10 Cheap Performance Cars With American V8 Engines Under The Hood

Related: 10 Affordable V8 Cars: Your Guide To Budget-Friendly Performance

10 2007 Cadillac CTS-V

Average Used Price: $14,918

The CTS-V was Cadillac’s first serious rival to the BMW M5, but you may have to look beyond its conservative styling to see that this is not just another luxury sedan. Kelley Blue Book lists the 2007 CTS-V for $14,918, making it just a tad more expensive than the M5.

Engine Specs

Aspiring to go head-to-head with cars from BMW’s M division and Mercedes-AMG, the Cadillac’s weapon of choice for the CTS-V was a 6.0-liter V8 that produced 400 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. The Corvette-sourced V8 makes the CTS-V a force to be reckoned with on the drag strip.

9 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Average Used Price: $15,215

After Dodge resurrected the Challenger and Ford updated the Mustang, it was only right for Chevy to reintroduce the Camaro to complete the Detroit muscle car trifecta. The top-ranging 2010 SS is less than half its original price, going for $15,215 today, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Engine Specs

While the base LS and mid-level LT Camaro with a V6 were almost as potent as the Mustang GT, the SS was the real performance powerhouse. The 6.2-liter V8 engine makes the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS special, as it delivers up to 400 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds, per Kelley Blue Book.

8 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8

Average Used Price: $25,517

The 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8 is one of the last true American sleeper muscle sedans. The 2014 SRT8 still sports the tall, upright hood that many have come to know the Chrysler 300 by, but the hood profile is not just to give it a faux Bentley appearance, but also to hide a Hemi V8 underneath.

Engine Specs

The SRT8 gets a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that pours out 470 hp and delivers a supercar-matching acceleration. Kelley Blue Book’s used price of $25,517 is not too much for a luxury sedan with a 470-hp V8, leather-furnished interior, and distinctive style.

7 2015 Dodge Charger SRT 392

Average Used Price: $27,948

If the top-of-the-line 707-hp SRT Hellcat is too mean-spirited and expensive, you can settle for the SRT 392. Coming completely new for 2015, the Dodge Charger SRT 392 looks more refined and a used model should set you back $27,948, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Engine Specs

There’s endless power on tap to conquer the drag strip or terrorize locals on the street with the 2015 Charger SRT 392. Its 6.4-liter Hemi V8 pumps out up to 485 hp and 475 lb-ft.

Related: Here’s What You Should Know About The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept

6 2017 Dodge Challenger T/A

Average Used Price: $23,028

The 2017 Dodge Challenger T/A is a reincarnation of the 1970 Challenger T/A, which was Dodge’s weapon of choice for the SCCA’s legendary Trans-American championship. The 2017 Challenger T/A is a reminder of the racing pedigree of Dodge’s iconic muscle car, so it’s surprisingly quite affordable, going for roughly $23,028, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Engine Specs

The 2017 Challenger T/A doesn’t make much sense practically, and might even be difficult to park in a normal space, but the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 will never disappoint performance freaks. It cranks out 375 hp and 410 lb-ft.

5 2015 Ford Mustang GT

Average Used Price: $24,818

Ford decided to refresh its bestselling sports car for 2015 just as it did for the F-150 truck, but that didn’t result in a dramatic bump in price. So, according to Kelley Blue Book, you can snap up a neatly used 2015 Ford Mustang GT for just under $25,000.

Engine Specs

Revamping the 5.0-liter V8 in the 2015 Ford Mustang takes the output from 420 hp to 435 hp. That’s enough punch to launch the 2015 Mustang GT to 60 in 4.7 seconds, according to Acceleration Times.

4 2009 Pontiac G8 GT

Average Used Price: $18,318

The G8 GT is a modern muscle car with the classic charms of the GM’s self-proclaimed excitement division. As Pontiac’s first rear-wheel drive sedan with a V8 since the mid-1980s, the G8 GT is a steal for $18,318, as listed on Kelley Blue Book.

Engine Specs

With a 6.0-liter V8 backed by a six-speed automatic, the GT model produces 355 hp, which is about 100 hp more than the base model. Kelley Blue Book claims it takes the GT around 5.3 seconds to clock 60 mph, while offering a decent combined EPA rating of 24 mpg, with the help of GM’s Active Fuel Management system.

3 2011 Mustang Shelby GT500

Average Used Price: $27,470

Only the most jaded performance enthusiast won’t be impressed by the aggressive bodywork of the 2011 Mustang Shelby GT500. But if you are still skeptical about the GT500, the supercharged V8 with tire-scorching horsepower should be able to convince you. Kelley Blue Book says $27,470 should be enough to get you a 2011 GT500.

Engine Specs

With the 550-hp 5.4-liter supercharged V8 running at about 6,000 rpm, the GT500 is very much at home on a racetrack. Zero To 60 Times claims the supercharged V8 sprints to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and hits a quarter-mile in 12.1 seconds.

Related: 10 Things We Want From A New Ford Shelby GT500

2 2007 Chevrolet Corvette

Average Used Price: $23,243

It’s hard to find a better sports car deal than the 2007 Chevy Corvette, which offers neck-breaking acceleration, and more fun than a Sony PlayStation. The most affordable form of the 2007 Corvette is the base Coupe, which Kelley Blue Book valued at $23,243 for a used model.

Engine Specs

The low, throaty roar of the 6.0-liter LS2 V8 brings back memories of the muscle car era. The V8 in conjunction with an automatic transmission doesn’t drain out all the fun from driving a Corvette like automatics in small engined-sports cars usually do. The V8 cranks out 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2007 Vette Coupe hits 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and tops out at 186 mph.

1 2007 Cadillac XLR-V

Average Used Price: $26,672

Although the 2007 XLR-V looks a bit edgy and heavy, it’s one of the most powerful and quickest Cadillacs. It doesn’t come with any significant changes for 2007, so a used XLR-V should set you back $26,672, which is roughly a 75% drop from its sticker price.

Engine Specs

The 2007 XLR-V plays in the same league as the Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG, BMW 650i, and Jaguar XK, thanks to a supercharged 4.4-liter Northstar V8 engine that puts out 443 hp and 414 lb-ft of torque. When it comes to acceleration, the 2007 XLR-V is 4.3 seconds quick yet smooth and controlled, according to Zero To 60 Times.