24 Cars Serious Drivers Must Own Before The Oil Runs Out

23. Plymouth Hemi Cuda

Two of the biggest Chrysler legends from the classic days of muscle car culture are the Barracuda and the 426 Hemi engine. All through the ’60s, those icons of the industry didn’t mix. In 1970 Plymouth offered this legendary engine in Barracuda’s body style, immediately creating one of the fastest and most desirable muscle cars ever made.

The mighty Hemi engine was an expensive, top-of-the-line option for 1970 and 1971 available in coupe or convertible form. It cost around $900 over the price of standard Barracuda. They installed it in just approximately 600 coupes and only 17 convertibles during the two-year production period. The power was rated at 425 HP, but everybody knew the orange monster delivered more than 500 HP straight from the box.

22. Ferrari F40

Debuting in 1987, the Ferrari F40 was a commemorative model to mark the company’s 40th anniversary. However, it was much more than that. It was and still is one of the greatest sports cars ever built and one of the best Ferraris ever produced. Most of the chassis and drivetrain came from the 288 GTO.

However, they updated the engine to produce around 450 HP. Contrary to the other models in its lineup, Ferrari decided to put a twin-turbo V8 with 2.9-liter displacement instead of the naturally-aspirated V12 commonly associated with the brand.

21. Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3

Back in the late ’60s, Mercedes took a big leap forward by introducing the 300 SEL 6.3 version of their luxury sedan W109. This was arguably the first power sedan for the company, as the mighty 6.3-liter V8 engine with 250 HP and 434 lb-ft of torque sat under the hood.

From the outside, the formal Mercedes sedan looked ordinary apart from the twin tailpipes. However, when you hit the accelerator pedal, you could leave a Porsche 911 in the dust. They designed this Benz for cruising the Autobahn at speeds of around 140 mph.

20. Dodge Ram SRT-10

Produced from 2004 to 2006, Dodge Ram SRT-10 is one of the craziest, fastest pickups they ever built. That itself is a hard thing to say since Dodge always had some wild, unique versions of their trucks. But, just look at the specs. The 8.2-liter V10 engine produced over 500 HP, with 0 to 60 mph time of fewer than five seconds. However, its fuel economy was in the single digits.

Top it off with a bright red or yellow paint job, two white racing stripes, and big shiny chrome wheels, and you get the idea what the SRT-10 is all about. It was something you couldn’t miss 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 produced a decent number of them in its three-year production run.

19. Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The GT3 is practically the greatest hits compilation of all the best components in the current model. In this new form, you can expect a 530 HP engine and a lightning-fast PDK transmission with a six-speed manual option. It also comes with a full roll cage and Michelin Pilot Cup 2 racing tires.

They added a fire extinguisher since it’s practically a race car for the streets. This is one of the last cars with a proper manual transmission as well as one of the purest driving machines money can buy. That’s why it deserves to be powered by the last drops of fuel on the planet.

18. Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

If for any reason 707 HP from the Hellcat package is not enough and you want the ultimate modern muscle car and the most powerful street Hemi engine, the Demon package is for you. With standard fuel, it delivers an insane 808 HP. However, if you use the high-octane stuff, it will pump out almost 840 HP.

The rest of the Demon package is equally insane from a special transmission, suspension, and brakes to the widebody stance and exterior details. The acceleration from 0 to 60 is less than three seconds. Under full power, the Demon will accelerate with 1.8 G force, which is faster than being dropped off a cliff. The car can cover a quarter-mile sprint in less than 10 seconds straight from the dealer.

17. Dodge Viper ACR

They discontinued the last-generation Viper in 2017 due to slow sales. But a car like the Viper wouldn’t go without a fight. The last special edition they presented was the 2016 Viper ACR. It was the best and one of the fastest track-ready cars in the world. As you already know, those ACR Vipers were always a car purist’s dream.

As specially-prepared road/track cars with immense possibilities, they have sublime handling and performance. The secret of the ACR Viper was a slightly more powerful engine with 645 HP and a significant weight loss. They topped all that off with a perfectly balanced chassis, race tires and powerful Brembo brakes. Unfortunately, at $120,000, it wasn’t a bargain by any means, but it was worth every cent.

16. Shelby Cobra 427

With a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 4.3 seconds, Shelby Cobra 427 was the fastest production car in America in the sixties. Putting the biggest Ford V8 engine in the lightest roadster body was as equally extreme then as it is today. But there’s one thing you must know.

The Shelby Cobra 427 has a 7.0-liter V8 with around 400 HP. They put it in a tiny roadster body that only weighs about 2,000 pounds. So, with around 400 HP sent to rear wheels in a body that is so light, the Cobra 427 spelled trouble from the moment they introduced it.

15. Lamborghini Countach

The Countach is possibly the best-known supercar of its day. In the ’70s and ’80s, it was the most popular poster car on every kid’s wall. Introduced in 1974 as a concept, it soon became a reality. It was notoriously hard to drive and cramped inside, but nevertheless, one of the most popular wedge-shaped cars ever.

All Countach models had a mid-mounted V12 and with the displacement ranging from 4.0 to 5.2-liters. Since the Countach was introduced in the ’70s in the midst of the oil crisis, having a big, thirsty V12 under the hood was a brave thing to do.

14. Lincoln Continental

When Lincoln showed their new model in 1961, the automotive public was stunned. The beautiful elegance of the styling, the conservative use of chrome, straight lines, and futuristic design transformed the four-door luxury model into a work of modern art. Suddenly, the sales numbers doubled. The new Continental even became the official car of the White House because of its stately appearance and restrained elegance.

The best exterior feature was the suicide doors with the rear doors opening towards the traffic. Of course, this wasn’t the best solution, but it only added to the charm of the Continental. Interestingly, Lincoln offered a cool-looking four-door convertible model, which proved to be quite popular and very unique on the market.

13. Shelby GT350R

The Shelby GT350R is a pure sports car that delivers fantastic driving dynamics resulting in an exciting experience for the driver. It’s much closer to Porsche GT3 in terms of precision driving and cornering speeds than it is to humble Mustangs of yesteryears. This car is not only one of the fastest Mustangs ever, but it is also one of the best sports cars in recent years.

The main feature of this high-revving powerplant is the flat-plane crank technology, which allows the big V8 to scream to almost 9,000 rpm. It is the same technology that exotic manufacturers like Ferrari use, but this was the first time a muscle car had such an advanced engine. Ford’s investment into the Shelby GT350R really paid off since its performance is mind-boggling with a 3.9-second 0 to 60 mph time.

12. Alfa Romeo GTA-R

Classic Alfa Romeos are one of the most beautiful yet obtainable classics from the ’60s. The romantic lines of the Tipo 105 Coupe are as amazingly elegant and dynamic as they were 50 years ago. It’s not hard to understand why classic car fans went crazy over those beautiful coupes. From the outside, it looks like an Alfa Romeo GTA, a classic racing version, but the second look reveals all the improvements and an extreme level of detail.

Under the hood is a blueprinted 2.3-liter four-cylinder twin-cam Alfa engine with individual throttle bodies and fuel injection. The engine delivers 240 HP and sends it to the rear wheels over a special lightweight five-speed manual transmission. The suspension is custom-made with disc brakes all around. The whole car weighs just 1,500 pounds and can lap the famous Nurburgring track in less than eight minutes. Best of all, this Alfa won’t leave you stranded by the side of the road and won’t rust.

11. Audi RS6 Avant

When you see the RS badge on an Audi, you know an exceptional car is in front of you. For decades, since the legendary RS2 from the early ’90s, Audi has been producing crazy-fast wagons in the A4 and A6 range. They equip them with the most powerful engines the company has, along with the renewed Quattro all-wheel drive for enhanced traction and performance. Unfortunately, the RS wagon range is not available in the USA, but it still deserves a place on this list for the sheer beauty, power, and craziness of the package.

The latest RS6 model is an elegant station wagon powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 605 HP. The Quattro intelligent all-wheel-drive system is responsible for putting the power to the ground, and the final result is astonishing. The 0 to 60 mph time of 3.9 seconds in a station wagon that can carry five people and their entire luggage is genuinely magnificent.

10. Cadillac DeVille

The last drops of fuel on Earth should be for powering a classic 1959 Cadillac. This car represents great things about the brand as well as classic American cars that were a landmark moment in design and technology. First, the design of the 1959 model year saw Cadillac’s most noticeable feature: chrome fins that went to ridiculous heights. They were 98 inches high, to be precise. The second great feature was the technology as Cadillac updated the mechanical layout with an improved suspension and components, as well as a 6.4-liter V8 engine pumping up to 320 HP.

Cadillac sold a staggering 142,000 1959 DeVilles, which is respectable, even by today’s standards. They offered several models, including the Eldorado and the Fleetwood limousine. They even built a bare chassis with engines for commercial users like ambulances and hearses. Thanks to its timeless design, fantastic power, and quality, 1959 is one of the best years in Cadillac history, while the DeVille is one of the landmark American cars of all time.

9. BMW M2

The 2015 M2 is one of the best cars on the planet combining BMW’s driving dynamics, proven German quality, and M Power heritage. It is also the modern-day equivalent of the legendary 2002 Turbo, as well as a classic German muscle car. To create the M2, BMW took the compact platform of the 2 Series model, infamous for its precision driving and sharp handling, and added a performance-tuned suspension, wider track, bigger brakes, and a 365 HP 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six engine.

As you would expect, the result was fantastic, making the M2 is the true Autobahn missile of the highest order with a 4.1-second 0 to 60 mph time and a top speed of 168 mph. Also, as a nod to classic performance cars, the new M2 is available as a six-speed manual. That is the version you should get if you consider yourself a true car enthusiast. For the 2018 model year, BMW slightly upgraded the M2 both mechanically and cosmetically with a new grille, sharper handling, and a slight bump in power output.

8. Ford F-150 Lightning

In 1999 with the new, redesigned generation of F-150 trucks came the new Lightning. This time it was much meaner looking, aggressive, and packed more firepower. Ford installed its 5.4-liter V8 with a supercharger good for 360 HP at first and 380 HP later. This was much more than the previous model as well as much more than any truck on the market at that moment.

The performance numbers were sublime since the Lightning could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds and top 140 mph. Those figures were more suitable for a Porsche 911 than a regular pickup truck that could tow and carry cargo just like other F-150s.

7. Lexus LFA

Lexus needed something to draw the attention of hardcore car enthusiasts and thought a supercar would be just the thing the company needed. That’s how the LFA was born. The heart of the super-capable sports car is a 4.3-liter V10 engine that produced 560 HP.

The power went to the rear axle over a special six-speed robotized automatic transmission, which shifted fast and accurately. The rest of the car was equally advanced with innovative materials, bespoke components, and perfect craftsmanship throughout.

6. Ford Mustang Boss 302

Ever since the first retro Mustangs appeared in showrooms across America, Ford fans have asked for the return of the Boss 302. For those who don`t know, the Boss 302 first debuted in 1969 as a racing car homologation special they intended for the Trans-Am races. Fast-forward 43 years, and Ford revived the Boss 302 with new 5.0-liter Coyote V8 that delivered 444 HP and 380 lb-ft of torque.

Again, this was almost a pure racing car with no back seats and a factory-installed roll cage, as well as a host of other external and internal modifications. As you’d expect, the performance was better than a regular Mustang GT. In fact, the 2012 Boss 302 could accelerate to 60 mph in 3.97 seconds and top 155 mph.

5. McLaren F1

There is so much written about the F1, like the way they designed and produced it and the way it changed the supercar world forever. Basically, they presented the F1 in 1992, and it stayed in production until 1998.

During that period, McLaren produced 106 cars, including the GT-R versions, which were highly successful racing models. The F1 featured a bespoke 6.1-liter V12 engine made by BMW Motorsport, which delivered 627 HP and used a six-speed manual transmission.

4. Porsche 959

The Porsche 959 is one of the fastest and also most advanced and technologically complex supercars of the ’80s. The 959 was a super Porsche in every way, not only by design but also by performance and price. It was the perfect blend of experience from racing with the latest technology along with turbocharging, all in one car: the 959. Introduced in 1987, the 959 had a 3.0-liter turbocharged flat-six engine with 450 HP.

All that power went to the wheels over an intelligent AWD system, the first of its kind for Porsche. The car was also equipped with traction control, ABS and a host of electronic systems that helped the driver. Even though all this is standard in most new cars today, it was space-age technology in the late ’80s. The performance of this technological tour de force was also astonishing since a 0 to 60 mph sprint was possible in just 3.7 seconds.

3. Jaguar E-Type

Introduced in 1961, the Jaguar E-Type was a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite Jaguar’s long-lasting tradition of building fine sports cars, the E-Type was years ahead of its time. It came with a superb design, four-wheel disk brakes, an independent rear suspension, and powerful straight-six engines.

The best thing was the price since the E Type had the looks, power, and performance of high-priced Italian exotics yet it cost just a fraction of the price. It stayed in production for 15 years until 1976 and selling in over 74,000 copies, most here in the USA.

2. Mazda Miata

One of the most successful stories in the car industry must be the tale about the Mazda Miata roadster and how this little car changed the world. It became the bestselling open-top model in history, passing the one million mark in 2013. Nobody expected the Miata would become so successful and influential when they presented it in the late ’80s. Soon after the introduction, the industry realized that roadsters are coming back and Miata is completely dominating the market.

The Miata’s secret was simplicity, lightweight and balance. Mazda didn’t try to invent something new. Rather, they just copied the basic concept of a classic British roadster. Then they added modern materials and design elements, making the car dependable and agile. While 116 HP from a twin-cam 1.6-liter engine may not sound impressive, in a 2,200-pound car, it’s more than enough.

1. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Just when you thought Chevrolet abandoned the idea of adding more power to the C7 Corvette, an already powerful car, the Corvette guys surprised the car world with the insane 2019 Corvette ZR1.

Chevrolet just released this version of the C7 Corvette. It features an improved Z06 chassis, suspension, and drivetrain and has an absolute beast of an engine. The 6.2-liter heavily supercharged LT4 engine pumps out 755 HP and 527 lb-ft of torque, sending the power to rear wheels through an automatic or manual gearbox.

These are the 24 cars to own before the oil runs out. Which one is your favorite? It may be hard to decide with all these gems to choose from.