TMR Best Buy 2016 – Top 5 Performance Cars Over $50k: HSV Clubsport R8 LSA, Audi RS3, VW Golf R, Mercedes-AMG C63, Porsche Cayman GT4

You’ve done well for yourself: recently acquired the coveted corner office, or business is booming... or you’ve just realised some assets - now it’s time for a reward.

So what do you get? Something special and something very fast - two qualities that most performance cars north of the $50,000 mark offer in abundance.

We’ve assembled a list of five of the very best performance cars over $50k - each is not only supremely accomplished, but also (relatively) good value to boot.

There’s no shortage of fast metal in the 'uncapped' price bracket, but when you enter value for money into the equation these are the ones that rise to the top.

Mercedes-AMG C63 S Sedan

Price: $154,510
Engine: 375kW/700Nm 4.0 litre twin-turbo petrol V8
Transmission: 7sp automatic, rear-wheel drive

Before you rush to the comments section to advise us of the fact the BMW M3 is some $15k cheaper, hear us out.

For starters, the C63 wins the arm wrestle. With 375kW and 700Nm against the M3’s 317kW and 550Nm, how could it not? It’s heavier by 180kg, granted, but it still pips the M3 to 100km/h by a tenth of a second (4.0 seconds to the BMW’s 4.1).

Mix that stonking performance with its delectable fun-sized S-Class interior, thunderous V8 soundtrack and the razor accuracy of the steering, and the C63 comes out on top as the more desirable German whip.

Audi RS3 Sportback Review