Top 7 performance oriented used cars under Rs 10 lakhs in India

Maruti Suzuki Zen 

Estimated Price – Rs 35,000 to Rs 1 lakh

The Maruti Suzuki Zen is the quintessential beginners car for anyone who has a serious inclination towards having a serious performance car for next to no money at all. Not only did the Zen have go-kart like handling capabilities, the sheer potential of the platform too was outstanding. The Zen can make a great autocross or circuit car and a great car for other forms of motorsport like Drag racing too. We would advise the 2003 model before the car underwent a facelift and preferably the VXi model that came with power steering, power windows and a rear wiper. 

Fiat Palio 1.6 GTX

Estimated Price – Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh

The Fiat Palio, to its fans, is a legend. Whoever has ever ended up owning a Palio will always tell you what a phenomenal driving experience it is. With well over 100PS of power on tap from a creamy and rev happy engine, the Palio was the first ever hot hatch in India (and it held the record for the most powerful hatchback in India till 2013 when the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI was launched). Good examples are available for as little as Rs 50000. Slightly later models and the elusive Palio S10, which was endorsed by Sachin Tendulkar often go around the Rs 1 lakh mark. 

Honda City VTEC

Estimated Price – Rs 1.5 lakh

A legend in its own right, the first gen Honda City VTEC truly put the city on the map as the preferred car of the upper middle class. Costing Rs 10 lakh in 2002, the Honda City VTEC came with one of the most tuner-friendly engines ever and a host of extras that made the car stand out in a sea of boring family sedans. From the Enkei alloy wheels to the twin exhaust setup, the Honda City VTEC is still a very very desirable automobile with prices hovering around the Rs 1.5 lakh rupee mark since the last few years. That said, cars which have been misused or fitted with CNG are best avoidable.

Honda Accord V6 (2004-2007)

Estimated Price – Rs 2-4 lakh

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No other car is the used car market today gives you as much horsepower for as little money as the Honda Accord does. With over 220PS of power on tap from its 3.0-litre DOHC camshaft V6 engine, the 2003-2007 Honda Accord are absolutely wonderful to drive. The fact that they came with an automatic transmission only makes them the best powerful daily drivers too with both comfort and sheer power all wrapped in a bulletproof package. The best of the lot are the 2007 models with the LED tail lamp and the sportier 16-inch Enkei multispoke wheels. Do remember to check engine mountings and leaky power steering pumps as they are quite prone to fail. 

Skoda Laura TSI

Estimated Price – Rs 3-7 lakh

A car with infinite tuning potential (some have seen around 500PS of power from its 4-cylinder engine), the Skoda Laura is your entry into forced induction performance to hatchback money. Personally, we would avoid the earlier versions of the car as they are prone to electrical issues and leaky sunroofs. The later ones were much better built and also well equipped in terms of steering mounted audio controls and an inbuilt infotainment system. That said, parts are expensive and the 1.8-litre turbocharged engine is prone to wear and tear if not treated with respect and given timely services.

Volkswagen Polo 1.6  

Estimated Price – Rs 4 lakh

The Volkswagen Polo has not been with us for a long time now but we have already seen it achieve cult status amongst the auto enthusiast in India. Pehaps the most balanced looking hatch in the country today, the Polo is one of those cars that begs for a larger engine. And Volkswagen did just that with its 1.6-litre 4-cylinder motor in the puny Polo. With about 105PS of power and a manual gearbox to boot, the Polo 1.6 is a rare breed since not many people actually bought one. That said, if you do find one for sale, it is worth every penny! Do remember to check service history on the car though. 

BMW 325i (E90 Pre-Facelift)

Estimated Price – Rs 7.5-10 lakh

Yes, a BMW under 10 lakhs. And yes, they are quite readily available in the used car market. A good 2007-2008 BMW 325i is something most automotive journalists would give an arm and a leg for. That said, cars which have been driven badly and not pampered do tend to draw HUGE service bills. Always remember to get the car checked and scanned by a local BMW service centre before you venture into them. That said, the straight-6 N52 engine making 220Ps of power is a dream to drive and the rear wheel drive layout of the 3 Series combined with the BMW badge up front is a very very rewarding experience indeed.