Mercury Marauder
For some, the prospect of a new muscle car, even one that sells for a reasonable amount, just isn’t in the cards. If you are in need of something super budget-friendly that still boasts hefty muscle, the Mercury Marauder is an unconventional and strangely satisfying compromise.
Sure, the car lacks some of the bravado that others are loaded with, but the subtle nature of the sedan is partly why you can get it for so cheap. The Ford 4.6-liter V-8 engine that’s housed under that long hood packs a surprising 302 horsepower and 318 lb.-ft. of torque, plus rear-wheel drive for a smoky good time. The only big downfall is the standard automatic transmission, which might be preferable for some.
Pontiac GTO
We’re not talking about the classic GTO, because buying one of those for cheap just isn’t going to happen. Instead, the modern version that came out as a kind of swan song for the Pontiac brand is where you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck.
Many passed the Pontiac GTO up for its bland styling, and still do today, not realizing that its 6.0-liter V-8 throttles out 400 horsepower. That means you can get a high-performance, rear-wheel-drive American muscle car for what many people pay for a used Hyundai Sonata. Which would you rather drive every day?
Dodge Magnum SRT8
Admit it, when you think of muscle cars the Magnum doesn’t even come to mind. After all, the thing is more of a wagon, and wagons are weak, right? Wrong.
Stuffed under the Magnum SRT8’s hood is a wicked 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 that whips out 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Don’t forget that all that power goes straight to the rear wheels, making this wagon a great way to get around. It makes for a great sleeper and a more affordable muscle car as a result.
Adding to the awesomeness of the Magnum SRT8 is the fact that you can take it to Home Depot and load up on the essentials, then take it to the track later and throw down hard.
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