A NEED FOR SPEED: GUIDE TO THE FASTEST CARS UNDER 50K

I FEEL THE NEED…THE NEED FOR (REASONABLY PRICED) SPEED!

"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting."
- Steve McQueen, The King of Cool

In the past, being able to hit the road in a sharp, high-performance fast car could and would cost you an arm and a leg (and, if we’re being totally honest, maybe even a foot or a shin, too). Thankfully, however, in today’s day and age, this is no longer the case.

“Your mistake is thinking I don’t know all about that fastest cars production, much less the fastest cars under 50k. You’re a long way from home, bro. This is Gallantry!”
- Dominic “Dom” Toretto (Vin Diesel), Fast Five (2011)

There are a lot of awesome fast cars out there, so we had to narrow our criteria to make this here list. In order to make the cut, rides had to meet certain criteria - a no-joke engine (i.e. a minimum of 300 horsepower), the ability to easily maneuver corners (for those car chases we all find ourselves in from time to time), power levels suitable for the Gallantry Man (no power, no dice), and the ability to get to zero to sixty mph acceleration in five seconds or less.

We believe that we’ve found some seriously cool automobiles with the perfect price-to-performance ratio, so hopefully we can help you narrow the plentiful options that exist out there to a top-tier few.

By the time you’re done going through the list we’ve assembled, you’re going to be itching to hit the streets and put a new metal to the petal. Like Dominic Toretto, we’re one of those boys that appreciate a fine body…regardless of the make.

So break out the NOS (nitrous oxide) and guzzle a Mountain Dew, brother, ‘cause it’s about to get EXTREME (but not break-the-bank extreme, either, you know what we mean?).

Whoo! Hell yeah, baby! Let’s go! SHAKE N’ BAKE!

“It’s the fastest who gets paid and it’s the fastest who gets laid.”
- Ricky Bobby, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

"I'm not sure whether I'm an actor who races or a racer who acts."
- Steve McQueen

2020 FORD MUSTANG GT PERFORMANCE PACKAGE

As Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) so eloquently puts it in Talladega Nights, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” Here, here. That’s why we had to throw the 2020 Ford Mustang GT Performance Package (powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission, this beast produces a mind-blowing 460 horsepower and 420 lbs of torque) at the top of our list. After all, not only is this the top-rated vehicle in U.S News ranking of sports cars and sports cars under 50k (you can race this fierce machine down the most challenging, winding roads out there, no problem), but it also comes with the quickness – hell, it’s the fastest American muscle car that you can get for under 50k! With the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in a hot 3.9 seconds, this is one ride you have just got to take for a spin for those times when you’re looking to drive wicked fast. Meanwhile, in terms of sheer design, the only difference between this bad boy and the Bullitt is that this one’s grill is branded with the iconic Mustang pony (whereas the Bullitt’s grill is clean).

"I live for myself and I answer to nobody."
- Steve McQueen (spoken like a true Gallantry Man)

2020 FORD MUSTANG BULLITT

It’s a bit of a cheat to include this sleek baby on the list as Ford recently confirmed that this modern-day tribute to the legendary ’68 Fastback driven by King of Cool Steve McQueen in his iconic 1968 Action/Thriller Bullitt is no longer coming off the production assembly line. However, if you are so inclined to get your hands and feet inside this beauty, we have good news because you can still likely find these hot wheels used for under 50k at a dealer near you.

“Ho! What do you mean Ford stopped making the Bullitt?!”

With 480 horsepower, 420 lbs of torque, a 5.0L V8 engine, and a wide array of upgrades, both aesthetic and mechanical, the Mustang Bullitt offers slightly more power and a higher top speed (163 mph) than the Mustang GT (155 mph). It’s only available with a six-speed manual, so if you can’t work a clutch pedal, this might not be the one for you. If you decide to take the plunge and locate one of these adrenaline-boosters, just make sure that you pay your respects to the one of the greatest car chase scenes in American movie history by scoring it in Highland Green.

In Vanishing Point (1971), ex-cop and race driver Kowalski (Barry Newman) takes a bet that he can get from Colorado to San Francisco in a souped up 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T in less than 15 hours with speed (and on speed - no, really, he’s high on speed while being chased by police).

2021 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T SCAT PACK

I live my life a quarter mile at a time. Nothing else matters: not the mortgage, not the store, not my team and all their bullshit. For those ten seconds or less, I'm free.

- Dominic Toretto, The Fast and The Furious

Less expensive than the 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody, the 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack doesn’t require that you win Wheel of Fortune in order to cough up the loot required to buy it. With sweet 20” low gloss granite crystal wheels, this muscle machine packs a 392 V8 SRT HEMI engine that unleashes 475-lbs of torque and 485 horsepower. With a 0-60 mph launch time of 4 seconds, Gone in 60 Seconds seems like a lifetime by comparison.

Vince Vaughn (Ronny Valentine) tells a fellow Gallantry Man that he’s money while driving a 1970 Convertible Challenger (a nod to Vanishing Point) in The Dilemma (2011).

2021 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T SCAT PACK WIDEBODY

“I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence.”

- Ricky Bobby

One of these sweet rides will cost you a few extra thousand dollars more than the regular Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack, but that’s the price (still under 50k, of course) of doing business when you’re adding 3.5” of width your ride. A practical choice for those looking for a fast car that works well as a daily driver (its got a real spacious cabin, the biggest trunk of the Challenger series, and an impressive interior entertainment display), it’s still got that 392 V8 SRT HEMI engine and that legendary Dodge 6-Speed Manual TREMEC Transmission that you crave, all while still going from 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds.

Dom races Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) in the black 1970 Dodge Charger R/T that he built with his late dad in the climactic final race of The Fast and the Furious (2001).

2021 DODGE CHARGER SCAT PACK

You almost had me? You never had me - you never had your car. Granny shifting, not double clutching like you should. You're lucky that 100-shot of NOS didn't blow the welds on the intake. Almost had me? Now me and the mad scientist are going to have to rip apart the block, and replace the piston rings you fried. Ask any racer, any real racer. It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning's winning.

- Dominic Toretto

Winning is winning, so this honestly might be the ride you’re looking for. After all, you are a straight-up WINNER (you’re reading his, aren’t you?). Like the Dodge Challenger, this is a modern take on one of the most American muscle cars ever created. If you’re going to go the Charger Scat Pack route, you’ve got to stick with the 6.4L V8 engine that has 475-lbs of torque and 485-horsepower.

“I told you not to touch the Charger, brah.”

Available only in RWD with launch assist mode, it’ll also get you from 0-60 mph in slightly less time than the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody at whizzing 4.3 seconds. If you want to go fast on a budget, check this impressive machine out.

“They took my 2020 Roush F-150 Nitemare and now they are going to pay for it. Less than 50k, sure, but they will pay nonetheless!”

2020 ROUSH F-150 NITEMARE

If you like a large and in charge ride that let’s the world know that you’re always ready to scratch that speed itch, then the world’s fastest production truck is the pickup for you. This baby is insanely popular for a reason. Jam-packed with upgrades, including a 5.0L V8 engine that has been updated with the ROUSH TVS R2650 supercharger system, this badass heart pumper can go from 0-60 in 4 seconds. Besides having 650 horsepower and 610 lbs of torque, this stunner has 22” seven-spoke wheels, a custom front bumper cover, a blacked-out tailgate, and a custom grille with integrated lighting. This is the least expensive car on our list, so if you want a badass truck that won’t burn a hole in your picket, you already know what time it is.

“I want you to drive a Chevrolet Camaro as fast as you can.”

2021 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 1LE TRACK PACKAGE

So you wanna go fast, huh? This upgraded Chevy muscle car is ready for you, able to go from 0-60 mph in a clean four seconds. With a naturally aspirated 6.2L LT1 V8 engine that can fire up 455 horsepower and a matching 455 lbs of torque, this decked out ride has all kind of cool amenities including Brembo six-pot monobloc calipers, a full aero kit, a full aero kit with a three-piece mounted blade-style spoiler, and, yup, even a large front splitter. The Magnetic Ride Control active suspension set up ain’t too shabby, either.

“On second thought, I’ll take the Camaro for a spin!”

Now that you’ve taken our list of fastest cars under 50k for a spin, why not treat yourself to a little everyday carry to toss into your brand new glove compartment? Case in point…

THE ANNEX CASE FROM CODE OF BELL

Designed to be a minimalist wallet for those who need their essentials on the go (like a cool dude that just made a very pragmatic fast car under 50k purchase), Code Of Bell’s Annex Case is a compact all-in-one travel case for the man on the move. Its main compartment works perfectly as a wallet (with cash and card slots) and its extra storage space is ideal for your smartphone, travel essentials like a passport, you name it. The pros don’t end there, either. Not only is its front compartment dome-shaped to give it extra room to fit your new car key, but its front panel section uses a reflective material to shine extra bright when it is hit by light for that extra protection at night. If you like your EDC lean, mean, and portable, you already know you got to have this classic.

Available in Black

Annex Case

$99.00

[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Designed to be a minimalist wallet for those who need their essentials on the go, Code Of Bell’s Annex Case is a compact all-in-one travel case for the modern lifestyle.  The main compartment can be… read more

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“Move it, pal! I got a new article from Gallantry about the fastest cars under 50k to read!
C’mon! Let’s go! Move, move, move!”