There are dream cars and then there are cars that you can afford. In compiling the list of the fastest cars of 2017 I did some rankings and a funny result happened. I found five cars under $100,000 that in my mind are affordable toys you could drive everyday.
5. Chevrolet Camaro 2SS
Basically the best Camaro you can buy for 2017. I went to the website and it is so specialized that three clicks in you are prompted to chat with a representative. Event though this car came in last based on ranking, it is the most affordable and gives you the best bang for your buck. Coming in around $42,900 the Camaro 2SS boasts a 6.2 liter V8 that pumps out 455 horsepower and a top speed of 165 mph. This coupled with the retro styling and the availability for aftermarket parts make this one of the best buys of 2017.
4. Chevrolet Corvette 3LT/Z51
That’s a lot of letters for a Corvette but if you want the best Chevrolet is offering up that’s the one to get. Corvette is the big brother to number 5 so they share some of the same heritage in the mechanical department. The Corvette sports the same 6.2 liter that puts out the 455 horsepower. But being a lighter car the Corvette tops out at 195 mph, 30 mph faster than it’s younger sibling. But with horsepower comes a price, the Corvette comes in at $71,204. The funny thing is Chevrolet allowed me to make mine on the site unlike the top end Camaro.
3. Ford Mustang Shelby GT-350R
I can hear the bow tie lovers groaning now, “Why is this better than a Corvette? It’s not even a stock Mustang.” Well true, but it is the top end that you can order from the dealership like the Camaro 2SS and the Corvette 3LT/Z51. So your argument is invalid. But you have to give props to the folks at Shelby for putting their best foot forward. The Shelby is using the 6.2 liter platform and pushing 526 horsepower with a top speed of 186. So it’s not faster than a Corvette. It edged out the Corvette based on price. The Shelby comes in about $7000 cheaper at $64,270. If you want to spend the extra $7000 get the Corvette; but among the bottom three the Camaro is still the best buy even though you will be adding performance options later on. So out of the box with no modification by you the Mustang beats out the Corvette and Camaro.
2. Toyota Supra (FT-1)
This was a surprise to me. Toyota started to enter the super car market to compete with the Nissan GT-R and the Acura NSX. Reviving the Supra name plate to the prototype FT-1 and putting it into production. The surprise was the price. Coming in around $70,000 (est) the Supra is right at the same price point as the Corvette. But don’t think this is your average Toyota. Running a 2.6 liter twin turbo this little monster pumps out 450 horsepower (est). Top speed is an estimated 270 mph. Everything about this car is estimated since Toyota being tight lipped about it. But everything I am reading is that this car is being built and priced to be a Corvette killer capable of taking out it’s higher priced relatives in the Japanese market also. Sort of the same tactic they used when Toyota created the Lexus brand for luxury cars.
1.Challenger Hellcat (SCAT)
I like the Challenger, really, but I think it’s sort of a boat compared to everything else on this list. Dodge has, in my mind, some of the most innovative designers (prowler, viper). Dodge, being number three, can take more chances too. With that they came up with the Hellcat package or SCAT if you are looking at the website. This is the top of the line Challenger you can buy from the dealer. She pumps out 707 horsepower and an estimated top speed of over 200 mph. Coming in at $62,495 she undercuts the Corvette and Mustang. I can say this, the Dodge boys had a target and they met it with force. Also if 2 doors aren’t your thing, you know kids and stuff, you can get the SCAT package on the 4 door Dodge Charger.