Total Car Score Names the Top 10 Best Modern Muscle Car Deals
Published: 09/25/2012 |
These 10 modern muscle cars offer great performance value
Top 10 Best Modern Muscle Car Deals
For classic muscle car fans, Total Car Score has identified the Top 10 Best Muscle Cars from the original muscle car era. However, for buyers who prefer American muscle cars that can also turn and stop, the last decade has seen an explosion in V8, rear-wheel-drive capabilities. The latest 2013 models are highly capable, but they can cost almost as much as some of the best vintage muscle cars. The following 10 models represent excellent value from the modern muscle car performance era while still having the potential for long-term appreciation.
Ford's SVT in-house tuning division only made 300 Cobra R's for the 2000 model year, but every one of them had a 5.4-liter V8 making 385 horsepower, 385 pound-feet of torque and one of the best exhaust notes you'll ever hear. These car were special for what they didn't have, too. The Cobra R was produced without air conditioning, an audio system or a rear seat. As the most capable Mustang ever created up to that point, the 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R remains a highwater mark in the model's evolution.
Current Market Value: $30,000
2) 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS-6
After more than 35 years, Pontiac’s Firebird flared out in 2002. It went out with a bang, offering a 325 horsepower aluminum V8 when the WS-6 package was ordered (or up to 345 horsepower on the final Firehawk versions from SLP). The Firebird was one of the best-selling performance cars of the late 1970s (thank you Smokey and the Bandit). It likely would have returned in 2010, along with the Camaro, if GM hadn’t killed Pontiac during the company’s restructuring in 2009. Instead, 2002 was this bird’s swan song.
Current Market Value: $21,000
A Mercury sedan as a muscle car? In the case of the 2004 Mercury Marauder it was more of a well-executed hooligan ride. The 4.6-liter V8 produced an adequate 302 horsepower and 318 pound-feet torque, but the car’s blacked-out body and tinted lights gave it an ominous appearance, and the suspension upgrades made it far more nimble than your grandfather’s Grand Marquis. A unique bucket seat interior, limited-slip differential, aluminum driveshaft and upgraded automatic transmission made it the last cool Mercury built.
Current Market Value: $15,000
As a rebadged Holden Monaro, the last Pontiac GTO was more Australian than American. This wonder from down under didn’t live up to the original GTO’s bluster in terms of expressive styling, but it did have a 6.0-liter, 400 horsepower V8 that could get it to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. And by the time the GTO was cancelled in 2006 it had received enough upgrades to the body, interior and exhaust system to look and sound like a serious muscle car instead of a displaced Aussie.
Current Market Value: $16,000
5) 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee
The Super Bee nameplate was originally attached to a low-priced Dodge coupe from the late 1960s. It resurfaced in 2007 as a limited edition version of the new Dodge Charger (sedan). With only 1,000 units built, all of them in Detonator Yellow and all of them with a 6.1-liter V8 making 425 horsepower, the new Dodge Super Bee certainly outperforms the original. Later versions were available in blue (2008) and orange (2009) but, really, is there any other color for a Super Bee than yellow-and-black?
Current Market Value: $22,000
After a 35-year hiatus, Dodge re-introduced the Challenger in 2008. Every 2008 Challenger was an SRT8 version that included a 425 horsepower V8 and 5-speed automatic. There were 6,400 Challengers produced (and pre-sold) that year, many of them in Hemi orange, though silver and black versions were also offered. The Challenger continues to be sold as part of Dodge’s model line, but these first year cars offers excellent performance and a bit of exclusivity at a relatively low price.
Current Market Value: $27,000
Don’t think of the Dodge Magnum as a station wagon. Instead, consider it a practical Dodge Charger that still handles well and looks good. And if you get the SRT8 version, with the 425 horsepower engine, consider using it to embarrass people in more traditional performance cars (it does zero-to-60 in about 5 seconds). Dodge only offered the Magnum SRT8 from 2005-2008, so if you buy one you’ll likely be the only person on your block with a grocery getter that can beat up on original muscle cars.
Current Market Value: $18,000
Movie-inspired cars often turn out like movie-inspired video games – badly. But the 2009 Ford Mustang Bullitt would be cool even if the original Steve McQueen movie never existed. By removing almost every exterior badge and adding an upgraded steering wheel and bucket seats (from the GT500), plus dropping the car’s ride height and enhancing its exhaust note, Ford created a Mustang even cinematic Neanderthals can appreciate. An upgraded V8 engine (315 horsepower versus the standard Mustang’s 300) gives the Bullitt genuine street cred.
Current Market Value: $25,000
Chevrolet jumped on the burgeoning muscle car bandwagon when it re-introduced the Camaro in 2010. The car’s first year in production included a capable V6 version with 312 horsepower, though die-hard muscle car fans will demand a 6.2-liter V8-powered Camaro SS. The 6-speed manual cars have 426 horsepower, but the automatic is limited to 400 horsepower. Snag one with the RS package if you also want unique 20-inch wheels, a rear spoiler and “halo” rings around the xenon headlights.
Curreent Market Value: $30,000
Some would argue Chrysler built the first muscle car when it created the V8-powered “300” nameplate (making 300 horsepower) in 1955. If that model doesn’t count the recent SRT8 version certainly does. In 2010 the Chrysler 300 SRT8 made 425 horsepower and got from zero-to-60 mph in less than 5 seconds. As a large, heavy sedan the 300 SRT8 isn’t exactly tossable, but it can still navigate a twisty road with confidence while offering a luxurious cabin and room for five.
Current Market Value: $25,000
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