As the level of technology has increased in the automotive industry, what used to be considered very fast is now considered average, at least in terms of maximum speeds. For example, just a few years ago, a top speed of 200 miles per hour used to be considered extraordinary. Nowadays, there are many vehicles with a top speed in excess of 200 miles per hour. Granted, they are exotic vehicles such as Porsches and Ferraris.
Several years ago, 150 miles per hour was held in the same esteem as 200 miles per hour is today. Many of those vehicles that have a top speed of 150 miles per hour or more have dropped in price to where they can be purchased for $5,000 to $10,000.
Just what vehicles can you buy very cheaply that have a top speed in excess of 150 miles per hour?
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Nissan 300ZX Turbo
Top Speed: 153 miles per hour
Available in the United States between 1990 through 1996, the Nissan 300ZX Turbo was powered by a 3-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 283 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour was ‘reported to be in the range of 5.0 to 6.0 seconds’. Top speed was electronically limited to 155 miles per hour.
1995 – 2003 BMW 540i
Top Speed: 155 miles per hour
Produced between 1995 and 2003, the BMW E39 540i was a car that was really overshadowed by its big brother, the legendary M5. The 540i was powered by the 4.4-liter M62 V8 engine that produced 282 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Starting in 1998, the M62 was upgraded to produce 291 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. It was also available with a 5-speed automatic transmission or 6-speed manual transmission. The 540i had a 0 to 60 time of 6.1 seconds and was able to accelerate all the way to an electronically limited 155 miles per hour.
High mileage examples of the 540i are available at incredibly cheap prices while clean examples can be found for less than $5,000.
2002 – 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe
Top Speed 155 miles per hour
Produced between 2002 and 2007, the third generation Infiniti G35 is arguably the best-looking Infiniti ever made. The Infiniti G35 Coupe had a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine producing 282 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. 0 to 60 mile per hour times for the G35 Coupe ranged from the mid 5 seconds to low 6 seconds with a top speed of 155 miles per hour.
A decent early Infiniti G35 Coupe with a manual transmission can be found for right around $7,000.
2003 – 2005 Audi S4
Top Speed: 155 miles per hour
The third generation Audi S4 was produced from 2003 to 2005 and is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 engine that produces 339 to 344 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque. It was capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 5.6 seconds accelerating all the way to 155 miles per hour. A clean B6 S4 can be found for right around $10,000 while the previous generation B5 S4 can be found for around $5,000.
1999 – 2001 Mercedes Benz S600
Top Speed: 155 miles per hour
The fourth generation Mercedes Benz W220 was produced between 1999 and 2006. At a cost of $100,000 when it first came out, decent examples can be had for less than $10,000. A big part of that has to do with the operating cost of the vehicle. Parts are very expensive to buy and install. Additionally, reliability is not all that great.
Between 1999 and 2002, the S600 was powered by a naturally aspirated 5.8-liter V12 engine producing 362 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. This is sufficient to propel the 2001 S600 from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds, accelerating all the way to an electronically limited 155 miles per hour. It was said that by removing the electronic speed limiter, the S600 could go all the way to 191 miles per hour.
1996 -2003 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS
Top Speed: 160 miles per hour
In 1996 and 1997, Chevrolet produced a limited quantity of the Z28 SS that came with the 330 horsepower LT4 small block V8 engine found in the Corvette. Starting in 1998, GM switched to the aluminum block LS1 used in the Corvette C5. It was rated at 325 horsepower and was built through 2002. It had a slightly improved exhaust and intake system, bigger wheels and tires, and a better suspension system. The Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS had a 0 to 60 mile per hour time of 5.1 to 5.2 seconds depending on the year with a top speed of right about 160 miles per hour.
A clean example of the Camaro Z28 SS might cost close to $10,000 but deals can be found in the $5,000 range.
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S
Top Speed: 162 miles per hour
Produced from 1985 through 1988, the Porsche 944 Turbo was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder engine producing 217 horsepower at 6000rpm. When tested by a major automotive publication, the 944 Turbo achieved a 0 to 60 time of 5.9 seconds.
In 1988, Porsche produced a high performance version called the Porsche 944 Turbo. It has a high performance version of the 2.5-liter intercooled and turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower. This was sufficient to propel the vehicle from 0 to 60 miles per hour accelerating all the way through to 162 miles per hour.
1999 Porsche Boxster S
Top Speed: 162 miles per hour
While not as glamorous as the legendary 911, the Porsche Boxster S is also not anywhere as expensive as well. This is probably a good thing because that means you can get a lot of car for not a lot of money.
The first generation Porsche Boxster S was produced between 2000 through 2004. It was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower. Equipped with the manual transmission, the Boxster S could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour between 5.9 and 6.5 seconds, depending up the transmission, accelerating all the way through to 162 miles per hour.
2003 – 2010 Chrysler 300C SRT8
Top Speed: 173 miles per hour
The first generation of the Chrysler 300C was produced between 2003 and 2010. There was an SRT8 version produced that was powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI engine producing 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. This was sufficient to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds accelerating all the way to 173 miles per hour. Although the 300C SRT8 is no longer produced, you can find them for right around $10,000.
2004-2006 Pontiac GTO
Top Speed: 175 miles per hour
Produced between 2004 and 2006, the Pontiac GTO is a rebadged, third-generation Holden Monaro. The GTO was equipped with the 5.7-liter LSI V8 engine, the same one that powered the Chevrolet Corvette. It was available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission.
In 2005, the LS1 was replaced with the LS2 that produced 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. GM claimed that with the LS2 engine, the GTO could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per in 4.7 seconds accelerating all the way to 175 miles per hour