Skip to main content

The C8 Chevrolet Corvette is a fast, balanced package and a quantum leap for the model. However, the used car market features plenty of solid alternatives to the latest generations of Corvette. Better yet, savvy car hunters can find some used Corvette alternatives for around $55,000 or less, like the Jaguar F-Type R or S197 Shelby GT500. Of course, none of these cars will outsprint the C8 plastic fantastic, but they can make you smile just as wide as they outrun previous Corvette generations, like the C7. 

  • Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
  • Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (S197 Generation)
  • Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
  • Jaguar F-Type R

Is the Camaro ZL1 faster than a Corvette?

The Chevy Camaro ZL1 is fast, powerful, and track-ready. Moreover, the ZL1 is even faster than a C7 Corvette Z51. Specifically, the 2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1 packs a 650-horsepower supercharged 6.2L V8 capable of pushing the super Camaro to 60 mph with explosive thrust. In MotorTrend’s testing, the ZL1 hit 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds on its way to an 11.5-second quarter mile. 

The Chevy Camaro ZL1 is, like the S197 Shelby GT500, a solid used Corvette alternative.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | General Motors

Better yet, potential owners looking for their Corvette alternative can snag a 2017 ZL1 for around $48,000, depending on location and mileage. 

Is the S197 Shelby GT500 an alternative to a C8 Corvette?

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is synonymous with sharp, savage power and speed. The last of the S197 Shelby GT500 iterations are no different. The 2013 and 2014 GT500s produce 662 horsepower from their supercharged 5.8L V8s. Furthermore, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of over 200 mph, the S197 GT500 is even faster than a C7 Corvette. 

The S197 Shelby GT500 is a fast, powerful used Corvette alternative.
Shelby GT500 | Alan Look, Icon SMI, Corbis, Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Even with its staggering performance and Shelby nameplate, the late model S197 GT500 is a bargain. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with around 40,000 miles has a fair purchase price of about $45,135, depending on location. Of course, the Shelbys are collectible, and you might have difficulty finding one for that price. 

How much is a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat?

Despite the relentless work of Hellcat haters, Dodge’s flagship supercharged super coupe earns its attention. The 707-horsepower 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat isn’t just a performance bargain; it’s an unorthodox Corvette alternative. In MotorTrend’s testing, the 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat hit 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds with its 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2L V8. Moreover, the tire-shredding Mopar has a fair purchase value of around $49,006 for the 2018 model year. 

Is the 2016 Jaguar F-Type R an excellent used alternative to a Corvette?

A Jaguar F-Type R is a great used alternative to the Chevy Corvette.
Jaguar F-Type R | Jaguar

You might not expect a posh British sports car to provide a viable alternative to the Kentucky supercar. However, the 2016 Jaguar F-Type R packs a 550-horsepower supercharged 5.0L V8 engine and available all-wheel drive (AWD). As a result, the F-Type R can hit 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, with a quarter mile covered in just 11.6 seconds. Moreover, if you’re brave enough to seek out a used F-Type R, KBB says you can find one for around $54,403. 

Keep up with MotorBiscuit for the latest automotive content!

Related

The Upcoming Hybrid Corvette Is the First AWD Corvette

Best in Sedans & Coupes
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).