I think the old regime of "American muscle cars" has given way to the car of the future... Imports!

I agree...the true muscle cars of today are clearly imports...I post this asking the question: Imports vs. ???. But is there really a comparison to today's import technology?

Blah Blah Blah....just kidding adam!!

Not that I'm arguing.....or that I want to....but you have to keep in mind....its alot cheaper to go fast in a "muscle car" than it is to go fast in todays "import muscle cars" for example....I have an 85 Monte Carlo that I bought for $1200.....dropped maybe $2000 into the drivetrain and dyno at 310hp and 440ft/lbs......so for 3500 youve got a neck snapper.....you really cant even buy an economy import for the cost of my car and drivetrain......open to discussion but dont want to clutter board with flame war......p.s. im a fan of "imports"......ricers i cant stand........happy motoring!

ok......i can deal with some imports i even like them sometimes if they are done right but the thing that pisses me off is the ass hole import guys that think us pure bread americans are in competition with them when in reality all, including import, and american car drivers know that american cars are better when it comes to speed, power, beefy looks, and true style, and imports are better for people who are not interested in speed, power, and style, but for those who value feul economy and over all reliability. yes some imports can be fast and they can look very nice but you need to be a little more respectful of your superiors(American Muscle car men) and if you want to give us competition dont buy those stupid compact family cars.

OK, I have to admit... some imports I have seen definately look pretty cool ...
But I think when those guys decide to put on the the usual Huge Aluminum Wing, Rims, Intake, Exhaust, you know the list .. they think it makes their 4-Door Civic fast.

Now, putting $20K under the hood of an import with NOS, Turbo, and all that will definately make it faster... but is it really worth it to put in all that money to make it fast when you can buy a Z28 or TransAm that will spank the competition right out of the assembly line?? I'm not sure if I see the logic in putting all that cash under the hood of your mom's 4-Door family sedan. But, thats just my $0.02

Tom

alright i figured i'll add my two cents also

i don't think imports are clearly the true muscle today at all...."muscle cars" doesn't just have to do with being fast...it also had to do with style, big cubic inches, awesome burnouts, and brute torque...you can't tell me that a 96 Honda Accord 4 door has any of that....or a honda civic, prelude, or CRX for that matter.....now im also talking about stock cars (right out of the factory) most family sedans aren't considered muscle cars in my opinion....

now there are fast imports don't get me wrong...RX7s, Supras, 300Zs, 3000GT VR4s and i like all of these cars....

the problem i have is younger kids that i have their mom's honda accord 4 door....then they try to make if fast with intake, coffee can, fog lights, wing, clear tail lights, and stickers. oh yeah and maybe the occasional header....that they say gives them 20 HP when all of us American Muscle car guys know it only gave them like 5 HP gain....then the part that really gets me is when you pull up to a light while its red and you are first minding your own business and this guy with his "hooked up" accord rolls up....he gives you a little rev....and you just look over and start laughing....and then they get pissed off and say we have a bad attitude....

im not saying i have the fastest car in town but don't come up to a american muscle car that probably runs low 15's or better with your 17 sec accord and give me a rev....then get mad when i laugh in your face....

haha ok im done now

Mike

All I'm sayin is, how many Civics do you see parked in front yards with grass growing through their hoods?

— eagecl

All I'm sayin is, how many Civics do you see parked in front yards with grass growing through their hoods?

Actually, there are a few here: one with a blown motor, one with a junk tranny, and a few older crx style that are rusted out and are getting to that point. I prefer american cars because of the cost factor mostly, and because i see hondas everyday and i want something unique .

I Dont believe I have ever had a ricer vibrate my heart from 50 feey away either.

lol.....spoken like a true muscle car gal.....

I see both sides of this topic, and can speak for both sides. I used to drive a Toyota Corolla, yea no speed deamon there. But now I drive a Saturn SC2. I can tell you that you cannot beat the reliability and performance from the import. But theres a certain pride in buying from the good'ol USA.

— CStingray78

Now, putting $20K under the hood of an import with NOS, Turbo, and all that will definately make it faster... but is it really worth it to put in all that money to make it fast when you can buy a Z28 or TransAm that will spank the competition right out of the assembly line??

Tom

Especially when you can't use the NOS on street conditions anyway (well, legally you can't). If you're big into the drag-strip scene, maybe you can catch a few eyes, but a factory-default viper will catch more attention than a sup'ed-up Honda

— cliffes85ss

lol.....spoken like a true muscle car gal.....

Well hell I'ts the truth........

"the true muscle cars of today are clearly imports"

There is absolutely nothing muscle about an import. If what you say is true, can your true muscle car of today beat my old, two tone, outdated Monte?

To compare power of american muscle to imports is a pointless comparison. American muslce owns the category. To compare economy is also pointless. Imports own that category. If you want to compare the cars, handling is about your only non-opinionated comparison (unlike appearance).

Please dont ever call a import a muscle car again!