Black & Red: 2011 BMW 135i E82

The E82 generation BMW 1-series coupe was released in the 2007 model year a few years after the E46 3-series was plus sized to the E90 platform...so to some folks, the 135i is the spiritual successor to the E46 -- with the 1M and 135i being very close in capability and the natural successor to the E46 M3 -- two doors, light weight, inline-6, 330ish horsepower, a penchant for tail happy on-throttle oversteer...you know the drill.  Find this 2011 BMW 135i E87 offered for $12,900 in San Jose, CA via craigslist.

Banshee Exhaust: 2010 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

If you are in the market for a fast small luxury sedan you probably have seen prices on 10 year old M3s and S4/S5 drop to sub $20k DT range...but wait...there is another Skywalker.  And this one is arguably the most brutal of the group -- it doesn't have all-wheel-drive grip like the Audi or manual gearboxes for carving apexes like the BMW...but it does have gobs of tire shredding torque and thrust like a banshee from the howling 451 horsepower 6.2 liter V8-- but you don't have to believe me, you can read this 2008 magazine article from C&D. Find this 2010 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG offered for $16,500 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

Fast Coupe: 2008 BMW M3 E92

The 4th generation of the BMW M3 was released in 2007 and it featured a big departure from previous models. Gone was the screaming inline-6 engine and in its place was a throaty V8...which was a heresy according to BMW fanboys but it sold quite well and the 414 horsepower and 295 ft-lbs of torque was welcome to anyone except the serious inline-6 nut.  Today the magic of depreciation means the $60k+ M3 is now 1/4 of that original price...time to buy. Find this 2008 BMW M3 offered for $18888 in Walnut, CA via craigslist.

Appreciation for Depreciation: 2010 Audi S5

The Audi S5 is a two-door version of Audi's pavement pounding S4 sport sedan, but the S5 didn't get the upgraded 3.0T supercharged V6 in 2009 and instead lived with the 4.2 liter V8 shared with the R8 through the 2012 model year.  It isn't a bad thing to have a screaming 7000 rpm V8 instead of a boosted V6, and the S5 seems to have been hit with the magic depreciation train...which isn't a bad thing if you are in the market for a fast two door. Find this 2010 Audi S5 offered for $16,351 in Beverly Hills, CA via craigslist.

New Jersey Giant: 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3

I'm going to post this next car with a caveat that Brooklyn isn't a good place to buy a car...or probably much of anything.  The Big Apple is notorious for crappy roads, sketchy parking, bad weather, and well...New Yorkers.  Everybody who isn't trying to actually pick your pocket is probably trying to muscle something outta your bank account...not that there is anything wrong with that...but this next car seems to be a good deal and I have to admit that I would look past the zip code and consider this...wait...why does it have Jersey plates?  Is this the New York Giants of the car world? Find this 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 offered for $4995 in Brooklyn, NY via craigslist. Tip from ME.

Breath of Fresh Air: 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10

This next car comes a tip from Jeff who writes: I know this is over the DT price threshold and don't expect you to post, but just thought I'd share a great example of depreciation. Sure, a V10 Viper putting out 400+ horsepower doesn't sound like much by today's standards, but just look at this thing..... an epic buy for $27k-ish.  Still looks like a 6-figure exotic simply rolling down the road.  I agree that this thing is epic for the price and it is a steal compared to all of the overpriced 993s, MkIV Supras, F355s, and E30 M3s -- THIS is the answer. And it does have stock 400 horsepower pounding to the pavement without the aid of traction control, auto-gearboxes, anti-lock brakes or airbags.  This next car is the Babe Ruth of the automotive world...its built on hot dogs and beer, not steroids and professional trainers.  Find this 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10 offered for $27,980 Niceville, FL via cargurus.

Ford V8 Giant Killer: 1965 MG MGB

You know what is better than taking a fancy-shamncy sports car with dual electric motors and a huge car payment to your local track day? Well...most anything...because wadding your Ferramginesla into turn 9 at Willow Springs isn't fun...but driving a pile of crap custom that is faster than overpriced "sports cars" is a bucket of  pygmy marmosets worth 'o' fun. Find this 1965 MG MGB offered for $6900 in Whittier, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Aged Whine: 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 Wagon with M113K SuperCharged V8

This next car comes as a tip from Jeff who writes; Slick wagon, assuming you trust the shop that did the work.  I'm not as concerned about the quality of the swapper as I am about the signs of the tin worm from life in the rust belt...is D.C. in the rust belt?  Maybe the proximity to the chief offices of our gubmint causes accelerated oxidation of metal...I dunno....but I do know that I'd love to have a supercharged V8 wagon.  Find this 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 Wagon with M113K SuperCharged V8 offered for $13000 in Washington, D.C. via craigslist.

Fastest for the Cash: 2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z51 2LZ

If you had asked me a few weeks ago, which model of Corvette offers the best bang for your buck? -- I'd have quickly and confidently replied C5...but the new C8 Corvette has dropped and the C7 owners are looking to upgrade...and C6 owners are looking at C7s...so now the C6 (2005-2013) has taken the mantle of the fastest machine on the planet for the cash. Even the automatic powered version is stupid fast...and the C6 interior is much upgraded from the C5.  Find this 2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z51 2LZ here on eBay offered for $15,500 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Cincinnati, OH.

Hayabusa Powered: 2011 Lotus Caterham Replica MK Indy

I recently had the opportunity to ride in and drive a late model Caterham kit version of the Lotus 7 that was built by an insane friend and equipped with a 350 horsepower turbocharged GM Ecotech 4-cylinder and 6-speed.  Getting into the coffin-shaped passenger compartment was tricky, but acceleration was nothing short of psychotic. At the end of a 45 minute ride through curving coastal California blacktop I felt equal parts impressed, sun-burned, nauseated, and euphoric. I've driven some fast cars in my time (SLR McLaren, Z06 C7.R) but this was in its own league in orders of the level of excitement (and NVH) you experience on WOT in 2nd or 3rd gear...so I can only imagine that a Hayabusa 11,000 rpm powered version of the same car should similarly deliver a visceral gut punch of fun.  Find this 2011 Lotus Caterham Replica MK Indy here on eBay offered for $22,800 buy-it-now located in Waxhaw, NC.

Grand National Turbo V6 Powered: 1981 Chevrolet Malibu

This next car comes as a tip from Jeff G who writes: I know the price is a bit high for DT, but this one is interesting. An early 80's Malibu aint the first platform that comes to mind when thinking about what should be deserving of Grand National awesomeness, BUT he did do a pretty sweet job with the look & feel of the car + the Yenko thing was a nice touch. Like it or not, it's unique and the likelihood of seeing anything like this pull up next to you on the road is about as likely as any of the DT regulars getting their ride hand waxed by a nekkid Adriana Lima. Find this 1981 Chevrolet Malibu offered for $24,000 in Jacksonville, FL via craigslist.

Fast Machine: 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG

This next car comes from tipper Jeff who writes: One can only imagine the stratospheric bill that would come with this car *IF* something major ever went wrong, but man, a 600+ hp German twin-turbo V12 sure has a nice ring to it and this one looks absolutely stunning.  Find this 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG offered for $22,900 in Miami, FL via craigslist.

567 HP 2.0T Tire Shredder: 2004 Audi A4

Everybody needs at least two cars.  One of them needs to be a project that'll keep your fingers dirty and the other should be a late model reliable car that is fast and fun to drive.  Maybe one of those cars should haul more than two people...but I think this next car could handle daily driver duties AND your family AND keep your fingers dirty on the weekend. Find this 2004 Audi A4 offered for $9000 in Queens, NY via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Imola Not Ebola: 2003 BMW M3

If you've got $15k to spend on a small late model BMW sedan, you might be tempted to buy a 335i from the previous generation...which would be a good choice, but you might not be familiar with how cheap the E46 generation M3s have become.  And while a newer 3-series might be similar on paper and in terms of horsepower/etc, but the M cars are where BMW puts all of its technological might -- complete with upgraded suspension, limited slip differential, fancy single clutch automated manual transmission, 8000 rpm, individual throttle bodies and power everything.  If the regular 3-series is a milkshake, the M3 is a white Russian.  Find this 2003 BMW M3 here on eBay offered for $15,500 buy-it-now located in Midland Park, NJ with a few days to go.

Brow Buster: 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG K8 Brabus

The C215 generation CL55 AMG (2000-2006) was a beast of a 2 door coupe that would put a smile on the face of any fun seeking one legged car lover, but the guys at Brabus decided it wasn't fast enough...so they added 50 horsepower, big wheels, and a fancy body kit to build a car that The Truth About Cars described in 2002 with a few simple statements: Overtaking at any speed is so damn quick it inspires the kind of maniacal laughter beloved of comic book villains.  Actually, they were talking about the SL55 AMG K8, but one could assume you'd also find Bane driving this thing.  Find this 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG K8 Brabus offered for $12,999 in Ventura, CA via craigslist. Tip from Sean S.

Cheapest M3 For Sale: 2002 BMW E46 M3

People claim that something is -est all the time.  The fastest.  The meanest.  The leanest. The beastiest. The cheesiest. The frostiest. The greenest. The chipotlest. The cleanest. The best. The sportiest. The raciest. But they are usually wrong -- sometimes on purpose, sometimes through hyperbole, but I'm going to drop an EST on y'all that'll be hard to disprove.  This is...the..cheapEST M3 for sale on the planet. It just needs some bearings and a bottom end overhaul...how hard can that be on an 8000 rpm inline-6? Find this 2002 BMW E46 M3 offered for $3,500 in Ventura, CA via craigslist. Tip from Sean.

V10 SMG: 2006 BMW M5 E60

I know what you'll say. Another BMW...sheesh, you DT guys must have some kind of sponsorship from Bavaria.  Not quite (although we'd love to get some kick back from BMW if you guys are reading this...send unmarked cash in brown paper envelopes care of the crazy cat lady down the street)..but if you can find another company that sells nicely styled manual transmission equipped sports sedans and V10 powered hoonmobiles, I'll become a fan boy for that OE too.  Deal?  Anyway, BMW M division's first bruiser sedan was the 1988 BMW M5; they had previously dabbled in the M1 supercar and 4-cylinder powered E30 M3 but it was the E28 M5 that set the standard for a fast M-sedan.  Multiple generations later that formula had outgrown its inline-6 roots and by the E60 generation the M5 was powered by an F1 inspired V10 with a screaming high 8250 rpm redline.  Today these M5s are out of factory warranty and can be purchased for less than a new Honda Accord. Find this 2006 BMW M5 E60 starting bid at $1000 with estimated value $17k here on SecondDaily.com.