Second Muscle Car Era

[Monster]

We are now heavy into the new Muscle Car Era...
I say new because not since the 60's and early 70's has this trended.
All things vehicle are creating top end horse power and torque.
Even economy cars can come in turbo and the like.
A very over priced extra special 1992 corvette ZR1 had 400 HP.
That was a 60K dollar car... today a base SS Camero has 440... under 40K dollars.
BMW has M series, Mercedes has AMG, Caddilac has the V, etc...
It's amazing the things they are doing with what used to be small blocks.

I love it... new tech is making cars outstanding... performance is off the charts.
Better breaks, magnetic suspension, 10 speed transmissions, traction control, etc.

Just curious on your thoughts....

PS... If you drive a Prius and this thread offends you it was not intended.

 

[Urblock]

I read Hemmings Muscle Machines every month and had many big block cars. My coyote f150 has more performance than most of them. The v8 pinto or the El camino with a funny car 427 was fun. This thing has 360 horses, 4x4 and comfort. Also it sounds great when you put your foot down. New muscle rules. My warranty is up in May so my buddy that owns a performance shop is going to do some tuning. Going to be fun. :yep:

 

[Tjodalv]

Now if only they could work on body designs to compliment the mechanics. I would love to resto-mod a late 60s chevelle or rebel machine or a 442; there's just so much more soul in those bodies than most of the hideous shit they're producing now. The sad thing is that with stamping, molding, and bonding tech so much better now it should be easy to execute some beautiful things, the designers just suck ass.

 

[Omeletpants]

Cars made in the 60s-80s were total pieces of shit. Death traps with horrible fit and finish. From a design standpoint not sure why anyone thinks cars in the 60s had better design. Cars now have nice flow and finish and even though relatively cheap look high quality (Ford Fusion, Hyundai and even Chevy).

I had a 65 Mustang that had nice lines but was a total piece of shit with a cheap interior. Give me new any day

 

[Ares]

Anyone find it funny we continue to use "horsepower" as unit of measurement for cars?

Every time I hear it I imagine hundreds of horses hitched to a carriage lol

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

My 09 vet has over 400 hp. I'm thinking of either selling it in March or super charging it. With all the pot holes and bad weather we get idt I'm getting enough enjoyment out of keeping it.

 

[LordKOTL]

Anyone find it funny we continue to use "horsepower" as unit of measurement for cars?

Every time I hear it I imagine hundreds of horses hitched to a carriage lol

Because the dumbass Americans would have no clue how to deal with it if we rated cars in Kilowatts.

I do have to agree with the premise, though. You have 4-bangers stock now that would be the original Pontiac GTO stock in the 1/4 mile.

 

[Crystallas]

Sorry, not trying to bring nerd into the topic.

For everyone with a new car with GDI (direct injection above valve, which seems to be every car in the last few years with new engines), you need to look into an oil catch can. It will save your ass on top half rebuild, something no cleaner/detergent/additive on the market will prevent or clean. It's about $100 and 3 hours in the garage. Plus, instead of performance/fuel economy-robbing buildup on the stems, it sorts the unburnt fuel and oil. All of which makes the whole engine considerably more reliable, maybe 3x more in real-world. And most of all, keeps that power curve at spec.
IMO car manufacturers(nearly every one AFAIK) are hoping valveless systems are possible before they need to dump billions into redesigns to fix the build-up problem, as well as avoiding jumping through extra regulatory hurdles and red tape.
GDI is a nice overall increase in performance and fuel consumption, but not all improvements make for a more reliable car. After all, cars have become considerably more reliable in the last 15 years opposed to the 30 prior. So they see it as a small price to pay, as well as this whole planned obsolescence philosophy.

I like all styles of cars for different purposes. I guess because already having my muscle car phase , no longer does it seem as fun to have a daily driver with crazy power. If I had cash to outright own a weekend car, then by all means and maybe one day that route and build will be pursued again. For the past 10 years, I've been a big sleeper-build person. Cars with no reputation for high performance(so not even GNX or Cop car builds), but have other qualities I like, add power somewhere/somehow, profit.

 

[CallMeYams]

I daily drive a 69 chevelle. Get off my lawn with your new stupid cars

 

[winos5]

Was listening to a radio program about the future of new vehicles while on a road trip recently. The host recommended not buying anything new, but leasing as the next 5-10 years are going to bring radical changes to your vehicle experience. Basically the car you buy today will be obsolete by the time you finish paying for it and that self drive technology was going to become pervasive in the industry.

 

[Omeletpants]

I daily drive a 69 chevelle. Get off my lawn with your new stupid cars

I rode in 69 Chevelles when they were new, rattling death traps. You ain't fooling anyone, sparky

 

[Globetrotter]

Catch cans are a good idea for any engine.

Whats crazy about cars that make big power these days is anybody can drive them (with the exception of Mustang owners). A late 90's $80k Viper made 460hp and required some skill to get around a track. My wife drives and does occasional track days in a 17 SS Camaro. Car has 455hp for $35k.

Hell, a bone stock, base model 1.5L turbo civic will make 280#ft of torque to the wheels with a tune.

Great time to be into cars.

 

[CallMeYams]

I rode in 69 Chevelles when they were new, rattling death traps. You ain't fooling anyone, sparky

No but seriously who needs airbags? Also beg to differ on the rattling death traps. No rattles in mine just the sound of pure American Muscle Ommy.