Performance/Muscle cars. New vs. Old. What is your opinion?

[jgillott]

I'm getting the itch for something different to play around with and I am having a hard time deciding between a nice restored late 60's early 70's car or a new modern muscle car like a Challenger, etc. I have an older Corvette that I've had sitting around for the last 20 years or so. I haven't really touched that thing in forever and really don't have much desire to at this point in my life. So, I'm contemplating selling/trading it off for something else that I may be more interested in.

My gut tells me that a good investment grade classic car is a much better $$$ investment than something new. But, let's face it, a new Challenger or similar will idle all day in the heat, has comfortable seats and AC, and will out perform almost any of the classics that I would be able to afford.

So if you were in the market for something like this, what would it be and why?

 

[mwilson]

There was a brand spanking new Orange Hellcat Challenger sitting out front of the dealership when I picked up the Yukon today.....I gotta tell you that I liked it..a lot, like really really a lot....

 

[Wayne M.]

I'll call your attention to a thread you were involved in.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/248957-Got-another-project/page5

Of the current muscle cars, IMHO the Challenger is the closest thing to classic muscle- especially if it's opted properly. HOWEVER I really think the true spirit is lost.
The old cars have a certain persona. I'm a diehard Mopar guy- Nothing like a pre 71 B body, but I couldn't just pick one but my '69 Charger left a mark!

 

[BigPapa]

I vote for the classic!

I go to church with the fellow that owns this classic car dealership here in Ridgetop, TN. Don't know if he has any Mopars.

http://www.lovemotormemories.com/gallery.html

He's just getting started with the retail side but he's been collecting cars for years. He's got some nice old originals and a lot of resto rods. He's been selling some and buying some at the Mecum auctions and he goes to Barrett-Jackson every year and he's always picking up local cars, too.

 

[TFucili]

There was a brand spanking new Orange Hellcat Challenger sitting out front of the dealership when I picked up the Yukon today.....I gotta tell you that I liked it..a lot, like really really a lot....

When I left my morning coffee with the guys last Sunday there was a Plum Crazy Hellcat Challenger there, and that thing really sounded good when he lit it off. He knew I was watching, so he did the obligatory burnout when leaving the lot LOL. If I would go new, an SRT or Hellcat Challenger would be my choice. As much as I like the Hellcat, I am actually more drawn to the hottest normally aspirated Scat-Pack SRT.

For pure nostalgia, it is hard to beat a classic Challenger, Cuda, etc. However, if you drive it a lot, I believe you will quickly find "the good old days" were less good than one might remember. Chintzy interiors, so-so brakes, etc., etc., etc. Sure you can work on them, and that's a good thing, 'cause it'll be a regular thing. Old cars, after all, are old cars.

 

[jgillott]

The Scat-Pack Challenger has really sparked my interest also. For ~$40,000 you get one heck of a nice package. The Hellcat is absolutely amazing. I don't know if you all have had the chance to drive one, but the are killer. Unfortunately they are just a little too far over what I can justify budget wise right now.

 

[JR]

I vote for a Hell Cat or a Scat Pack


I've not had the opportunity to ride in a Hellcat but I've seen a local guy run his at the drag strip. Those things are nasty for being a factory car.

An engineer at work owns a Scat Pack and I rode to lunch with him one day. Thats definitely no slouch! He could light em up on demand and that was with the 8 speed auto. I was very surprised at how the programming in sport mode keeps the rpm's up and provides a degree of engine braking.

 

[jhenderson]

If you watch the auctions as much as I do you'll realize that 60s and 70s muscle cars as a whole have peaked and are loosing rather than gaining value. Of course there are exceptions, but the value of a 69 ZL1 or a hemi cuda is in the stratosphere and not something 99% of us can afford. I vote for something late model. Each of the big 3 have affordable muscle that are easy daily drivers. In addition to beating anything out of our youth, including the afformentioned examples, they go around corners and stop on a dime. My 1st car was a 66 L79 Chevy II SS. I loved that car but I wouldn't trade our 06 GTO for 2 of the 66s unless I could sell them for enough to buy a 2017 ZL1.

 

[Cooper_D]

I really like the "oldies" but if you've been around long enough to remember the original challenger/cuda than you will appreciate the comfort/convience of the new ones.

This might be some of the reasons you say " I have an older Corvette that I've had sitting around for the last 20 years or so. I haven't really touched that thing in forever and really don't have much desire to at this point in my life."

The v6 in the new Challengers with the 8 speed is surprisingly fast.

You can even buy two Challengers with 6 cylinders (his/hers) for the price of their top performance V8

 

[Tractorat]

If you even have to ask the question then the choice is clear. A classic will always turn heads. It always will. The new muscle cars, although performance monsters that are comfortable to ride in, will not. They are now very common place. And your average person on the street will not know the difference between a hellcat and a standard model. So, if you just want a fast car, buy the new one. If you want something that is unique that every person you see will drool over, get the classic. Easy choice.

 

[TFucili]

If you even have to ask the question then the choice is clear. A classic will always turn heads. It always will. The new muscle cars, although performance monsters that are comfortable to ride in, will not. They are now very common place. And your average person on the street will not know the difference between a hellcat and a standard model. So, if you just want a fast car, buy the new one. If you want something that is unique that every person you see will drool over, get the classic. Easy choice.

I see your point, but I'm not so sure. I believe the person that spots the classic Challenger, Cuda, etc., and appreciates what it is will be the same person who sees a Hellcat or Scat Pack with a shaker hood and knows it is not an SXT V-6. The guy in the Prius sees an "old clunker" and a new "gas hog".

 

[BigPapa]

If you even have to ask the question then the choice is clear. A classic will always turn heads. It always will. The new muscle cars, although performance monsters that are comfortable to ride in, will not. They are now very common place. And your average person on the street will not know the difference between a hellcat and a standard model. So, if you just want a fast car, buy the new one. If you want something that is unique that every person you see will drool over, get the classic. Easy choice.

I see your point, but I'm not so sure. I believe the person that spots the classic Challenger, Cuda, etc., and appreciates what it is will be the same person who sees a Hellcat or Scat Pack with a shaker hood and knows it is not an SXT V-6. The guy in the Prius sees an "old clunker" and a new "gas hog".

I agree with Tractorat.

 

[Wayne M.]

So I took the liberty and went over to Moparts and asked them what the best new Challenger combo is outside a hellcat or other unobtainable model. The response was in unison- a 6.4 automatic (ZF8). It's said with a $150 hellcat air box mod and drag radials, you're knocking on 11.90's.
So I went and built one (GoMango of course!) and came in under $39K.

I will revise my opinion and say, if you want to turn heads and feel special in a car, get the classic. If you want to go fast with min hassle, get the Scat Pak!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then as I'm typing this I realize the FAST guys can get a bias ply A12 6 pack car WAY faster than that. Oh well. I'm still torn! Watch this! And don't forget the chillens don't even know what a PLYMOUTH is anymore. AHHH! I'm sticking to the classic!

 

[CRodi]

Oh boy. Tough decisions in a good sort of way.

Will your significant other be accompanying you on a lot of long road tours?

I know a lot of guys with C1's and C2's, who's girlfriend/wife/partner refuse to ride in that old classic, especially without A/C, unless it's the short trip to a cruise night to the local shopping mall.

Their old vettes end up receiving frame off restorations, and become trailer queens making the rounds to judging meets. The one's with funds will pick up a late model C6 or new C7 and their significant others are all too happy travelling in comfort. The best of both worlds.

I agree with Wayne M, you can't beat a classic for looks. You can spot and hear them a mile away.

The advantage to a new muscle car is the assurance of a warranty, and you can jump in and travel across the country with little or no worry. You'll enjoy comfort and reliability along with the need for speed. You'll unlikely experience fuel percolation and overheating. In the unlikely event you experience a break down, you can drop into any dealership and get service and be on your way in no time at all.

One of each would be the best of both worlds, but of course not feasible for the majority of us.

I think it will come down to your intended use.

You can't beat a new muscle car for long trips with your better half accompanying you.

For local cruising and the very occasional long road tour, I'd go with a 60's/70's muscle car.

Good luck with your tough decision.

Looking forward to seeing what you end up with.

 

[jgillott]

One of the things that I didn't mention in my first post was that we haven't gone anywhere without at least one of our daughters in years. So, the old Vette has been unusable for us for a long time.

Wayne, I test drove a Scat Pack recently that was as stripped down as you can get one. No options on the sheet other than what came with the Scat Pack package. It was a 6-speed and was a complete blast to drive. If I order one, I think it will be that exact model only with an automatic in Mango or Blue.

 

[Wayne M.]

Nice. It'll be a great addition to your stable.

 

[jgillott]

Nice. It'll be a great addition to your stable.

Now to try and sell that Corvette. Probably easier said than done. Not much of a market for them from what I've seen. Can't do anything else until it's gone.

 

[Shadrach]

What about a "modern" street rod? Like a 71 Cuda ( or what ever body style you like) with a 5.7 HEMI in it? If you can find one done properly then you have the best of both worlds, old look, modern power, and a comfortable ride.

When I had a 68 Charger R/T 440 it was a great car but not comfortable like a modern one and I wouldn't leave it any where. I only drove it on Sunny days. A guy I used to know sold his Hemi Challenger and bought a modern one. His comment was "If I blow the engine or dent a fender I don't cry as hard. I just go get it fixed."

Properly equipped the modern hot rods are fun to drive AND comfortable on long trips.

David

 

[Wayne M.]

What kind of Vette is it anyway?

I loved how my Charger was. I thought it was real comfortable. Every time I drove it I thought I was Bill Hickman.

 

[jgillott]

What kind of Vette is it anyway?

I loved how my Charger was. I thought it was real comfortable. Every time I drove it I thought I was Bill Hickman.

Nothing special 1987 Corvette.