Top 5 performance cars under 20k

[Broncojohnny]

Depends on your personal definition of "clean" but you can get a pretty good GN for less than $20K last I looked. That will be my next purchase once I have a garage space for it.

[Stephen]

Muthafuckin b18c5 turbo crx with slicks!!keep ac no power steering..

[Buick355]

Foxbody plus $15k

[LS1Goat]

'04-'06 GTO and '09 G8 GT
'04 Cobra Mustang
'10-'13 Taurus SHO

[crapstang]

C6 Z06s are in the mid 20s now if you shop around.

'03-'04 Cobra

C5Z
C6Z (if you push your budget a bit)

G8 GT

Early gen Viper

'11-'14 5.0

[AnthonyS]

A viper for $20? I have yet too see that. A clean c6 z less than 29? I need to look harder then. A lot of good suggestions though. Foxes and 3rd gen f bodies plus funds, I agree but not really appealing to me anymore.

[crapstang]

A viper for $20? I have yet too see that. A clean c6 z less than 29? I need to look harder then. A lot of good suggestions though. Foxes and 3rd gen f bodies plus funds, I agree but not really appealing to me anymore.

Yeah, there are some HCI C6Zs for 25-26k (asking price) popping up. Low mile (under 20k) stock ones for upper 20s...lower 20s if 80k+ miles.
RT10s can be picked up for mid teens all day, people just ask a lot for them. Got my '06 SRT10 for low 20s.
Just gotta keep your eye open and play the waiting game if you're willing.

[ram57ta]

Spend some time on the GN/T Type boards and Facebook pages and you can find some amazing deals if you're patient. Just yesterday someone posted a pretty nice 89 Turbo Trans Am for $16k. They handle extremely well compared to a Buick, and they have that wonderful turbo V6 making even more power than it did in the Buick due to better heads.

[HarrisonTX]

An awesome car especially if it's a z51 car. I'm seriously tempted to finance a c6 z06 at 35..... might be the best bargain right now. I sort of really like the ugliness of the c5 more though. I probably need to drive both back to back after driving my ZR to the dealer.

C6Z is my goal for early 2018. I just can't get over them

[46Tbird]

I think Grand Nationals were the most interesting cars built in the automotive dark ages, but I am still puzzled why they became highly sought after "dream cars." They sound like an old tractor and suffer terribly from '80s GM-itis - God awful wiring, saggy doors, with interiors, suspension, and brakes built to take grandma to church. Slowly. Buick slapped a turbo and EFI on it to make it a gnats hair quicker than a 305 Camaro, painted it black, and everyone slobbers over them. They are cool looking but they aren't that fun to drive. They can be wonderful cars if you rip everything out and start over.



I wouldn't keep a C4 ZR1 if someone gave it to me. Good performance, yes, but damned near every part is unique to the ZR1 and priced accordingly. Price of entry is low but maintenance is a bitch.

The C5 Z06 is the best car on your list that is actually under 20k. Go for a C6Z if you have another ten grand. The '11-14 Mustang GT ought to be in there somewhere. The early SRT8 Challengers are right at 20 now. Maybe you can buy someone's hot rodded '10+ SS Camaro if you want something newer and nicer with a big cam under your budget.

[ram57ta]

I think Grand Nationals were the most interesting cars built in the automotive dark ages, but I am still puzzled why they became highly sought after "dream cars." They sound like an old tractor and suffer terribly from '80s GM-itis - God awful wiring, saggy doors, with interiors, suspension, and brakes built to take grandma to church. Slowly. Buick slapped a turbo and EFI on it to make it a gnats hair quicker than a 305 Camaro, painted it black, and everyone slobbers over them. They are cool looking but they aren't that fun to drive. They can be wonderful cars if you rip everything out and start over.

They were built with suspension just like most other cars designed and built in the late 60's to late 70's. I've never had an issue with the brakes stopping my car...minus ABS the car stops pretty damn good. I can also assure you they are more than "a gnats hair" quicker than a 305 Camaro, more comfortable, real back seats, get better mileage, much better visibility with no huge blind spots and they have a REAL trunk. They are easy to live with as a daily provided someone doesn't steal it. You're just a hater

[46Tbird]

LOL! Have you converted yours to 16v so it runs right and the windows roll up?

Stock versus stock it was low 15s to high 14s for the Camaro, and mid-high 14s for the GN. That's pretty close.

I'm not knocking the GN as "a car" and I'm well aware it's desirable. But I will say it has no business on a list of performance cars under 20k.

[ram57ta]

LOL! Have you converted yours to 16v so it runs right and the windows roll up?

Stock versus stock it was low 15s to high 14s for the Camaro, and mid-high 14s for the GN. That's pretty close.

I'm not knocking the GN as "a car" and I'm well aware it's desirable. But I will say it has no business on a list of performance cars under 20k.

My windows and sunroof operate just fine stock. I began converting all the lights to LED last year to prevent the housings and lenses from melting but I've never had any voltage issues. My car ran 14.0 at 99mph on a 97 degree day 100% bone stock at Ennis in 2000...only ones that ran low 15's were either hotair 84-85 cars or the drivers had no clue how to launch (same as the LS1 drivers who run low 14's in their Camaro's or Trans Ams).

[Torinoman]

C6Z is my goal for early 2018. I just can't get over them

Me too. I think its the big displacement and high compression NA motor. Such a throwback to better times.

[Jose]

Spend some time on the GN/T Type boards and Facebook pages and you can find some amazing deals if you're patient. Just yesterday someone posted a pretty nice 89 Turbo Trans Am for $16k. They handle extremely well compared to a Buick, and they have that wonderful turbo V6 making even more power than it did in the Buick due to better heads.

Shoot me the link to the 89 TTA, I'd like to check it out.