There’s a reason the muscle car was invented in America. Our roads tend to be wide and long, begging for power and speed. Muscle cars also appeal to those who want to be a little different; someone a little bit on the outside of respectable society.
The original definition of a muscle car was simple: It was a comparatively inexpensive car with the biggest, baddest engine the manufacturer could shoehorn into the engine bay. Luxury features and bling were not part of the equation.
People think of muscle cars as a 1960s phenomenon, but in fact today’s used muscle cars are better than ever. To prove it, here are 10 late-model muscle machines you can buy on the pre-owned market.
2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye
Let’s go right to the top of the list. The 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye delivers 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. It quite simply is the most powerful, fastest four-seat muscle car ever mass-produced. The Redeye will do 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. On the strip, the Redeye is good for a quarter-mile elapsed time of 10.8 seconds at 131 mph. Or, take it to the salt and enjoy a top speed of 203 mph.
Yes, you can talk about the Dodge Demon with 840 hp, but that was a limited production model, and every single one was pre-sold to a collector. The difference is that you actually can buy a Redeye, and they should start appearing on the used market by year’s end.
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
The Chevrolet Corvette historically has been considered an American sports car, but it has plenty of chops in the muscle car department. The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 featured a supercharged 6.2-liter engine good for 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, mated with an 8-speed paddle-shifted automatic or a 7-speed manual transmission, sending power to the rear wheels.
With the automatic transmission, the 2015 Z06 will rocket to 60 mph in just 2.95 seconds, beating many of the top European exotics. If you head for the strip, your quarter-mile time should be 10.95 seconds at 127 mph with the automatic. The Corvette also offers the best handling, with 1.2G of lateral acceleration. However, the best part is 2015 was the first year that a Z06 convertible was available.
2017 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang
The 2017 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang was a long-awaited return for the legendary Shelby name. The GT350 comes with a special 5.2-liter version of Ford’s Coyote V8 engine, delivering 526 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to send the GT350 from 0-60 in 4.3 seconds with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The 2017 GT350 was specially prepared by Ford Performance and included several key features not found on a basic Mustang GT. The Track Package became standard equipment in this year, adding a front strut tower brace, a high-downforce rear spoiler, oil coolers for the engine, transmission, and differential, and the high-performance MagneRide shock absorbers. For those who really want a beast, the 2017 GT350R eliminates the back seat while adding more aero features, a stiffer suspension, and carbon fiber wheels for track use. You can bet the Shelby GT350 will be one of the most sought after used American muscle cars to ever hit the market.
2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
People who know muscle cars have special respect for the four-door Dodge Charger. The longer wheelbase makes the 707-hp and 650 lb-ft of torque from the supercharged 6.2-liter engine more manageable than in the Challenger. The Charger actually will hit 204 mph, which is a little bit faster than the new Challenger Redeye. The Charger Hellcat runs an NHRA-certified quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.0 seconds.
The 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is a tempting choice. The Charger was never as expensive as the Challenger, and you get the same performance. And from a practical perspective, a used 4-door muscle car like the Charger Hellcat is great for hauling the kids to school. If you want a sleeper, this is your ride.
2016 Chevrolet SS
Chevrolet only produced its full-size muscle car sedan for a few years, so you might have to look around for the 2016 Chevrolet SS. However, it’s worth the effort, because the SS delivers 425 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque from its normally aspirated 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine. The 2016 SS is good for a 0-60 time of right about 5 seconds, thanks to Chevy’s new dual-mode exhaust system introduced in that year.
One really unusual thing is that the full-size SS can be obtained with a 6-speed manual transmission, or a paddle-shifted 6-speed automatic. Magnetic ride control and oversized 14-inch Brembo brakes became standard features for 2016, making this the most attractive year for the SS.
2017 Cadillac CTS-V
It may sound strange to include a Cadillac in a list of top used American muscle cars, but the 2017 Cadillac CTS-V has earned its spot on this list. The CTS-V is built around a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine boasting 640 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. With the standard 8-speed paddle-shifted transmission, the CTS-V will make the 0-60 run in just 3.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 200 mph.
This Cadillac has more than raw power, however. Drivers will enjoy an oversize Brembo brake package, magnetic ride control, and five different selectable drive modes to match performance to conditions. Of course, the CTS-V comes with Cadillac luxury inside.
2016 Ford Mustang GT
If you’re looking for a used American muscle car with a bargain price, step back a few years and take a look at the 2016 Ford Mustang GT. The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine produces 435 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, and you can take your pick from a convenient 6-speed SelectShift automatic box, or the sporty 6-speed manual. The GT comes with an oversize brake package, and you can run it on regular gasoline.
On the practical side, the 2016 Mustang earned a five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and it’s still new enough to have a big 8-inch touchscreen display with Ford’s advanced SYNC3 user interface. For added edge, you can find the 2016 Mustang with a blackout trim package including black wheels, dark chrome accents, and a blackout rear deck spoiler.
2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
The best way to buy heavy duty American muscle is to let someone else take the drive-off depreciation. So why not take a good deal on a low-miles 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that is slightly used? It’s still under warranty, and you’ll get the full benefit of the supercharged 427-cubic-inch big-block LT4 V8 engine.
The ZL1 puts 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque under your command, with a choice between a 6-speed manual transmission with active rev matching, or a 10-speed paddle-shifted automatic. This Camaro will hit 60 in just 3.5 seconds, run a quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds at 127 mph, and hold on for 1.02G on the skidpad. A dash camera and performance data recorder is optional, but worth the extra money.
2017 Dodge Charger Pursuit V8 AWD
When the police want serious performance, they look to the 2017 Dodge Charger Pursuit V8 AWD. This is a no-nonsense muscle car upgraded at the factory with special Mopar aftermarket equipment. You’ll get 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque from the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, and an active transfer case for AWD traction.
Underneath the Charger Pursuit, you’ll find a performance-tuned suspension, load-leveling NIVOMAT shocks, a huge 14.5-inch front and 13.8-inch rear brake package, and 18-inch performance tires mounted on tough steel wheels. Inside, the Pursuit comes with an extra-big 12.1-inch touchscreen display, and ballistic-rated door panels protecting the driver and front seat passenger. Does that sound a little Mad Max to you? It should, because this is the real deal.
2016 Ford Taurus SHO
Almost everyone agrees that a muscle car should have a V8 engine, but the 2016 Ford Taurus SHO challenges that assumption with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine. The Taurus SHO produces 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque running on regular unleaded gasoline. Power is passed through a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission and delivered to all four wheels.
Inside, the Taurus SHO can be equipped with massaging seats to keep you comfortable while you’re enjoying the power. However, if you want to go commando with your power, seek out one of the special Ford Police Interceptor models, which includes the EcoBoost engine, AWD, and a full suite of safety features like blind spot monitoring, reverse proximity sensors, and a rearview camera.
