5 Cars: Muscle Cars for the Car Enthusiast

This week's 5 Cars suggests grabbing a muscle car.

What's that? According to Merriam-Webster, it's one of "a group of American-made two-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving."

We're talking a huge, honkin' V6 or V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, something you'd imagine Fonzie driving in a drag race.

Best of all, a muscle car can make its driver look like she or he shouldn't be messed with: These powerful, though fairly inexpensive, vehicles can make you look and feel tougher, stronger, sexier and richer than you probably are.

You know, three grand makes for a tidy down payment... And after dealing with the IRS, feeling tough while being thrifty may be exactly what the doctor ordered.

1. 2014 Ford Mustang - New - Best Deal: $24,069 - $27,535

From AOL Autos: The Mustang is available either as a coupe or convertible. Each is available with a 305-hp 3.7-liter V6 or a 420-hp 5.0-liter V8 engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; a six-speed automatic is optional. A 302 Boss coupe with a 444-hp 5.0-liter V8 and six-speed manual transmission is also available. Standard safety features include electronic stability control, traction control, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, side-impact airbags and sequential LED sequential tail lamps. The Mustang can be equipped with alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated power leather seats, satellite radio, navigation system and more.

Available at Elite Ford in Bellville.

2. 2013 Dodge Challenger RT - New - Best Deal: $28,610 - $32,278

From AOL Autos: The Challenger is available in three trims: base, R/T and SRT8. The base trim is powered by a new 305-hp 3.6-litre V6 with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The R/T's 5.7-liter HEMI V8 features 372 horsepower with the standard 5-speed automatic with sequential shift control, and 376 horsepower with the optional 6-speed manual. The SRT8's 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine is mated to a standard 5-speed automatic with sequential shift control or an optional 6-speed manual, and produces 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Touring suspension, traction control, stability control, 17-inch alloy wheels, KeylessGo entry system, air conditioning and power driver's seat are standard equipment on the base trim, and the R/T adds performance-tuned suspension and steering, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a body color spoiler. The SRT8 features sport suspension with two-mode active dampening, Brembo brakes, limited slip differential, 20-inch forged alloy wheels, high-intensity headlights, dual hood stripes, heated leather seats, rear parking sensors and a Boston Acoustic sound system. Optional equipment includes a multimedia infotainment system with 30-gigabyte hard drive and navigation system, sunroof, and performance tires.

Available at Decozen Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge in Verona

3. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS - Used - $28,989

From Cars.com: This muscle car features a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 16V MPFI OHV. It has automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive and comes in a gray coupe. The odometer reads 33,132 miles. Amenities include air conditioning, AM/FM/Satellite radio, 4-wheel ABS brakes and first- and second-row airbags.

Available at Lynnes Hyundai in Bloomfield.

4. 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport - Used - $61,595

From Cars.com: This muscle car features a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 16V MPFI OHV. It has automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive and is available as a white convertible. The odometer reads 2,300 miles. Amenities include air conditioning, alarm system, all-season tires and 4-wheel ABS brakes.

Available at Decozen Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge  in Verona.

5. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle - Used - $35,000

1970 Chevy Chevelle in viper red. According to the Craigslist poster everything on this car is new. Motor is a 350 40 over 11.1 ratio comp.and has less than 500 miles driven. Weld racing wheels. Converted to SS. Email or call (973) 482-5393