As gearheads, we all have that little voice in the back of our heads saying we should get a muscle car. There's something so appealing about their simple recipe of high power and good looks which we all aspire to as motoring obsessives, and if life were simple, we'd all have at least one piece of American muscle in the garage, right?
But life isn't simple, and there are many grown-up reasons why we don't all have muscle cars. Many of us mill around in our 200,000-mile urban warriors because we need reliable cars, and muscle cars can be expensive, impractical, and unreliable. They're cars for our dream garages and outhouse posters.
However, if you get a little creative with your thinking and do a bit of research, you'll find a treasure trove of full-blooded muscle cars that manage to be both reliable and inexpensive to purchase. Over the years, a number of cars have developed quite a reputation for their durability, and for many of the vehicles on this list, now is the time to get them before their prices begin to rise. Maybe, then, it's time to finally please the little voice in the back of your head.
10 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS - $6,000
The Monte Carlo nameplate was one of Chevy's finest, and the 2007 model was a brilliant last hurrah, ensuring the badge sailed off into the sunset on a high.
Originally introduced in 1970, with the first SS coming in 1983, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo was, on arrival, a larger, more comfortable muscle car option. The 2007 model was the final year of the name, and while it had evolved a great deal, it still held many of the same values. The car had a 5.3-liter V8 producing 303 hp, a sporty, comfortable cabin, and a number of luxury features on offer.
You can pick up an SS for way under $10,000 these days, and they score a reliability rating of 84/100 with J.D Power. Just as long as you forget it's front-wheel-drive, it's the perfect bargain muscle car.
9 2007 Ford Mustang GT - $7,000
A nameplate as legendary as they come, especially in the world of muscle, Ford's Mustang has always been a dependable car, and the fifth-generation vehicle was no exception.
Released in 2005, the S197 'Stang had a number of retro design nods, paying homage to its heritage with features such as its light design and overall shape. The GT car packed a 4.6-liter V8 under the hood putting out 300 hp, and also featured sport-tuned suspension and a stylish, sporty interior.
Early models of the S197 GT are available for just under $7,000, and they're reliable too, with J.D. Power scoring them 81/100 in terms of reliability.
8 2006 Pontiac GTO - $10,000
Another car that closed a chapter on a legendary nameplate, the '06 GTO, based on Holden's Monaro, was an underrated gem of a muscle car that we think every gearhead should own. It offered all of the requisite qualities you might expect, and surprising reliability too.
Driven by a wonderful 6.0-liter, 400 hp V8, the GTO had endless power and torque, and this, coupled with an excellent chassis and suspension, meant the car was quick in any circumstance. In addition to its performance, the '06 had superb, aggressive styling features, and a purposeful, sporty stance.
Prices for these are just beginning to rise, but you can still pick a good one up for around $10,000, and J.D. Power has them rated at 90/100 for reliability, too.
7 2010 Chevrolet Camaro - $13,000
The Chevrolet Camaro is, sadly, on its final farewell tour, with Chevy announcing they'll be discontinuing the nameplate in 2024, but examples of the previous generation car, built until 2015, don't seem to be going anywhere any time soon.
Much like its rival Mustang of the same period, the Camaro featured several retro design touches inspired by the nameplate's illustrious past. These included its low, wide stance, bold blacked-out grille, and sculpted, muscular hood, complete, of course, with the requisite power bulge. The Camaro was not just for show though, and came with a 6.2-liter, 426 hp V8, and numerous handling features too.
You can get a 2010, for around $13,000 at current market value, and they score a very impressive 88/100 on reliability according to J.D. Power.
6 2010 Dodge Challenger - $16,000
The third-generation Dodge Challenger, introduced in 2008, proved to be a successful and popular revival of the iconic nameplate, showing that muscle could still sell in the 2010s.
The top-of-the-line SRT8 model had a 6.1-liter V8 producing a chunky 425 hp, and a number of performance-enhancing features, ensuring its handling was iconic as the nameplate it carried. Inside the Challenger was also a truly lovely place to be, with its retro-inspired cabin featuring a number of cosseting and comfortable luxurious touches, such as stylish bucket seats, a navigation system, and premium leather upholstery.
Challengers are a little more expensive than Camaros of the same era, but you can still get one for around $16,000, and they score a decent 81/100 in terms of reliability, according to J.D. Power.
5 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT-8 - $16,000
While Chrysler is known for creating some of the most luxurious muscle cars around, they're often not some of the quickest or most reliable, but the 300 SRT-8 bucked the trend on both counts.
Of course, the 300 SRT-8 was chock-full of luxury features, such as heated and ventilated front seats, plush leather upholstery, and a touchscreen infotainment system, but what was surprising was how well it could go. Fitted with a 6.4-liter, 470 hp V8, the big, heavy, luxury sedan could fly from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, and was electronically limited to a top speed of 175 mph. Quick enough, we think.
The car was also surprisingly reliable, getting a 79/100 score from J.D. Power, and amazingly, even with all the luxury tech, you can pick one up for just $16,000 at the moment.
4 2015 Ford Mustang GT - $21,000
If 2007 is a little too vintage for you, and you have a little more cash to splash, the 2015 Ford Mustang does everything its aforementioned 2007 predecessor does, but better.
Even more aggressive, powerful, and purposeful than the car before it, the sixth-generation Mustang GT came packed with 435 hp thanks to its 5.0-liter V8. The car was also much updated from the previous generation with a number of technological features such as an up-to-date infotainment system, heated seats, and a rearview camera.
According to J.D. Power, the '15 Mustang is nearly as reliable too, coming in with a score of 76/100 on their reliability rating, and you can get one for just a shade over $20,000.
3 2012 Cadillac CTS-V - $25,000
The Cadillac CTS-V is a car you could be forgiven for forgetting despite its positive appraisal from critics on release, but we think it's well worth reminding you of this reliable muscle gem.
The CTS-V had a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 under the hood, putting out a whopping 556 hp and taking it from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. In addition to the ludicrous power, the car had all the usual luxurious touches you'd expect of a premium Cadillac, including touchscreen infotainment and beautiful leather upholstery.
Something of a sleeper car, there aren't too many who would expect you to smoke them at the lights if you pulled up in a CTS-V, but there still aren't many cars that could better it. Pick one up for around $25,000 and enjoy winning at the lights for years to come, as these have an 86/100 reliability rating. We think they're a car true gearheads should consider.
2 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat - $30,000
A car that over-delivers in nearly every single way possible, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is a reliable sedan under $50,000 that can go over 200 mph... take our money.
The performance stats of the Hellcat simply boggle the mind; 707 hp, 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and a top speed of 204 mph — this is a practical family sedan that goes like a rocket ship, thanks to its supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Additionally, the Hellcat's interior is a fantastic place to be, and its exterior design does a good job of hinting at the monster that lies under the hood.
You could probably forgive such a powerful car for being a little unreliable, but that is simply not the case. J.D. Power rate it at 78/100 in terms of reliability, and you can get a 2015 model for about $30,000 at the moment.
1 2022 Chevrolet Camaro - $30,000
Ready for its encore; yes, if the previous generation Camaro doesn't quite do it for you, perhaps something a little more modern will do the trick, but remember, you will need a slightly bigger budget.
The current and, as previously mentioned, final generation of the Camaro has many of the hallmarks of its predecessor. Sporty, sharp, and aggressive styling, up to 455 hp on tap, and a number of high-performance handling parts to ensure a good driving experience. What the sixth-gen car did do, though, was to bring the Camaro's interior up to date, with smartphone connectivity, a heads-up display, and a rearview camera
On forecourts since 2015, the sixth-gen car has longevity on its side, and that's the case with reliability too. J.D. Power gives this one an 84/100 rating in terms of reliability, and, while it won't get you the V8 SS, $30,000 will get you a great 1LT spec car.