When you talk of supercars, you refer to an automotive beast with jaw-dropping specs, and performance. If you have to put it in numbers, think more than 500 horsepower, 0 to 60 in a blink, and top speed that could make anyone smile.

For a car to be considered a supercar these days when power is easily attainable, you need to consider two more factors: rarity and a hefty price tag. Supercars will usually make even those with deep pockets wait because of their low-volume production run. The insane price tag, usually involving a lot of zeroes, further makes these mean machines far from the reach of mere mortals.

However, you don’t have to pawn your soul to the devil to get hold of even the most affordable supercars available today. There are inexpensive cars today that you can easily turn into supercar killers without emptying your pockets.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including KBB, Car And Driver, and MotorTrend. The list includes a wide range of budget-friendly, high-performance cars from various years, and has been arranged based on the fair purchase price, from cheapest to the most expensive models.

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10 2010 BMW 335i xDrive

Fair Purchase Price: $9,157

The 2010 BMW 335i xDrive coupe sold for $45,425 when it hit the market, and you can get one today for less than $10,000. It does not scream great body styling but comes with the usual gorgeous BMW lines. What’s more important for a supercar killer is what’s under the hood. The car relies on a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six that cranks out 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

The N54 block is coupled with a robust six-speed manual gearbox that boasts highly effective synchronization during shifting. With xDrive, power is distributed to all four corners and also enhances the vehicle’s stability and agility. That’s nearly as exciting as the BMW M4 today, considering the car’s age.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from BMW and Edmunds)

The BMW 335i already offers a good amount of performance rolling out of the production line. If you want to challenge supercars, there are simple to extensive modifications you can do. Apart from stripping off the inside to make the 3,759-pound coupe lighter. You can also start with a piggyback tuner, changing the car’s shoes, and fixing its limited-slip differential, among others. This may cost you around $2,000 to $3,000 without labor. GTR-killing E92 BMWs have been done before just like a bi-turbo bimmer that achieved 614 horsepower and 595 pound-feet of torque.

9 2008 Nissan 350z

Fair Purchase Price: $12,829

The 2008 Nissan 350z takes inspiration from the iconic 1970 Datsun 240z with its front-engine and rear-wheel drive configuration with a timeless design. At the heart of this machine is a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 306 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque. It either comes with a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic gearbox.

The Front Mid-Ship platform of the Z gives it an optimal weight balance distribution of 53:46 front-to-rear. Aside from good aerodynamics, the car is also equipped with ABS with electronic brake force distribution, traction control system, and vehicle dynamic control, among others.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Nissan and Edmunds)

With an impressive stock vehicle, the 350z VQ-series engine can be tweaked to make some supercars look weak. Of course, what you’ll do depends on the budget and time you want to put in. You’ve to put a combo of upgrades that will work harmoniously together to create a speed monster.

You can go the simple route of remapping the ECU, upgrading intake manifolds, giving it high-flow injectors, and a fast road camshaft, among others. These can easily go for around $10 to $15K. If you want to go the twin-turbo route that can boost power beyond 500HP, be ready to strengthen the internals. And be ready for the bill that may cost more than the used 350z, and probably the fastest 350z on the planet.

8 2006 Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Fair Purchase Price: $15,000

Yes, there’s an over-engineered Volkswagen full-size sedan that went for around $97,000 to $101,000 when it was released in the early 2000s. It’s the 2006 Phaeton W12 that boasts performance but is known for its shortcomings compared to its rivals of the day.

The hefty VW was equipped with a W-12 all-aluminum engine mated to a Torsen differential that split the power 50/50 between the front and rear wheels. Its underpinnings share the DNA with the Audi A8 but its hefty sheet metal panels made the car a whopping 5,399 pounds.

Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Volkswagen and Edmunds)

The Phaeton W12 was quick, hitting 60 MPH from a full stop in a matter of 5.9 seconds. The only faster limo during its time was the Mercedes S600 with a twin-turbocharged powerplant. However, owners have reported vague steering, and harsh suspension, among others.

The most basic thing you can do to make this car is to remove its seats or install lighter ones. You may also opt for lighter body panels and consider optimizing its performance further through engine remapping, improve handling with better suspension, and upgrading turbo, among others. Cost may vary, but this may range between $5,000 to $7,000, based on current prices of parts and services.

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7 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

Fair Purchase Price: $18,747