Thanks to the unscrupulous reputation of the used car salesman, the secondary car market industry came up with the term «pre-owned» to make a used car sound less seedy. Actually, that euphemism works quite well for the simple reason that «used» sounds old and worthless, while throwing «pre» in front of any word gives it youth and vitality. A pre-owned car almost makes it seem like you’re the first one to get behind the wheel.
During the pandemic, chip shortages and supply-chain issues sent the price of new cars through the roof, which also made used cars unaffordable. For some reason new cars are still quite expensive, with the average price topping $48,000, but used cars have come back down to Earth. $20,000 used to be a house down payment, but now it’s practically what is due at signing on for a new car sale. Or, it’s a good price for a solid American pre-owned vehicle.
If basic transportation is what you’re after, $20,000 is more than enough to fill that need. Coolness however should always factor into a car purchase, and it turns out $20,000 can buy plenty of that as well. This is not a project car price point, but a rather real running and driving cool American cars for under $20,000.
10 2019 Ford Mustang Eco-Boost
Used Price: Starting at $18,000
3/4 view of 2019 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
For those who want a newish modern muscle car, but don’t want to break the bank, a 2019 Ford Mustang is the way to go. Loaded with the shockingly powerful 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, this peppy pony car can be had for well under $20,000. Kelly Blue Book has dozens of listings for 2019s starting at just $18,000.
Performance and Price
|
Engine
Google Ads
|
2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
|
Engine Output |
310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
6-speed manual/10-speed automatic |
|
Used Price |
Starting at $18,000 |
Keep in mind that these are all dealer listings, so buying one from the owner would likely be cheaper. Most of these used Mustangs have between 60 and 80 thousand miles on them, which means there’s still plenty drive left in them. For the price upgrading to a 2023 Mach 1, a fast, drivable, cool-looking sixth-gen Mustang is available.
9 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT
Used Price: Starting at $17,821
Three-quarter shot of a blue 2018 Chevrolet ECOPO Camaro Concept driving down a highway.
Chevrolet is discontinuing the Camaro after the 2024 model year, which means sometime soon supplies of these storied muscle cars will dry up. Econ 101 says low supplies means high prices and there’s a good chance enthusiasts will panic down the line and get desperate to grab up any Camaro they can get, which means $$$.
Performance and Price
|
Engine |
3.6-liter V-6 |
|
Engine Output |
355 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
|
Used Price |
Starting at $17,821 |
For now however, there are tons of late-model Camaros available and that indicates that it’s a great time to strike. Used 2018 Camaro 1LTs are all over the internet starting in the low 18 thousands. As long as a buyer isn’t set on getting a V-8, sub-20k Camaros are abundant. The turbo four-cylinder and V-6 available on the 2018 1LT provide plenty of pep, and they look just as good as 1SS.
8 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T
Used Price: $18,991
3/4 front view of black 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T
Those who want some recent muscle with a V-8 for under $20,000 have to go back a few more years, but it’s definitely worth it. An honest to goodness 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T can be picked up for surprisingly modest prices. Starting at just $13,999 these 10-year-old badass rides are easy to find.
Performance and Price
|
Engine |
5.7-liter Hemi V-8 |
|
Engine Output |
372 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
5-speed automatic |
|
Used Price |
$18,991 |
Auto Nation is currently listing an amazing black/pink stripe 2013 Challenger R/T with a Hemi V-8 and only 89,649 miles for under $19,000. Obviously everyone can’t have this one particular vehicle, and chances are it’s already gone, but that’s indicative of what kind of deals on these cars can be had. A little haggling wouldn’t hurt either, because only suckers pay asking price.
7 2005 Cadillac CTS – V
Used Price: Starting at $14,500
3/4 front view 2006 Cadillac CTS-V
The CTS is what took Cadillac from stuffy luxury to performance luxury. Anyone looking for a stylish ride packing crazy power would do good to pick up a 2005 CTS-V, because they are among the most affordable used American performance vehicles out there. These babies can hit 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, run a 13.2 second quarter mile, and won’t drain your retirement account.
Performance and Price
|
Engine |
5.7-liter LS6 V-8 |
|
Engine Output |
400 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed manual |
|
Used Price |
Starting at $14,500 |
Recently, Car And Driver was drooling all over a 2005 CTS-V that was up for auction, with bidding stalled at $12,525, calling it the most affordable «400-hp, V-8-powered, rear-drive, manual-equipped sedan» available. The car actually sold for $22,500, but there are more than a few sub-20k ones on the market. Auto Trader has one of these great Cadillacs for only $14,500, though it does have 116,000 miles on it.
6 2004 Pontiac GTO
Used Price: Starting at $14,995
Believe it or not, the Pontiac GTO was the fastest muscle car of the 2000s with a top speed of 178 mph. Of course that was the 2005 model with the 6.0-liter V-8, but the 2004 wasn’t exactly slow, equipped with a 5.7-liter engine. It’s still a speedy SOB but much more wallet-friendly, coming in well bellow $20,000.
Performance and Price
|
Engine |
5.7-liter LS6 V-8 |
|
Engine Output |
350 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
Four-speed automatic |
|
Used Price |
Starting at $14,995 |
Searching the Interwebz shows a 92,889-mile GTO for $14.995, a 67,004-mile for $16,990, and a 55,155-mile for $16,995. Plus there’s many more just like them available. These are dealer-certified vehicles in great condition with V-8s and loads of options. It’s almost like getting a new GTO 20 years after they came out, for much less than original price.
5 1993 Ford Mustang GT
Used Price: Starting at $14,995
Front and side view of a 1993 Ford Mustang GT
The Fox Body Mustangs of the 80s and 90s were the most underrated versions in the storied pony car’s history. Collectors are starting to appreciate the third-gens a lot more, but awesome performance models can still be found at a reasonable price. LX and GT trims in great condition average in the $15,000 range.
Performance and Price
|
Engine |
5.0-liter V-8 |
|
Engine Output |
205 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
Four-speed automatic/Five-speed manual |
|
Used Price |
Starting at $15,000 |
A lot of these cars are going to have over 100,000 miles, but It’s important to remember they are 3 decades old. A 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra is going to start at $50,000 according to Bring a Trailer auctions and there are examples of low-millage ones topping $100k. On the other hand, a ’93 GT is very cool ride that anyone can afford.
4 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
Used Price: Starting at $19,500
3/4 front view red 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
In the 1980s, options for a cool American car were pretty much limited to the Mustang GT and the Camaro IROC-Z. Coincidentally, or maybe not, those classic rides are also two of the most affordable. Since retro 80s culture is all the rage, a 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z would be the perfect vehicle to wow ‘em at a Stranger Things watch party.
Performance and Price
|
Engine |
5.0-liter V-8 |
|
Engine Output |
215 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
Four-speed automatic/Five-speed manual |
|
Used Price |
$19,500 |
With Metallica’s Master of Puppets blaring on the cassette deck, nobody will guess that slick-looking IROC only cost around $16,000. A positively amazing 2,400-Mile ’85 with a V-8 and tons of options sold at auction not too long ago for $19,500. Adding a few more miles and subtracting some options can bring these bad boys down substantially in price.
3 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Used Price: $17,250
3/4 front view red Screaming Chicken 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Truth be told, the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am wasn’t much of a muscle car with its tragically underpowered engine. The Screaming Chicken however was one of the coolest things to ever roll out of Detroit, in no small part to the fame it gained from Smokey and the Bandit. Another truth is these iconic cars can still be found for under $20,000.
Performance and Price
|
Engine |
400ci V-8 |
|
Engine Output |
290 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
Four-speed manual |
|
Used Price |
$17,250 |
Bring a Trailer has sold several ’77s, as recently as last month, bellow $20k, including a beautiful red hardtop for $17,250. Making that deal seem even more amazing, the Firebird had its original 185 horsepower engine replaced with a 290 horsepower 400ci V-8. A lot of car collectors are concerned with getting a matching numbers vehicle, but with an upgrade like that it’s easy to overlook a few digits that don’t align.
2 1973 Oldsmobile 442
Used Price: $13,200
3/4 rear view blue 1973 Oldsmobile 442
A four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts is a pretty good definition of an American muscle car, which is why Oldsmobile branded their coolest model as the 4-4-2. A ’68 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds 4-4-2 with a 455, the coolest of the cool, will probably run you in $60k neighborhood, which is actually quite a steal considering the awesomeness of it.
Performance and Price
|
Engine |
455ci V-8 |
|
Engine Output |
270 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
Four-speed manual |
|
Used Price |
$13,200 |
For a sub-$20k 442, look no further than 1973, when it was still a pretty ferocious beast. Classic.com lists the average sale price of a ’73 442 at $17,600. Mecum sold one with the 455 for $13,200. This was one of 95 ever built with a four-speed manual transmission, and it was both well-preserved and semi-restored. Shop around, you won’t find a better dollar-to-coolness ratio than that.
1 1971 Dodge Charger
Used Price: $19,300
3/4 front view of red 1971 Dodge Charger SE 383
This last entry heading is not a typo, you can theoretically get a 1971 Dodge Charger for under $20,000. Hagerty lists the average value of a ’71 Charger in good condition, meaning it runs and isn’t too dilapidated, with a 318 V-8 as $19,300. Yes, that isn’t the 426 Hemi, the 440 six-pack, or even the 383 Magnum, but it’s still a great price for one of the best muscle cars of the classic era.
Performance and Price
|
Engine |
318ci V-8 |
|
Engine Output |
230 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque |
|
Transmission |
Three-speed automatic |
|
Used Price |
$19,300 |
The reason why this is a theoretical budget buy is because, despite Hagerty’s valuation, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to find one of these cars for that price. Scouring all the car sites including CraigsList and eBay, turns up no ’71s with a 318 for under $20,000. Unlike a lot of other cars on this list, there isn’t a huge inventory to choose from. It may take some time and patience, but it is possible to land one of these beauties under that golden price point.
