4 Used Corvette Alternatives Under $55,000 Are Fast and Fun
The C8 Chevrolet Corvette is a fast, balanced package and a quantum leap for the model. However, the used car market features plenty of solid alternatives to the latest generations of Corvette. Better yet, savvy car hunters can find some used Corvette alternatives for around $55,000 or less, like the Jaguar F-Type R or S197 Shelby GT500. Of course, none of these cars will outsprint the C8 plastic fantastic, but they can make you smile just as wide as they outrun previous Corvette generations, like the C7.
- Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (S197 Generation)
- Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
- Jaguar F-Type R
Is the Camaro ZL1 faster than a Corvette?
The Chevy Camaro ZL1 is fast, powerful, and track-ready. Moreover, the ZL1 is even faster than a C7 Corvette Z51. Specifically, the 2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1 packs a 650-horsepower supercharged 6.2L V8 capable of pushing the super Camaro to 60 mph with explosive thrust. In MotorTrend’s testing, the ZL1 hit 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds on its way to an 11.5-second quarter mile.
Better yet, potential owners looking for their Corvette alternative can snag a 2017 ZL1 for around $48,000, depending on location and mileage.
Is the S197 Shelby GT500 an alternative to a C8 Corvette?
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is synonymous with sharp, savage power and speed. The last of the S197 Shelby GT500 iterations are no different. The 2013 and 2014 GT500s produce 662 horsepower from their supercharged 5.8L V8s. Furthermore, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of over 200 mph, the S197 GT500 is even faster than a C7 Corvette.
Even with its staggering performance and Shelby nameplate, the late model S197 GT500 is a bargain. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with around 40,000 miles has a fair purchase price of about $45,135, depending on location. Of course, the Shelbys are collectible, and you might have difficulty finding one for that price.
How much is a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat?
Despite the relentless work of Hellcat haters, Dodge’s flagship supercharged super coupe earns its attention. The 707-horsepower 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat isn’t just a performance bargain; it’s an unorthodox Corvette alternative. In MotorTrend’s testing, the 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat hit 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds with its 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2L V8. Moreover, the tire-shredding Mopar has a fair purchase value of around $49,006 for the 2018 model year.
Is the 2016 Jaguar F-Type R an excellent used alternative to a Corvette?
You might not expect a posh British sports car to provide a viable alternative to the Kentucky supercar. However, the 2016 Jaguar F-Type R packs a 550-horsepower supercharged 5.0L V8 engine and available all-wheel drive (AWD). As a result, the F-Type R can hit 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, with a quarter mile covered in just 11.6 seconds. Moreover, if you’re brave enough to seek out a used F-Type R, KBB says you can find one for around $54,403.
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