which is cheaper?

Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Check your rate

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

The fastest sports cars you can buy for under $3,000

There’s no doubt that the cars we’ve mentioned above are fast, but if you’re craving something sportier, we’ve got some solid picks that fit into your 3k budget.

Best used muscle car: 2006 Dodge Charger SE

From $2,999 (with approximately 115,000 miles)

0 to 60: 7.2 seconds

Top speed: 142 mph

The 2006

Dodge Charger SE

is a RWD, full-sized sedan that packs a 3.5-liter V6 generating 250 horsepower. Rocketing to 142 mph is no joke, but reaching this top speed with the entry-level V6 could cause your transmission to go into limp mode.

Best used turbo option: 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8 Turbo

From $2,500 (with approximately 169,521 miles)

0 to 60: 7.3 seconds

Top speed: 128 mph

The Jetta has been popular for decades, but if you want to cash in on its speed, go for the

GLS 1.8 Turbo

version. At this price, there will likely be noticeable body damage, but niceties like an attractive interior, moonroof, and keyless entry will help soften the blow of cosmetic imperfections.

Best used convertible option: 2003 Mustang Convertible

From $2,500 (with approximately 151,538 miles)

0 to 60: 5.3 seconds

Top speed: 112 mph

Mustangs are known for their power (think

Mustang GT

and

Mustang Mach 1

), but if it’s an economical alternative you’re after, consider the 2003

Ford Mustang

Convertible. You can expect scuffs or flaws on the body of an ‘03 Mustang for this price, but the mechanics should be sound.

Best used fixer-upper: 2005 BMW 325xi

From $2,500 (with approximately 148,000 miles)

0 to 60: 8.3 seconds

Top speed: 145 mph

Up for a passion project? A sporty V6 like this one is a great performance vehicle—as long as you’re willing to make repairs ranging from new power windows, a new battery, and fixing an oil leak.

MORE:

Oil/fluid leak inspection cost

Best used AWD sports car: 2004 Subaru Impreza

From $3,000 (with approximately 170,000 miles)

0 to 60: 4.78 seconds

Top speed: 145 mph

A lightning-quick

Subaru Impreza

for $3,000 will also require some TLC, like bodywork and a replacement stereo. But to satisfy your need for speed? It might be worth it.

MORE:

Fast cars under $5,000

How to find cheap car insurance fast

Hunting around for decent (and fast) cars on a $3k budget isn’t easy, but it can be done. Just make sure you’re careful during the buying process to avoid accidentally purchasing a car with a

salvage title

—which is more common with older models.

After you purchase your vehicle, download the

Jerry

app to compare

car insurance

rates for free, and find a great deal on coverage in a matter of minutes. Jerry can help you sign up for a new insurance policy with just a few clicks of a button, and you could end up saving over $800 per year!