The fastest cars for under $100,000

Both cars cost a pretty penny — the S 240 clocks in at about $65,000 while its little brother costs about $10,000 less. But both reach the 60 mph mark quickly and both, with their sleek designs, definitely make a statement.

If a Lotus is a little too bold to satisfy one's need for speed, there are always the updated American classics that serve more or less the same purpose.

"There's still room for the good old American muscle car," says Omotoso, who believes enthusiasts for timeless American favorites will exist for years to come. "People are demanding cars that remind them of their youth. These cars need interior and exterior touches of nostalgia to remind this audience of the original versions."

Cars that fit the bill are the Corvette Z06, which hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, as well as two modified Ford Mustangs. For those more interested in buying American and big performance, but don't care as much about nostalgia, there's the Dodge Viper, which reaches its heart-pounding 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds with the second most powerful engine on our list.

But speed also comes in some surprising packages, particularly luxury models that don't — on first appearance — look as though they pack quite the same punch. But they do.

More from Forbes.com 2009's most fuel-efficient vehicles Best under-$50K luxury cars Best certified pre-owned luxury car deals 2008's best-performing cars Ten easiest cars to bargain for

Mercedes-Benz has three 2009 models on our list. The C63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz's base-level performance sedan, sports one of the weaker engines on our list, but with a 0 to 60 mph of 4.3 seconds, it's doubtful any driver would notice. Matching its speed and power, believe it or not, is a wagon — the E63 AMG. It may not have the cool factor of a Corvette but keeping pace with one is pretty cool in its own right.

A Cadillac, the 2009 CTS-V, also makes the list after getting an upgrade. (So much for the old-man image.) Despite its large and heavy styling, the CTS-V hits 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 191 mph.

So with the category of speedy cars expanding, could they eventually muscle out demand for cars that cost five or 10 times as much? Omotoso doubts it.

"People know names like Ferrari, and there are enough millionaires there's always going to be a demand for those cars. They're a combination of performance and heritage, and a Ferrari customer isn't the same as a Corvette customer."

Or a luxury sedan customer, for that matter. But with the performance market expanding, they can at least all keep pace with one another.

Also in msnbc.com business Answer Desk: The risks of investing extensively in gold Your Career: The repercussions of expressing your faith Interactive: 10 cars we’re looking forward to in 2010 ‘Reaching out’ and the other worst buzzwords of the year   Video: Existing home sales make an unexpected jump

MORE FROM AUTOS

Autos Section Front

GM's Whitacre in no rush to give up his job Ford sees Volvo deal with Geely early in 2010 New GM CFO’s pay exceeds government limits   A Decade of Change for the Auto Industry Ford offers retirement, buyouts to 41,000 Ten cars to look forward to in 2010 GM names Microsoft executive as new CFO Hyundai Motor announces China truck venture Spyker extends deadline on offer to buy Saab Hyundai unveils new Sonata Autos Section Front   Add Autos headlines to your news reader: