With the price of Muscle cars ever-rising. Here are 10 that won’t break the bank, or themselves.
Muscle cars have been around for well over sixty years now, and have produced some of the best-performance machines throughout that time. The modern car industry is seeing a Renaissance of muscle cars: a rebirth of many of the classic icons of the ’60s and ’70s, combined with modern technology.
The muscle car world is probably in the best place it ever has been since the dreaded fuel embargo of the early ’70s, and with that comes increased attention and increased prices. Finding a great muscle car under the $20,000 mark is not only difficult but also pretty risky. An investment of that size not only has to scratch the muscle car-sized itch but also has to be reliable – unless you want some truly bankrupting maintenance fees.
This article outlines the most reliable muscle cars currently available for less than $20,000, to help you save, and spend, money all at the same time.
10 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT-8 – $13,500
Chrysler has never traditionally been recognized for producing powerful muscle cars, the 300 SRT-8; however, is a fantastic exception to that trend. Chrysler’s all-singing, all-dancing high-performance vehicle based on the 300 perfectly blends Chrysler’s luxury roots with a bit more of a spicy kick.
Using the same 6.4-liter 392 Hemi engine seen in the Dodge Challenger and Charger, the 300 SRT-8 is as close as we’ll ever get to a limousine powered by a fighter jet. In contrast to a lot of luxury cars that have reputations for being unreliable, the Chrysler takes its place on this list nicely after earning a favorable reliability rating of 79/100 from J.D. Power. The 300 SRT-8 also happens to be one of the cheapest on the list, with average prices estimated at $13,500.
9 2006 Pontiac GTO – $19,800
Pontiac collaborated with their Australian counterparts, Holden, to develop their new muscle car in 2004. The result was the creation of the last Pontiac GTO, also known as the Holden Monaro, the Vauxhall Monaro VXR, or the Chevrolet Lumina Coupé, which isn’t confusing at all.
Although its appearance may have been outdated compared to its competitors of the time, and its price inflated due to US importing, the GTO is a hidden gem when judged solely as a muscle car and nothing else. The 2006 GTO receives positive reliability ratings from many Edmunds customers, and when one boasts a 6.0-liter V8 engine producing 408 hp and an estimated price of just under $20,000, the possibly last-ever GTO certainly deserves more love.
8 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS – $18,200
A blessing came upon Chevrolet enthusiasts in 2009 when the fifth generation of Camaro was announced: as the car was a world apart from its predecessor, hardly sharing a single part with the model that was discontinued eight years before. In a move that undoubtedly saved the model, the Camaro was reborn.
The SS was Chevrolet’s all-guns-blazing package, equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that churns out 432 hp, the SS is capable of doing 0-60 mph in a mere 4.7 seconds. Not only did the car excel performance-wise, but it also managed to simultaneously achieve remarkable reliability. The 2010 Camaro attains an impressive 88/100 rating from J.D. Power, making it easily one of the most reliable on the list. Prices have fluctuated in the last year, as in summer the average value sat at $18,200, but has tipped over the $20k mark in recent months. It is still possible to buy an SS for under $20,000, you just might have a harder time than with others on the list.
7 2007 Ford Mustang GT – $11,900
The fifth generation Mustang was a breath of fresh air upon its release in 2005 after the somewhat lackluster fourth generation (besides the ultimate SVT Cobra R). A modernized version of the most famous muscle car in the world was always going to be a great success, and it very much was.
Designed as a “retro-futurism” take on the fastback Mustang models of the late-1960s, the 2005 Mustang made both a great performance and reliability platform for the performance GT model to spring off. The 2007 Mustang receives a great 81/100 reliability rating on J.D. Power, and the GT is the cheapest car on this list, costing an average of just $11,900. So if working with a tight budget and want something powerful but cheap to maintain, the GT is your best bet.
6 2010 Dodge Charger SRT-8 – $16,900
The sixth generation of the Charger may be the ugly duckling of all muscle cars, but let that take nothing away from its reliability and performance, for the 2010 Dodge Charger SRT-8 is still a mean muscle car machine.
Featuring the most powerful V8 engine that Chrysler had put in a production vehicle at the time, the SRT-8 was incredibly quick. The model featured several additions to the standard package too, such as upgraded Brembo brakes, and many interior and exterior updates. The Charger receives good feedback on the reliability reputation front, with J.D. Power giving it a 72/100 score. The SRT-8 has increased in price a little over the last year but still sits comfortably under $20,000 on average. So if you’re able to look past the looks, what you might find under the hood resembles a beautiful, fire-breathing swan.
5 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T – $16,600
But in case you can’t quite look past the front end of the 2010 Charger, then maybe its cousin will deliver the cheap performance and reliability you’re looking for. The 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T may not be quite as powerful a spec as the previously mentioned charger, but it still delivers a lot for your money.
Being not as powerful doesn’t mean any power at all, for the R/T still produced 375 hp from its 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which, when coupled with a Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission, created a monstrous muscle car. You’d think that the huge power output and focus on performance would mean that the reliability of the Charger would be sacrificed, but J.D. Power actually still rates the car’s reliability at 81/100. The R/T model sits at a pretty steady $16,600 average price right now, so if looking into one, now might be the time to strike.
4 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS – $15,900
The second Impala SS was the perfect tribute to the classic ’60s car, and while packing a trunk-load of performance, also gained a stunning reputation for reliability. For that reason, the 1990s Chevrolet Impala SS is the perfect example of how, if done correctly, a reboot can work.
The 5.7-liter V8 of the SS may look familiar to the keen-eyed, and that’s because it was actually just struck from the fourth-generation Corvette and de-tuned, making the SS a pretty cool sleeper. The general ownership consensus on Edmunds is that the SS just goes on forever, which is pretty impressive, given it’ll celebrate being 30 in a few years. With an average price of around $15,900, the SS is one to think about if looking for something a little more subtle.
3 2016 Ford Mustang – $16,997+
The newest Mustang generation is one of the best in a long time, and with the new 2024 model looking to take things to another level, the hype is unlikely to die down anytime soon. You’ll do well to find most cars of the latest generation for under $20k, but, if lucky, you might hit gold with the 2016 Ford Mustang.
With three engine options available, (the 3.7-liter V6, a 2.3-liter turbocharged I4, or a 5.0-liter modular V8), and a range of trims and add-ons as options, the Mustang sold brilliantly in its first few years of production. Lucky for you, that means that the price of them has steadily dropped over the past few years, and Edmunds reckon a 2016 model could sit for as low as $16,997. Owners also seem pretty happy with the reliability of the generation too, with J.D. Power scoring the 2016 edition at a solid 80/100.
2 2016 Chevrolet Camaro – $14,677+
After the great success of the previously mentioned fifth generation, 2015 seemed like the perfect time for a revamp and a makeover for the Chevrolet Camaro. So with a new look and updated performance and reliability, the Camaro continued its reign.
Like the above Mustang, it might be difficult to nab one for under $20,000, due to the trim models of either the SS or the LT both being pretty beefy packages. But it is definitely possible, especially with the earlier models of the 2015 and 2016 years. J.D. Power estimates that the 2016 model could go for as low as $14,677, meaning that if looking for a cheap one, that year is your best bet. Additionally, the ’16 Camaro is given a reliability rating of 78/100, making it a safe bet for your next dabble into the muscle car world.
1 1996 Pontiac Firebird SLP Firehawk – $19,600
While the ’70s versions of the Pontiac Firebird will probably never be topped, the very special 1996 Pontiac Firebird SLP Firehawk can stake a claim for a top 5 place easily. Produced by SLP Engineering, the Firehawk was a great sendoff to the model, featuring both great performance and reliability.
Featuring a bunch of aero parts and a 310 hp LT1 V8, the SLP Firehawk looked great and drove even better. Despite the limited run and production numbers, the Firehawk sits just under the $20k mark on average. Which when combined with some impressive reliability reviews on Edmunds, the Firehawk is a perfect cheap underrated muscle car of the ’90s era.
