Before you step behind the wheel of a high-powered muscle car with an extreme degree of difficulty, a bit of a tamer ride makes more sense. The best muscle cars for first-time buyers are models that reside in the lower trim levels of the four American muscle cars still in existence. Although not as fast, hardcore, or as much fun to drive as the top-end models, these dialed-back cars can still be a lot of fun to drive.
Why should first-time buyers consider a lower trim before stepping up to the big dogs in the muscle car world? When a car has a lot of power, incredible speed, and more performance features, it takes a skilled driver to harness it without spinning out of control. Try one of these ten muscle cars before spending close to six figures on a car that doesn’t match your skill level.
We’ve gathered information from Kelley Blue Book, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to bring you the ten best muscle cars for first-time buyers.
Related: 10 Best Muscle Cars For Drag Racing
10 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 1LS Coupe: An Affordable Entry Point Into Muscle Cars
Base MSRP: $25,800
This base-level Camaro is the most affordable muscle car in the entire market. It’s the only car of its kind without 300 horsepower, but that shouldn’t turn you away from it. This powerful machine is fast, decisive, and fun on any road or track.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 6.0 seconds |
Top Speed | 148 mph |
Engine | 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
Transmission | 6-speed manual/8-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 275 hp |
Torque | 295 lb-ft |
The 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 1LS Coupe includes performance items to provide experience with some of these features. You’ll get to know what it means to have a limited-slip rear differential, a manual transmission, a sport suspension, and a drive mode selector. The base Camaro also comes as a convertible, but it costs a little more.
9 2023 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback: Fun And Power In The Base Mustang
Base MSRP: $27,770
Ford brings serious fun to your time behind the wheel of this base Mustang. The standard line-lock feature enables drivers to perform epic burnouts where they can show off while smoking tires before rocketing down the line.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 5.1 seconds |
Top Speed | 145 mph |
Engine | 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
Transmission | 6-speed manual/10-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 310 hp |
Torque | 350 lb-ft |
If you want a little more power, the Performance version of the EcoBoost Mustang increases power to 330 horsepower. Regardless, the 2023 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback is an affordable, performance-oriented muscle car with 2-piston front brake calipers, a limited-slip differential, and the line-lock feature. This combination makes the Mustang a great muscle car for first-time buyers.
Related: 10 Things Chevy Camaro Owners Keep Quiet About
8 2023 Dodge Challenger SXT: Traditional Muscle Car Looks With Power For Beginners
Base MSRP: $30,545
You might want to drive a Hellcat-powered Challenger, but the base SXT is a much more appropriate choice while still a muscle car novice. This affordable muscle car includes the iconic styling that makes the Dodge Challenger one of the most highly recognizable cars in its class.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 5.3 seconds |
Top Speed | 143 mph |
Engine | 3.6-liter V-6 |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 303 hp |
Torque | 268 lb-ft |
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SXT is a great entry into the muscle car world, but if you’re looking for better traction, the GT trim is what you want to drive. The Challenger GT includes AWD while utilizing the same powertrain as the SXT.
7 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT Coupe: Plenty Of Great Options For Speed
Base MSRP: $32,300
The Camaro 1LT comes with either the turbo-four of the 1LS or a more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The naturally aspirated V-6 brings more power, a faster sprint time, and a slightly higher top speed than the smaller turbocharged version.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 5.4 seconds |
Top Speed | 149 mph |
Engine | 3.6-liter V-6 |
Transmission | 6-speed manual/10-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 335 hp |
Torque | 284 lb-ft |
Choosing the V-6 engine for the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT ensures you’ve got a muscle car with upgraded items such as silver-painted 18-inch wheels, a power passenger seat, and a SiriusXM subscription. This Camaro can easily be one of the best options for first-time buyers, offering excellent features and power.
Related: 10 Cars That Should Never Go Electric
6 2023 Dodge Charger GT: A Great Muscle Car For Daily Driving
Base MSRP: $35,345
Three of four modern-day muscle cars come with only two doors, but the Charger is a four-door sedan. This Dodge sedan brings plenty of power, a classic muscle car design, and room for a family of five. The GT is a step above the base SXT model, offering more power and optional AWD.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 6.4 seconds |
Top Speed | 141 mph |
Engine | 3.6-liter V6 |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 300 hp |
Torque | 264 lb-ft |
Add AWD to your 2023 Dodge Charger GT and experience the fun of driving this muscle car in foul weather or on a snow-covered road on the way to your favorite ski slopes. The Charger is a fantastic mix of muscle car and sedan, making it a great choice for first-time buyers.
5 2023 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 Coupe: The Starting Point For Camaro V-8 Power
Base MSRP: $35,800
The starting point for the V-8-powered Camaro is the LT1 trim. Not to be confused with the 1LT, this Camaro brings the heat with impressive power and performance. The LT1’s trim name comes from the engine under the hood of this impressive muscle car and is one of the best bang for the buck muscle cars available today.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 4.0 seconds |
Top Speed | 180 mph |
Engine | 6.2-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 6-speed manual/10-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 455 hp |
Torque | 455 lb-ft |
Before you take on a more hardcore V-8 muscle car, the LT1 gives you the power and performance features to be fun on a track and comfortable during your commute. The 2023 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 Coupe includes a set of Brembo brakes and a limited-slip differential for some fast runs around a track or on a straight and open road.
Related: Why The Original Dodge Charger Will Always Be Better Than The New Charger
4 2023 Ford Mustang GT Fastback: Coyote Power Providing Peek Performance
Base MSRP: $38,345
The Ford Mustang GT is such a ubiquitous American muscle car that songs have been sung about it and is a traditional symbol of Americana. The Coyote V-8 engine delivers impressive power, pushing this muscle car to 60 mph in a hurry.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 5.8 seconds |
Top Speed | 168 mph |
Engine | 5.0-liter V-8 |
Transmission | 6-speed manual/10-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 450 hp |
Torque | 410 lb-ft |
When you want a muscle car that sounds great, looks amazing, and performs on the track, it’s hard to argue against the 2023 Ford Mustang GT Fastback. This tire-shredding muscle car includes 4-piston front brake calipers, launch control, and selectable power-assisted steering. Toss in the GT Performance Package for impressive performance upgrades.
3 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T: Controllable Hemi Power
Base MSRP: $39,385
When you want a V-8 engine in your muscle car but still lack the experience to feel confident in a high-powered car, the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T is a great choice. This V-8-powered muscle car lacks the same power numbers as the Ford Mustang GT or the Chevy Camaro LT1, but it still feels great on any road or track.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 5.0 seconds |
Top Speed | 150 mph |
Engine | 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 |
Transmission | 6-speed manual/8-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 372 hp |
Torque | 410 lb-ft |
The Challenger R/T sounds amazing, with its Hemi growl coming thunderously out of the exhaust. This car’s loud and proud nature makes it an excellent choice when you want the style, aggression, and true power of a Dodge muscle car but still need a dialed-back version.
Related: Demon Killer? What We Can Expect From Dodge's Recent Teaser Of The Final Last Call Model
2 2023 Dodge Charger R/T: More Power For Your Family
Base MSRP: $42,385
The Dodge Charger fits in both the muscle car and family sedan categories. This makes the Charger R/T an incredible option when you’re looking for a powerful muscle car to show off at the track but also to commute during the week.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 5.2 seconds |
Top Speed | 149 mph |
Engine | 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 370 hp |
Torque | 395 lb-ft |
The 2023 Dodge Charger R/T isn’t the most powerful car on this list, but it has enough horsepower to roast the rear tires right before you let it loose on a quarter-mile sprint. Whether you turn to this car for its comfort or strength, the Charger R/T is one of the best muscle cars for first-time buyers.
1 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack: The Most Powerful Muscle Car For Novices
Base MSRP: $45,845
When you want to straddle the line between beginner and experienced muscle car, the 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack is the car you want to drive. This incredible Challenger has the largest Hemi engine used by Dodge, delivering impressive figures from this big naturally aspirated power plant.
Performance
0-60 MPH | 4.2 seconds |
Top Speed | 175 mph |
Engine | 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 |
Transmission | 6-speed manual/8-speed automatic |
Horsepower | 485 hp |
Torque | 475 lb-ft |
When strength, speed, and a loud car are what you want, the Challenger R/T Scat Pack should be at the top of your list. The sprint time is quick, the top speed is respectable, and the massive engine will make onlookers admire what you’ve got under the hood. The only drawback to this Challenger is the price, but the Scat Pack is still a bargain compared to Hellcat models.
