Edmunds.com has compiled a list of the 10 Fastest Cars under $30,000. It's a list of new cars, which is why we have customized it for used car buyers seeking affordable fast used cars.

The responsible thing to state at this point is these 10 affordable fast new cars should only be driven at posted speed limits. Have a desire to go faster? Find a track that will you bring your affordable used car out for a spin to satisfy your need for speed legally and without risking harm to other drivers (especially folks who hog the left lane).

The beauty of this list is all of these affordable fast used cars are available as certified pre-owned because none is more than five years old. Remember, though, modifications to make them faster could void your warranties. Read the fine print closely.

Here are the Top 10 Fast Affordable Used Cars in descending order based on their speed from 0-60 mph along with some perspective on buying them. The prices are based on information from Edmunds.com and are for certified pre-owned 2011 models with 45,000 miles on them.

Kia Optima SX Turbo – Has a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds. $20,980. This is a real sleeper of a sedan that I flogged around a Palm Beach racetrack when it was first introduced. People will never expect the kind of speed it delivers.

Dodge Avenger R/T – Has a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds. $14,376. Consider this the Plain Jane in the group. The Avenger has impressed very few people since its introduction but it does have some Dodge DNA in it as demonstrated by its stellar acceleration. No word, though, on how it handles corners.

Scion FR-S (manual) – Also has a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds. $23,570. Important to note that price is for a 2013 – the oldest model currently in the lineup and it assumes mileage of 15,000 miles. You may be able to find higher mileage models because it was introduced in 2012 as a 2013 model. This is a great little sports car with a lot of Porsche in it at an affordable price.

Mazda MazdaSpeed3 – It's a click faster from 0-60 at 6.4 seconds. $19,077. How does Mazda not sell more cars in this country? Sure, I have one parked in my driveway so I am biased but when you look at the performance of the MazdaSpeed3, you wonder why it's not a more popular car.

Subaru Forester 2.0 XT  – It hits 60 from a standing stop in 6.3 seconds. $24,094. OK, if the Optima is a sleeper, the Forester 2.0 XT is absolutely comatose until stirred awake by a firm stomp on the accelerator. Then it absolutely roars. I'd call it an affordable Cadillac CTS-V station wagon with the added appeal of all-wheel drive and a much lower sticker price.

Chevrolet Camaro RS V6 – With the manual transmission it's rated at 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. $21,685. The V6 model delivers a lot of performance. You just have to decide if you're a Camaro type of driver. You definitely won't blend into traffic with this car. One bit of advice: visibility can be tough. OK, two bits of advice: getting in and out can be tougher on the less limber among us.

Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart – With the six-speed automatic you can hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. $21,198. Mitsubishi makes great cars but unfortunately finding a Mitsubishi dealership can be a daunting experience. The company can't seem to make up its mind on how committed it is to the U.S. market, which would give me paused on buying a used one.

Ford Mustang V6 – With the six-speed manual you can outrace a lot of the competition to 60 in 5.7 seconds. $16,105. Because the V8 GT models are so popular, the V6 models can be had for a relative steal. Plus, it's just a better car because people didn't buy the V6 model new for its performance so it's probably going to be in much better running shape.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 V6 R-Spec http://usedcars.D106/od/certifiedpreowned/a/HyundaiCPO.htm – It's a personal favorite and not just because it reaches 60 mph in 5.3 seconds when equipped with the six-speed manual. $20,834. Want to know the best reason to buy a Genesis Coupe? The 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty that Hyundai offers. That kind of assurance coupled with gobs of performance make this a great, affordable sports car.

Subaru Impreza WRX hatchback – It's tops when it comes to speed by getting from 0-60 in 5.2 seconds with the 2.5-liter engine. $21,702. Its pricing could become subject to fluctuations because the 2015 model coming this spring doesn't have the hatchback option.