10 Exotic Performance Cars You Can Actually Afford Under $50K

Let's face it - car enthusiasts can waste hours drooling over exotic sports cars they'll probably never afford. But here's the good news: thanks to depreciation, some dream machines have tumbled into the realm of actual possibility. There are seriously cool performance cars out there now going for less than a new BMW 3-Series.

Check out these ten options that'll turn heads and paint a stupid grin on your face without emptying your bank account.

10. 2006 Maserati GranSport - $14,391

Nothing beats Italian flair, especially when it comes with a screaming naturally aspirated V8. This gorgeous coupe hits 60 mph in under five seconds while cocooning you in leather and shiny metal bits. Sure, it's no Toyota in the reliability department, but come on - all that style and power for under fifteen grand?

9. 2012 Jaguar XKR - $26,597

This Brit packs a 500+ hp supercharged V8 punch in a sleek aluminum body. Its clever differential sends power to the wheel that can use it best, which means better cornering and more fun when you're feeling frisky. British charm meets raw power - what's not to love?

8. 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe - $28,542

Caddy took this beast to the Nürburgring to make sure it could hang with the Europeans, and it shows. The 556 hp supercharged V8 rockets to 60 in 3.9 seconds, all while keeping you comfy in luxury-lined seats. The aggressive two-door styling still turns heads today.

7. 2012 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 - $35,400

When new, this thing offered Ferrari performance at a Chevy price tag. The monster 7.0-liter V8 delivers sub-four-second 0-60 sprints, and engineers even moved the transmission to the back for better balance. America's sports car came to play, and it still brings the goods.

6. 2004 Lotus Esprit V8 - $41,600

The Esprit is pure driving nirvana, following Lotus's "simplify and add lightness" mantra to the letter. The twin-turbo V8 in this featherweight means it hits 60 in under five seconds despite "only" having 345 hp. It'll break down occasionally, but you'll forget all about that when you're carving corners.

5. 2005 Aston Martin DB9 - $42,600

Some days you want raw performance, other days you want to feel like James Bond. The DB9 delivers the latter in spades. The aluminum construction keeps things surprisingly nimble, while that gorgeous 6.0-liter V12 soundtrack is worth the price of admission alone. Plus, just look at it!

4. 2006 Dodge Viper RT/10 - $47,300

Subtle, the Viper is not. This thing exists purely to burn rubber and scare passengers with its ridiculous 8.3-liter V10. It handles corners like a drunk rhinoceros, but that's hardly the point. It's loud, crude, and absolutely hilarious to drive. They're starting to climb in value too, so grab one while you can.

3. 2001 Porsche 911 996 Turbo - $49,432

The 996 Turbo might be the ultimate daily-drivable supercar. Its twin-turbo flat-six and all-wheel-drive system mean outrageous performance in any weather, despite having the engine hanging off the back. It even has rear seats for small humans. No wonder these are climbing out of bargain territory.

2. 2011 Nissan GT-R - $49,500

The GTR is basically a supercomputer on wheels. Its 485 hp twin-turbo V6 and clever AWD system launch it to 60 in a ridiculous 3.2 seconds. It has usable back seats, decent trunk space, and enough electronic wizardry to make anyone feel like a driving hero. For real-world speed, nothing touches it at this price.

1. 1996 Ferrari 456 GTA - $50,900

Yes, you can buy a Ferrari for 50 grand. If you can live with an automatic, this four-seat GT packs a 5.5-liter V12 making 442 hp. It's more cruiser than track weapon, but who cares? The next time someone asks what you drive, you get to say "a Ferrari" with a straight face.