We all know that collecting cars is also a sound investment plan. Just look at the prices of classic muscle cars, and you will see that somebody is laughing all the way to the bank. But the question on everybody’s mind is, what is the next big thing in the muscle car world? The next sought-after cars will be the early 2000s muscle models. So here are the ten best cars from that period to invest in.
1. Ford Mustang Cobra R
The coolest-looking fourth-generation Mustang is undoubtedly the 2000 SVT Cobra R. Again, this limited-edition model with an “R” designation produced only 300 copies for racing drivers and teams. The Cobra R featured many improvements and enhancements compared to other regular Mustangs.
First and foremost was the 5.4-liter V8 with 385 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque. Second, the body kit with front and rear spoilers and side skirts. Third, stiff suspension and a few chassis modifications. The Cobra was born for performance, and the buyers got precisely that when they pressed the gas pedal. The 0 to 60 mph sprint was achievable in just 4.4 seconds, and its top speed was around 150 mph, which was pretty impressive for the day. It is too bad that Ford built only 300 of those thoroughbreds, which are impossible to find today.
2. Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
The engine was named “Terminator,” and rumors circulated that it delivered more than the advertised 390 HP. Ford equipped the SVT Cobra with an independent rear suspension setup similar to the first Ford GT to handle all that power and torque. This helped stability at high speeds and hard launches and made this Mustang handle like a dream.
The 0 to 60 mph time took only 4.7 seconds, making the SVT Cobra a drag-strip terror. Ford offered this model in 2003 and 2004, producing around 20,000 in coupe and convertible form. Despite being almost 15 years old, those cars still hold high prices on the used car market.
3. Cadillac CTS-V
For years, Cadillac lacked a proper performance series needed to compete with BMW or Mercedes, and finally, the V-Series was born. It was all that Cadillac lovers dreamed of: powerful engines, world-class handling and suspension setups, and exclusive production. The second-generation CTS-V model produced between 2008 and 2014 was the most successful. Under the hood, a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 556 HP made the CTS-V the most potent performance sedan on the market.
The suspension and the rest of the drivetrain were advanced and up to the task, so CTS-V was considered a complete package and one of the best driver’s cars available. Cadillac produced three body styles, and the CTS-V could be a sedan, a coupe, and, interestingly, a wagon. With a 556 HP LS9 V8 engine and a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3.8 seconds, the second-generation CTS-V was one of the fastest four-door vehicles on the planet and a true muscle car sedan.
4. Pontiac GTO
The first year for the modern GTO was 2004, and the car met universal praise from buyers and the press. The design wasn’t new or aggressive, but the GTO had the muscle car form and street presence. Under the hood was an LS1 5.7-liter V8 with 350 HP and enough performance to be one of the hottest American cars for the 2004 model year.
The target sales figure was 18,000, and Pontiac sold almost 14,000, which could be considered a success. Even though this model was withdrawn from the market in 2006, it is the last GTO so that the prices will go up soon.
5. Ford F-150 Lightning (1999)
In 1999, the new Lightning came with the latest and redesigned generation of F-150 trucks. This time, it was much meaner-looking, aggressive, and packed with much more firepower. Ford equipped its 5.4-liter V8 with a supercharger, which was good for 360 hp at first and 380 hp later. This was much more than the previous model and much more than any truck on the market at that moment.
Performance numbers were sublime. The Lightning could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds and top 140 mph. Those figures were more suited to the Porsche 911 of the period than a regular pickup truck that could tow or carry stuff like other F-150s. The second-generation Lightning proved immensely popular and stayed in production for 5 years until 2004. During that period, Ford’s SVT department produced over 30,000 Lightning trucks, a fantastic number.
6. Dodge Ram SRT-10
Produced from 2004 to 2006, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 is among the craziest, most powerful, and fastest pickups ever produced. That is hard to say since Dodge always had pretty wild special versions of their trucks. But just look at the specs: the 8.2-liter V10 engine with over 500 hp, a 0 to 60 time of fewer than 5 seconds, and fuel economy in single digits.
You couldn’t miss it if you saw it on the street. Of course, with the price tag of over $45,000, the SRT-10 wasn’t exactly a sales hit, but they did produce a decent number of them in the three-year production run. In 2005, Dodge introduced the Quad Cab option, which gave the SRT-10 another pair of doors and more practicality, if you could call this truck practical. The four-speed automatic was standard, but you could get a six-speed manual straight from the Viper to go with the engine.
7. Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
The third-generation F-Body was GM’s favorite muscle car offering from the early ’90s to 2003, when the Camaro and its twin brother, the Pontiac Firebird, were discontinued. The Z28 Camaro was introduced in 1996, and it featured a powerful 5.7-liter V8 with 325 horsepower, which was enough to launch it from 0 to 60 mph in just over 5 seconds and propel it to a top speed of 160 mph.
The fourth-generation Camaro was a relatively simple car, easy to maintain and work on, and it featured a live rear axle, a strong gearbox, and a rugged chassis. This was the perfect modern muscle car. Tough, durable, and reasonably fast, with an extensive aftermarket offering of spare parts and go-fast components. In contrast to other, more sophisticated vehicles on this list, this Z28 is a red-blooded American performance machine that you can get for around $10,000. Of course, always look for stock examples that haven’t been modified.
8. Chevrolet Corvette C5
The fifth generation of Chevrolet’s sports car, the Corvette, was introduced in 1996 and stayed on the market until 2005. It sold in big numbers and became a popular choice among sports car fans worldwide. This car’s layout is very competent. It has a 350 hp 5.7-liter V8 in the front, gearbox, and rear suspension together (transaxle system), which gives the C5 perfect weight distribution for sharp handling. All of that is topped with a lightweight and aerodynamically efficient body.
The C5 could get to 60 mph in just under 5 seconds and reach 175 mph. Also, it is good to know that the maintenance costs are lower than those of similar imported sports cars, so if you are looking for a fast and cheap-to-run vehicle, this is the perfect choice. The prices for decent examples start at around $10,000, but they can go higher depending on condition and version. In any case, for ten grand, you should be able to find a decent Corvette C5 in coupe or convertible form.
9. Chrysler 300C SRT-8
A competitor to the BMW M5 or Mercedes E-Class AMG, the SRT-8 was the performance version of the 300C sedan. Equipped with a 6.1-liter V8 Hemi engine pumping out 425 hp and a glorious soundtrack through twin tailpipes, the SRT-8 was a fast and capable sedan. The 0 to 60 mph sprint took around 4.9 seconds, and the top speed was over 170 mph.
Unfortunately for Chrysler, the recession that shocked the car industry in 2010 killed the SRT-8 and many other performance models. Still, fortunately for car enthusiasts looking for good deals, the SRT-8 can be had for around $10,000 today, which is a steal. You will get a classic American muscle sedan with all modern luxury features and timeless styling, a legendary Hemi V8, and 425 galloping horses.
10.Ford Mustang Shelby GT-H
With the retro-looking car came the return of legendary Mustang special versions like the Shelby GT-H. Back in 1966, Shelby offered its GT350 model as a rental car through the Hertz network. The cars were painted black with gold stripes and the GT350-H model designation. Exactly 40 years later, Ford did exactly that with 2006 Mustangs, which were turned to Shelby spec and named GT-H.
The cars were regular GTs with a 19 hp power increase, a new front end, some details, and black paint with gold stripes. Once again, the Shelby GT-H was offered as a rental car in selected locations, and after use, all examples were sold to the general public as used cars. If you want a cool piece of modern Mustang history, search the ads for a Shelby GT-H in nice condition.