The current crop of muscle cars

[CraigV]

Sheep,

I’m not discounting the viability of the Japanese cars - I too think they have a lot to offer. I was trying to point out how Detroit was making a statement for the sake of nostalgia to re-introduce some of the muscle cars from their past, and how well or not they achieved that goal.

But hey, if we want the best of both worlds, here’s a vintage 1950’s Chevy…

…in which the owner has managed to coax a modern day Vette engine

Here’s a link to pics I took at a local car show.

http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m164/cravnsn/Car Show/

Again, I have a real fondness for the old steel.

 

[Alex2507]

looking at you isn't something that should be savored...

Women seem to be more interested in the big package ... I mean picture.
I'm starting to think that posting that one pic was a mistake.

I wasn't aware that 'ricer' was a derogatory term. I use to ride 'rice rockets' and I absolutely
loved the term but that was because the word 'rocket' was so fitting. I agree with you about
the fuel consumption considerations but I'm freaky cheap about money spent on gas.
American car manufacturers have been building cars for American gas prices which are close to
half of what Canada and Europe pay.

Close to 25 years ago (it's kind of freaky saying that) I had a Firebird Formula with a
400 ci motor and a 400 Turbo transmission. It was then that I got my first serious bike
and pretty much lost interest in driving cars fast ... except for this one vette this one time.
The handling capabilities really made for an intense drive as opposed to fatal one.
It's a wonder I made it out of my twenties.

Anyways, enjoy driving your car just as fast for half the money.

 

[lsiberian]

I’m sure there are more than a few motor heads on the site, and I wanted to take a look at the current crop of “Muscle Cars”. From the big three out of Detroit we have all new versions of classic wheel spinning loud and proud big block engines. Ford started the renaissance with the re-introduction of the venerable Mustang some years ago, and call me nostalgic, but I appreciate an auto-makers effort to re-capture the style of the older vehicles. So, how well (or not) did they do? Well…

There was also a newer version of the Pontiac GTO, which while it had a powerful V8, the styling cues left a lot to be desired, and it only lasted 3 years, being discontinued in 2006.

Yes, there are sporty offerings from other makers, like the RX-8 from Mazda, Nissan 370Z, but these cars are generally 6 cylinders and lower HP. There is also the popularity of the WRX from Subaru and the Lancer Evo from Mitsubishi which are gaining ground in the HP department, albeit from a turbo charged 4 cylinder. But there’s something about stomping on the gas pedal and hearing the throaty growl of a big block V8 roaring under the hood. And no amount of plastic clad “tuner” cars can match the raw power of these vehicles.

And what about the power? We’ll limit this to the 8 cylinder engines.

Camaro 426hp 420ft lbs torque
Corvette C6 430 & 424
Challenger RT8 425 & 420
Mustang GT 300 & 320
Mustang Shelby GT 540 & 510
GTO 400 & 395

Like the Mustang, there are different levels of power and models to be had, but the price range is all over the board.

It’s also worth mentioning just for the fun of it two cars at each extreme of the spectrum - The Lotus Elise and the Bugatti Veron.

The Elise has a Toyota 4 cylinder engine that produces 189HP & 133ft lbs torque. So what makes it worth mentioning in this group? It weighs less than 2,000 pounds, which makes its horse power - to - weight ratio phenomenal, and because it’s so small it handles extremely well, and can keep pace with most of the above cars.

At the other end of the spectrum and at a cost of $1.5 million is the 16 cylinder all-wheel-drive Bugatti Veron. It boasts 1001 (yes that’s one thousand and one) HP and 922 ft lbs of torque. It needs all of that power to push its nearly 5,000 pounds around.


So, sound off - how do you think the new cars compare to the old?

The Camaro is a huge disappointment. The fact you didn't include the best looking late 80s early 90s model shows me you have no understanding of this car and it's allure to me.

The Orange Challenger is by far the best looking new one. All other colors are hideous and not befitting a challenger.

On a side note my Uncle's Stang GT was destroyed by a hail storm while he was driving it. And it was a soft top. Now he can literally saw all hail broke lose on him. Or that he's been through hail and came back. It was a hell of a storm.

Oh and V8s actually get very good gas mileage these days. 2mpg is not a significant difference.

Still an electric car is way faster.

 

[lsiberian]

With the revised launch control for 2010 it WILL, and word is the tranny has no issues any longer. And that doesn't even include what the SpecV can do

The base Camaro has as much HP as the Mustang GT. The Mustang isn't really in the picture with the Challenger and the Camaro right now.

Of all listed, I would take the Elise (or Exige) or the 67-69 Camaro

What about the electric Mustang? That's something I really want to drive.

For 80g's Shelby will swap your gas engine with an electric one.

 

[Matt34]

The Orange Challenger is by far the best looking new one. All other colors are hideous and not befitting a challenger.

Those black ones are very nice too, some guy on post has a black srt-8 model.

 

[agarwalro]

I have owned a Subaru STi (modded not riced ) and boy it was great. I had gotten it to Stage 2 and it was absolutely spectacular. Now I own a TT and it definitely rides and handles better (stock for stock comparison) but I still miss the STi. The TT stock is near maxed out in what it can do and needs big bucks to improve, but the STi stock was just the start of a long tool-head journey. I feel that is what I miss. That said, I have a lot more chics give me attention in the TT when compared to the STi .

From the older breed, I like the stingray Vettes the best. Especially in black, something about the BatMobile-ish look appeals to the child in me.

I think the 2010 Stangs look a lot better than any of the newer ones ever have, even though the Shelby GT 500 is pretty sweet. Of the up and coming throwbacks, I have also drooled over the Hennesy Camero for a while. It might be my next car (jk, jk).

Hennesy Camero:

 

[lsiberian]

Those black ones are very nice too, some guy on post has a black srt-8 model.

True. That makes you a bad guy. But in our state black cars will get you killed from heat.

 

[Sheep]

True. That makes you a bad guy. But in our state black cars will get you killed from heat.

I saw a silver one a few weeks back. It looked great, better then orange (even though orange is a classic color).

SheepStar

 

[lsiberian]

I saw a silver one a few weeks back. It looked great, better then orange (even though orange is a classic color).

SheepStar

Man all I can say is that If I were buying domestic it would be a challenger. Dodge makes better cars than Ford or GM IMO.

Sadly they are going bankrupt from all the Union stuff.

I can't stand the rear of the new camaro. The car is great until I get to the back of it. Though I wouldn't trade my Mazda 3. The theater comes first. IMO.

 

[Davemcc]

Dodge makes better cars than Ford or GM IMO.

That's not what JD Power has to say but you are entitled to your opinion despite all the evidence to the contrary. And having purchased new vehicles from all three domestic manufacturers in the last several years, I have to add my experience contradicts you opinion as well, ya know, I'm just sayin'...

 

[lsiberian]

That's not what JD Power has to say but you are entitled to your opinion despite all the evidence to the contrary. And having purchased new vehicles from all three domestic manufacturers in the last several years, I have to add my experience contradicts you opinion as well, ya know, I'm just sayin'...

LOL I had that coming to me. After my crap about amps.
)

 

[darien87]

That's not what JD Power has to say but you are entitled to your opinion despite all the evidence to the contrary. And having purchased new vehicles from all three domestic manufacturers in the last several years, I have to add my experience contradicts you opinion as well, ya know, I'm just sayin'...

I gotta agree with ya on this one. American cars have come a long way from the 70's. Unfortunately, the cour of public opinion still says that imports are always better. I had Honda's when I was a teenager and they were ok. They tended to break a lot, but then again, I didn't take very good care of them either. I fell in love with the Mustang in 86, when my mother brought a convertible GT home. I've had Mustangs ever since. I LOVE my 07, and I think that Ford really hit this one out of the park. Out of the box, it was better than my modded 95 in many ways, and after putting FRPP and Tokico suspension parts on it, it's even better. I'm putting a Bullitt CAI and dyno tune on it tomorrow!

Sorry, but I think the sound of most souped up 4-cylinders is stupid. I don't care how fast it is.

To answer the OP, I think the Mustang is the best of the neo-retro cars. I love the look of the Challenger though. The Camaro is a cool looking car, but I don't think it does much to recall it's roots.

 

[Alex2507]

I think the sound of most souped up 4-cylinders is stupid.

I take it that you are not bucking for the Miss Congeniality Prize.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

So, sound off - how do you think the new cars compare to the old?

It's a no-brainer.........Modern technology destroy old classics in every way as it relates to performance, but that's not to say there is a place for classic muscle!!!


I love classic muscle cars!!!! (don't get me wrong) ....but there is something to be said for modern technology.


Sincerely,
An owner of a big family sized sled.....(who isn't into turning wrenches)

With 300+ HP under the hood

There is nothing worse than the screech of a pea-sized 4-banger with a fart can exhaust.........LOL

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

The Challenger is the best looking "retro" muscle car out there IMO and they really stuck close to the original.

Agreed.... I love the new Challenger too. I also have a soft spot for the new Camaro.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I understand your viewpoint and agree that V8's have a nice sound (esp with high lift cams), but they are no longer a viable option for horsepower these days. Smaller engines with displacement adders (Turbocharger, Supercharger) can produce just as much power, and also get better fuel economy.

I also wouldn't count out V6's either. The Nissan 370z and IS350 are shinning examples as to the power attainable with these engines, as well as the R35 GTR. If the transmission could hold up, it would spank every car you listed to 60 (launch control, 3.5 seconds).

The modern 4 cylinder engine is the best performer relative to it's displacement, in almost ever regard expect for torque. However, the car's with 4 cylinder engines are generally smaller, and lighter, requiring less torque. The Subaru STi and Mitsubishi Evo's are examples of what factory cars can produce under 3.0 liters (300hp for the Sti, and up to 420hp with the Evo). These cars are expensive however, and have stricter maintenance programs. The Honda Civic Si is a great all round performer with 200hp and still getting good fuel mileage in the city. Lets not forget all the aftermarket support and extreme over engineering that goes into these cars, where 1.6 liter engines can produce up to 240whp with mostly factory components (sans rods, pistons, cams, valves, and fuel system). Turbocharged solutions have been proven reliable up to 300hp in some cases with stock bottoms (good tune required). With all this available, it's very hard to justify the sound of the V8, when you can have the performance, in a better every day solution.

SheepStar

There will always be a place in the world for litte compact fart-can owners.....

I guess...........

LOL

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

To say that the sound of a V8 is the only sensual advantage over the smaller engine performance rigs is just ridiculous. Anybody thats driven a beefy V8 and even the fastest 4 bangers notice much much more than just sound. Even at similar quarter times, the experiences are worlds apart. I'm not saying that the V8 is comprehensively superior, just different. I, however, do prefer the larger CI applications.

Anyway, the camaro is just plain sexy. I'd add the G8 to the list. Not a retro remake but a fine piece of equipment. Sorry to see pontiac go.

Shhhhhh..... You might offend the resident 4-banger fart-can fan-club.

IE...those who've never owned anything more than a Rice powered vehicle.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Those black ones are very nice too, some guy on post has a black srt-8 model.

As the old saying goes, once you go black..........

 

[Sheep]

There will always be a place in the world for litte compact fart-can owners.....

I guess...........

LOL

Did you write the book on stereotypes? If not you should. Seriously.

SheepStar

 

[adwilk]

Hey Buckeye, I remember the first time i saw the SS like the one you have.. I thought "eh, nothin special, just chevy whoring out the SS logo again". I was wrong. Thats a mean grocery getter. That d@mn thing is a lot more car than i would have ever given it credit. That little small block wants to play..