Sure, American automakers make car slappers with lots of horsepower that sound great and put a smile on your face. A supercharged V8 warms most people’s blood. But most of these steroid-induced supercharged craftsmen can be a bit overpriced and sometimes not even be the most reliable cars on the market.
At the cheaper end of the spectrum, you’ll find the classic cars, the original, reliable American cars that were a bit beefy. On this side, there are great bargains, including underrated, underrated, and underrated cars that are cooler than anything else in their price range. This article will take a look at ten underrated American cars that are now cheap but will soon cost a fortune as more and more people continue to realize how cool they are.
ten Chevy Cobalt SS ($15,000)
The underrated 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS is a sporty compact contender that died too soon, but is a great buy today. The Cobalt SS gives the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen GTI a hard time with its American engineering ingenuity, with polished factory performance and good technology in the chassis and engine.
It might not be the preferred option for looks, but it makes up for it with some great specs and technology for a good sport compact.
9 Cadillac CTS-V wagon ($10,000)
Cadillac’s CTS-V Wagon is a rare and distinguished car. At first glance, only serious gearheads will tell you that this was America’s fastest wagon built around a 556-horsepower engine. This vehicle is similar in dimensions to the CTS-V luxury sedan. Still, it has increased cargo space with its wagon design, making it a viable option for those looking for practicality.
The 6.2-liter LSA V8 under the hood provides unprecedented power for a wagon. And, although very rare, there is the manual transmission option for a more fun and engaging driving experience.
8 Chrysler 300 SRT8 ($15,000)
Five words to describe the Chrysler 300 SRT8 are Sleek, Sexy, Badass, Fast and Gangster. This thing packs 470 horsepower and 470 pounds of torque from the factory, but can handle more power with a little tuning.
It runs on the same 6.4-liter Hemi live on the Charger and Challenger for serious performance. It also features cylinder deactivation for better gas mileage for those looking for a good everyday driving sedan.
seven Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 Convertible ($15,000)
Take a closer look at the Crossfire SRT6; you’ll recognize the Mercedes-Benz design language written all over it. This collaboration was Chrysler’s attempt to create their little bundle of joy resulting in a serious head-turner.
This vehicle is refreshingly different and won’t blend in with the crowd with its cool design features. The engine, suspension and gearboxes are all proven and tested to Mercedes standards, which means unrivaled reliability. Thanks to the extra supercharger, it’s very fast and can deliver some serious performance, which means it’s one of the best bargains for a performance coupe.
6 Pontiac G8 ($10,000)
Mention the Pontiac G8 GT and talk about the big-block 6.0-liter V8 under the hood. Its current price is an impeccable bargain that any engine-minded investment should not overlook. This unique vehicle features a masculine body style and a beautiful interior.
This hot rod is roomy and rides smooth with a muscular exhaust note. Owners who have sold theirs live in regret as these cars will see their price increase over time.
5 Pontiac Solstice ($10,000)
The Pontiac Solstice is a very underrated sports car despite what it offers in terms of exciting qualities and performance. It has a unique style away from what you normally see on the road but still looks good. Plus, its handling is everything you’d expect from a lightweight sports car.
Pontiac introduced a GXP version in 2007 that was sportier, with powertrain changes that gave the model more life. A manual transmission option is available for a remarkable driving experience. Without a massive investment, this car will offer great value and prices will skyrocket.
4 Saturn Sky Redline Trim ($10,500)
This roadster was one of the final products before Saturn’s bankruptcy. This fast little machine was a serious contender for the Mazda Miata. It may have lost some love from critics due to its unimpressive build quality and simply because it was a Saturn.
In DNA, it borrowed the Pontiac Solstice platform but featured a few facelifts to set it apart. These cars are a bargain, but not for long, and can take a few tweaks without too much hassle.
3 Ford Taurus SHO ($9,000)
This brainchild of a collaboration between Yamaha and the boys in blue ran from 1988 to 1999 but picked up again in 2009 and lasted for a few more years. A lot of people on the street and at car meets will see this car, think it’s cool, and then won’t bother trying to buy it.
Still, the Taurus SHO is one of the ultimate American tuner cars. The Taurus on its own is a very good and reliable car, but slap it with the addition of Super High Output, and you’ve got a special car that’s incredibly fun to drive.
2 1996 Chevy Impala SS
Back in the mid-’90s, most people thought the B-Body Chevy Caprice was an archaic blob, although its SS badge gave it some slack. This full-size sedan houses a powerful 5.7-liter Corvette engine on a lowered ride height, making it one of the best low-cost multi-purpose cars. If you want, you can add a T56 manual to the mix, along with various inexpensive upgrades available for this car.
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Apart from the division of police and taxi services, its modest appearance makes this car underrated. But imagine all the cool points you could score by getting a decommissioned police unit and turning it into a street sleeper.
1 Plymouth Prowler
The Plymouth Prowler was a flop, largely because it was a huge exception to the norm. But that’s exactly why today’s enthusiasts appreciate the car more. It defies the norm of the mundane that the 90s were so used to and brings a breath of fresh air.
Key features include a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, and rear-drive configuration. Many are now enamored with its retro styling, but the real thrill comes when you hit the hammer, as the 214bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine propels the lightweight car into rapid acceleration.
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