10 Fastest Cars Under $30,000

[TFord]

Kinda surprised the base camaro didn't make the list. Anyone know the official zero to 60mph time for the base camaro? Also suprised to see the mustang is the fastest and cheapest car on the list (V8 and V6) with the accord costing more. Just thought it was interesting.

1. Ford Mustang GT
Engine: 5.0L V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Zero to 60 mph: 4.8 seconds
Price: $29,145

2. Subaru Impreza WRX
Engine: 2.5L H4 Turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Zero to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds
Price: $25,495

3. Ford Mustang Coupe
Engine: 3.L V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Zero to 60 mph: 5.6 seconds
Price: $22,145

4. Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
Engine: 2.L L4 Turbo
Transmission: 6-speed automated manual
Zero to 60 mph: 5.8 seconds
Price: $27,695

5. Hyundai Genesis 3.8 R-Spec Coupe
Engine: 3.8L V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Zero to 60 mph: 5.9 seconds
Price: $26,750

6. Honda Accord Coupe EX-L
Engine: 3.5L V6
Transmission:6-speed manual
Zero to 60 mph: 6.3 seconds
Price: $29,730

7. Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Engine: 2.3L L4 turbo
Zero to 60 mph: 6.4 seconds
Price: $23,700

8. Mazda Mazda6 S Grand Touring
Engine: 3.7L V6
Transmission: 6 speed automatic
Zero to 60 mph: 6.4 seconds
Price: $29,320

9. Kia Optima SX
Engine: 2.0L L4 Turbo
Transmission: 6 speed automatic
Zero to 60 mph: 6.5 seconds
Price: $25,995

10. Hyundai Sonata SE
Engine: 2.0L L4 Turbo
Transmission: 6 speed automatic
Zero to 60 seconds: 6.6 seconds
Price: $24,345

http://www.forbes.com/2011/04/08/mus...k_slide_2.html

http://www.forbes.com/2011/04/08/mus...under-30k.html

[Cbrenthus]

The only reason the Camaro didn't make it is because it MSRPs over $30k. T`he Mustang MSRPs at below $30k, however, the Brembos are optional on the 'stang and take it to over $30k.

So, when choosing the $30k cutoff, the Camaro is not eligible, but the Mustang is.

[Black5thgen]

What about the V6, everyone hates the Camaro I guess.

[longgun]

Originally Posted by Cbrenthus

The only reason the Camaro didn't make it is because it MSRPs over $30k. T`he Mustang MSRPs at below $30k, however, the Brembos are optional on the 'stang and take it to over $30k.

So, when choosing the $30k cutoff, the Camaro is not eligible, but the Mustang is.

The base model is well under 30 grand and beats half of the cars on this list.

[RubyCamaro]

Somebody's prejudice!

[Bee]

I thought the V6 ran somewhere around 5.9 - 6.1 seconds for the 0-60mph times?

[lil_chef]

they rated the slower optima and sonata ahead of the camaro? somebody didn't do research.

[8cd03gro]

Wow that is a botched list. Hyundai sonata, Kia Optima??? WTF?

[Redskinfan72]

They forgot to tell you that the research was brought to you by the Ford Motor Co.

[cab2g]

it's Forbes, you expect them to know anything about low-priced cars? People who subscribe to that magazine drive 50k+ cars or have drivers.

[Overflow]

BS.

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by Redskinfan72

They forgot to tell you that the research was brought to you by the Ford Motor Co.

How is it ford bias? The SS doesn't qualify for the list. The only one they missed was the v6 camaro which should probably be in the 4 or 5 seat based on what we usually see. The mustangs are in the exact spots they should be, to be honest. . . unless you can find a faster car for under 30k than the 5.0 and a faster car than the v6 mustang in the mid 20s. If anything it's bias toward kia and hyundai, they shouldn't even be on the list.

[DGthe3]

WFT?

Originally Posted by Forbes

Take the Chevrolet Camaro, for instance, which fell just short of making our list: With a sprint time of 6.7 seconds, the V6 version wasn't fast enough; the $31,795 V8 SS variant, although fast, was a bit too pricey.

How in the world can they manage a 4.8s run to 60 in the Mustang 5.0 but 6.7s in a V6 Camaro? I think I've seen times as low as 5.7s (with 1ft of roll-out) but never anything like 6.7.

[lil_chef]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

WFT?



How in the world can they manage a 4.8s run to 60 in the Mustang 5.0 but 6.7s in a V6 Camaro? I think I've seen times as low as 5.7s (with 1ft of roll-out) but never anything like 6.7.

did they test the cars themselves or get the numbers off of websites? 4.8 seconds for the 5.0 is kind of high. 6.7 seconds for the V6 camaro is ridiculously high. i wonder what their launch technique was? push pedal down hard and hope for the best? that would explain how the weaker cars found their way onto the list and the stronger cars spun their wheels to a worse position.