LS2 V8 Powered: 2005 Chevrolet SSR

A few years back, when retro styling was all the rage, the guys at GM decided to break another glass ceiling in the automotive world.  They introduced what was probably the worlds first mass market convertible pickup truck (we will ignore the ill-fated Dodge Dakota Sport, but that was another ASC hack job, not to be confused with a car purposed built from the factory like a Ford Model A pickup.)  Regardless, the SSR was built on the Chevy Trailblazer platform and was motivated by a 6 liter version of the LS2 V8 and it was gloriously fast and retro (in contrast the Fords anemic Thunderturd from the same retro-era).  Although the styling left something to be desired, and the SSR had the torsional rigidity of a wet churro, a remarkable 24,000 were produced from 2003 through 2006, so expect them to be cheap in the coming years as the original owners trade them for something that can hold their mobility scooters. Find this 2005 Chevrolet SSR offered for $13,000 in Tucson, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Fastest for the Cash: 2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z51 2LZ

If you had asked me a few weeks ago, which model of Corvette offers the best bang for your buck? -- I'd have quickly and confidently replied C5...but the new C8 Corvette has dropped and the C7 owners are looking to upgrade...and C6 owners are looking at C7s...so now the C6 (2005-2013) has taken the mantle of the fastest machine on the planet for the cash. Even the automatic powered version is stupid fast...and the C6 interior is much upgraded from the C5.  Find this 2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z51 2LZ here on eBay offered for $15,500 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Cincinnati, OH.

Super Sliding Rearend: 2005 Chevrolet SSR

A few years back, when retro styling was all the rage, the guys at GM decided to break another glass door in the automotive world.  They introduced what was probably the worlds first mass market convertible pickup truck -- there was the ill-fated Dodge Dakota Sport, but that was another ASC hack job, not to be confused with a car purposed built from the factory like a Ford Model A pickup.  Regardless, the SSR was built on the Chevy Trailblazer platform and was motivated by a 6 liter version of the LS2 V8 and it was gloriously fast and retro (in contrast the Fords anemic Thunderturd from the same retro-era).  Although the styling left something to be desired, and the SSR had the torsional rigidity of a wet churro, a remarkable 24,000 were produced from 2003 through 2006, so expect them to be cheap in the coming years as the original owners have their cataracts removed. Find this 2005 Chevrolet SSR offered for $15,900 in Chapel Hill, NC via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Hammer Time: 2007 Pontiac Solstice Mallet LS2 V8

There is an old expression about bringing a knife to a gun fight, but I think this next car is closer to the concept of bringing a hammer to a knife fight.  Just don't get bent outta shape if you smash a few fingers with this next beast.  Find this 2007 Pontiac Solstice Mallet LS2 V8 here on eBay bidding for $6,800 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go, located in Mesa, AZ.

Fantastick: 2005 Chevrolet SSR 6-Speed

Chevy fans had good reason to mourn when the Camaro ceased production in 2002.  If you wanted a sporty, inexpensive, manual, rear-wheel drive, V8-powered ride with a bowtie emblem, you were out of luck.  That is unless you were willing to go retro. Find this 2005 Chevy SSR for sale in Berwick, ME for $22,500 via craigslist.

Fast 'n' Furious Family: 2006 Cadillac CTS-V

The first generation Cadillac CTS-V was sold starting in the 2004 model year with an engine borrowed from the Corvette C5 Z06 (the 5.7 liter LS6) and a 6-speed manual gearbox, but folks in the know will tell you that you want to get a 2006-2007 version that is powered by the Corvette C6 base 6.0 liter LS2.  With a new MSRP of $50k in 2006, the CTS-V was hit early with the depreciation bat and continues to be beaten down into poor people territory (our territory).  Find this 2006 Cadillac CTS-V offered for $15,000 in Windsor, MI Ontario via craigslist.

Parts: 2005 Pontiac GTO LS2 Engine/Transmission

Instead of starting with some penalty box slow car and asking you to find an engine/transmission to make it better, let's go the other way around.  Here is a 2005 Pontiac GTO that has been ridden hard and put away wet -- and more importantly it is an engine/transmission that needs a new home found here on eBay offered for $5,200 buy-it-now or make offer, located in Taylor, MI with a few days to go.

10k: Nice Porvette: 1983 Porsche 944 LS2 V8

The Porsche 944 was another chapter in the watercooled front engine Porsche sport coupe saga; essentially a beefed up replacement for the 924.  The 944 is actually one of the better cars of the 924/944/968 extended family to pick up from a cost/drivability/fun perspective, and that only gets better when you power it by a fuel injected GM V8.  Find this 1983 Porsche 944 LS2 V8 currently bidding for $1,000 reserve-not-met on ebay with 6 days to go or $13,999 on craigslist, located in Sherman, TX.

DTO: Mallett To A Knife Fight: 2006 Pontiac Solstice Mallett GM LS2 V8

The typical comparison between the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky twins and the Chevrolet Corvette  inevitably falls into a discussion of external dimensions with bow-tied bow-tie experts spouting off all sorts of nonsense about the Solstice being within inches of all major dimensions to a C1 Vette.  The part where the Solstice goes its own path is with the use of a boosted small displacement engine - a great choice given modern technology - but nothing quite replaces the rumble of 8 cylinders up front.  The next time a curvy road is ahead, forget about carving it up with a scalpel like the Solstice GXP...instead get a Mallett. Find this 2006 Pontiac Solstice Mallett LS2 V8 conversion for sale in Merced, CA currently bidding on ebay for $25,000 reserve-not-met with a BIN of $38,000.

20k: Seller Submission: 2007 Cadillac CTS-V

For a fast/fun late model sub $20k sedan, it doesn't get much better than the first generation Cadillac CTS-V.  The V cost about $50k new (before options) and the early LS6 powered (2004-2005) have been the cheap ones to get, but today's seller submission gets you into the refreshed LS2 powered (2006-2007) version at a good price.  Find this 2007 Cadillac CTS-V for sale in Wilton, CT for $18,400 via craigslist.  Seller submission from Peter.

5 of 50: Daniela: 2006 Cadillac CTS-V

The CTS-V represented Cadillac's first true offering in the sports sedan market, and GM was shooting to compete with the likes of the BMW M3 and Audi S4. What it may lack in refinement or chassis development compared to those cars, it makes up for in unadulterated hooliganism and Pure American Awesome. The formidable 400hp 6.0L LS2 lives under the hood of this '06 model (replacing the earlier 5.7L Gen III LS6), and it wears respectable 245/45R18 tires paired with massive 355mm brakes. These days a first-gen CTS-V is the working man's super saloon and used prices are hanging close to new Chevy Cruze base MSRPs. The featured car has quite a few drivetrain upgrades and reportedly makes 400 hp at the rear wheels, which is likely about 475 hp at the flywheel accounting for driveline losses. Find this 2006 Cadillac CTS-V here on craigslist in Brownsburg, Indiana for $16,995. Tip from Jalopnik commenter bandit.

This feature is part of Daily Turismo's birthday celebration of 50 cars in 24 hours..