10 Cheap Muscle Cars For The Everyday Enthusiast

10 1969 AMC AMX

Starting Used Price: $25,000

If you’re in the market for a rare classic muscle car from the golden period in the late 1960s, then a clever option to look at is the AMC AMX from 1969. This car features typical styling from that period, which many consider to be the best years for American ponies. AMC produced the AMX between 1968 and 1970, and it was available with several engine types. The Super Stock edition had a 6.4-liter V8 that produced 340 hp.

Pricing

The used market range for the 1969 AMC AMX is a broad one. The average price gets listed on Classic.com at just under $40,000, but there have been examples that have climbed as high as $181,500. A patient buyer can get one for a lot less. One sold in recent weeks for $25,000.

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9 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

Starting Used Price: $14,743

This Australian-made Pontiac muscle car was only around for two years before it got discontinued. The G8 quickly became renowned as a sound muscle car with good performance. The GT version came packing a 6.0-liter V8 that had an output of 361 hp.

Pricing

Kelley Blue Book suggests that a typical listing price for a 2008 G8 GT is $16,142. Savvy buyers will find these cars for lower prices, though. The fair market range can go under $15,000, which is a good price for such a solid and practical pony.

8 1973 Plymouth Road Runner

Starting Used Price: $13,000

By the time 1973 came around, Plymouth was moving the Road Runner model away from its muscle car roots. The base model came with a 5.2-liter Chrysler V8, which had a maximum output of 170 hp. There was also a 6.6-liter V8 available that was solely mated to an automatic transmission.

Pricing

This model of the Road Runner has an average list price of $31,625 on Classic.com, but stunning examples of this timeless pony are available at much lower prices. Only recently, a fine example sold for a mere $13,000 at auction.

7 1995 Chevrolet Impala SS

Average Used Price: $11,035

The seventh generation of the Chevrolet Impala was short-lived. Production only ran for a total of 34 months before time got called on this classic. The four-door sedan had a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 engine and an output of 260 hp. It’s not a car that can keep pace with many modern ponies, but some enthusiasts opt for the Impala SS for its unique style rather than its performance.

Pricing

These cars are rarer than most on our list due to the limited production run. This is forcing up the price as years go by, and Kelley Blue Book estimates the average list price to be just north of $11,000 now. A well-restored example can fetch well over double that amount, so this might be a car to consider for a restoration project.

6 2003 Mercury Marauder

Starting Used Price: $9,383

This one is somewhat of an acquired taste when it comes to sleeper muscle cars. The Marauder had an all too brief revival 20 years ago, which lasted just over 24 months. This classic four-door came with a 4.6-liter modular DOHC V8 with a healthy output of 302 hp.

Pricing

The fair market price of a 2003 Mercury Marauder is set at $9,383 on Kelley Blue Book. But these cars often fetch over double that amount. Classic.com lists several as sold in the region of $20,000.

5 2006 Dodge Charger

Starting Used Price: $3,972

Dodge muscle cars might skyrocket in value over the coming years, now that the combustion-powered models are coming to an end. With that in mind, picking up a classic Charger might be a shrewd move. The sixth-generation models were not the most exciting looking that Dodge produced. This was more of a blend between a muscle car and a sedan, but with outputs ranging up to 425 hp, it’s got all the thrills you’d expect from a performance vehicle.

Pricing

This model of the Dodge Charger is generally rated as a solid vehicle, which makes it an option to consider for those looking for a bargain. The base model can get picked up for less than $4,000 these days, and even the awesome 6.1-liter V8 SRT-8 gets priced at $8,600.

4 2002 Ford Mustang Coupe

Starting Used Price: $3,464

Ford unveiled the fourth-generation Mustang in 1993, and it underwent several facelifts and edition releases over the following decade. The initial model certainly wasn’t the most spectacular of muscle car designs, but the reskinned version was a more modern and aggressive-looking car. The base edition came with a 3.8-liter V6 with an output of 190 hp. The more ambitious enthusiasts could opt for the 260 hp GT models.

Pricing

The cheapest option for drivers looking for a Mustang of this year is the base coupe. Kelley Blue Book considers $3,815 as a fair purchase price for a 2002. With some haggling, the price can easily fall closer to $3,000.

3 1993 Pontiac Firebird

Starting Used Price: $2,174

The Pontiac Firebird was one of the truly iconic American muscle cars until its untimely demise in 2002. The fourth, and final, generation was one to remember due to its performance and sleek external styling. Engines ranged from 3.4-liter V6 all the way up to 5.7-liter V8s with outputs reaching 350 hp.

Pricing

A base model Firebird from 1993 comes with a 3.4-liter V6 that churns out 160 hp. It’s not the quickest muscle car out there, but its fair market price tag starts at just over $2,000 on Kelley Blue Book. If you can find a clean model for that money, you’ve done really well.

2 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Starting Used Price: $1,832

The swan song for the Chevy Monte Carlo kicked off in 2000 with the release of the sixth generation. This two-door muscle car is blander than the majority of its counterparts, but the SS edition has respectable power. This model had a 3.8-liter V6 engine with an output of 200 hp.

Pricing

A Monte Carlo SS from 2000 is one of the cheapest muscle cars you can get your hands on. Although Kelley Blue Book rates its fair purchase price at $2,922, the market range dips well below the $2,000 mark.

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1 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe

Starting Used Price: $1,795

Chevrolet gave their Camaro model a redesign in 1993 that would be the basis for the model for a decade. This iteration of the famed Chevy muscle car came in both coupe and convertible body formats and was available with both V6 and V8 engines, depending on the trim level. The Z28 was the most powerful option and had an output of up to 330 hp.

Pricing

A fourth-generation Camaro is an excellent choice for those looking to pick up a cheap pony. An early model year, like the 1993, are available for under $2,000. Even the powerful Z28 variant has a fair market range that dips below $5,000.