1996 Chevrolet Caprice SS

This Caprice is Chevrolet's full-size rear-drive sedan and wagon, the kind of big, old-school American car they don't make anymore. Owners say it has plenty of pickup and go for its size, though the huge body makes it feel a bit like piloting a boat. The cabin is genuinely roomy with big windows and little in the way of blind spots, and the seats adjust a lot for comfort. Parts and maintenance are cheap and easy to come by, but the gas mileage is poor, so budget for frequent fill-ups. The SS is the performance version of the Caprice, with a firmer suspension, quicker steering, and a beefier look than the base sedan. Its 5.7L V8 makes strong torque off the line, and with automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive it'll light up the rear tires if you're not careful. The SS rides stiffly and gets 18 mpg combined, so you're trading comfort and fuel economy for the extra muscle and handling.