American King for under $40,000

Your broke and you barely make ends meet, but one day luck is on your side. You check your lotto ticket and guess what you just won $40,000. So you always had dreams of owning a fast car, and you decide f*ck it I’m getting me a fast car. You decide that it must be from an American manufacturer, can not be older than 1998, and it must be fast. So you think of some cars to buy and your list comes down to 10 cars that cost under $40,000. Here is your list-

2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra ($34,800)
2001 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra ($19,600)
2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1 ($29,300)
2005 Ford Mustang GT ($30,000)
2003 Saleen S281-SC ($39,000)
2001 Chevrolet Corvette ZO6 ($34,100)
2004 Pontiac GTO ($31,800)
2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM WS6 ($23,400)
2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS ($21,600)
2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4 ($20,500)

(Prices are blue book and can be more or less)

Now you decide to break these cars down to find out what which car can provide you with most of what you want (Remember you only have $40,000 to spend on car and what is left would go to mods)-

Stock Power
Tuning Potential
Price
Styling
All Around Performance
Livability

So which is the best choice, which of these cars would fulfill most of these needs, which of these cars is the best all around buy? When measuring a car, especially when compared with others, all of this and perhaps other factors should be taken into account.

Honestly... I don't think this is anywhere near a debate... aside from Livability, which I believe is cancelled out by your "F*ck it, I'm getting a fast car"... Corvette Z06 hands down... the 405HP one. There is no argument, second choice have to be 03+ Cobra.

there isn''t a doubt in my mind but the Z06! 2nd choice cobra, anything else would be uncivilized

The Z06, there is no better bang for the buck in the $40,000 range.

Shortened it, perhaps alittle to long of a post

I'll take a Z06, I suppose.

i don't think it's fair to compare 20k cars with 40k used cars... but that's just me...

you should probably get a better range, say 30-40k cars...

i don't think it's fair to compare 20k cars with 40k used cars... but that's just me...

you should probably get a better range, say 30-40k cars...

Yeah I know stock for stock, there is no way that a SRT-4 would compare to a ZO6, but it's not just performance, the benifits of the SRT-4 is it's price, because tuning potential is also one of the categories, and with the price, you would have $18,000 left over to spend on modifications.

One of the good things about this comparision is that all the cars have their strengths in certain areas and have weakness in others, the car that you feel offers the best combinitation of all the areas is the car you select.

Remeber guys, you can't get the "405hp one" in a 2001....referring to the Z06 of course. However, there is little doubt that this is going to come down to the 04 Cobra/Z06 ninty percent of the time.

Between those two cars the Z06 offers more overall for the money. However, it seems odd to me that the 03 Cobra was left off considering that you can get one of those for 29 large easy (with rebates) as a holdover.

I realize this is a "blue-book" listing comparison, but holdovers are a reality and five thousand dollars difference in money plus a warranty (both in the Cobra's favor) certainly changes things IMHO.

Remeber guys, you can't get the "405hp one" in a 2001....referring to the Z06 of course. However, there is little doubt that this is going to come down to the 04 Cobra/Z06 ninty percent of the time.

I agree, but the 02-03 are within the 40K price limit......so it's kinda a moot point anyway.

This is a really dumb comparision it was set-up to to give only 1 answer and not be a real comparision.

This is a really dumb comparision it was set-up to to give only 1 answer and not be a real comparision.

Dumb comparison, it was set up to give only 1 answer? Ok yeah, who do you think is the best, which car do you think gives you the best all around options, as far styling, performance, and etc. what's so dumb about that? I don't see what your saying, there should be two or three answers? This not that kind of comparision, it's looking for 1 winner so deal with it!

This is a really dumb comparision it was set-up to to give only 1 answer and not be a real comparision.
Perhaps that is the American manufacturers' faults. Perhaps they should develop another car that can stand up to the Z06. If you're spending $40k, which car do you get? Seems like most people here agree it's a no-brainer.

When you make a question that is: Amount of car+ Mods= $40,000, which is going to be better? Why put in a 3 year old(2001) Z06 vs. a 04 Cobra?

Why not a 02 Z06 $40,000 vs. an 03 Cobra $30,000+10k in mods?

That poses a more interesting question. But again not as fair as it could be.

$40,000 02 Z06 or 04 Cobra $35,000+ 5K in mods is a fairer question when doing a Car+Mod=Xamount question.

When you make a question that is: Amount of car+ Mods= $40,000, which is going to be better? Why put in a 3 year old(2001) Z06 vs. a 04 Cobra?

Why not a 02 Z06 $40,000 vs. an 03 Cobra $30,000+10k in mods?

That poses a more interesting question. But again not as fair as it could be.

$40,000 02 Z06 or 04 Cobra $35,000+ 5K in mods is a fairer question when doing a Car+Mod=Xamount question.

Fair enough, 30K for an 01 Z06 + 10K in mods vs. 30K for an 03 Cobra + 10K in mods. You have a Z06 of around 470rwhp vs. a Cobra of around 550-600rwhp. I think most people would still take the Z06...

When you make a question that is: Amount of car+ Mods= $40,000, which is going to be better? Why put in a 3 year old(2001) Z06 vs. a 04 Cobra?

Why not a 02 Z06 $40,000 vs. an 03 Cobra $30,000+10k in mods?

That poses a more interesting question. But again not as fair as it could be.

$40,000 02 Z06 or 04 Cobra $35,000+ 5K in mods is a fairer question when doing a Car+Mod=Xamount question.

That's a valid point. If I were to do that and increase the Cobra chances by using a less expensive 03 model, then there could be an argument for using a less expensive 00 Camaro or Firebird, or a 2003 $19,999 Dodge Neon SRT-4, or a 99 Corvette, or a 100 different possibilities. It would spiral out of control. I just wanted to get the newest version of each car that would fit under the 40K mark. I guess I figured if you had the money, most people would go for the brand new model, other than a used model (even if it is the same) if they could afford both.

I think the Z06 should be a pretty easy descision considering the ball park it is playing against in this comparo. Of the list its the purist sports car (by far) than all of the other choices. Not to sound rude in inacknowledgment of the other cars, but IMO they don't really compare to the Z06. I'm well aware of the cheap potential (i.e. mods) of the 03' Cobra given its FI engine, but that alone doesn't put enough icing on the cake if you know what I mean.

Well, a TRUE sports car is only 2 seats, os that pretty much eliminates everyone.

id still take the cobra over the z06. it actualy makes @ 425 hp. with 5k it will easyly make over 500 hp. but thats me. plus you get to take 2 more friends for a ride when you beat a z06. and the enigne is built for racing. forged pistons ect. the block can take over 600 hp. and still be a daily driver. it all depends on your taste.

Well, a TRUE sports car is only 2 seats, os that pretty much eliminates everyone.

This comparison is not looking for which one is considered a TRUE sports car, it's looking for which has the greatest combination of the already mentioned factors.

Perhaps that is the American manufacturers' faults. Perhaps they should develop another car that can stand up to the Z06. If you're spending $40k, which car do you get? Seems like most people here agree it's a no-brainer.


I Agree. That they should make more cars under $40,000 with great performance, other than the ZO6, and some Mustangs (Cobra ,Mach 1.) there aren't any. (I'd include the Camaro and Firebird but GM killed them and is focusing more on FWD platforms)

Actually you could get a Commerative Edition Corvette for about 40,000