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The 10 fastest cars under $50,000

By Channtal Fleischfresser | April 12, 2012, 4:00 AM PDT

Recently, energy-efficient cars have been getting all the buzz - a natural trend at a time of rising gas prices and prolonged economic uncertainty. But then, some people just want a car that’s fast.

For those looking for a speedy ride but who don’t want to pay for a luxury sports car, Forbes has kindly compiled a list of the ten fastest cars under $50,000. (Drum roll, please.)

10. 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Horsepower: 305
Price: $36,845

9. 2012 Infiniti G Coupe
Horsepower: 330
Price: $38,695

8. 2012 Nissan NISMO 370Z
Horsepower: 350
Price: $42,070

7. 2012 Hyundai Genesis
Horsepower: 429
Price: $46,350

6. 2012 Chrysler 300
Horsepower: 470
Price: $48,395

5. 2012 Chevrolet Camaro
Horsepower: 426
Price: $33,180

4. 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392
Horsepower: 470
Price: $44,920

3. 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8
Horsepower: 470
Price: $42,420

2. 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Horsepower: 444
Price: $41,105

1. 2012 Ford Shelby GT500
Horsepower: 550
Price: $49,605

Based on price and horsepower, the Camaro (#5) seems to be the best bang for your buck. Readers, which would you go for? (Check out Forbes for a slideshow of each car.)

Photo: Ford

via [Forbes]
source [Edmunds.com]

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About Channtal Fleischfresser

Channtal Fleischfresser is a contributing editor for SmartPlanet.

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Cheaper is better

American muscle has always been a classic, but let's be honest; unless you want to drag race in a straight line, the five most expensive cars on the list will disappoint on the race track. They're all about the presence, the pomp, the eye candy and the horsepower.

Don't get me wrong, I love the horsepower! I have absolutely no issues with getting bunted by the car seat every time you put your foot down. But my pick from the top ten list would be no other than the Subaru Impreza WRX STi. This machine was made for the rally circuit; four-wheel-drive, superb handling, three engine settings (depending on your needs) and lets be honest... 305 HP is still a lot of horses considering the weight of the car! And all this for under $37,000. No competition.

Posted by windobsession

12th Apr 2012

Just
In

Way past the point of dimishing returns.

You can only use so much horsepower on the street. The rest is all ego. The 6 cylinder Mustang does 13.7 in the quarter (faster than most muscle car era cars) and gets 30 mpg. It must be a little disconcerting to American manufacturers that their best ideas are over 40 years old. With gas only getting scarcer and more expensive, do you want to go fast or do you want to go far? MPG efficiency is also high performance.

Posted by skf

18th Apr 2012

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0 Votes

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Finding the balance

Not just in Horsepower to cost ratio, but horsepower to handling. The problem with the Original Shelby, was that it was so overpowered people had accidents left and right (many dying) because the handling couldn't handle the power. What's the point of having all the horses if you can't use them properly?

Also, without pictures for each, the article is lacking some.

Posted by jonrosen

12th Apr 2012

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It's not about a ratio of power to cost

How fast the car will accelerate is a matter of power to weight ratio and a properly designed transmission. As far as handling goes, the historical problems plaguing overpowered cars is all about where the drive train goes. Camaros and Mustangs were famous for fish tailing and spinning out due to rear-wheel drive. Thus, the introduction of spoilers on the tail of the car, which were not so much a fashion statement as a means of keeping the back of the car on the ground at high speed, ensuring traction. Unfortunately, when first excellerating there is not enough force generated to keep the cars with rear wheel drive firmly on the ground. If however the driver does not have a lead foot and can wait to get to cruising speed, than at least this potentially life threatening deficiency can be somewhat mitigated. It cannot however make up for bad driving habits.

Posted by PSFTGURU@...

12th Apr 2012

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I agree

I can agree. Anything over 250 hp is starting to get dangerous if you don't know how to handle it. Anything over 300 is dangerous. Over 400 should require a special license. In addition, the purchase cost is one issue but maintenance on a high performance car is much higher than a normal, go to work/store, car. And if you don't maintain them they become more dangerous.

Posted by Talk2meYou@...

Updated - 13th Apr 2012

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Cheaper is better

Posted by windobsession

12th Apr 2012

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How fast?

Really? No specs on how fast they are? It's like reading about aircraft without data about their seating capacity.

I have a new VW GTI that goes from 0 - 60 in 6.9 seconds and has a top end of 150 mph, all while getting 33 mpg highway, and I didn't pay no where near $50K

Posted by Tinman57

12th Apr 2012

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My opinion

Eye candy? Yes, but you don't need 400 hp to look good. As said before, big hp brings all sorts of big issues. 1 being you better have the money to support it. 2. If you have NO experience with 350 hp or higher, you have no business with a car like these. Drag racing a Mustang or a Camaro with 400 or more ponies is not just a matter of pushing the pedal to the floor and keeping it going straight.
I had a friend who rebuilt a 69 Camaro with a 454. He sold it to a young guy who ended up wrapping it around a tree on the way home from buying it.

Posted by Talk2meYou@...

13th Apr 2012

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Way past the point of dimishing returns.

Posted by skf

18th Apr 2012

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