Let’s face it, we all don’t start out life as millionaires able to drive whatever we would like, whenever we’d like it. At Secret we feature plenty of vehicles that are on the top of our readers’ lists of cars to own “someday”- but what if you want a car that makes a statement and satisfies your desire for performance without breaking the bank? In no particular order, we bring you our favorite used cars, that look good and perform better, for under $30,000.

BMW E39 M5

The E39 M5 is one of the best M cars to date in our opinion. Individual throttle bodies supply air to a monster 5-Liter V8 producing 400 horsepower to the rear wheels. Paired with good looks and the BMW name, for around $20,000 a pristine example of performance and luxury could be yours. The best part? BMW produced nearly 22,000 of them, so if you’re in the market and know where to look there should be a very good selection to choose from.

Gen 1 Cayman

The Porsche Cayman is one of the best handling cars on the road today – plain and simple. It’s so good, in fact, that Porsche deliberately planted a slower motor in it to prevent the car from outperforming the flagship 911. A base model 5 speed in great condition can be had in the mid 20’s, and if you search patiently you can even find an 06-07 S model under 30k!

Acura NSX

In case you didn’t see the super bowl commercial with Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno, Acura is coming out with an all-new NSX. This has brought some extra attention to the previous generations, which at over 20 years old are still works of art. The mid-mounted 3-Liter Honda V6 churns out up to 270 horsepower and screams up to 8,000 RPM. As with any classic, desirable, collector car, prices for the NSX can get very high. However, we have seen some clean one and two owner cars with around 60k miles sell in the $28,000 range.

BMW E9X 335i

The 2007 and 2008 twin-turbo BMW 335i and 335xi are approaching 5 years of age. Do you know what that means? You guessed it – price drop. Now that these cars are outgrowing the factory warranty range, they have dropped in value and can be found in great condition for very reasonable prices. They respond very well to minor bolt-on applications, are easy to drive, and are available in a variety of body styles and colors. Like the E39, since production numbers were so high, a little bit of patience and some homework will put a well-maintained 335 in your garage for around $25,000.

Mistubishi Evolution

Five minutes in the drivers’ seat of any of the most recent flavors of the Mitsubishi Evolution (VIII, IX,X) would put a smile on any car enthusiast’s face. Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson considers the Evo one of the most undervalued cars of all time in terms of dollars for performance, and the Stig proves him right time and time again. Mitsubishi’s rally-proven all wheel drive combined with a high-revving four-cylinder turbocharged engine provides an excellent platform for modifications – but in our opinion it’s lightning fast in stock form. Depending on the model year and condition, an Evo could be found for as little as $18,000 for an Evo 8 and up to high 20’s for well-kept X.

Subaru WRX Sti

To include the Mitsubishi EVO would only be fair if we also included the legendary Subaru WRX STi. Subaru, known for the all-wheel-drive and rally racing heritage, finally brought over the WRX in 2002. At the time the WRX was considered a rocket in the sub compact car market, though many considered it tame. To combat this problem, Subaru launched the STi edition in 2004 which featured an impressive 300hp, 6 speed manual transmission, Brembos and much more to list. It certainly is a performer right out of the box and from around $15,000-$25,000, you can find a clean 2004-2007 Subaru WRX Sti.

BMW E46 M3

Similar to the E39 M5, the M3 is the little brother in the BMW performance family. The E46 M3 featured a tuned straight 6 cylinder, pumping out a rather impressive 333hp. BMW offered the option of a 6 speed manual (which we suggest) or a SMG transmission which was their version of paddle shifting. As with all BMW ///M cars, the M3 is known for its razor sharp handling, which coupled with its 333hp engine, provides a rather fun driving experience. The E46 era of BMW 3 series is arguably the best looking of all generations and you can pick up a used E46 M3 for under $25,000 and it will still fit in with its modern design.

Mercedes E55 AMG

When BMW released their M5, Mercedes declared a horsepower war and released their E55 AMG with an astounding 470 HP and a monster 500 ft lbs of torque. This power was produced from a supercharged V8 mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission. While more of a luxury cruiser than sports car, the E55 AMG has remained a favorite car to modify among tuners thanks to its engine responds well to modifications. This is your chance to own an 11 sec car from the factory that you can take your parents to dinner in for a less than $30,000.

Ford Mustang Cobra

For the straight line racers, the Mustang has always been a popular choice. However, no Mustang has ever created as much buzz as the legendary Ford Mustang Cobra, also known as the Terminator. Ford released this Cobra in 2003 with a 4.6 liter supercharged V8 that produced a ‘modest’ 390hp. For the power freaks, this car can easily be tuned to over 600HP for less than $5000 in modifications. Not only are mods a bang for the buck, this Cobra can be picked up for under $25,000. Slightly more if you opt for the convertible.

Mercedes C55 AMG

Much like the Mercedes E55 AMG, Mercedes turned to AMG to develop a higher performance C class in 2005. This resulted in the C55 AMG, a sleeper in many regards with its 350 HP V8. From the exterior, most consumers wouldn’t be able to know the difference except for possibly the quad exhaust tips. But when the pedal is planted, the C55 is quicker than both the BMW E39 M5 and E46 M3 we featured above. C55’s can be found in the low 20’s, although that brings up the question if it’s worth it spending a few grand more for the E55 with 100hp more.

Nissan 370Z

Nissan can thank the 350Z for re-energizing a brand that was never considered a serious contender. Thanks to the 350Z and several other Nissan/Infiniti models, Nissan had tremendous growth and numerous awards. The rebirth of the Z gave life to the brand so it was a no brainer to continue to develop the Z marquee. Nissan recently released their 370Z, which is an improve across the board from the previous 350Z. From it’s 3.7 liter engine, the 370Z develops an impressive 332hp from a 6 cylinder engine. It comes in automatic or 6 speed manual transmission that has a cool rev-match feature for the novice drivers. You can pick up a used 370Z for just under $30,000 but if that’s out of your budget, the 350Z is still a great car and can be found for up to $10k less.

Lotus Elise

When you think of automakers, they’re all known for one thing: Honda is reliable, Ferrari is exotic, Subaru is all wheel drive, and Lotus is light weight. Lotus emerged in the United States finally and brought over the Lotus Elise, a sub 2,000 lb go kart for the street. The American Elise came fitted with a Toyota engine producing 160hp. While that may not seem like a lot of power, keep in mind the Elise is around 2,000 lbs, which is lighter than a Miata by several hundred pounds. The Elise provides a raw driving experience with a minimalist interior and lack of any driver aids. If you have $30,000 to burn on a weekend toy, this should be at the top of your list.

Audi B7 S4

Audi has continuously gotten better within the last decade, and they are able to do this by sticking at what they do best: beautiful designs inside and out, and their trademark all wheel drive system. Oh yeah, let’s not forget to mention the LED strips in the headlights that everyone seems to have copied now. The S4 has been a staple in the Audi lineup for many years now, giving enthusiasts cross shopping for M3’s and C55/C63 AMG’s, a third option. Although not as quick as the other two, the B7 S4 comes with a V8 pushing out healthy 350hp. Due to it’s weight and all-wheel-drive, the S4 is a tad slower but still no slouch. You can find a B7 S4 for just under $30,000.

Cadillac CTS-V

It seems like every luxury manufacturer wants a piece of the market segment. Cadillac, commonly known for their luxury sedans catering to the elderly, decided to join BMW and Mercedes in the high performance sedan niche. To be a serious contender, Cadillac gave the CTS the Chevy C5 Z06 engine which produced 400hp. While a bit dated on the looks and interior, the engine does prove to be quite potent thanks to Corvettes long history of racing heritage. It was no surprise to see owners modify their CTS-V’s with bolt-ons or even forced induction. At the rate Cadillac is improving their vehicles, we can’t wait to see what the future brings. You can pick up a first generation Cadillac CTS-V for right around $20,000.

Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa

How does a Maserati end up on this list? You can thank typical Maserati depreciation and a somewhat less than desirable model. While the newer Maserati’s are certainly a step-up from this, the Coupe Cambiocorsa definitely can hold it’s own against other cars in this segment. The engine is a Ferrari developed V8 that produces just under 400hp. The styling is a love/hate design for most people but or under $30,000 you can say you own a Maserati. But remember the repair costs will be of a $80,000 car.

Have a little more capital and want to get serious about owning a luxury car? Check out our e-books How to Own A Luxury Car for FREE, and How to Drive an Exotic Car And Get PAID!