The 5 Best Used Muscle Cars You Can Buy

There are few cars as well-known as the Ford Mustang and for good reason. The Stang is a real-deal muscle car with an affordable price tag, especially when it's a used model. The 2012 Mustang GT offers a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 412 hp. Pair that with good seats and attractive retro styling, and you have a car that you're going to love for a long time. The 2012 Mustang GT isn't lacking when it comes to equipment either. At a bare minimum, the car comes with selectable electronic power steering assist, cruise control, electronic stability control, AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input, Bluetooth and Ford SYNC with Sirius XM radio.

The Challenger SRT8 comes ready to drag race, but even if you don't feel like blasting out a quarter mile with your foot to the floor, you're going to enjoy this car. The Mustang may have retro-inspired styling, but the Challenger takes things to a whole other level, looking even more like its ancestor than the Mustang does. The challenger is classy, powerful and spacious (at least in the front seats). It offers a seriously potent 470 hp 6.4-liter V8 engine that can rocket you in a straight line with wild force. At a minimum, you'll find the Challenger SRT8 equipped with premium leather seats, 20-inch wheels, modern stability control, ABS and an infotainment system equipped with Sirius XM radio, a USB port and Bluetooth.

Shift away from two-door muscle coupes for a second and you'll find the Charger. It's a muscle sedan for people who have a family and need to get things done other than roasting rear tires. The car can make tire smoke, but it also offers a spacious and comfy rear seat, four doors and a large trunk. That doesn’t stop the R/T’s 5.7-liter V8 from punching out 368 hp. This is the family man's muscle sedan, and you can use it to pick up the kids or hoon around town like a silly teenager who just got his license. The Charger R/T also comes well equipped, featuring AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo system with auxiliary input, cruise control, stability and traction control, ABS and you're bound to find models with optional equipment like leather power seats and upgraded audio systems.

If you're looking for a car that is nimble as well as quick, the Camaro SS 1LE is the ticket. It's got an angry 426 hp 6.2-liter V8 under the hood, a well-calibrated electronic power-steering system that the car shares with its more expensive ZL1 brother and sporty suspension. It feels like a big car, but it's a willing pony and that will make you love it on a tight, technical road. It's not very practical, but if you're after performance, this is the car for you. The 1LE package includes a number of performance upgrades and the SS trim level brings with it plenty of creature comforts as well, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, auxiliary inputs and Sirius XM radio, navigation, power-adjustable heated seats and OnStar embedded telematics.

The Chevrolet SS is the muscle sports sedan that was never given a fair shake. The car came to the States from Australia a few years after Pontiac went under and failed to gain much momentum. Although the SS sedan never really took off, it remains one of the best muscle cars out there because it packs a burly 6.2-liter V8 that produces 415 hp, is a riot to drive, comes with a manual transmission and can easily cart around the whole family. It’s the ultimate sleeper and if you love power but hate standing out, this is the car you should buy. The SS comes almost fully equipped no matter what, with heated and cooled power seats, a Bose stereo system with Bluetooth, Sirius XM radio and an 8-inch touchscreen display and a whole host of safety and driver assistance tech as standard equipment. Chevrolet canceled SS production, but you can still buy one used, thank heavens.