Top 5 Used Turbocharged Cars For Under $15,000

Top 5 Used Turbocharged Cars For Under $15,000

Turbochargers are a convenient way to extract speed out of any engine. Take any four cylinder engine out of an economical car, strengthen its parts, add a turbocharger, and you have yourself a high performance turbocharged car. Turbochargers act as an air compressor to force more air into the engine. More air plus more fuel produces more power and faster cars.

Engines produced with turbos have become rather common. Due to their low weight, they can be easily packaged into most cars without much complexity. In addition, car enthusiasts prefer turbocharged cars because they are easier to modify to produce even more power. The rush of acceleration characteristic of turbo cars is addicting and fun.

Even if you are on a budget, there are plenty of options on the market today. Below, we rank the top 5 turbocharged cars that can be had for under fifteen grand.

5.  2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4

Although the standard Dodge Caliber looks cheaply made and designed, its performance version was far more impressive. Packing 285 horsepower, the SRT-4 has the most power out of this group. Routing all that power into the front wheels is a handful, often resulting in loss of traction and unpredictable handling.

4. 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

One of the coolest features of the Cobalt SS is the no lift shift program. When accelerating, lifting your foot off the gas is not necessary, allowing faster and smoother shifts. With 260 easily tuned horsepower, the Cobalt SS is one of the fastest turbocharged cars in the group. At one point, the Cobalt held the world record lap time for front wheel drive cars on the famed German Nurburgring race track. The only downsides are its rental car exterior styling.

3. 2007 Mazdaspeed 3

Mazda is known for well handling, fun to drive cars. The Mazdaspeed3 is no exception. With 263 horsepower on tap in combination with a slick shifting 6 speed transmission, any car enthusiast would be delighted. When it comes to beauty contests, the Mazdaspeed is clearly the winner. Lack of engine tunability is the only downfall for this handsome car.

2. 2006 Subaru WRX

Subaru’s rally racing inspired Impreza WRX is the only car in this group to have all wheel drive, giving the WRX a confidence to tackle any road condition. This also makes the car suitable for inclement weather. In addition, the WRX is a favorite in the aftermarket community, giving the owner infinite customization options. Although the car is very fun to drive, the interior is outdated and cheap feeling.

1. 2009 Volkswagen Golf GTI

With the least amount of horsepower and the most refined characteristics of the group, the GTI can be described as the sensible and refined choice. This is the only car of the group that comes with an automatic fast shifting DSG transmission. The lineage of the GTI can be traced back to the late 1970s, giving Volkswagen plenty of time to perfect the performance hatchback formula. The GTI has a fun personality and is very rewarding to drive, making it the king of affordable turbocharged cars.