Top Ten Cool Used Performance Cars You Have To Check Out

Searching for an awesome used performance vehicle can be a challenge, depending on where you’re searching. If you’re searching through the wares of a used car dealer near Franklin, IN, it might seem difficult to pick out something sporty and flashy that also fits within your budget. But fear not; DriveHubler Certified Pre-Owned, conveniently located in Greenwood, is here to rescue your shopping woes with a few ideas on the kind of performance models you might be interested in driving. So here is a list of the top ten cool used performance cars you have to check out and the reasons why they’re worth considering. Let’s get right into it.

#10: The Kia Stinger

Probably one of the most underrated performance sedans on the market, but it’s something that would surely turn heads in Franklin. The Kia Stinger is a gorgeous midsize performance sedan that has a unique look and great power to boot. The Stinger only has one generation of model years, so there is a limited number of models available used, but it means that all of the used models available of the Stinger are rather recent. The Stinger was discontinued with the 2023 model year, so you can definitely find some good deals on it. The turbocharged powertrains of the 4-cylinder and V6 variety also offer some great fuel economy for a vehicle its size and with its performance profile, so it not only makes for an exciting weekend cruiser but also an amazing daily driver, too.

#9: The Cadillac CT5-V

The Cadillac CT4-V is slightly cheaper and smaller and has more of that race-track appeal, but the CT5-V is the slightly more practical iteration of the two, mainly because it’s larger and offers a bit more interior space. So, if you were looking for something spicy to get around Franklin with, the CT5-V is perfect. However, the real hook for the Cadillac CT5-V over the CT4-V is that instead of being paired with a turbocharged 4-cylinder or a twin-turbo V6, the CT5-V comes equipped with either a turbocharged V6 or an absolutely massive 6.2-liter supercharged V8. And if high-performance cars are your thing, you can’t really go wrong with a supercharged V8. Finding a used CT5-V will be a bit of a challenge compared to some of the other vehicles on this list, but it’s well worth it if you can get your hands on one.

#8. The GR Corolla

Whether or not Toyota’s GR Corolla is more or less practical than the Cadillac CT5-V as a performance car is easily up for debate, but there’s no denying that the high-performance hot hatch is one of the more recent performance vehicles made available. Due to its small size, it makes the most use of its turbocharged inline 3-cylinder, which makes up to 300 hp at 295 lb-ft of torque. So this little thing absolutely moves, making it a great vehicle for those long highway trips outside of Franklin along Route 31, where you get to go wide open on the throttle. The downside, however, is that it means finding one used may not be as easy as some other used vehicles because of how recent it is. If you can find one used, it’s well worth it for its capabilities designed around great off-the-line performance and nimble handling.

#7: The Chrysler 300

This is probably the biggest sleeper on the list. Widely popular, well regarded, and an iconic full-size sedan in today’s modern marketplace, the Chrysler 300 series isn’t often considered much as a performance car, but it turns out it is and has been for a while. Popular in the tuner scene and often a fan-favorite for customization, the 300 series seems unassuming until you realize it comes with either a Pentastar V6 or a 5.7-liter HEMI V8. That’s right, if you opt for the 300S trims, you get a HEMI V8 in rear-wheel drive. If you want a really sleek luxury sedan with high-performance capabilities, the Chrysler 300 is a great option. It’s also much cheaper than its Cadillac rival, so you get great performance at a low price if you’re looking to get an older used model.

#6: The Civic Type-R

The Honda Civic is one of those vehicles that can easily turn into a performance sedan if the owner takes a liking to it and opts to evolve it beyond the limits of the stock features. But you don’t need to be a gearhead to get a performance-laced iteration of a used Honda Civic; you just have to buy a Civic Type-R. With the Type-R, Honda completely removed the need to know your way around tuning and upgrading things like the intercooler, exhaust, or headers, and instead, you can just buy a Type-R used, and it’s already tuned for high-performance travel.

The hot-hatch comes with sports tires, aerodynamic fenders, a rear spoiler, a turbocharged VTec engine, and performance brakes. It also comes with a performance-tuned suspension for pinpoint precision handling, making it the kind of used performance car you can buy without worrying about putting more money into making it perform better.

#5: The Elantra N

Hyundai’s Elantra N rarely gets the love it deserves for being a performance sedan. It has a truly unique look about it, with sharp, aerodynamic lines, a turbocharged powertrain, an available 6-speed manual transmission, and a variable dual exhaust. Performance suspension, performance tires, and high-performance brakes all help round out what makes for a great used vehicle for those looking for something feature-complete for both the track and daily driving.

That’s right, the Elantra N is also designed to get you to and from your destination with excellent fuel economy, so you not only have something that can tear up the Circle City Speedway just north of Franklin, but it’s highly practical, too. This makes the Elantra N a great vehicle for those of you looking for a good vehicle to get around Franklin in style. As far as used vehicles are concerned, could you really ask for more?

#4: The Dodge Charger

It’s the perfect sedan for those who are forced to upgrade from their coupes and roadsters to support a starter family but still want all of the panache and performance from the coupes and roadsters. The Dodge Charger is the compromise that feels more like a reward when you have to buy a larger vehicle to accommodate more passengers but also want something with all the guilty-pleasure performance of a track-ready dragster.

Available with the same powertrain options as the Dodge Challenger, the Charger provides high-performance opportunities in the form of a midsize sedan. It looks great, has plenty of interior room, and comes with lots of features. If you need an affordable used sedan for the family while also having a pet car for amazing track-tier performance, then the Dodge Charger is your answer.

#3: The Golf GTI

Popular on the track and the Autobahn, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of those cars that really lures in those looking for a highly functional and feature-rich high-performance hot hatch. Compact in design and quick off the line, the Golf GTI is a cute little hatch that offers a lot of performance and range. If you have a budding teen or maybe a college-bound young adult who is responsible on the road but also endeared to high-performance cars, a Golf GTI is a good enough compromise. It’s efficient enough for daily driving and long commutes with its fuel economy but also small enough to make for a good used performance car to get around Franklin, all without being too over the top.

#2: The Subaru WRX

Practical performance is a good way to describe the Subaru WRX. Built with Subaru’s iconic turbocharged BOXER Engine, the Subaru WRX is a compact performance sedan that is perfect for those looking to branch out into something with plenty of power under the hood but also something that doesn’t seem too outlandish while getting in, around, and just outside of Franklin.

The Subaru WRX is the kind of vehicle that offers a lot of practical infotainment, safety, and high-performance capabilities out of the box. The Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive design plus the interior comfort features make for an excellent, cost-effective performance sedan for those looking for an exciting used car to add to the collection that performs well during any season and has top-notch handling.

#1: The Dodge Challenger

The last of the V8s, the Dodge Challenger, represents a bygone era of souped-up muscle cars powered by obscenely powerful V8 engines. There isn’t one performance enthusiast out there who wouldn’t want to get their hands on coveted models like the SRT Hellcat or the now legendary Demon.

Thankfully, there is the used car market available to help accommodate those with a thirst for a high-octane throttle and unbridled rear-wheel drive performance. The Dodge Challenger is the sort of vehicle well worth owning, given that the industry is moving away from big, powerful, American-made muscle cars. And so finding a used Challenger will be like getting your hands on a rare unicorn that also happens to be an affordable piece of automotive history.

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