What happened to the bargain hot rods?

Cujet said:
While the HP seems acceptable the power to weight is not really that good and that shows up in the 1/4 mile trap speeds of the "bargain" pony cars today (about 100MPH) . The fact is the older V8's really responded to hot rodding. It was common and easy to modify to the 400HP level in a 2500 pound car.

Modern tires, 10 speed automatic transmissions and 6/7 speed manuals do a lot to make numbers look good on modern vehicles too. But take a ride an a hot rod '60's Mustang with a great engine, and the difference in response and "pull" is impossible to ignore, 3 speeds or not.
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A GTI with a box tune would roast most "hot-rodded" 60's cars.
 
Astro14 said:
My wife’s bone stock Volvo SUV would roast them as well. The T8 powertrain makes over 450 HP, runs 0-60 in just under 5.0 seconds.

While doing it with leather, heated and air conditioned seats, HUD, 21 speaker sound system and room for 7.
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How does the T8 powertrain hold up long term? Haven't heard much negative, besides potential oil consumption.

I've liked the XC90 for forever, we're looking at replacing the Touareg or adding another older SUV.
 
RooflessVW said:
How does the T8 powertrain hold up long term? Haven't heard much negative, besides potential oil consumption.

I've liked the XC90 for forever, we're looking at replacing the Touareg or adding another older SUV.
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Well, we’ve only had it since March, and so far the car has been flawless. The only service item to date was a software update.

It really does drive well. I’ve been very impressed with how quiet and smooth it is both around town and on the highway.

The fascinating thing is the cost of operating on electricity, it’s roughly 1/ 3rd to 1/4 of gasoline per mile, using our home charger (level 2).
 
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Here’s a bargain hot rod- cost less than 4K to build with a Cadillac engine.
 
Astro14 said:
I’m sorry, but I really don’t understand your point.

Was that post directed at me?
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No - whoever creates this content in the media - it applies to almost everything … like the kids poking the old man about the lack of technology in his era - but the kids did not invent it either …
Simple evolution …
 
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4WD said:
This is ridiculous talking about what a modern car does compared to old technology - put your chest back in your shirt bcs you didn’t do it …
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It's not ridiculous and it was brought up to illustrate that the original post is a farce for two main reasons:

1. $20k is nothing in 2025.

2. Many modern cars are faster than the romanticized "hot rods," so there is plenty of speed available.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: 4wd
grampi said:
Remember when you could buy a stripped version of a Mustang, Camaro, or even a turbo Regal with all of the go fast goodies? I had an '87 T-Type that was every bit as quick as a Grand National, but it cost much less because it didn't have all the options of the GN. GM did this with the LT1 version of the Camaro, but it isn't as discounted on the price as one might think it should be, and none of the other muscle cars are available in a low cost version. They need to bring these cars back. Why do they all have to be loaded with options? Gimme a bare bones muscle car any day of the week...Who wants to spend $40K-$50K or more on a hot rod?
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What happened?

Government Regulations (mandatory equipment like back-up cameras, TPMS, ABS, Airbags (SRS), CAFE, CHMSL, etc)
 
grampi said:
Remember when you could buy a stripped version of a Mustang, Camaro, or even a turbo Regal with all of the go fast goodies? I had an '87 T-Type that was every bit as quick as a Grand National, but it cost much less because it didn't have all the options of the GN. GM did this with the LT1 version of the Camaro, but it isn't as discounted on the price as one might think it should be, and none of the other muscle cars are available in a low cost version. They need to bring these cars back. Why do they all have to be loaded with options? Gimme a bare bones muscle car any day of the week...Who wants to spend $40K-$50K or more on a hot rod?
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Okay, but hear me out, a bone stock mustang GT runs low 12's at 116-118mph. With AC. Factory warranty. Great sound system. Pulls almost 1g on the skidpad. Stops 60-0 in barely over 100ft. Rocks a sub 4-second 0-60.

For perspective, the Regal T Type you are lamenting sold for $15K in 1987. A quick trip to the inflation calculator puts that at $42k, today. The mustang retails for about $48k, if my local dealership's online ad is believed. So for 6K more, you tell me if it's "worth it". What kind of investment would it have taken to put your Regal in the low 12's AND have it turn AND have it stop? Would it be warrantied still? How's the NVH? Sound system? Safety? Stability at 150mph?

The golden age of performance cars is NOW.
 
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