See Five Season: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Ah, the C5 Corvette Z06. The cheapest way to go fast, and the fastest way to lose your license. It is a formidable track machine, tuned by the wizards at Chevy's performance group to take the standard C5 from fast enough to faster. When introduced in 2001, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was the fastest production car for less than $100k, and today, a used Z06 is the fastest stock car for less than $15k in just about any competition environment (drag, track, autox, etc). Find this 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 offered for $12,900 in Glendale, AZ via craigslist.

Renegade V-Eight: 1972 Porsche 914

The 914 was meant to slot into Porsche's showrooms below the premium 911 but to also fill the top of VW/Audi's lineup with a Volkswagen badge.  But the suits at Porsche didn't want to risk having the VW nameplate tarnish its image and convinced VW to allow it to sell all 914's exclusively through its USA dealer network with a Porsche badge on the front.  The resulting car was slow but great fun to drive due to its mid-engine layout and 2100 lb curb weight, but today's next example has had the dial turned up to 11 with a 350 cubic inch crate motor. Find this 1972 Porsche 914 V8 offered for $14000 in Long Island, NY. Tip from Rock On!

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.

350 Horsepower: 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R Turbo

The B13 generation Nissan Sentra isn't a particularly memorable car in basic spec, but the factory hod rod SE-R offers an oddly fun package.  The combination of a robust and torquey inline-4, good brakes, light curb weight, and limited slip differential puts the SE-R into the ugly-but-good category of used cars....but you'll never find a stock example that hasn't been thrashed into the ground.  Today's next example has been fitted with a humongous turbocharger...so that's either good or bad depending on how you feel about torque steer or passing state mandated emissions tests.  Find this 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R Turbo offered for $5500 in South Jersey, NJ via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

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.

2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

If you'd like to get into a 500 factory horsepower hot rod without liquidating your 401k, there are a few options.  You could get a high mile V10 BMW M5, but if you prefer something that is more grunt and two fewer cylinders, the choice is easy...E63 AMG.  Find this 2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG offered for $13,500 in South Elgin, IL via craigslist. Tip from Tyler.

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.

Fast And Not Furious: 2006 BMW 650i Convertible E63

The E63 generation BMW 650i was a monstrously expensive convertible built in the time of monstrous excesses of Teddy Bear Stearns, Lehman Brodudes, and Merrill Lynchmob.   The green wave hadn't yet electrified much of the fleet and pedestrian impact standards had only slightly altered the pointy noses of supercars back in 2006 when this next car left the assembly line.  In the twelve years since driving off the dealer lot this car has lost more than seventy THOUSAND dollars of value to depreciation (excluding price of options, fees, gas guzzler tax, luxury tax, etc) but still looks like a million bucks to me. Find this 2006 BMW 650i Convertible offered for $8995 in Houston, TX via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Supercar Red: 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo

Imagine you are a successful 50-something car fanatic and you've decided it is time for  your supercar. Do you buy an older Ferrari 355 for $50k or a newer Porsche 911...or do you save a pile of cash and pickup something more exclusive and far less douchey? Like this 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo offered for $19,500 in Des Plaines, IL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Shoulda Had A V8: 1995 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS V8 Swap

So you wanna be the next Kenny from the Block, but your whip is a stock Impreza 2.5 RS...that's not gonna work. You might get your drift on during a blizzard or with aggressive use of the e-brake, but 165 horsepower and fun-sapping all-wheel-drive ain't going to catapult you to youtube stardom.  What you need is a V8.  Find this 1995 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS V8 Swap here on eBay bidding for $1,525 with 4 days to go, located in Cedar Hill, TX.

Chevy V8 Engine: 1974 Triumph Spitfire

This next car comes from tipper Rock On who writes: This has to have one hell of a power to weight ratio!!!  Yeah, it also comes with a giant hole in the hood, which is good or bad depending on your particular feeling about hood "speed" holes.  Find this 1974 Triumph Spitfire offered for $11,900 in La Jolla, CA via craigslist.

Supercharged S52: 1996 BMW 318ti E36/5

This next car has a very optimistic asking price -- particularly when you consider you can find a totally stock 318ti for a lot less...but if you want to go REALLY fast and you love the truncated look of the E36/5 and the oversteer handling of the E30 style semi-trailing arm suspension..this could be your ticket to ride. Find this 1996 BMW 318ti E36/5 offered for $15000 in Thornwood, NY via craigslist.  From Cory.

Hammer Time: 2007 Pontiac Solstice Mallet LS2 V8

There is an old expression about bringing a knife to a gun fight, but I think this next car is closer to the concept of bringing a hammer to a knife fight.  Just don't get bent outta shape if you smash a few fingers with this next beast.  Find this 2007 Pontiac Solstice Mallet LS2 V8 here on eBay bidding for $6,800 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go, located in Mesa, AZ.

El Ehs Juan: 1987 BMW 528e

The E28 generation BMW 528e with the 2.7 liter ETA engine is a great car if you don't mind being passed by most modern cars...but you've got that smug look on your face because you know there is more to life than driving fast.  Except today, you know something that new BMW driver doesn't know...this car isn't left handed.  Find this 1987 BMW 528e with LS1 V8 offered for $20,500 in Reseda, CA via craigslist. Tip from Sean.

Turbo'd V8: 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The original Mazda MX-5 is known around the globe as a great car for the discerning sportsman who wants a car that handles well and needs a good driver to ring the maximum out of the small engine.  It is the opposite of the ham-fisted V8 muscle car crowd and is the spiritual revival of the small British roadster...expect that today's example is a Cobra in disguise.  Find this 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata here on eBay offered for $24,999 buy-it-now or make-offer located in San Luis Obispo, CA.

2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 997

What were you doing 12 years ago?  And more importantly, what were you driving?  Probably not a $80k+ Porsche 911, but if you did drive it for 150k miles, you might end up selling it for an almost $60k loss...which would be like throwing away a Corvette Z06 that you purchased new.  But for the guy who was driving a used 70s van or a Camaro for the past decade, now is your chance to get a 997 for the price of a new Honda Civic.  Find this 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 997 offered here on eBay  for $22,995 buy-it-now located in Costa Mesa, CA with 19 days to go.