Top 5 performance cars under 20k

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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]

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

[LS1Goat]

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

[Buick355]

Foxbody plus $15k

[Stephen]

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

[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.

[lincolnboy]

Cutlass 2+2

[War Machine]

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...p-display.html

Corvettes, hardest car to buy, hardest car to sell

[4king]

If we are talking dollar to hp value then the ls1 fbody is #1

I would have a hard time spending towards 20k on a performance car that is not faster than a bolt on fbody

I think the best answer is a daily driver for 15k and a fbody weekend toy for 5k

[jammeejamm]

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/southwest/3936578-default-14k-this-week-only-2002-corvette-z06-c5z-good-shape-heads-up-display.html

[JC316]

1. CTS-V

2. C5 Z06

3. 300ZX TT

4. GTO/G8

5. 4th Gen Fbody.

If you want slower, but still cool, you can find low mile 94-96 Impala SS's for that price.