RX8_008

it has been proven that muscle cars are becoming the more popular ride. the rice rockets are dying out and being replaced with that good old american muscle.

TRU681

Muscle cars will always be more popular here in America.It's American tradition but I'm Asian & I prefer asian cars designs & looks.Rice rockets is a racist term.We call it import cars.

mikeb

I agree with you tru681
I'm not asian but it doesn't matter
I have never been into american cars
I love import cars

import cars are growing not dying

Omicron

I love muscle cars, and was "bottle fed" on American V8s. But I'd be interested in where you got this tidbit of info, since you've said "It has been proven..."

jsh1120

Maybe in Natchez. Not in Seattle.

timmyx1

=) because north of seattle is domimated by koreans downtown seattle has the chinese population south in tocoma has the largest viet and cambodian population fedway was as larg filipino group the japanese are scattered around the area =)

so yea i would saw import seen dominates around seattle

BlueEyes

Can't we all get along.

rx8wannahave

Oh THANK GOD....lol

jsh1120

I would have explained it more simply in terms of good taste, but to each his own.

shaolin

I smell a troll.

MELRX8

Nothing beats a good Shelby Mustang!

Aratinga

Well, count me in as one who has willingly been sucked into the dark side of American (via Australia) Muscle! I consider it having the best of both worlds. The RX-8 appeals to me with its exotic styling, razor-sharp handling, perfect balance, pricision shifter, and smooth revvy rotary. Its a car that attracts the more cerebral car enthusiast, I think; we can appreciate its innovation, its advanced technology, and its sheer differentness.

But the GTO... oooohhhhh. It grabs me on a whole 'nuther level, somewhere down around the guts. The sound of that V8, and the lunge of all that torque when you step on the gas... and just knowing how much power is lurking under that hood, just waiting to be opened up... It's such a visceral thing I have trouble explaining it in words. But damn! I just love driving it -- all 3800 pounds of it. :D

Pkskull77

The statement that "American Muscle is coming back" is bs, and I don’t think he can show any concrete figures to back it up. I don’t really care either way, but American Car companies have released more “ricer” like cars in the last couple of years than Muscle. The only truly new Muscle Car is the GTO. In that same time frame Dodge released the SRT-4, Chevy the Cobalt, and Saturn the Ion Redline. The Asian companies also released the RX-8 and the 350Z.

With the price of gas rising, and environmental restrictions tightening I really don’t think we’ll see another era of the “Muscle Car.” I could be wrong but the automotive environment just does not seem to dictate this happening.

Speed-ER doc

I don't see the controversy. The 05 Mustang will be a huge seller, there is the GTO, the Dodge Viper and Magnum, the Vette. And the new Cobra will be unveiled in a month. Oh, mama. Don't overlook the new Caddys either.

This is a great time to be an American Muscle enthusiast. :D

I saw an article/chart (in the latest C+D, I think) about the increase in HP over the years in EVERY car line. I don't see the gas prices/environmental concerns hindering HP any. In fact, the recent increase in HP across the board is the biggest news in the industry imo.

Pkskull77

The Mustang and the GTO are the only true examples of "Muscle Cars." The Viper, and Vette are closer to exotics, due to their high price tags. The Magnum is a station wagon, and the Caddys are Luxury Cars. Power is up across the board, but a large majority of it is achieved with better tech, and not with more displacement. In other words, a lot of the cars that are up in power are not the traditional V-8 variety.

Speed-ER doc

If it's got a V8 or better, in a sporty package, it's good enough for me. And if it can be easily made to go even faster, that's a bonus. I would say the Viper is an exotic muscle car, the new caddys are luxury muscle cars, and the Magnum is a family muscle car. :p

Pkskull77

The Caddy’s and the Vette are two expensive to be true Muscle Cars. There is an element of affordability in the classification. A good Muscle car is something everyone can afford. That’s one of the reasons the Mustang has been so successful. While the SRT version of the Magnum is quick, the thing is still a station wagon, and I can’t put it in the Muscle Category.

With that in mind the only successful Muscle Car has been the Mustang, and even that car has lost some market to the Asian import. There is a good chance that the new Stang will bring some folks back but not to the extent American companies would like. This explains their eagerness to delve into the “ricer” market.

In any case the number of “Muscle Cars” has not really risen over the past couple of years. In gaining the GTO, you lost the F-Bodies. During that same time period countless Asian cars have entered, and been successful in the American market.

All that aside, if you want silly amounts of horsepower it is a great time to get it. This is also one of the last times it will be available. As electric cars become more common place the tax, insurance, and fuel savings will slowly kill 8 cylinder cars. The muscle car was killed for these very same reasons.

khtm

^ Good points

BlueEyes

How much did muscle cars cost back in the day versus regular cars?

GotZoom

U.S. auto makers will continue to seize the "muscle-car" enthusiasm that is out there today. Import car makers are starting to develop "tuner" versions of their different models; to jump on the tuner bandwagon. TV shows like Overhallin'', American Hot Rod, etc. will also continue to be big for the muscle car fans. You have Tuner Transformation and shows like that for the import fans. It is just a matter of taste.

RenesisRacer

I beg to differ... :p

I have never been one for American Muscle. I like my cars like I like my women; small and agile, not big and brute .
Then again, I've allways felt that if I can afford it, it's just not worth drooling over.

Pkskull77

To be honest with you I can't give an exact figure, but I know they were fairly cheap. Generally they were bodies from a luxury division of the manufacture, stripped to the bare bones, with an oversized engine. The muscle models were generally purchased by teens and because of this they were cheap. Price wise, the best comparison would be between SRT-4 to Mustang GT. In all honesty these two cars transfer best to what people from that era would be buying.

Because “Muscle Cars” have become so expensive to purchase, and insure most kids have turned to the rice rocket because that’s all they can afford. An old civic hand-me-down is dirt cheap to own. Without reporting modifications to the insurance company it stays that way. Slowly a teen can put more and more parts on it, till they build something that’s quick. This is why ricers are more common than muscle now-a-days.

The death of American Muscle is not a matter of disinterest, but instead economics.

Speed-ER doc

My point was the genre is changing. A late 60s stang wasn't a little deuce coupe, and a CTS-V isn't a Mustang. But whatever. You either have torque, or you don't.

Steiner

Why not drive both? My daily driver is an Evo and my project car is a 500whp '68 Buick Skylark GS400. The Buick is actually registered to my brother but we've split the cost of the work and parts on the car. Nothing better than popping the hood of a muscle car and having TONS of elbow room to work. Take off the airfilter and the carb and you're closer to that engine then 90% of import owners will (can) ever be.

Problem is that gas costs $2.20 gallon, so unless you're Rockafeller driving around a classic musclecar is not practical. That's why the modern incarnation of the muscle car is a turbo charged 4 banger.

RX8_008

i do...i also drive a '73 plymouth duster. its got a 360. people are spending more money restoring muscle cars than trying to make a civic fast.