New vs. restored muscle car

[M1Accord]

In 5 years, we'll become the 2% according to the IRS but for now we are in the low 6-figure household income. Therefore, I like to fantasize about a nice muscle car a little bit; play with the numbers, dream about it, and start making plans to ger one when I hit 45 years old or something. I'll be in a low taxes state by then so owning a nice car would not be such a poor financial decision.

Looking at old muscle cars, I see machine with souls. New muscle cars are like new Americans, extremely obese looking. The only thing that look close to the past is the Challenger and the only thing that is decent to drive in is Mustang, which is about to be butchered into a conFusion. Anyone here dreams of muscle cars but always own sedans or commuters? Would you spend money buying a restored muscle car or buy new?

 

[bdcardinal]

I would love an old Camaro or Mustang. I have fantasies about getting a 68 Camaro and throwing the whole Detroit Speed and Engineering catalog at it with an LS7, TR-6060, and a nice Ford 9".

 

[Oil Changer]

Depends. Do you want to spin wrenches, tune carbs, fix header leaks, drum brakes, high octane fuel, no air bags, no seatbelts, most likely no A/C. Or warranty, A/C, four wheel disc w/ABS...

 

[spasm3]

Resto rod? an older body car with newer fuel injected power? Like a nova II with a modern vette engine.

 

[SLCraig]

My favorite are resto-mod style cars.
I would love a 1970 Challenger with a modern chassis/drivetrain upgrade underneath.

I agree, most new muscle cars are blah.

If I had the money and my pick, I would be into a resto-mod car, and I would even consider doing it myself if I had the time too.

Example: Hotchkis Challenger

 

[expat]

I'm not into muscle cars but an oldie or resto rod would be my pick also.

A new car is a new car for the first year of ownership.

 

[hattaresguy]

I'd just buy a Corvette or the new CTSV when it comes out.

I'm not an old muscle car fan, they were poorly built and drive poor even by today's standards. Jay Leno has some good thoughts on setting one up properly as a resto mod, most are not. At least the ones I have driven.

Nothing stops like manual drums all around! LOL!

 

[tomcat27]

One of each! I treasure my 1970 cougar because its unique and because of the work I put into it.

 

[johnachak]

I'm almost 59 years old. I've driven both old ones and new. I love them both and my ideal situation would be. 1969 Camaro RS and a new Camaro SS. The new ones are much faster stock and safer to drive, but there's something to be said for popping a clutch and have the monster stand still while filling the block with tire smoke. Then let off the gas and have the tires catch and shoot you forward...

 

[jhs914]

I'm 65 years old and owned classic muscle cars back in the day when they were new (my first car was a brand new 1966 GTO with tri-power) and I've had new muscle cars (I currently have a 2012 392 Dodge Challenger SRT8).

If you want to tinker, fiddle with, and do constant maintenance while only driving to car shows and cruise-ins, then buy a fully restored classic. But if you actually plan on driving it as a real car buy a modern muscle car. There is no comparison. The new cars have brakes and suspensions that work, are reliable, get better gas mileage, are safer, and are more comfortable. And they are faster and more powerful.

 

[marc1]

Originally Posted By: M1Accord
In 5 years, we'll become the 2% according to the IRS but for now we are in the low 6-figure household income. Therefore, I like to fantasize about a nice muscle car a little bit; play with the numbers, dream about it, and start making plans to ger one when I hit 45 years old or something. I'll be in a low taxes state by then so owning a nice car would not be such a poor financial decision.

Looking at old muscle cars, I see machine with souls. New muscle cars are like new Americans, extremely obese looking. The only thing that look close to the past is the Challenger and the only thing that is decent to drive in is Mustang, which is about to be butchered into a conFusion. Anyone here dreams of muscle cars but always own sedans or commuters? Would you spend money buying a restored muscle car or buy new?


Ok... here is my perspective. I am almost 50, I have owned and restored Detroit muscle cars since I could drive. I have owned some pretty nice ones, not just generic muscle but rare special ones. I just sold my real 1970 Ram Air IV Judge that I had owned for a span of 3 decades. I now own a 2011 Shelby GT500 (see sig). There is no question this latest crop of muscle is technically better than the old muscle. My Shelby is significantly quicker (12's in the 1/4) than my Ram Air IV (high 13's). It is significantly faster (155 MPH e-limited vs. 110 MPH RPM limited). It is safer, more fuel efficent (27 Imp MPG vs. 9), can achieve 1G in a corner, has a 500W stereo that plays my iPod, parts are readily available at the dealer... and on and on... it is 10 times the car my Judge was taking emotions out of the equation. But it will never have the as you put it - the soul of the old iron. I have not abandoned the old iron, I am in the market for another old muscle car, I currently have 3 possibles and I intend to act on something at some point. I personally think the old muscle car market is in for a huge crash starting in the next 10 years and this is what is holding me back right now. Gen-Y doesn't care about them and all people my age and older who are NOT true dyed-in-the-wool car enthusiasts (certain breeds of collectors, speculators, many BJ buyers, check book hot-rodders etc.) will be scrambling to unload these cars in a panic. I intend to ride that gravy train fully when it comes in and retake control of what was merely a hobby, my hobby and passion, before big money took over the hobby. Old muscle is a pain to keep running on a daily basis... parts are rare and expensive and not available readily... new muscle is like a Focus or a Cruze, easy to keep going. If you do not have the old iron in your blood (as I do) or grew up with them... I'd say go new... the new stuff as I said is way better, more reliable and easier to obtain.

 

[earlyre]

another vote for the resto-mod, albeit a mild one.
basically, leave the body as stock as possible (or period correct mods) but bringing the systems more up to date. (disc brake conversion, modern stereo, maybe a never version of the engine/trans)

like an old Challenger, or Cuda, it doesn't HAVE to have a HEMI. I'd be just as happy with the 3.6l Pentastar.

early Mustang, no need to drop a coyote in it, when the cyclone 3.7 makes similar power to the original 289 (and the3.5 has plenty of giddy up in my Sable, which is 1200 pounds heavier than the first gen Mustang.)

as much as I love watching Graveyard Carz, doing a full OEM restoration is WAY to anal for my tastes.

 

[Merkava_4]

New cars to me look puffy. When the new Mustang first came out, the back end reminded me of a puffy Huskies disposable diaper. That great big one piece styrofoam bumper is what does it. Contrast that with 1970 Challenger posted above, you'll see the all steel bumper as being a separate piece from the rear all steel valance, and absolutely no styrofoam on the car anywhere; giving it a very lean, fit and trim look.

 

[marc1]

Originally Posted By: jhs914
I'm 65 years old and owned classic muscle cars back in the day when they were new (my first car was a brand new 1966 GTO with tri-power) and I've had new muscle cars (I currently have a 2012 392 Dodge Challenger SRT8).

If you want to tinker, fiddle with, and do constant maintenance while only driving to car shows and cruise-ins, then buy a fully restored classic. But if you actually plan on driving it as a real car buy a modern muscle car. There is no comparison. The new cars have brakes and suspensions that work, are reliable, get better gas mileage, are safer, and are more comfortable. And they are faster and more powerful.


JHS914 - you tree'd me

 

[morris]

my idea is to find good local car club. and i find the forums in the internet are very good. i was lucky to have been at the start of one in 1985. it is still going good. and it gets me out of the house. LOL

 

[turtlevette]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I'm not an old muscle car fan, they were poorly built and drive poor even by today's standards.


Exactly, And that's what makes them fun. New cars that are quiet and drive with minimal input bore me to death. You want the entire old school experience. A relatively large cube engine turning about 3k plus rpm going down the highway. You want something that truly gets "bent out of shape" when you get on it. A challenge to control.

 

[bigjl]

Old US muscle cars would be wasted for me as UK roads are too narrow really.

But i think we all hanker after the cars that were popular when we were younger and not in a position to own them.

If you look at shows like Fast N Loud you can see there are mods available to get handling closer to modern standards.

Current muscle cars will likely be less popular in 30 or 40 years due to the lack of character caused by them being more advanced amd well engineered.

I drove a '66 Austin A40 mk2 Farina in Uni. I would love to get another one and do all the mods that are possible, putting in a 3.5 Rover V8 luml for example. Or buying an original and unmolested Phase 2 Renault 5 GT Turbo from the late '90s.

 

[The_Jeff]

You're on track buying a restored one. Just check its provenance and make sure it's had the same owner for a number of years. A build photo album might be nice too. I guess an internet forum where you could go back in time would be the modern equivalent.

To DIY you'd make literally 50 cents an hour. The last 20% takes the last 80% of the job; let someone else sort that out.

I'd probably stay stock except stuff like disc brakes, overdrive transmission, modern alternator, upgraded headlights, and better radio.

 

[fdcg27]

Do you want a daily driver or a toy car to enjoy on weekends?
Any new car can be a reliable daily driver.
Most old cars can't be unless you're willing to devote considerable time to keeping them running.
A resto-rod is a calamity to me.
A car should either be original or restored as close to original as possible IMHO.
OTOH, a resto-rod can end up being a useful and practical, if expensive, daily driver.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: jhs914
I'm 65 years old and owned classic muscle cars back in the day when they were new (my first car was a brand new 1966 GTO with tri-power) and I've had new muscle cars (I currently have a 2012 392 Dodge Challenger SRT8).

If you want to tinker, fiddle with, and do constant maintenance while only driving to car shows and cruise-ins, then buy a fully restored classic. But if you actually plan on driving it as a real car buy a modern muscle car. There is no comparison. The new cars have brakes and suspensions that work, are reliable, get better gas mileage, are safer, and are more comfortable. And they are faster and more powerful.


Exactly. Many here have never had the pleasure of track time in a real performance car. I have had everything from a 63 Cutlass convertible through our more current hi-po cars today and I'll take the newer ones any day.

Even my full size 4 door luxury sedan has beaten up on many older classics at the strip. It is far from 'sterile' and can be quite entertaining at any speed. And all the while it has needed nothing but tires and oil changes. Can't do that in a 70's muscle car, and note that classic hi compression's last year was 70, as performance began to fade that next year in 71...