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Every car enthusiast wants a great muscle car, sports car, or bonafide sleeper for a bargain. It is understandable, but sometimes it requires a little compromise. That isn’t the case with all cars, though. Here are some of the most powerful used cars you can find for around $25,000.

  • Mercedes-Benz E550
  • Ford Mustang GT
  • Chevrolet Corvette Base
  • Dodge Charger SRT8
  • Audi RS6
  • Cadillac CTS-V

Mercedes-Benz E550 is a gentleman’s sleeper car

A preowned 2015 Mercedes-Benz E550 is a 402 horsepower bargain. The E550 packs a twin-turbocharged 4.6L V8, which leaves little to be desired. Also, with excellent interior materials, a spacious interior, seating for five, and an optional convertible, it ticks many boxes. Better yet, you can snag one of the understated sedans for right around $25,000. 

2015 Ford Mustang GT- one of the most powerful used cars you can buy for under $25,000

2015 brought a lot of changes to the storied Ford Mustang. Gone was the live rear axle and retro styling in favor of a redesigned platform with European competition in its crosshairs. However, a few mementos of yesteryear pony cars remained, like a V8 engine. Specifically, the 2015 model carried over the 5.0L Coyote V8, this time producing 420 horsepower. 

An S550 2015 Ford Mustang is one of the most powerful used cars you can buy for less than $25,000
A 2015 Ford Mustang | Rick Loomis, Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Base is an absolute bargain

The sixth generation of Chevrolet Corvette, the C6, continued the pattern of performance bargains. If you’re in the market for affordable horsepower, the ‘Plastic Fantastic’ has to be in the conversation. As for the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette, prospective buyers can enjoy 430 horsepower courtesy of a 6.2L LS3 engine. Additionally, the C6 is one of the most powerful used cars that you can get for less than $25,000. 

2014 Dodge Charger SRT8 is a muscle sedan

Before the SRT 392 and the R/T Scat Pack took the spotlight, the Dodge Charger had but one superpowered option: the SRT8. It wasn’t alone, though. The same powerplant, a 6.4L V8, also lived in the Chrysler 300 SRT8. It makes sense that the two cars would share an engine, given that they’re sibling vehicles.

Whether you want the Chrysler 300 SRT8 or the Charger SRT8, you’re in for a high-horsepower sedan experience in one of the most powerful used cars out there. Both cars make 470 horsepower, and Kelley Blue Book (KBB) says you can get the Charger for around $25,000. 

2013 Audi RS6 is the quintessential sleeper wagon

The Audi RS6 is a sleeper in every sense of the word. It takes the already subtle appearance of an Audi sedan and adds a wagon rear-end. The result is one of the most outstanding performance wagons ever made. According to HotCars, you can find one for around $21,000, although that might be tricky. Still, if you can manage to snag one, you’ll have a wagon with 552 horsepower on tap.  

The Audi RS6 Avant, here in red, is a serious sleeper wagon.
Audi RS6 Avant | Pradeep Gaur, Getty Images

2013 Cadillac CTS-V is one of the most powerful used cars you can buy for under $25,000

Cadillac’s V8-powered sleeper sedan is quite a machine. The 2013 CTS-V is a plush, comfortable four-door with daily driver credentials. However, try the accelerator, and you’ll realize that the sensible Cadillac packs a supercharged Corvette-derived engine. The loud, raucous 6.2L V8 produces 556 horsepower and is sure to put a smile on your face. 

A Cadillac CTS-V is one of the most powerful cars you can buy for around $25,000
Cadillac CTS-V | Cadillac

Finally, really savvy shoppers can find a 2013 Cadillac CTS-V for around $25,000, but it might take a little haggling. Scroll down to the following article to read about other high-horsepower cars!

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