Muscle cars

[798686]

Opt for the MazdaSpeed 3 though :biggrin1: That one MotorTrend called 'Dropping A Bomb On The Competition'.

They are quite cool. :wink: Called Mazda3 MPS here (dunno why).
Fair bit of torquesteer tho - so not sure if an Impreza or Golf Gti would be better?

 

[midlifebear]

My first used muscle car was a 1967 Pontiac Tempest Convertible, metallic avocado green inside and out with select-a-shift center console.

My first new car was a 1969 Dodge Charger Coupe. White with black vinyl top and black interior. It was a piece of shit. I had a hemi engine prone to nervous breakdowns and I had the brakes replaced 4 times within the first year.

My second new muscle car? I traded the Charger (at a loss) for a 1969 Chevelle SS with a odd iridescent factory paint job of navy blue/black and a god awful orange trunk and matching orange pin striping. It had a navy vinyl roof and a navy on black vinyl interior. I forget the size of the engine block, but it was much more comfortable (and reliable) than the Charger. The Chevelle also hauled ass and used more gas.

My third new muscle car is something no one ever regarded as a muscle car, but it was -- it had a real, working tachometer and console transmission shifter: a 1971 (actually a late 1970 model still built on order in 1971) Buick Wildcat convertible: yellow with a black leather interior. It had a nicely tuned 455 cubic inch turbo super charged V8 with a four barrel carb and seamlessly shifted from 75-80 mph to 100+ mph hardly making a hum. I ordered this car with the "sport" trim package (cool rims, extra chrome, and center console with shifter and all power option controls, including power bucket seats). The car was enormous, the same size as a regular giant Buick sedan. Having a factory-built/installed convertible top (grafted from a Cadillac the same year) set me back a whopping $550. I sold it at a car auction in 1988 for a whole bunch of money. I want it back!

 

[deleted15807]

They are quite cool. :wink: Called Mazda3 MPS here (dunno why).
Fair bit of torquesteer tho - so not sure if an Impreza or Golf Gti would be better?

The MS3's engine is lustier!! And I'm not sure I like the whole VW/Audi/Porsche regime. They have an abysmal quality record in the US. And well Impreza is a nice car but more $$$$.

 

[Mr Ed in Mass]

A 1968 Plymouth GTX, with a 440,it passed everything but a gas station.
and my present truck,a lowered, customized, and supercharged,02 Silverado

 

[FuzzyKen]

I've had a number of muscle cars over the years. My Favorites are the early Chrysler 300's and I still own two. A 1955 Chrysler C-300 and I also have a special order 1963 Chrysler 300 non-letter car which was supposed to be stripped down for NASCAR. That car is a low option non power assist car with export suspension, a 413 and a factory 4 speed. When it did not sell, it was sent to a dealer and went into the general market. I got it from a well known stunt man in Hollywood some years ago.

 

[798686]

The MS3's engine is lustier!! And I'm not sure I like the whole VW/Audi/Porsche regime. They have an abysmal quality record in the US. And well Impreza is a nice car but more $$$$.

Ahh ok. I know their US strategy has gone pear-shaped recently. Selling over-specced cars at prices higher than their competitors? Where are the VWs built that you get over there?

VW/Audi/Skoda have got a fairly good reputation over here, but Euro tastes are different, and the models may differ too, depending on where they're built, I guess (Germany and Czech Republic here).

 

[deleted15807]

Ahh ok. I know their US strategy has gone pear-shaped recently. Selling over-specced cars at prices higher than their competitors? Where are the VWs built that you get over there?

VW/Audi/Skoda have got a fairly good reputation over here, but Euro tastes are different, and the models may differ too, depending on where they're built, I guess (Germany and Czech Republic here).

Not sure where they are built. The reliability has been improving from what I've heard recently. I had a friend who had an Audi A4 with 3.0 engine that was only 5 years old and suffered a spectacular engine failure. It cost over $10000 to fix and Audi offered him nothing. Whereas I had a BMW which was older than his and BMW offered free parts for something.

VW has altered it's US strategy recently and is taking the Jetta downmarket in an attempt to boost sales. They have a corporate goal of overtaking Toyota as the largest car company in the world. That's usually a bad goal because then sales become more important than the vehicle.

As far as overspec'd I don't think anyone does that better than Mercedes-Benz. They send NONE of their cloth seat cars here or any of their manual transmissions here and none of the smaller engines I see in Europe. Only Audi has a four-cylinder model here.

 

[798686]

VW has altered it's US strategy recently and is taking the Jetta downmarket in an attempt to boost sales. They have a corporate goal of overtaking Toyota as the largest car company in the world. That's usually a bad goal because then sales become more important than the vehicle.

Yeh, I heard about the Jetta - how dyou think the strategy will work? I'm not convinced by the looks, but maybe ppl want a more reasonably priced car of that size?

I agree, being the biggest car company in the world isn't the most important thing - better to be the best, imo. Their products are good here (Audi/VW/Skoda - SEAT, less so) but I dunno how much further they can stretch the platform-sharing and economies of scale thing, lol.

It reminds me of Kraft - who cares about being the biggest food company in the world if the food is crap? Make better stuff instead. *Still pissed off about Cadbury, lol*.

 

[deleted15807]

Yeh, I heard about the Jetta - how dyou think the strategy will work? I'm not convinced by the looks, but maybe ppl want a more reasonably priced car of that size?

I agree, being the biggest car company in the world isn't the most important thing - better to be the best, imo. Their products are good here (Audi/VW/Skoda - SEAT, less so) but I dunno how much further they can stretch the platform-sharing and economies of scale thing, lol.

It reminds me of Kraft - who cares about being the biggest food company in the world if the food is crap? Make better stuff instead. *Still pissed off about Cadbury, lol*.

I don't know if the strategy will work that well. Americans are really fond of Japanese cars and now VW will have to deal with a resurgent Detroit. The service arm of VW America will have to substantially improve. I've heard parts availability is a big problem.

As far as 'big'. Toyota had a corporate goal of toppling GM as the world's largest. They did it thanks to the financial meltdown but it came at a high price. I'm not sure if you heard about Toyota's problems in the US but quality took a big back seat to the goal of beating GM. And they took a huge hit with their image in the US.

The fascinating thing is the Japanese have been unable to get any real traction in the European market. They still have a small market share and don't enjoy the same resale values as the do in the North American market.

And I agree you have to watch the platform sharing but I think they all learned from GM's mistakes in the 1980's when all their cars looked alike from brand to brand. So now most know how to cleverly disguise platform sharing. But I don't understand the whole VW/Skoda thing. Why bother?

 

[D_Felix the Bat]

I'm quit smitten by the new Camaro SS. I sat in one and boy it's like being transported back to the 60's. I couldn't get out of it. Viability must be poor but boy is she charming on the inside.

Did you drive one? I want to check out the "launch control" feature with the 6 speed SS! Push in the clutch, floor the gas, and when your ready to go dump the clutch. All computer controlled for the right amount of wheelspin and throttle opening for max acceleration. Sounds like fun to me!!:biggrin1: But have they dumbed down driving skills? I have only sat in one also. New has more legroom than old, and I think my cooler would fit in the trunk of the new one, won't go into the old. Getting in and out is about the same. I think i've got a callous on the right side of my head from forgetting to lower my head below the the roof rail when getting in!

Hopefully the drivetrain is stronger than my 60's version. Got a dent in the floor where some previous owner tried something similar and had a epic "fail" with a broken u-joint :tongue:

 

[Remington]

Did you drive one? I want to check out the "launch control" feature with the 6 speed SS! Push in the clutch, floor the gas, and when your ready to go dump the clutch. All computer controlled for the right amount of wheelspin and throttle opening for max acceleration. Sounds like fun to me!!:biggrin1: But have they dumbed down driving skills?

Hopefully the drivetrain is stronger than my 60's version. Got a dent in the floor where some previous owner tried something similar and had a epic "fail" with a broken u-joint :tongue:

I've driven one, the launch control is a nice feature. Especially if one is new to the realm of performance cars. To me, it does slightly take the driver out of the race, and with practice the driver could launch the car better than the aid can. Also, some owners are talking about this feature breaking output and tail shafts. Regardless, it's fun little tool, and you can surprise some people with it. (Particularly cocky 'vette owners)

The drivetrain for these cars are solid enough. A definite improvement over the fragile differentials and the weak clutches that were in the 1st-4th gens.

Great cars, I just wish they weren't so damn heavy.

 

[798686]

I don't know if the strategy will work that well. Americans are really fond of Japanese cars and now VW will have to deal with a resurgent Detroit. The service arm of VW America will have to substantially improve. I've heard parts availability is a big problem.

As far as 'big'. Toyota had a corporate goal of toppling GM as the world's largest. They did it thanks to the financial meltdown but it came at a high price. I'm not sure if you heard about Toyota's problems in the US but quality took a big back seat to the goal of beating GM. And they took a huge hit with their image in the US.

The fascinating thing is the Japanese have been unable to get any real traction in the European market. They still have a small market share and don't enjoy the same resale values as the do in the North American market.

And I agree you have to watch the platform sharing but I think they all learned from GM's mistakes in the 1980's when all their cars looked alike from brand to brand. So now most know how to cleverly disguise platform sharing. But I don't understand the whole VW/Skoda thing. Why bother?

VW seem to have decided that the US wants cheaper quality, for cheaper prices...not sure if it's true or not? Maybe importing the cars added to their list price, so building in Mexico may be better (presuming quality is ok?).

The Skoda/VW/Audi thing seems to work here, so far - they're perceived as very different offerings (budget/mainstream/premium, respectively). Makes me wonder why they don't build Skodas in the US, and badge them as VWs? Already great cars for lowish prices.

The resurgent Detroit is heartening, imo. Considering we lost our car industry to foreign ownership (altho lots are UK-designed/built), it's nice to see someone clinging onto theirs! Ford are doing really well over here at the moment - the European Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo are all class-leading. Not sure about GM or Chrysler, altho Fiat's ownership may bring results (hopefully you guys will build them better than Fiat does, lol). I'm especially liking the Ford Fusion and Mustang. Plus GM's Buick Regal (Vauxhall/Opel Insignia) is great.

Japanese cars have by far the best reliability image here (altho they are perceived as boring). We always have Nissans or Mazdas, personally. Yep, Toyota's image has taken a knock here too - some of the footage from US Toyotas is horrific. Ironically, Toyota's slogan here has been 'the car in front is a Toyota', prompting ppl to retort 'only cos it wouldn't stop'. Lol.

 

[SpeedoMike]

enjoying this topic... :3some:

 

[thirteenbyseven]

Did you drive one? I want to check out the "launch control" feature with the 6 speed SS! Push in the clutch, floor the gas, and when your ready to go dump the clutch. All computer controlled for the right amount of wheelspin and throttle opening for max acceleration. Sounds like fun to me!!:biggrin1: But have they dumbed down driving skills? I have only sat in one also. New has more legroom than old, and I think my cooler would fit in the trunk of the new one, won't go into the old. Getting in and out is about the same. I think i've got a callous on the right side of my head from forgetting to lower my head below the the roof rail when getting in!

Hopefully the drivetrain is stronger than my 60's version. Got a dent in the floor where some previous owner tried something similar and had a epic "fail" with a broken u-joint :tongue:

Anyone who transitions from a circa 2004 Ford Cobra Mustang to the new Chevrolet Camaro SS will find it analogous to coming from a tank to a NASCAR race car. My Mustang in many ways drove like an eighteen wheeler dressed up like a muscle racer. I was surprised then how feather light the steering, clutch and six-speed transmission is in the 427 hp Camaro SS next to the 2004 Cobra Mustang. The cockpit is like the dark hole of Calcutta, particularly at the four and eight o'clock positions, but the exhaust note is just right and 'Vette drivers in particular will be right at home. It does have (understandably) more understeer than a ZO6 Corvette, but GM has made the kinesthetic feel of the two remarkably similar.

Now if they could have made the purchase less of a pain-in-the-ass. Last Christmas I went to every dealership in Orange County, California before finally driving all the way to the Ontario airport and Mark Christopher Chevrolet.

Yes, I'm another muscle car nut!! In addition to the silver 2010 Camaro, I have a silver 2008 Corvette ZO6 and a fully restored red 1962 Corvette convertible, garaged and padlocked at a secret location with surveillance, and only brought out on the spring and autumnal equinoxes and for special occasions.

Wifey-pooh drives a 2007 Toyota Camry 4-cylinder. :biggrin1:

 

[Notthe7]

My ex was re-building a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang.... that thing was a beast. He put turbo in it too... Christ, it sounded so mean.

I'd pretty much give my soul to ride around in an old mustang. They are perfection.

Challengers are fantastic too.

 

[SilverTrain]

I'd pretty much give my soul to ride around in an old mustang. They are perfection.

Challengers are fantastic too.

My thoughts, to a "t".

You have excellent taste. :wink:

 

[nudeyorker]

I posted this in another thread about cars...
I had a 1970 Mustang convertible, it was too cool for school but boy oh boy did it have issues and problems. I was never so happy to get rid of a car. The Datsun 240Z was the same issue...
In order I've owned a...
Mercedes
Ford
Datsun
Mazda
Ford
Cadillac
VW(I forgot my island car)
Jaguar
Mercedes
Honda
Mercedes

 

[Remington]

Yes, I'm another muscle car nut!! In addition to the silver 2010 Camaro, I have a silver 2008 Corvette ZO6 and a fully restored red 1962 Corvette convertible, garaged and padlocked at a secret location with surveillance, and only brought out on the spring and autumnal equinoxes and for special occasions.

:biggrin1:

Very impressive collection!

Anything done to the '08 Z? Raced a guy at my local track with a '06. He had full bolt-ons, heads and cam work done, and kept up with my TT C5Z.

 

[Notthe7]

My thoughts, to a "t".

You have excellent taste. :wink:

Should have known you'd agree.:biggrin1:

 

[798686]

I posted this in another thread about cars...
I had a 1970 Mustang convertible, it was too cool for school but boy oh boy did it have issues and problems. I was never so happy to get rid of a car. The Datsun 240Z was the same issue...

Oh no! :frown1:

I loved the 240z - but maybe better to look at than to own?