The Ford Mustang GT has rightfully forged a reputation as one of the most versatile sports cars you can buy. It looks brilliant, drives well and at a cost of just over $38,000 for a 2023 Ford Mustang GT, few options offer you more bang for your buck than the legendary pony.

But what if you wanted to go faster for even less? What if you were after a cheap and reliable sports car for 2023 that cost less than $38,000, and provided more power than the 450-hp on tap with a Mustang? What are the best options for you?

Updated June 2023: As a high-performance version of America's most famous muscle car, the latest Ford Mustang GT offers much better performance than the base model. However, there are many used sports cars you can buy for less than the Mustang GT's price and get better performance. We've updated this list with more of them.

Well, if you look in the used car market, you'll find that there are plenty of affordable used sports cars that can outperform a new Mustang GT. The Mustang GT can hit 60 mph from zero in 4.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 163 mph. Many sports cars can gap a Mustang GT without modifications, but some will require a few aftermarket parts to get them to that level. So, here are 12 cars that have the most potential in our opinion.

We used reliable sites like Hagerty, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and zeroto60times to find accurate pricing information and acceleration times for some of the sports cars that can outperform a Mustang GT.

12 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Used Price Range: $31,500 – $34,500

One of the best alternatives to the Mustang has always been the Chevy Camaro. Not for long, unfortunately. Chevrolet has announced that the Camaro's run is finally coming to an end, which brings a tear to every muscle car fan's eye. Thankfully, there are still many fantastic used Camaros you can buy for less than the new Mustang GT's price, and the 2015 ZL1 is one of the best. The 2015 Camaro ZL1 draws its power from a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 dishing out 580 hp, enough to leave the Mustang GT in its dust. It can race from 0-60 mph in an impressive 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 184 mph.

Pricing

The 2015 Camaro ZL1 starts at just over $30,000, which is a bargain for one of the most powerful modern muscle cars. Many experts believe Camaro prices will start going up once Chevy pulls the plug.

11 2017 Nissan 370Z NISMO

Used Price Range: $28,000 – $32,000

A severely underrated sports car of the 2010s is the Nissan 370Z. It may not look particularly thrilling, but you can’t deny its performance, especially in Nismo guise. It’s the main reason we think the Nissan 370Z Nismo is one of the best bang-for-your-buck sports cars on the market.

Pricing

A rear-wheel-drive bucket of fun that pushes out 350 hp, and examples of a used 2017 Nissan 370Z Nismo can be had for as low as $28,000, leaving you with enough money for a few upgrades. It’s also extremely reliable, and that motor is more than happy to be fed with more power, allowing it to hit 0-60mph in a sub-five-second time, with a top speed of 155 mph. It’s also a much more responsive car than the Mustang, so what’s not to like?

Related: 10 Fastest Sports Cars From Regular Car Brands

10 2012 Jaguar XKR-S

Used Price Range: $34,000 – $40,000

The Jaguar XK had a great run from the '90s to 2015. It looked good when it first entered the market, but time has only encrusted the XK with even more beauty. Some of the best features of the Jaguar XK also revolve around its gorgeous interior and wide range of smooth and powerful engines. When it comes to performance, the best version of the XK to buy is the XKR-S, which debuted in 2011. The XKR-S features a supercharged 542-hp V8 engine, making it super fast. It has a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and an impressive top speed of 186 mph.

Pricing

The 2012 XKR-S costs around $34,000, which is a great deal considering its blend of beauty, luxury, and performance.

9 2015 Subaru WRX STI

Used Price Range: $24,000 – $28,000

There’s not a lot of difference between the examples found at either lifecycle end of the GJ/GP era, the Impreza’s fastest guise, so we’d opt for a used 2015 Subaru WRX. There’s not a lot to be said here that isn’t common knowledge to gearheads already – the WRX STI is a hugely quick car that can literally go anywhere and it has a top speed of 164 mph.

Its 305 hp and 4.6-second 0-60 mph time is impressive enough, but adding a bigger turbo and tinkering further with the engine makes the Impreza a driving experience that’s borderline perfect. It’s built its reputation up over the years, and Subaru’s feeble attempts to make it a boring hatch have never worked. The legend always finds a way back, and that’s why the Subaru WRX STI is a truly special JDM.

Pricing

The Subaru WRX STI has always been about providing affordable performance, which is why you can buy a 2017 model for just $24,000. Since it's one of the best Japanese project cars, there are tons of upgrades out there that can boost power to insane levels.

8 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Used Price Range: $36,400 – $41,000

The 2006-2013 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 is pretty much known to gearheads as one of the fastest cheap sports cars you can buy right now, so it’s impossible to leave it out of this list. A C6 Corvette could also potentially be the best car you can purchase for the money when all factors are considered.

Pricing

The earliest models are pretty cheap, and opting for a used 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 would be the sweet spot. It serves up 505 hp from its 7.0-liter V8, and is capable of a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.6 seconds. With a seriously impressive top speed of 190 mph, this would be a great car to consider.

Related: 10 Sports Cars That Can Outlast Any Mileage Limit

7 2010 BMW M6 E63/64

Used Price Range: $19,000 – $22,000

There are many that would root against us on this call, and say that gearheads should avoid the E63 BMW M6 at all costs. But where’s the sense of adventure in that? It’s one of the few V10-powered sports cars you can comfortably buy within this sort of price range, and the experience offered by that engine alone is worth the money.

Pricing

A used 2010 BMW M6, which is the last model year for this generation, can be had for under $20,000 if you’re lucky. In return, you get 500 hp, a top speed of 155 mph, a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds (quicker than the Mustang GT), and a soundtrack to die for. It sounds like a slightly drunk F1 car at low revs, but at its top-end high of 7,750 rpm, it has the potential to shatter windows and create its own black hole.

6 2012 Audi TT RS

Used Price Range: $22,500 – $26,500

The Audi TT RS offers more value for money than most other European sports cars. It’s well-equipped, returns a more than decent MPG, and when the mood takes you along a back road and up a mountain, few sports cars can tackle the hairpins and crests the way a TT RS can. With a 0-60mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph, the standard car alone could probably chase and leave behind a current Mustang GT with ease on a windy road. It may not have had the easiest start to its life, but its appreciating market value only proves why gearheads should give the Audi TT RS a second chance.

Pricing

Used 2012 Audi TT RS Quattro Coupes are climbing in price right now, and the sole reason for that is the flexible skill set on offer. However, it still costs over $10,000 less than a new Mustang GT, which leaves you with a good budget for aftermarket upgrades.

5 2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

Used Price Range: $21,500 – $24,000

There are quicker cars on this list, and certainly better-handling ones, but you cannot ignore the drama and pantomime you’d experience on a daily basis if you own a used 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 63 AMG coupe. It’s as visceral as it’s possible to be with 451 hp, and its 4.4-second 0-60 mph sprint isn’t far off a modern Mustang GT.

Pricing

A 2013 C63 AMG Coupe starts at around $21,000, making it one of the most affordable Mercedes-Benz models. Notorious build quality and a well-stocked interior are also major plus points for the 2008-2015 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, so you can understand why HotCars are huge advocates for it. Any money you do save on buying one of these over a Mustang will also likely be spent on frequently changing tires, since burnouts are a big part of the C63’s personality.

Related: 10 Cheap Sports Cars For Performance And Comfort

4 2014 Porsche Boxster

Used Price Range: $33,000 – $36,500

The 2014 Porsche Boxster is one of the least powerful cars on this list. Depending on the spec, you’ll get between 260 and 310 horsepower. Nor are they particularly well-known for their tuning potential, and unlike most of the cars on this list, it only has two seats. So, why, then, have we included it on this list? It’s unlikely to beat the Mustang GT in a 0-60 mph sprint, but in every other driving dynamic, the 2014 Porsche Boxster has the GT cornered. Its lighting fast steering rack, high-revving 3.4-liter six-cylinder, and rear-wheel-drive system make it a Porsche that’s truly deserving of the badge. If you want fast, look elsewhere on this list. But if you want a true driver’s high, you’d put your money right here.

Pricing

The 2014 Boxster is one of the cheapest Porsches you can buy today. It costs just over $30,000, which is fantastic for a Porsche built less than a decade ago.

3 2015 Jaguar F-Type R

Used Price Range: $38,000 – $42,000

Another modern Jaguar that makes an ideal alternative to the Ford Mustang GT is the F-Type. The F-Type is not only a successor to the aforementioned XK, it's also a spiritual successor to the iconic E-Type. The standard F-Type is awesome, but if you want to beat the Mustang GT, we recommend getting the F-Type R version, as it has a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 with 542 hp on tap, which allows it to sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 186 mph.

Pricing

The 2015 Jaguar F-Type R costs the same as the new 2023 Mustang GT. However, we think the F-Type R is a sweeter deal, as it's an exotic sports car that looks and drives much better.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why Driving Enthusiasts Should Consider Buying The V8 Jaguar F-Type

2 2014 Maserati GranTurismo Sport

Used Price Range: $35,300 – $40,000

The Maserati GranTurismo has been a huge success over the last decade, and with a new electric variant unveiled, it seems that the grand tourer is here to stay. The GranTurismo offers gorgeous Italian looks, a nice cabin filled with upscale materials, and plenty of power coming from its Ferrari V8. We particularly love the 2014 GranTurismo Sport as a Mustang GT competitor because it had several upgrades over the standard GranTurismo that allowed it to make 454 hp. It has a mighty top speed of 186 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds.

Pricing

The Maserati GranTurismo has terrible depreciation rates, which is why you can buy a 2014 GranTurismo Sport for just $35,000.

1 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Used Price Range: $38,500 – $43,000

Ford left many gearheads gutted when it decided to discontinue the Mustang Shelby GT350. The Shelby GT350 has been a part of the Mustang lineup since the '60s, when Carroll Shelby built the first one, which is why many were sad to see it go. Thankfully, you can still pick up a final-generation Mustang Shelby GT350 and enjoy its 526-hp 5.2-liter Voodoo V8 engine. With a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 173 mph, this muscle car is certainly one to consider.

Pricing

We recommend getting the 2016 Mustang Shelby GT350 for around the same price as a new Mustang GT. It is much faster and since it's discontinued, it's among the American cars that should start seeing a rise in prices soon.