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.

Dodge

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye

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.

Chevrolet

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

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.

Ford

2017 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang

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 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

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.

2016 Chevrolet SS

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.

Cadillac

2017 Cadillac CTS-V

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.

2016 Ford Mustang GT

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.

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

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.

2017 Dodge Charger Pursuit V8 AWD

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.

2016 Ford Taurus SHO

Top 10 Used American Muscle Cars

Buying a used car should not mean you are settling for less than the best. In fact, the used car market is full of any number of good options – each offering an array of high-tech and luxury comfort features. To help with your search for a good used car at an affordable price, UsedCars.com has gone ahead and done a little research for you.

Best Used Cars

Acura

Alfa Romeo

Aston Martin

Audi

Bentley

Buick

Chrysler

Ferrari

FIAT

Genesis

Honda

Hyundai

INFINITI

Jaguar

Jeep

Karma

Lamborghini

Land Rover

Lexus

Lincoln

Lucid

Maserati

Maybach

Mazda

McLaren

Mercedes-Benz

MINI

Mitsubishi

Nissan

Panoz

Polestar

Porsche

Rivian

Rolls-Royce

smart

Subaru

Tesla

Toyota

Volkswagen

Volvo

Hatchbacks are a great option for those who want a little more flexibility when it comes cargo-carrying abilities. They make it possible to store large, bulky items that wouldn’t stand a chance of fitting in even the largest of trunks.

There are lots of hatchback options, from compact cars to hybrids to electric options. If the prices of new models are too high, then there are plenty of great used hatchbacks to choose from. Here are the 10 best used hatchbacks under $10,000.

10 Best Used Hatchbacks Under $10,000

There are lots of used sedans out there, which can make choosing the right one for you something of a challenge. This list of the best used sedans under $10,000 includes something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for fuel efficiency, luxury, or a reliable family car, there’s a sedan on this list that’s perfect for you. The one thing they all have in common is that they're very budget-friendly. 

10 Best Used Sedans Under $10,000

To help you with your search for a used car that offers reliability, style, and safety, but at a price that you can afford, UsedCars.com has put together this list of the best used cars for under $10,000. Thanks to ever-rising standards in reliability, safety, and engineering, the average lifecycle for all cars continues to increase. This is great news for the used car buyer with a limited budget.  Here are our top 4 cars.

Best Used Cars Under $10,000

A minivan is a perfectly designed vehicle for a large family. With its small nose and low floor, it puts nearly all of its considerable footprint into a roomy passenger cabin. That means there’s three adult-friendly rows of seats along with a useful amount of cargo capacity. 

But most brand-new minivans cost $30,000 or more. When your budget is tighter, though, don’t despair. You can still find a used minivan for less than $10,000. For today’s article, we’ve rounded up the 10 best minivans under $10,000. We’ll discuss their pros and cons, and how far back in time you’ll likely need to go if you want a decent van at this low price. We’d also encourage you to prepare for some repair costs; minivans under $10,000 are cheap for a reason, and most either have less-savory reliability reputations or are older vehicles in worse condition and with high mileage.

Best Used Minivans Under $10,000

10 Best Used Convertibles

10 Best Used Cars for Off-Roading

10 Best Used Cars for New College Graduates

10 Best Used Cars for Parents

10 Best Used Cars for Teens

Gas-electric hybrids cut your fuel bill, but sometimes they’re a little expensive. Fortunately, you can save money with one of these 10 best used hybrids. 

10 Best Used Hybrids

Best Used Electric Cars Under $30,000

Best Used Electric Cars Under $40,000

Best Used Electric Cars to Buy in 2023

Best Used Cars With Blind Spot Warning

Best Used Cars With Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Under $25,000

The Best Used Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

10 Best Used Hybrids and EVs Under $30,000 

10 Best Luxury SUVs Under 40K

10 Best Used Sports Cars for Teens

10 Best Used Sports Cars Under $10,000

Most Affordable Used Cars with Panoramic Sunroofs

10 Best Used Cars with Panoramic Sunroofs

Best Used Electric Cars Under $20K

Top 10 Special Bargain Used Cars 

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.


To get more truck and more off-road capability for their money, many consumers are buying used pickups and SUVs equipped with special off-road packages right from the factory. It’s a great way to get special off-road-tuned suspensions, beefy tires, increased ground clearance, skid plates, and locking differentials for a fraction of the cost compared to what you’ll find at the new car dealers. From Chevys to Fords, Toyotas to Nissans, there are dozens serious off-road-ready and highly capable pickups and SUVs out there to choose from. Here are the 10 best used trucks for off-road.

10 Best Used Vehicles for Off-Road

If you’d love to get behind the wheel of a sporty car but think that they’re probably a waste of money, then one of our 10 affordable used sports cars should be right up your alley. There are two main reasons to buy a used car: to get into something you would otherwise be unable to afford or to let someone else pay for the depreciation that comes from driving a new car off the dealership lot. Of course, a used vehicle is a bit of an unknown, which means that you do have to assume some risk, especially if you are buying a car that’s coming out of warranty. But if that tradeoff seems worth it, then the next few pages are for you.

10 Affordable Used Sports Cars

It’s summertime. The weather has improved, and when you’re driving you hanker for the open-top experience of a convertible. But when you think about for a bit, you might realize that buying a convertible is a big commitment — maybe bigger than you’d like. Well, just because you are turning your back on a convertible purchase doesn’t mean that you can’t gaze upward and see the sky over your head and/or feel the wind tickle your temples. The answer to your quest is a car with a panoramic roof. Such a roof will allow you to peer upward to see the heavens, and it will likely open up so that outside air can come breezin’ on in. Though they differ in their details, the typical panoramic roof is like a moonroof on steroids. It is bigger and it might feature more than one clear or tinted panel, one or more of which might open. If you’re in the market for a used car right now, why not look for one with a panoramic roof? Here are the 10 best suggestions.

10 Best Used Vehicles With Panoramic Roofs

Sharing the family car seems like a great idea when your teenager gets a driver’s license. That idea works out only until you all need to be in a different place at the same time. Too many drivers and not enough cars isn’t convenient, so often the best decision is to buy your teenager a car of their own. Teenagers don't need a fancy sports car. They just need something safe and reliable that can do the job of getting them around town and maybe see them off to college. Here are 10 safe used cars for teenage drivers who need a car of their own.

10 Safe Used Cars for Teenage Drivers

When they’re shopping, many people pay a lot of attention to the price of the cars they consider. It’s hard not to take that into consideration because most of us have to figure out how we can wedge a car payment into our monthly budget. So the price often is a key factor in deciding to choose one model versus another.
But there’s more to the cost of owning a car than its initial price. You will also have state and local fees, insurance, maintenance, and repairs to pay for. If you finance the car, you’ll have the loan cost (interest) to consider as well. A big cost that many people never even think about is depreciation: the car’s loss in value over time. All of these factors go into a car's cost of ownership, and cost of ownership is — all in — what you really pay for your car. Determining the cost of ownership for used cars is more difficult than for new cars because each used car is unique in the number of miles it has been driven and how it has been taken care of. But one thing is certain — smaller cars have the lowest cost of ownership. For this list, we looked most closely at 2016 model year vehicles, but the recommendations hold true for approximately 2014 to 2019. Here are the 10 used cars that cost the least to own.


10 Used Cars That Cost the Least to Own

Any car expert worthy of the label will tell you the best new cars make the best used cars. And the best used cars are durable, reliable, practical, fun-to-drive, and attractive, because no one wants to drive an ugly car. But some used cars are better than others, and some are great values. To help you narrow down your search, we’ve selected 10 of the best used cars that are great values — focusing on mainstream-brand sedans costing no more than $20,000.

10 Used Cars That Are Great Values

We conceived this list of the 10 used cars that cost the least to maintain after doing extensive research on the subject with well-regarded sources. The used cars we describe are 2016 models (four to five years old), but in general, the information applies to cars two to three years older and two to three years newer. Here are the 10 used cars that cost the least to maintain.

10 Used Cars That Cost the Least to Maintain

The average transaction price of a new car just keeps increasing. Even the global pandemic couldn’t stop the continued escalation of vehicle prices. Today’s new cars are well-built and are excellent values, but if you’d like to save yourself some money — or treat yourself to a luxury model you might not be able to afford new — a great alternative is a certified pre-owned car. Vehicles that have been certified by their manufacturers are relatively new, low-mileage cars that are extensively examined by trained technicians. In addition, they are backed by warranties that most often include lengthy powertrain coverage and might also include perks like roadside assistance. Here are the top values in CPO cars that you can buy for under $25,000.

10 Best CPO Cars Under $25,000

The great thing about buying a used car is that the lower prices of used cars versus new cars open up more possibilities. Where your budget might restrict you to a compact sedan from a mass-market brand if you purchased the car new, it might permit you to purchase a larger car from a luxury brand if you are willing to purchase a used model. Of course, buying a used car has its difficulties. Foremost among them is the fact you often buy a used car “as is.” That means you have very little recourse or protection if something goes haywire. The answer is buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) car. That enables you to take advantage of the rapid depreciation most cars experience during their first years while giving you a warranty from the manufacturer if something goes wrong. To demonstrate the logic of this approach to car-buying, we have gathered 10 cars from luxury brands that are available for less than $40,000.

10 Best CPO Cars Under $40,000

Today’s cars are the safest the auto industry has ever produced. Generally speaking, they provide superior protection should you be involved in a collision, and the latest models are also packed with sophisticated accident avoidance systems and driver aids that help you avoid an accident in the first place. To help you narrow down your search, we’ve created this list of 10 used cars under $25,000 with standard and optional accident avoidance systems and excellent crash test scores. Since most are just two to three years old, they can be found with low mileage and be purchased through a manufacturer’s certified pre-owned program.

10 Used Cars Under $25,000 With Accident Avoidance Systems

Buying a car for your teen driver typically involves a balancing act. On one side of the ledger, you want to choose a vehicle that is as safe as possible. On the other side, you have that old adversary called cost.
If cost were no object, choices would be far easier, but most of us face budgetary constraints every day, and it is no different when the time comes to obtain a vehicle for our teen drivers. Certainly, the purchase price of the vehicle is one constraint, but another very important variable is the cost of insurance. Over time, insurance costs will constitute a significant outlay. And that is why we decided to compile this list of the 10 most affordable vehicles to insure for your teen.

10 Most Affordable Vehicles to Insure for Your Teen

It's a lot of fun to get a new car. Obtaining a brand new, pristine amalgam of shiny steel, crystalline glass, and jet-black rubber is good for the ego. Of course, having some money in the bank can be a lot of fun, too. It might not be as exciting as the visceral thrill of a new car, but it can certainly be satisfying. And if you're looking for that kind of quiet satisfaction, you have come to the right place. Financial experts are nearly unanimous on the idea that to maximize the effectiveness of your transportation dollar, you should buy a used car and then keep it for as long as you possibly can. Why is the right used car a financial boon? First, a used car will be much expensive to buy than a new car of a similar size. Second, a used car that is several years old will typically lose its value at a lower rate than a new car. Yes, you might have to forego the ego stroke of getting a brand-new car, but you can bask in the knowledge you are creating a better financial future. To assemble this list that identifies the 10 best high-mileage used cars, we examined cars that are about five years old and chose the most reliable. We believe these are the cars most likely to comfortably exceed 100,000 miles.

Best High-Mileage Used Cars

There are cars you buy for fun, cars you buy to boost your ego, and cars you buy for a particular task — like commuting, for instance. The auto industry knows this, and it has created more than 350 models designed to cater to your every whim. Then there are cars you buy because you want and need transportation.

Impressing the people across the street becomes far less important than having an inexpensive vehicle that will get you back and forth to your job every day. And that is where reliable 10-year old cars come in. Compared with a new vehicle and even compared to a late-model used vehicle, 10-year-old cars are cheap. But unless you like standing by the side of the road waiting for the tow truck to arrive, you want something more than just the average 10-year-old car. You want one of the most reliable 10 year-old-cars on the market. Here are our well-researched and well-considered picks.

Most Reliable 10-Year-Old Cars

Yes, we live in an SUV era, but there is something extremely useful about a good hatchback. The typical hatchback is economical to purchase, costs little to operate and insure, and can haul a surprising amount of stuff. Additionally, hatchbacks are typically more fun to drive than the typical small SUV, which tends to have a higher center of gravity and be skewed completely in favor of hauling people and stuff instead of hauling down canyon roads. Because hatchbacks are relatively inexpensive to purchase new, they are even better values as used cars. One sweet spot revolves around models that are just a few years old. Many of them are of the same generation as the 2021 model, which means they typically have similar levels of safety equipment and creature comforts — but someone else has paid for their first few years of depreciation. Here are 10 good used hatchbacks that should provide you with excellent service for years to come.

10 Good Used Hatchbacks

10 Best Used Pickup Trucks

10 Best Used Small Trucks

Trucks have become the new everyday vehicle for millions of people because modern pickups deliver a unique mix of ultimate utility and comfort that few other vehicles can. Automakers have responded by adding more luxury, better tech, and a load of clever options that make trucks more useful, desirable, and expensive. Buying used can save you thousands of dollars over new, and certified pre-owned (CPO) is even better.
Vehicle manufacturers must authorize dealers before they can certify vehicles. The process involves a rigorous inspection, and only vehicles within a certain age and mileage range qualify. While CPO vehicles can be a little more expensive than other used models, they typically come with long manufacturer warranties that cover a large portion of vehicle systems. That peace of mind is worth the extra cost, and you'll typically end up with a much nicer vehicle overall, as CPOs are held to a higher standard.
Which certified pre-owned pickup truck is right for you? There are so many great choices that it's hard to go wrong. We've gathered a list of our favorite recent model-year CPO trucks. Let's get started. 