When it comes to cars, speed is one thing—but if it can’t hold up over the long haul, what’s the point? The sweet spot is that perfect mix of power and durability. These cars prove you don’t have to sacrifice reliability to get your pulse racing. From old-school muscle to underrated sleepers, here are 10 rides that deliver both serious performance and long-term dependability.

All specs and mileage were sourced from our friends at cars.com, hotcars.com, and carsurvey.com.

2013 Dodge Challenger R/T

Slide behind the wheel of a 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T and you’re packing a 345 ci V8 with 372 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. This thing doesn’t just haul—it lasts. JD Power gave it an 82 out of 100 for reliability, and some owners are cruising past 245,000 miles. That’s serious staying power wrapped in muscle car attitude.

2006 Ford Mustang GT

The 2006 Mustang GT isn’t the most powerful pony on the block, but its 4.6-liter V8 with 300 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque still packs a punch. What really stands out is how it holds up over time—many have clocked nearly 275,000 miles. It’s a rock-solid blend of performance and reliability with a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds.

2015 Dodge Charger R/T

The 2015 Charger R/T walks a fine line between muscle car and daily driver. That 370-horsepower HEMI V8 is no slouch, and a 5.2-second 0-60 time proves it. But it’s also built to last—some owners have rolled past 278,000 miles, and JD Power gave it a solid 82 reliability rating. Power and practicality in one aggressive package.

1979 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe 250 cid

It may not be the fastest car on the list, but the 1979 Camaro Coupe is a tank in terms of durability. The 250 ci inline-six only pushes out 115 horsepower, but some have made it over 350,000 miles. With a 13.6-second 0-60 time, it’s more about staying power than speed—but that’s still impressive longevity.

1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 5.0 H.O.

The ’84 Z28 might not turn heads like modern muscle, but it earns respect through miles. With a 305 ci V8 making 190 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, it was solid in its day. What’s really crazy is that one owner pushed it to 375,000 miles. That’s proof that muscle and reliability don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

1996 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5.7-Liter

The 1996 Firebird Trans Am had all the muscle-car style you’d want, and the 350 ci V8 under the hood backed it up with 280 horsepower. It ran 0-60 in 5.9 seconds and didn’t flinch under pressure. With some hitting over 246,000 miles, it’s a rare mix of performance and endurance from the golden era of GM muscle.

1994 Chevrolet Impala SS

Don’t sleep on the 1994 Impala SS. This full-size bruiser came with a 350 ci V8 putting down 260 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. It hit 60 mph in 7.4 seconds—not bad for a big sedan. Owners swear by its reliability, with many examples still running strong after 215,000 miles or more. It’s a low-key legend.

2001 Chevrolet Corvette

The 2001 Corvette doesn’t need an introduction. Its 5.7-liter LS1 V8 made 350 horsepower and nailed 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. But here’s what makes it special—it holds up. Plenty of owners report crossing 220,000 miles without major issues. That’s sports car speed with sedan-like reliability, and that combo never goes out of style.

1972 Plymouth Duster 318-V8

The 1972 Duster isn’t flashy, but it gets the job done. Its 318 ci V8 made 150 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque—good enough for an 8.4-second 0-60 time. What it lacked in speed, it made up for in durability. Owners have logged over 200,000 miles, calling it one of the most dependable muscle cars of its era.

1973 Mercury Cougar XR-7 351

The ’73 Cougar XR-7 brings muscle with a side of refinement. That 351 ci V8 made 168 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque—not the quickest out there, but solid. A 10.2-second 0-60 time won’t break any records, but these cars last. One driver racked up over 210,000 miles with minimal maintenance, making it a sleeper hit for long-haul driving.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been car-fully, I mean carefully, reviewed by our editors.