8 Used Performance Bargains That Can Outrun a 2027 Corvette Stingray
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has long been the undisputed champion of performance bargains. For the 2027 model, Chevy upped the ante even further, giving the base C8 a new, punchy 6.7-liter V8 pushing 535 horsepower with a sub-3-second 0–60 time for just $71,000. While that mid-engine layout and DCT off the line are hard to beat, you don't need a brand-new C8 to get that kind of performance.
On the slightly used market, $71,000 opens the door to a few great options that are faster than a brand-new C8 in a straight line. Here are 8 performance bargains that are faster than the C8 2027 C8 Corvette Stingray.
Porsche Panamera Turbo (2017-2019)
550 hp (stock) | 567 lb-ft | 0–60: 2.8 sec (with Sport Chrono) | 1/4 Mile: 10.9 sec
A stock Panamera Turbo might not look so impressive on paper. It has similar power as the Vette but weighs much more, but Porsche horsepower hits differently. Thanks to Porsche's legendary launch control, lightning-quick PDK transmission, and all-wheel drive, it rips off the line way harder than the C8 and will cross the quarter mile first and is just as fast on the road. Early 2017–2019 models have taken a huge depreciation hit, floating between $55,000 and $65,000.
That leftover budget is key here: a mild tune alone wakes up the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 to over 650 hp, easily pulling away from a stock Stingray while offering top-tier German refinement. But if you’re willing to spend close to that $70k, you can sneak in a Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid with 677 hp and 626 lb-ft of torque that will surely annihilate the Vette.
W213 Mercedes-AMG E63 S (2018-2020)
603 hp | 627 lb-ft | 0–60: 2.8 sec | 1/4 Mile: 10.9 sec
If you prefer a side of thunderous V8 rumble with your luxury ride, the pre-facelift W213 E63 S is a monster. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 churns out a massive 627 lb-ft of torque with all-wheel-drive grip. With this baby, you’ll have no issue beating the Corvette all day.
Well-maintained 2018–2020 examples routinely go for $52,000 to $65,000. Out of the box, it beats the C8, but with that extra budget leftover, a simple Stage 1 tune turns this executive sedan into an absolute highway menace.
F90 BMW M5 (2018-2021)
600 hp (617 hp Competition) | 553 lb-ft | 0–60: 2.8 sec | 1/4 Mile: 10.9 sec
The F90 M5 is the ultimate sleeper sedan. You can land a clean 2018–2020 M5 for anywhere between $50,000 and $62,000. That leaves you nearly $10,000 to $20,000 in your pocket compared to a new C8. In stock form, this will make sure the C8 will keep staring at its taillights. But with that extra cash, you could get an ECU tune and downpipes for a couple grand, and you’ll easily push 700+ wheel horsepower, making it a 10-second grocery getter that seats five in complete comfort and will keep up with any supercar.
BMW M8 Competition (2020-2022)
617 hp | 553 lb-ft | 0–60: 2.5 sec | 1/4 Mile: 10.7 sec
The M8 Competition is an absolute highway missile that shares the same S68 twin-turbo V8 as the M5 but in a much more gorgeous shape. Pair that 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system and the M8 hooks up and shoots hard off the line, and in BMW fashion, it consistently beats factory figures. So it needs no extra help beating the Vette.
2020–2022 models regularly sit around $60,000 to $70,000. It is a plush, leather-wrapped grand tourer with supercar-killing performance and enough pull that will leave a C8 behind once speeds climb.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (2017-2022)
650 hp | 650 lb-ft | 0–60: 3.4 sec / 1/4 Mile: 11.4 sec (Stock) | Tuned Potential: 10.2 sec 1/4 Mile
The ZL1 is one of those cars that will perform well in a roll race because it can’t beat that Corvette off the line. It uses a supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 with more than enough power to make sure it can’t put that power down properly unless at a prepped drag strip. You can buy a clean 2017–2022 ZL1 all day for $52,000 to $60,000.
Use the remaining $11,000 to $19,000 budget for better sticky tires, pulley upgrades, intake, and a tune. With 750+ horsepower, you’ll easily walk past the stock Stingray at the drag strip and on roll races.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (2020-2021)
760 hp | 625 lb-ft | 0–60: 3.3 sec | 1/4 Mile: 10.6 sec
The Shelby GT500 transitions the Mustang into a proper sports car capable of setting some very impressive lap times. But it still has the heart of an American muscle car. It has the 5.2-liter supercharged "Predator V8" with a fast-shifting Tremec seven-speed dual-clutch automatic sending power to the rear wheels.
Because of its mid-engine layout, the Corvette has the traction advantage to 60 mph, but the more powerful GT500 will beat it to the quarter mile and will keep going. But this is a car that barely makes the budget with prices sitting around right around $65,000 to $70,000.
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye (2019-2023)
797 hp | 707 lb-ft | 0–60: 3.4 sec | 1/4 Mile: 10.8 sec (on radial tires)
We all know the Hellcat will never beat the in a quarter-mile drag race unless on a well-prepped surface where it can put the power down. The SRT Hellcat Redeye added more power to the Hellcat platform, but this is all for fun because it is already too powerful and lights up the rear tires as soon as you tickle the throttle. But in roll race, that almost 800 hp engine has a clear advantage.
You can pick one of these up between $58,000 and $68,000, even less if you look properly. With all this leftover cash, the only advice here is to invest in some proper tires for grip. Once this thing hooks, it is one of the fastest muscle cars you can buy for the money.
Tesla Model S Plaid (2021-203)
1,020 hp | 1,050 lb-ft | 0–60: 1.99 sec | 1/4 Mile: 9.2 sec
Anyone who buys this car for performance is just cheating. But if absolute speed is the goal, nothing touches the Model S Plaid for the money. Thanks to brutal depreciation, 2021–2023 Plaids can easily be bought today for $55,000 to $68,000. It has three electric motors making a total of 1,020 horsepower. Think about that number for a second: four-digit horsepower for 60 grand. Thanks to it’s all wheel drive layout, it doesn't just beat the C8, it makes the Stingray look like it's standing still. You need the ZR1 to even stand a chance. It runs 9-second quarter miles consistently with zero mods required. It is also a great daily driver with lots of tech that can easily keep up and even beat some hypercars with plenty of cash to spare.