The V8 engine is one of the most respected and successful engine configurations. Since its inception, the V8 engine has powered some of the most powerful cars, and the American automotive industry has the V8 to thank for its successful muscle car history. Unfortunately, the V8 engine is on the verge of extinction as many American automakers are ditching it for turbocharged V6s and four-cylinder engines.
RELATED10 Cheap Used Cars With V8 Engines
âââââToday, most V8-powered performance cars are either rare or too costly for budget buyers. Luckily, if you know where to look, the used car market has plenty of affordable V8-powered cars, some even costing less than $10,000. The cars on this list not only have powerful V8 engines, but they are also known to last 500,000 miles. For example, Chrysler’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is one of the most durable American V8 engines ever produced. That said, here are 10 cheap American cars with V8 engines.
We used the latest price valuations from Kelley Blue Book, and CarEdge to compile this list of cheap American V8-powered cars.
Manufacturer | Chrysler |
Years | 2005-2010 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 5.7 liters (345 cu in) |
Power | 340-360 hp |
Torque | 390 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Dodge Ram, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger R/T, Jeep Wagoneer |
Chrysler introduced the 300 series in 2005 as a four-door sedan and station wagon. The base model got a V6 engine, while the top-of-the-line 300C version got the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that featured Chrysler’s Multiple Displacement technology. The system shuts down four cylinders at cruising speeds for better fuel economy. The 300C is among the best cheap American V8 cars, with early models fetching as low as $5,000 on the used market, while you can find the 2010 model for a fair purchase price of $7200+.
When firing on all cylinders, the 300C produced 340 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque via a five-speed automatic transmission. In 2009, the 300C saw a power increase by 20 horses, but torque remained unchanged.
Manufacturer | General Motors/Chevrolet |
Years | 1992-1997 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 5.7 liters (350 cu in) |
Power | 275-285 hp |
Torque | 325 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Chevrolet Corvette C4, Pontiac Firebird, Chevrolet Impala SS, Buick Roadmaster Wagon |
The 1993-1997 Camaro Z28 is a performance variant of the fourth-generation Camaro. Many consider this generation the best Camaro ever made. That’s because it dominated Mustangs and other muscle cars on the streets and drag strips. Moreover, it was rightly priced compared to the competition. When new, for about $15,000, you could get a well-equipped base Camaro with a potent 3.4-liter V6. Top up an extra $3,000, and you got the tire-shredding Z28 Camaro with a V8. Today, values for the V8 variant range from $5,000 for a 1993 Z28 Camaro to over $6,500+ for a 1997 model.
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The 5.7-liter OHV LT1 V8 in the 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 – borrowed from the C4 Corvette – came rated at 275 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. By 1997, Chevrolet had bumped the horses to 285 hp. The engine came standard with a four-speed automatic, but an optional six-speed manual was also available.
Manufacturer | Ford |
Years | 1994-1995 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 5.0 liters (302 cu in) |
Power | 215 hp |
Torque | 285 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Ford Mustang, Ford Explorer, Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, Ford Falcon |
1994 was an important year for the Mustang. It marked the Mustang’s 30th anniversary and ushered in the fourth generation of the car. Riding on a new SN-95 platform, the Mustang received a new design and drove differently thanks to the stiffened structure. Today, the 1994-1995 Mustang GT is among the most affordable V8-powered American cars, with a fair market price of $5,828 and above, per KBB.
Ford carried over the 5.0-liter pushrod small-block V8 from the 1993 Mustang GT, and 1995 was the last year Ford utilized the Windsor engine, as future models incorporated the 4.6-liter modular engine. The 302 CID engine produced 215 hp and 285 lb-ft of torque, enough to accelerate the Mustang GT from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in approximately 15 seconds.
Manufacturer | Chrysler/Dodge |
Years | 2006-2010 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 5.7 liters (345 cu in) |
Power | 340-368 hp |
Torque | 390-398 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Dodge Ram, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger R/T, Jeep Wagoneer |
Dodge re-introduced the Charger nameplate in 2005 after a 19-year hiatus, but this time, it returned in a full-size sedan body style based on Chrysler’s LX platform. Although it gained two additional doors and was a bit longer than the original, the new design was reminiscent of the ‘60s and ‘70s Charger. On the used market, KBB states a fair purchase price of only $6,601+ for the 2006 muscle car while the 2010 Dodge Charger R/T has its cost set at $8,554 or above.
The base model came with a V6 engine, but the one you want is the high-performance R/T model featuring the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. The engine produced 340 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, but 2009 saw the R/T get a power boost to produce 368 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque.
Engine Specs
Manufacturer | General Motors/Pontiac |
Years | 1998-2001 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 5.7 liters (346 cu in) |
Power | 305-325 hp |
Torque | 335-345 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac Firebird Formula, Trans Am, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac GTO |
The Pontiac Firebird entered its fourth-generation model in 1993. It received its final facelift in 1998, making the 1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird arguably the best version ever made. It received aggressive styling cues and unique flared-out air scoops. The current value of a 1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ranges between $7,961-$11,918, making it one of the best cheap V8 muscle cars.
RELATED: 10 Classic V8 Muscle Cars You Should Buy In 2023
The 1998 Firebird Trans Am also received the 5.7-liter LS1 V8, borrowed from the C5 Corvette, which produced 305 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque, but the WS6 package upped the ante to 320 hp and 345 lb-ft of torque. In 2001, the car received an extra power boost of 5 hp thanks to new camshafts and intake system from the Z06 Corvette. For transmission options, the car came with a four-speed automatic or a six-speed manual.
Engine Specs
Manufacturer | General Motors/Cadillac |
Years | 2004-2005 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 5.7 liters (346 cu in) |
Power | 400 hp |
Torque | 395 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac Firebird Formula, Trans Am, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac GTO |
2003 marked the return of Cadillac into the performance arena with the Cadillac CTS. In 2004, the American brand introduced the CTS-V, a high-performance luxury sedan that could take on the likes of the BMW M5, Audi S6 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class. It’s one of the best budget-friendly V8 cars you can get, averaging $10,994-$13,388 on the used marketplace.
The 2004-2005 CTS-V featured the 5.7-liter OHV pushrod V8 from the C5 Corvette that produced 400 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, enough to accelerate the car from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds at 109 mph. Eighteen years since its debut, the 2004 Cadillac CT-V has held up well and enjoys a massive following.
Engine Specs
Manufacturer | General Motors/Pontiac |
Years | 2004 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 5.7 liters (346 cu in) |
Power | 350 hp |
Torque | 365 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac Firebird Formula, Trans Am, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac GTO |
Pontiac revived the GTO moniker for 2004 as an American version of the Australian Holden Monaro. Unfortunately, the reborn GTO, built in Australia, had a short production run, citing poor marketing, high prices and costly shipping and certifying fees for the US market. Although many speculated its prices would skyrocket in years, the Pontiac GTO is a performance bargain today, averaging a fair price of about $11,000 -$14,000 as per KBB.
The 2004 GTO was the only model equipped with a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 before the automaker dropped it for the larger 6.0-liter LS2 in 2005. The 350 cu in small-block V8 produced 350 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the car from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds. This incredible performance is one reason every true gearhead should own a 2004 Pontiac GTO. Pontiac sold about 40,808 copies over the GTO’s three-year production run.
Engine Specs
Manufacturer | Ford |
Years | 2003-2004 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 4.6 liters (280.8 cu in) |
Power | 305 hp |
Torque | 320 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Lincoln Town Car, Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, Ford F-Series, Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang |
After the success story of the 2001 Bullitt, Ford revived another iconic nameplate in 2003, the Mustang Mach 1. It featured retro styling cues of the original, such as a black rear spoiler and front air-dam and black stripping on the side panels, doors, and hood. Today, you can get high-mileage examples for about $12,000 while those in pristine condition command about above $15,000.
RELATED: 10 Best Luxury Cars With V8 Engines
To complement its aggressive looks was a 4.6-liter DOHC modular V8 that churned out 305 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. That translated to 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.88 seconds at 101.9 mph. Although slated for a single year in production, Ford committed to another year due to positive responses from enthusiasts. About 17,000 units rolled off the production line.
Engine Specs
Manufacturer | General Motors/Chevrolet |
Years | 1997-2004 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 5.7 liters (346 cu in) |
Power | 345-350 hp |
Torque | 360 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac Firebird Formula, Trans Am, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac GTO |
The Corvette C5 is among the most affordable American V8 cars, with early examples costing as little as $13,000 today. It debuted in 1997, sporting a completely new design from the previous C4 generation. It was beautiful, curvy, and stiffer than ever before. But perhaps the most significant improvement was that it was lighter and more balanced than its predecessors.
Lurking under the hood was a new 5.7-liter small-block LS1 V8 rated at 345 hp, but subsequent upgrades saw its power increase to 350 hp in 2001. The Corvette could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and complete the standing quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds at 108 mph.
Manufacturer | Chrysler/Dodge |
Years | 2009-2010 |
Configuration | V8 |
Displacement | 5.7 liters (345 cu in) |
Power | 370 hp |
Torque | 398 lb-ft |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Noteworthy Applications | Dodge Ram, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger R/T, Jeep Wagoneer |
The Dodge Challenger returned in 2008 as a new model after a hiatus that lasted over three decades. It received the most extensive styling upgrades and was an instant hit among fans. We reckon no other Chrysler car from the era, save for the Viper, turns heads as much as the 2008-2010 Challenger.
In 2009, Dodge expanded the car lineup to include three trims, the SE, R/T and SRT8. The mid-level R/T is the best of both worlds, featuring a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that produces 372 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque when coupled with the automatic transmission and 376 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque with the manual. Performance is also impressive, claiming 5.5 seconds from 0-60 mph and 14 seconds to complete the quarter-mile.
Sources: Kelley Blue Book, Classic, CarEdge, and Hagerty
2023-06-03T13:38:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd