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Modern muscle cars provide a lot of power and pantomime at prices below more refined European sports cars. However, fans can save even more on wild rides by opting for a used model. Here are five of the fastest used muscle cars you can get for under $40,000 with average mileage, like the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS and 2014 Ford Mustang GT500. Just be sure to save for sets of tires. 

  • 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
  • 2014 Ford Mustang GT500
  • 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
  • 2018 Ford Mustang GT
  • 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS

Is the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat one of the fastest used muscle cars under $40,000?

Depending on your definition of a muscle car, the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is one of the fastest used muscle cars under $40,000. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a 2015 example with average mileage has a fair purchase value of around $36,450. Of course, finding a Charger Hellcat for that amount will be a challenge. 

Still, the four-door muscle sedan is a serious contender. In Car and Driver’s testing, the Super-Charger hit 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Moreover, the Hellcat has a manufacturer’s claimed top speed of 204 mph. Not only is it one of the fastest used muscle cars, but it’s also among the fastest, most powerful sports sedans of today.   

How much is a 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500?

Fans will quickly tout the newest Shelby GT500s for their supercharged fury and track-ready platform. However, the previous iteration of killer Shelby is an absolute performance bargain. KBB says a 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with average mileage is roughly $40,000. Of course, average mileage puts 81,000 miles on the odometer. 

Still, the 5.8L supercharged beast can hit 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of around 200 mph. That makes the S197-generation GT500 one of the fastest used muscle cars under $40,000. 

How fast is a 2015 SRT Hellcat?

Like its sedan counterpart, the early Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcats are some of the best muscle car performance bargains in the used market. For instance, the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat could hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. Not only that, but the brick-shaped brute is only limited by drag when it comes to top speed; the Challenger Hellcat will hit 199 mph. 

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, like the 2014 Ford Mustang GT500 is one of the fastest used muscle cars under $40,000.
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat | Stellantis

Moreover, the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has a fair value of around $36,373. Of course, finding a Challenger SRT Hellcat for that price with mileage under 90,000 might prove difficult. 

Is the 2018 Ford Mustang GT really one of the fastest used muscle cars?

Despite the lack of forced induction, the naturally aspirated S550-generation Mustang GT is a fast used muscle car. According to Ford, the 2018 Ford Mustang GT with a 10-speed automatic transmission can hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. Better yet, unlike the stratospherically powerful Shelby and Hellcats of the used market, a 2018 Mustang GT has a fair value of just over $30,000 with just 20,000 miles. While the 460-horsepower GT isn’t up to supercharged Mopar power figures, it’s a bargain with low miles. 

The 2018 Ford Mustang GT, like the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro SS is one of the fastest used muscle cars under $40,000.
2018 Ford Mustang GT | Ford

How much is a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS?

Kelley Blue Book says the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS has a fair used car value of around $40,000. Like the post-facelift S550-generation Ford Mustang GT, the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS does without a supercharger, but it’s still very swift. Specifically, the Camaro 2SS will hit 60 mph in around 3.9 seconds using its 455-horsepower 6.2L V8. Speed like that makes the late-model Chevrolet Camaro 2SS one of the fastest used muscle cars at its price point. 

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