Summary

• The Nissan Altima SE-R, regardless of being a front-wheel drive sedan, provides an exhilarating driving expertise with its efficiency upgrades and aggressive styling. Average used worth: $6,402.
• The Volkswagen Passat W8 is probably not probably the most well-known sport sedan, however its distinctive W8 engine, guide transmission, and all-wheel drive make it a complicated alternative for a gentleman driver. Average used worth: $9,452.
• The Audi S4 B5 could have slipped beneath the radar in comparison with newer and extra highly effective sedans, however its twin-turbo V-6 engine, Quattro all-wheel drive system, and discreet exterior make it a sleeper sports activities sedan value contemplating. Average used worth: $13,235.

The true master of practicality and performance has all the time been the game sedan. Seating 5 with a trunk full of bags whereas delivering exhilarating efficiency by some means, nonetheless appeals to us fanatics. Applauded not just for their balancing act of sensibility and pulse-raising functionality, sport sedans are additionally thought-about “driver’s cars” that present the tactility and precision, to not point out the facility, that you just crave in a sportscar. It’s one of many defining traits that set sports activities sedans aside from common sedans.

But because the prices of new enthusiast cars have risen through the years, you’ll be able to generally really feel priced out of the market. Luckily, the rise of the web age and used automobile public sale web sites have made it simpler to seek for these fashions. But many are nonetheless understandably drawn to the greats just like the E39 M5 and even the Audi RS4, driving up costs identical to their brand-new counterparts.

Not to fret, there are nonetheless a couple of gems ready to be picked, significantly from the 2000s when seemingly, each different sedan had its personal sporting variant. With simply the precise mix of tech, efficiency, and sensibility, automobiles from the 2000s provided a definite taste of efficiency and livability and options reflective of their respective manufacturers. So earlier than you ship in your bids for the next E63 AMG S that goes to public sale, check out a few of these sports activities sedans which have normally been neglected when trying to find a enjoyable four-door sports activities automobile.

In order to provide the newest and correct info doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Car and Driver, MotorTrend, and Edmunds, whereas pricing was collected from Classic.com. The underrated 2000s-era sport sedans on this listing have been organized based mostly on common used worth, ranging from probably the most reasonably priced to the most costly.

RELATED: 10 Performance Sedans That Will Make You Forget About The BMW M3

2005 Nissan Altima SE-R

Average Used Price: $6,402

Much like the varsity of thought that sedans are boring, the Nissan Altima SE-R is a counterpoint to conventional sports activities sedans. Driving its entrance wheels, moderately than the rears like the game sedans we now have grown accustomed to, the adrenaline-infused Altima is sprinkled with efficiency pixie mud to show it into the rowdy four-door that it’s.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car and Driver)

With its extra aggressive bumper and smoked headlights, got here 10- further horsepower, a six-speed guide gearbox, and a retuned suspension. Its 18-inch solid aluminum wheels complimented its angrier appears and, paired with grippy low-profile tires, helped it the SE-R clip apexes on twisty backroads.

Inside, the sporty Altima good points an inside seemingly impressed by the tuner tradition. A trio of supplementary gauges, sport seats, aluminum pedals, and higher-quality upholstery and switchgear are welcome additions to the SE-R’s efficiency upgrades. All thought-about, the Nissan Altima SE-R convinces sufficient of its athletic talents and earns its sport sedan standing.

Pros

• 350Z shared engine
• Convincingly aggressive styling
• Spacious inside

Cons

• ABS is an optionally available additional
• No stability management
• Bland inside styling

2004 Volkswagen Passat W8

Average Used Price: $9,452

Often regarded as a novelty, the Passat W8 was an effort from Volkswagen to drive the nameplate upmarket. To justify this, a brand new W-layout eight-cylinder engine was crammed into its engine bay. While the Passat could not have initially been a sport sedan, its new engine, guide transmission, and 4Motion all-wheel drive, undoubtedly make it a gentleman driver’s sport sedan.

Performance Specifications (Manual)

(Data was collected from Edmunds and Auto-Data.net)

With solely round 3,700 examples ever bought within the U.S., it’s undoubtedly distinctive when you discover its “W8” badging. Otherwise, the top-spec Passat flies beneath the radar of even many fanatics, with solely the aforementioned emblems, bigger wheels, and quad-exhaust tricks to distinguish it over common variants.

With its higher-spec inside, distinctive engine, and all-wheel drive traction, the W8 is upscale. Although it is not the boulevard brute that many sport sedans are immediately, the Volkswagen Passat W8 is definitely a particular sport sedan nonetheless.

Pros

• Unique engine
• Wolf in sheep’s clothes
• Sophisticated

Cons

• Alleged unreliability
• Costly to restore
• Weird decrease gear ratios

2002 Audi S4 B5

Average Used Price: $13,235

The B5 Audi S4 was as soon as a famous person of a sports activities sedan. But amongst a mess of newer and extra highly effective 4 doorways to select from, the Audi S4 appears to have slipped by the cracks. Probably because of the S4’s understated styling, which made it tough to inform it aside from the run-of-the-mill A4. But the S undoubtedly packs efficiency beneath its mundane four-door physique.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Automobile-Catalog)

In true 90s Audi fashion, its unassuming exterior stored its capabilities beneath wraps till you resolve to unpack the efficiency from the twin-turbo V-6 that hung upfront. With Audi’s signature Quattro all-wheel drive system, receiving energy from a six-speed guide gearbox, the sleeper S may grip by corners as nicely, even when the roads are drenched. Lower peak, greater wheels, and twin-turbo energy sum as much as a convincing argument that is packaged discretely in a handsomely humble-looking sedan.

Pros

• Powerful engine
• All-wheel drive
• Well-tuned suspension and brakes

Cons

• Unchanged inside from common mannequin
• Tight rear seat
• Maintenance may be costly

RELATED: 10 Sport Sedans That Are Just As Fun As The Mighty BMW M8 Coupe

2002 Lexus GS430

Average Used Price: $14,778 (All S160 Variants)

Lexus has all the time made refined, well-rounded machines. So, when the GS430 was launched with a bigger capability V-8 whereas sustaining aggressive pricing, it appeared like a cut-price BMW 540i. The GS430 is not all luxurious although, even when it solely got here with an automated as its solely transmission alternative. Armed with extra torque, and paired with a composed chassis, the mid-size Lexus carried itself well among the German competition.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Edmunds and Automobile-Catalog)

With its unmistakably luxury-oriented inside, the GS430 is very similar to the VW Passat W8, which’s extra of a civilized cruiser than a backroad canyon carver, however with zero-to-sixty figures that dip beneath the sixes, it is undoubtedly a succesful performer. Giving barely any disclaimer of its athleticism, it blends nicely with common visitors and disguises its sporting credentials in an undeniably tasteful Lexus tuxedo.

Pros

• Lexus reliability
• Smooth and highly effective V-8 engine
• Loaded with security options

Cons

• Confusing navigation and infotainment system

2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Spec B

Average Used Price: $15,856

Subaru within the 2000s had been nonetheless within the thick of the World Rally Championship and so the smaller rally-going Impreza loved a lot of the highlight. But because the Impreza’s older brother, the Legacy 2.5 GT had methods of its personal. And in Spec B trim, trades slightly of its maturity for a dose of playfulness.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car and Driver)

Although the sharp-looking sedan does not obtain extra energy, it good points a revised suspension courtesy of the WRX shocks, stiffer springs, and 18 wheels with sticky rubber. Along with its tighter suspension, the Spec B Legacy is upholstered in a singular deep pink leather-based that pops towards its black sprint and door playing cards. Quicker than most of the sport sedans of its time, the Legacy was already a performer and, as a Spec B, Subaru created a grown-up all-weather driver’s automobile.

Pros

• Standard all-wheel drive
• Great all-around dealing with
• Packed with numerous normal tools

Cons

• Tight rear seat
• No stability management
• Finding a low-mileage instance could be tough

2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG W210

Average Used Price: $17,037 (All W210 Variants)

A real heavyweight within the sport sedan style, the W210 E55 AMG is an typically neglected gem when purchasing for a street-bully four-door from Germany. Glossed over for its extra aggro-looking “63” stablemates, the E55’s brawns cover behind its restrained styling and harmless-looking Mickey Mouse eyes. Underestimating this bruiser, although, could be an enormous mistake.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car and Driver)

Even at its age, the E55 AMG remains to be a critically succesful sports activities sedan, not restricted to a straight line. Aside from its brutish V-8, AMG additionally tinkered with the E-class suspension to present it tighter dynamics with out sacrificing a lot of its experience high quality.

Inside, the E55 AMG maintains its luxurious leather-lined inside, holding you relaxed and cozy because it eats away asphalt with appreciable velocity. Truth be informed, the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG might be extra becoming as a four-door supercar than as a luxurious sports activities sedan.

Pros

• Smooth V-8 energy
• Great dealing with
• Beautiful 18-inch wheels

Cons

• Biodegradable wiring
• Interior is carried over from lesser fashions
• Too many buttons

RELATED: A Compact Luxury Sports Sedan That Offers Phenomenal Value

2003 BMW 540i E39

Average Used Price: $17,166

The E39 era 5-series has lengthy been considered presumably the most effective sedan ever made, thus the recognition of the M5 of its period. But at a notch decrease, the 540i is almost simply pretty much as good. Brandishing the identical high-end inside and most of its mechanicals with the top-dog 5-series, whereas nonetheless sporting a V-8, the BMW 540i is undoubtedly a cut price M5.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car and Driver)

The 540i is an train in steadiness, which is hardly a shock, constructed by an organization that proclaimed its automobiles to be the “ultimate driving machines”. Providing satisfying shove, and strong driving dynamics, whereas enveloped in its acquainted teutonic inside. And when you favor barely extra sporting traits, BMW provides its stellar sport sedan in M Sport therapy as nicely. At almost half the worth, the 540i E39 brings sufficient of the M5-party with out the hefty premium of the M-badge.

Pros

• V-8 energy
• Balance of experience high quality and dealing with
• Luxurious inside

Cons

• Interior switches could also be complicated
• Flimsy cupholders

2005 Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG W203

Average Used Price: $17,784

Mercedes-Benz was on a roll within the early 2000s recent from buying the troop of misfit engineers in Affalterbach. As the W202 changed into the W203, Mercedes-Benz let AMG’s greatest and brightest unfastened on their brand-new compact sedan, and the results of their hooliganism is the newborn bruiser C55 AMG.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Automobile-Catalog)

Keeping with the traditional AMG recipe, the C-class obtained a V-8, tweaked entrance facia, and suspension goodies. To cowl the luxurious finish of its spec sheet, Mercedes-Benz dressed the C55’s insides in leather-based all-around and loaded it with sufficient class-leading options to carry its personal towards the opposite four-door rockets within the class.

Packing extra energy, refinement, and a refreshingly new type, the baby-bruiser-Benz is absolutely buffed as much as commerce blows with its arch-nemeses, the Audi S4 and the BMW M3. All issues thought-about, the C55 AMG is a compact luxurious sport sedan any fanatic could be entertained to personal.

Pros

• Unique styling
• Loaded with the latest security and luxurious options
• Smooth and torquey V-8

Cons

• Cramped rear seat
• No guide possibility

2007 Jaguar XJR XJ350

Average Used Price: $18,409 (All XJ350 Variants)

Following an extended line of quick sedans, the Jaguar XJR held down the fort for the British. As a nod to the earlier era XJ, the 350-generation stored the general form and distinctive design cues of the prior, whereas cleansing up the traces of the quick Jag. Some may say it is onerous to differentiate the brand new from the previous, however we now have to confess, that is one handsome cat.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Automobile-Catalog)

The new lighter, meaner, grander XJR is clothed in an aluminum physique and rides on auto-leveling air suspension to handle its weight and energy. Transmitted to its rear wheels, the Jag swaps gears with the signature J-gate automated shifter provided by a supercharged V-8.

Inside, Jaguar has additionally redone its inside whereas, equally, retaining quintessential wooden and leather-based that showcases its comfortable and indulgent inside. Even at its dimension, with all its bells, whistles, and whines from its supercharged V-8, the Jaguar XJR is sort of a fine-driving, quick feline.

Pros

• Handsome styling
• Powerful engine
• Pleasant experience high quality

Cons

• Transmission hunts for gears in regular mode
• J-shifter must get used to
• Can really feel cramped upfront

RELATED: Why The Last Surviving V-8 Powered Sedan With A Manual Is Quintessentially American

2009 Lexus IS F

Average Used Price: $28,483 (All XE20 Variants)

In an analogous trend to the unique LS400, the Lexus IS F shocked the world at its introduction within the late 2000s. Determined to shrug off its “old people’s car” reputation, the Japanese lux model developed a succesful sport sedan that has by some means misplaced the curiosity of quick sedan fanatics lately. Well, it is howling V-8 has come round to remind you.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from xxx)

If the LS400 launched what the Lexus model was all about, the IS F was built to argue that the brand wasn’t a one-trick pony. Powered by a musical naturally aspirated V-8, its bulging hood, flared fenders and haunches and offended stance flexed its Lexus muscle groups on the manufacturers that dominated the game sedan phase.

Although it lacked the roomy cabin that the majority Lexus sedans are recognized for, the top-tier IS has risen to the ranks of the greats within the quick class of four-doors. Praised for its sharp dealing with, baggage of energy, and comparatively fast eight-speed paddle-shift gearbox, the IS F must be among the best sensible fashionable driver’s automobiles from the land of the rising solar.

Pros

• Great sounding highly effective V-8
• Quick shifting automated transmission
• Athletic dealing with

Cons

• Tight inside area
• Stiff suspension
• No guide transmission