What makes American muscle cars important today? What's the best American muscle car in turns of power, price, and legend?
While some say the world is dominated by the German and Japanese cars, when it comes to muscle cars the US started the trend and has some of the biggest muscle car fans.
There are some powerful and unique American cars available, especially modern American muscle cars. But what makes these American muscle cars 1) affordable for the common car fan and 2) loud and fast to boot?
An American muscle car of quality should have some "kick" to it, growl loud like the corvette, and fast like a mustang.
It used to be American muscle cars were V-8 engines with nice paintjobs. You put a big engine in a small car. It's evolved. Now they're even more affordable, go from 0-60 even faster, and make a heck of a lot of noise.
The Cadillac CTS-V is a highly rated modern American muscle car, as are the Chryster 300 Hemi and the Pontiac GTO. Many consider the Pontiac GTO to be the first muscle car, and therefore the first American muscle car. It's an interesting story; a designer wanted to drive something home from work in something faster; he thought of putting a bigger engine in a car. And we have our classic muscle car.
In terms of the most affordable American muscle cars, there are still some options if you want to race a bit over the speed limit. These three have varying price ranges, but are high value for what you get.
Let's begin with the Pontiac GTO, the car that started it all. And what an interesting story this modern American muscle car has. An American car designer, sick of driving slow cars from work to home, decided to put a big engine into a small car. Throughout its history, the Pontiac GTO has been top 5 in American muscles cars. And the modern Pontiac GTOs are no exception. It's always had good horsepower for a modern muscle car, though usually weaker than the Cadillac and Chrysler. However, this is the best priced of all the vehicles, as used Pontiac GTOs go for fractions of their listed value all the time.
Next on the list is the most expensive, the Cadillac CTS-V. The pros here are the incredible power. It's got a supercharged 6.2 V8 engine, with horsepower numbers pushing 550, and you can go 0-60 in 4.3. The only clear con to this modern American muscle car is the price; since this line is still out, you pay about $60,000.
The Chrysler 300 Hemi is second on horsepower to the Cadillac, but nice look with a big grille and lots of noise. She clocks in around 5 to 5.5 in 0-60 with her 340+ horsepower. The big saver for this vehicle is new models are less than $25,000. For value for money, you've got a winner.
You've seen the prices of modern American muscle cars. You might cross out the Cadillac CTS-V, but it's likely the best car here. For history, the GTO might get it. For sheer power, the winner is the Cadillac CTS. For a combination of price and power, you've got the Chrysler 300 Hemi. It's almost a draw. For modern muscle cars, with the price and power just right, the Chrysler 300 Hemi is the winner.
While some say the world is dominated by the German and Japanese cars, when it comes to muscle cars the US started the trend and has some of the biggest muscle car fans.
There are some powerful and unique American cars available, especially modern American muscle cars. But what makes these American muscle cars 1) affordable for the common car fan and 2) loud and fast to boot?
An American muscle car of quality should have some "kick" to it, growl loud like the corvette, and fast like a mustang.
It used to be American muscle cars were V-8 engines with nice paintjobs. You put a big engine in a small car. It's evolved. Now they're even more affordable, go from 0-60 even faster, and make a heck of a lot of noise.
The Cadillac CTS-V is a highly rated modern American muscle car, as are the Chryster 300 Hemi and the Pontiac GTO. Many consider the Pontiac GTO to be the first muscle car, and therefore the first American muscle car. It's an interesting story; a designer wanted to drive something home from work in something faster; he thought of putting a bigger engine in a car. And we have our classic muscle car.
In terms of the most affordable American muscle cars, there are still some options if you want to race a bit over the speed limit. These three have varying price ranges, but are high value for what you get.
Let's begin with the Pontiac GTO, the car that started it all. And what an interesting story this modern American muscle car has. An American car designer, sick of driving slow cars from work to home, decided to put a big engine into a small car. Throughout its history, the Pontiac GTO has been top 5 in American muscles cars. And the modern Pontiac GTOs are no exception. It's always had good horsepower for a modern muscle car, though usually weaker than the Cadillac and Chrysler. However, this is the best priced of all the vehicles, as used Pontiac GTOs go for fractions of their listed value all the time.
Next on the list is the most expensive, the Cadillac CTS-V. The pros here are the incredible power. It's got a supercharged 6.2 V8 engine, with horsepower numbers pushing 550, and you can go 0-60 in 4.3. The only clear con to this modern American muscle car is the price; since this line is still out, you pay about $60,000.
The Chrysler 300 Hemi is second on horsepower to the Cadillac, but nice look with a big grille and lots of noise. She clocks in around 5 to 5.5 in 0-60 with her 340+ horsepower. The big saver for this vehicle is new models are less than $25,000. For value for money, you've got a winner.
You've seen the prices of modern American muscle cars. You might cross out the Cadillac CTS-V, but it's likely the best car here. For history, the GTO might get it. For sheer power, the winner is the Cadillac CTS. For a combination of price and power, you've got the Chrysler 300 Hemi. It's almost a draw. For modern muscle cars, with the price and power just right, the Chrysler 300 Hemi is the winner.
About the Author:
Mike Stone used to sell muscle cars in the auto state of Michigan, but now he just writes about them for Streetside Auto.com. He can't get enough of the sound, power, and look of today modern American muscle cars.
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