Is this the all-American muscle car’s final hurrah? Is high horsepower at low cost coming to an end?
It may be the beginning of the end for the Cheapest Muscle Car as sales continue to decline and the pool of available options shrinks.
However, people have been claiming this since the 1970s. Despite this, the Muscle Car is still shredding tires and pounding drag strips 50 years later.
Adaptation has been the only way for the genre to endure. Muscle cars grew leaner, more efficient, and better all-around vehicles as time went on.
Engines with four cylinders, adaptive suspensions, and connected automobile infotainment systems are now available.
However, the facts are the facts, and sales are declining. To survive, the muscle vehicle will need to change further, most likely by embracing electrified drivetrains.
But that’s in the future, and we’re living in the present. There are still lots of high-powered, gasoline-burning engines available in a few American motorized steel vehicles today. In fact, we’ve never seen anything like what we’re seeing right now.
Do you want 807 horsepower? Dodge has a whole Challenger Jailbreak ready for you, along with a full warranty.
Want a muscle car that can put supercars to shame on the track? Look at the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Track Pack, for example.
However, not everyone has the financial means to own or fuel such beasts. At the more cheap end of the scale, we need muscle cars.
The good news is that there are still lots of options, including several under $40,000 with conventional V8 engines.
10 Cheapest Muscle Cars are listed here, starting with the cheapest.
1. Chevrolet Camaro Coupe (Turbo)
The Chevrolet Camaro 1LS is now the cheapest muscle vehicle on the market. Chevy’s pony car costs an even $25,000 when fitted with the 2.0-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission.
For that money, you get a 275 horsepower four-cylinder engine with 295 pound-feet of torque.
Despite being an entry-level vehicle, the Camaro includes performance features such as a limited-slip rear differential, six-speed manual transmission, sport suspension, and a drive mode selection as standard equipment. This GT Performer is the Cheapest Muscle Car.
Price USD: $25,000 (1LS 2.0L Turbo)
2. Chevrolet Camaro Coupe (V6)
The Camaro may be upgraded with a more powerful 335 hp 3.6-liter V6 engine for an additional $2,095.
The V6 Camaro comes with everything contained in the turbocharged four-cylinder 1LS model plus a few extras as an option on the 1LT trim level.
The majority of the extra options, such as silver-painted 18-inch wheels, a power passenger seat, and a SiriusXM radio subscription, are designed for passenger comfort and aesthetics rather than performance. This GT Performer is the Cheapest Muscle Car.
Price USD: $27,095 (1LT 3.6L)
3. Ford Mustang Ecoboost Fastback
The famous Ford Mustang makes its debut appearance on our list. The entry-level Mustang is fitted with a potent 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque in standard form, just a few years shy of the model’s 60th anniversary.
A high-performance EcoBoost engine option that boosts output to 330 hp is available, but it comes at a premium.
For epic burnouts, the EcoBoost Fastback comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, 2-piston front brake calipers, a limited-slip rear differential, and an electronic line lock. A GT Performer.
Price USD: $27,205
4. Dodge Challenger SXT
The Dodge Challenger is a huge, elegant American coupe that is more traditional than the Camaro or Mustang.
The entry-level SXT is more expensive than its cross-town competitors, but it is also the only vehicle featuring an automatic transmission as standard.
In addition, the Challenger seats five people, one more than the Chevy or Ford.
Dodge’s 3.6-liter V6 engine, which produces 303 horsepower in this application, provides the power.
The previously mentioned eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. Ultimate GT Performer.
For a little more money, you can upgrade to the GT trim level and get all-wheel drive on the Challenger, which you can’t get on the Mustang or Camaro.
Price USD: $30,430
5. Chevrolet Camaro Coupe LT1
Now we’re getting down to business. The V8 powerhouses are massive and brawny. Chevrolet developed the LT1 option on the Camaro a few years ago to become the V8 price leader.
The LT1 trim level, named after the vehicle’s engine, lacks some of the other performance improvements available on the more expensive SS trim level, allowing consumers to get the 455 horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine for a lesser price.
That isn’t to suggest the Camaro LT1 isn’t a capable car. There’s still a six-speed manual transmission, Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential, and 455 lb-ft of torque. No. 1 GT Performer.
Price USD: $34,000
6. Dodge Charger GT
It isn’t necessary for a muscle car to be a coupe. When filled with the necessary gadgets, a big ol’ American sedan will suffice. This is where the Dodge Charger GT comes in.
Although the Charger costs $2,775 less than the SXT, it’s more of a rental-car grade vehicle than an entry-level muscle car.
The GT’s 3.6-liter engine produces an additional 8 horsepower over the SXT, for a total of 300 horsepower. But, more importantly, the GT comes with 245/45ZR20 performance all-season tires, as opposed to 215-65R17 touring tires on the SXT.
If you don’t want to do burnouts like the Challenger, the Charger GT Performer may be equipped with an all-wheel drive for an extra $3,000.
Price USD: $35,275
7. Ford Mustang GT Fastback
For decades, the Mustang GT has been providing V8 power to the masses. And things have never been better than they are right now.
The 5.0-liter V8 engine produces 460 horsepower and has a sound that few other engines on the market can equal.
The GT is more than simply a tire-shredder, with 4-piston front brake calipers, launch control, and adjustable power-assisted steering among its many performance features.
If more power is desired, the $6,500 GT Performance Package, which includes changes to the car’s wheels, tires, brakes, suspension, differential, and electrical controls, is a good place to start. Beast GT Performer.
Price USD: $36,285
8. Dodge Challenger R/T
The Challenger R/T is Dodge’s price leader in the world of V8 muscle cars. The Challenger R/T, which costs just over $2,000 less than the Camaro LT1, lacks the power of the Chevy pony car but makes up for it in elegance.
The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 still produces 375 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. The R/T can also be fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, unlike the Challenger SXT.
The Challenger R/T, as a real muscle vehicle, can be equipped with a wide range of performance and styling enhancements, including the Shaker Package, as seen in the image above.
Price USD: $37,980
9. Dodge Charger R/T
If you’re looking for a muscle car that prioritizes comfort, room, and a V8 soundtrack, we recommend the Dodge Charger R/T.
Although it is not the most powerful vehicle on our list, it does have a 370 horsepower V8 engine that can quickly roast the back tires while comfortably transporting four persons — five in a pinch.
It also exudes a commanding presence, signalling to other drivers that this huge, menacing-looking American sedan means business.
Price USD: $40,500
10. Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
The Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger are all available with a selection of engines, but no other manufacturer offers as many options to customers as Dodge.
The Challenger is available with five different V8 engine options, ranging from 375 to 807 horsepower. As previously stated, the Challenger R/T has a lower power output than its similarly-priced competitors.
A simple solution is to pay a little more money and obtain the Scat Pack’s 485-hp 6.4-liter HEMI V8.
The Challenger is $10,000 more expensive than the Camaro LT1, but it comes with significantly more features and has a 30 horsepower advantage.
In fact, the R/T Scat Pack’s price is comparable to that of the less powerful Chevrolet Camaro 2SS and Ford Mustang GT Premium California Special Fastback. The GT Performer.
Price USD: $44,155
FAQ’s About Cheapest Muscle Cars
What is the fastest muscle car in 2022?
Challenger SRT® Super Stock 2022
The 2022 Challenger SRT® Super Stock is the most powerful production V8, the quickest 1/4-mile muscle vehicle 1, and the best drag racing muscle car 2.
Will Dodge make a 2022 challenger?
SXT, SXT AWD, GT, GT AWD, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, SRT Hellcat Redeye, and SRT Super Stock will be available in the 2022 Dodge Challenger. While 9 different trim options may appear to be a lot, there are a variety of packages available inside each of those trims.
How much is a American muscle car?
American muscle cars are currently a high-performance bargain. The 460-horsepower Mustang GT coupe is priced from $36,725 plus destination.
What is a first muscle car?
The Pontiac GTO from 1974 is one of the most popular muscle cars ever made. When it debuted in 1964, the GTO was widely regarded as the first muscle vehicle ever made.
What is the most powerful muscle car?
The Challenger SRT Super Stock is wider than the SRT Hellcat Redeye and rides on large and sticky radial tires, making it the world’s most powerful muscle car. It has the same powerful engine, but the output has been increased to 807 horsepower.
