Cheap, Worthwhile Muscle Cars

• Steven Symes

• November 17, 2015

Not everyone can afford a Ferrari or other desirable exotics, not just the cost of purchasing one but also the steep prices for parts and service. That means those who have more modest financial means but still crave power and speed have a wonderful ally: the muscle car.

The only problem is that lately, some collectors with deep pockets have driven up the price of certain older muscle cars, making them almost as ridiculous as that Ferrari. Fortunately the common man can still find some wonderful muscle cars at reasonable prices. Admittedly, there are some cheap muscle cars out there that offer about as much fun behind the wheel as a Toyota Camry, so low price alone doesn’t make it a good option.

That being said, any of the following muscle cars serve up plenty of performance without putting you in the poor house. And if you’re looking for something with a little more vintage flair, check out these 80s muscle cars.

Ford Mustang GT

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For the price some people pay to get an underpowered, sloppy-handling crossover with slightly more cargo than a sedan, you can own this bad boy. The 2016 Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V-8 engine is a true beast, billowing out 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, which is more than enough to burn some serious rubber. Even better, you get to row the gears with the standard 6-speed manual transmission.

Ford finally got the message that while a solid rear axle can be great for cars that never leave the drag strip, it doesn’t exactly make for great handling through turns or much comfort (because other people will ride in your car and judge it by more than how much twisting force the engine produces – weird, I know). According to Ford, the new independent rear suspension doubles the car’s anti-squat ability and combats lift ten times more than before.

Chevrolet Camaro SS

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The sixth generation of Chevy’s perennial muscle car will also be relatively affordable, once it arrives at dealers. The SS will also be the most powerful ever produced, thanks to the LT1 V-8 engine and its wonderful 455 horsepower, plus 455 lb.-ft. of torque.
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Like the Mustang, the new Camaro will be loaded with aluminum and other materials to shed weight. That means it handles better and accelerates faster. What more could you want?

One of the most epic rivalries in the automotive world is between the Camaro and Mustang, and drivers are the ultimate winners. No matter which muscle car you go with, you’ll enjoy loads of tire-shredding joy, mixed with modern technologies that amazingly don’t detract from the fun.

Mercury Marauder

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For some, the prospect of a new muscle car, even one that sells for a reasonable amount, just isn’t in the cards. If you are in need of something super budget-friendly that still boasts hefty muscle, the Mercury Marauder is an unconventional and strangely satisfying compromise.
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Sure, the car lacks some of the bravado that others are loaded with, but the subtle nature of the sedan is partly why you can get it for so cheap. The Ford 4.6-liter V-8 engine that’s housed under that long hood packs a surprising 302 horsepower and 318 lb.-ft. of torque, plus rear-wheel drive for a smoky good time. The only big downfall is the standard automatic transmission, which might be preferable for some.

Pontiac GTO

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We’re not talking about the classic GTO, because buying one of those for cheap just isn’t going to happen. Instead, the modern version that came out as a kind of swan song for the Pontiac brand is where you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck.
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Many passed the Pontiac GTO up for its bland styling, and still do today, not realizing that its 6.0-liter V-8 throttles out 400 horsepower. That means you can get a high-performance, rear-wheel-drive American muscle car for what many people pay for a used Hyundai Sonata. Which would you rather drive every day?

Dodge Magnum SRT8

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Admit it, when you think of muscle cars the Magnum doesn’t even come to mind. After all, the thing is more of a wagon, and wagons are weak, right? Wrong.

Stuffed under the Magnum SRT8’s hood is a wicked 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 that whips out 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Don’t forget that all that power goes straight to the rear wheels, making this wagon a great way to get around. It makes for a great sleeper and a more affordable muscle car as a result.
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Adding to the awesomeness of the Magnum SRT8 is the fact that you can take it to Home Depot and load up on the essentials, then take it to the track later and throw down hard.

Chevrolet SS

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There’s good reason why some auto reviewers have been likening the SS sedan to the BMW M5 before it started to suck. While the SS lacks the visually striking nature of some competitors, don’t be fooled: this car is the real deal.
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You see, powering the sedan is a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that sounds awfully familiar. Not only does it push out 415 horsepower, it allows the SS to go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. While an automatic transmission is available, a six-speed manual is offered for control freaks who love to shred rubber.

Many other reasons exist that make the Chevy SS so good, like a near 50/50 balance between the car’s front and rear, performance Brembo brakes and magnetic suspension. You can get the car brand new for a very reasonable price, or pick up a used one for even less.

The Hellcat Twins

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This list wouldn’t be complete with the most affordable way to get loads of horsepower: the Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcats. For not too much money, you get a wondrous 707 horsepower at your disposal – 707 horsepower! Sure, you might be visiting the tire shop every other week, but it’ll totally be worth it, considering the car won’t set you back more than your house.

You get to choose between two and four doors, because you might want to take the kiddos on the ride of their life to make soccer practice in time. Both cars are surprisingly comfortable and modern, plus come with a cool retro vibe.

The only real problem with the Hellcat twins is actually getting one. Last year, Dodge had to cancel a bunch of the orders because demand far exceeded supply. The company has promised to make way more Hellcats this year.