Over the century-plus history of the brand, Chevy has produced more than its fair share of exciting vehicles. Whether it’s eight generations of the famous Corvette, classic full-size cars like the Chevelle and Bel Air, or its fleet of trucks and SUVs, the Chevy name is synonymous with generating buzz among drivers and passengers every time they start the engine. However, there’s no rule saying that you must buy a brand-new car if you’re looking for excitement. On the contrary, it’s easy to find a used Chevy for sale that will get your blood pumping. With experts estimating most cars will depreciate by 40-50% in the first five years, the used car route will get you the most thrills per dollar, too. Here are my picks for the five most exciting used Chevy cars, trucks, and SUVs that will give you a bargain as they spark your driving passion.
#1 – Chevy Corvette C7 (2014-2019)
While the C8 Chevy Corvette introduced in 2020 is an undeniably amazing vehicle, the seventh generation is also impressive and a lot more affordable. As the vehicle that marked the return of the “Stingray” name—and the final Corvette with a front-engine layout—the C7 packs a thrill a minute. The Stingray and Grand Sport variants have a 6.2L LT1 V8 engine with 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, screaming from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.6 seconds. High-performance variants like the Z06 and Z51 crank it up with supercharged engines to send you careening down the highway or around a hairpin.
The C7 also sports a widened track, a rigid all-aluminum frame, a precisely tuned short/long arm suspension, and Magnetic Ride Control. If there’s pavement underneath you, the Corvette will hug it—especially if it has the Z51 Package electronic limited-slip rear differential. On-board tech is still relevant, too, with later years featuring Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bose speakers, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a head-up display. If you’re lucky, you can find a used C7 Corvette with the optional performance data recorder for track days. One drive, and you’ll understand why the C7 Corvette Stingray was named the 2014 North American Car of the Year.
#2 – Chevy Camaro SS (2016-2020)
Those who want modern Chevy excitement in a pony car should check out an early sixth-generation Camaro. The Camaro was overhauled in 2016 and immediately made a statement as an affordable driver’s car, winning the MotorTrend Car of the Year. While there are a plethora of Camaro options from this era, my pick goes to the Camaro SS. It has a 6.2L V8 engine, which blisters the asphalt with 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque—almost as much as the Corvette. You can get it with a six-speed manual transmission as well, making it attractive for traditional drivers like me (an eight-speed automatic is also available).
Make sure to look for a used Camaro SS with the Magnetic Ride Control performance suspension option to give the driving dynamics some added sportiness. Like the C7 Corvette, the sixth-gen Camaro also has excellent tech, including optional satellite navigation to find the next road and Bose audio for the perfect soundtrack. With the Camaro sadly back on hiatus, a used model is the only way to enjoy it, and the 2016-2020 Camaro SS offers the best combination of thrills and value. Do you have some extra cash up your sleeve? See if you can find a used Camaro ZL1 with its supercharged engine for 650 hp and 650 lb-ft.
#3 – Chevy Tahoe Premier RST Performance Edition (2018-2020)
What if you like excitement on and off the road? With the Chevy Tahoe boasting a history of adventure dating to 1994, many great editions of this full-size SUV can be found on the used car market. For my money, though, this fourth-generation Tahoe package is the sweet spot.
The main reason lies under the hood. The fourth-gen Tahoe was introduced in 2015, but the only engine available was a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8. In 2018, the larger 6.2L V8 boasting 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque finally became an option as part of the RST Performance Edition package on the LT and Premier trims. This package also added the aforementioned Magnetic Ride Control suspension for stability, 22-inch wheels to improve handling, Brembo brakes for superior stopping power, and a sport-tuned Borla exhaust system to emit a mighty roar.
All this comes on a rugged chassis made for barreling over hills and valleys. Its truck-based hardware and 4WD make the Tahoe an off-road beast. Since the Premier trim was the era’s headliner, this SUV also had the latest tech to fuel your outings, such as built-in GPS navigation, heated seats, and wireless smartphone charging. Beginning in 2021, the RST became a trim rather than a package, making the 2019-2020 window the only time to get this blend of excitement and sophistication in one vehicle.
#4 – Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 (2016-2018)
When it comes to getting down and dirty, I know many of you reading this swear by trucks. To experience that off-road vigor at a bargain price, go with this edition of the proven Silverado 1500 light-duty pickup. Part of the third-generation Silverado lineup, the 2016-2018 models benefitted from a mid-cycle refresh, revamping the front end and adding LED tail lights, HD Radio, and other goodies to the Silverado 1500 LTZ. This was the frosting on an already-delicious cake featuring a 6.2L V8 engine with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque to go full bore anywhere, a practically unbreakable steel frame, LED headlights to see on the darkest trails, and on-board tech that’s still useful today.
The LTZ isn’t the highest trim of the third-gen Silverado 1500—that honor goes to the High Country. However, the LTZ was the highest trim of the time that offered the legendary Z71 off-road package. This means adding a high-performance off-road suspension, an auto-locking rear differential, skid plates, hill descent control, and other advanced features to take you from ordinary green laning to extreme rock crawling. In terms of bang for the buck, few off-roading trucks can match this machine.
#5 – Chevy TrailBlazer SS (2006-2009)
For the last vehicle, I’m going with a true throwback. The TrailBlazer was first conceived as a limited-edition package for the old Chevy S-10 Blazer midsize SUV. In 2001, though, Chevy spun the TrailBlazer off as a separate vehicle—and the 2006-2009 TrailBlazer SS stands as the best for spiking adrenaline levels. After years of promising big-time power, Chevy finally delivered with a 6.0L V8 engine that slams out 395 hp, putting a country mile ahead of the 290 hp V8 used in the lower trims. The TrailBlazer SS also has a lowered suspension and a more aggressive design, making it a pioneer of SUVs designed to have a blast on the main roads.
Each Chevy TrailBlazer SS also has two-piston brake calipers, a low-friction steering rack, and an oversized exhaust to announce itself. With all that, it still does the work of a traditional body-on-frame SUV—the TrailBlazer SS can tow up to 6,700 pounds, and the AWD version includes a Torsen center differential for precise power distribution. Just over 26,000 SS models were produced before the original TrailBlazer was discontinued in 2009. If you can get your hands on one, though, it’s a mighty fine ride (note the subcompact crossover Trailblazer introduced in 2021 is connected in name only).
New Enthusiasm for Used Chevys
Having a tight car-buying budget doesn’t have to mean settling for a boring vehicle. If nothing else, this list shows there’s still a lot of excitement to be had on the used market. With a little searching and a little good fortune, you can snap up one of these vehicles or a similar model for your garage. Since Chevy has won numerous dependability awards, you can expect many more years of elation from your new-to-you machine. Did I miss a pick for exciting used Chevy cars, whether from this century or the last? Let me know!
