MUSCLE CARS OR IMPORTS

[Green WS6]

???MUSCLE CARS OR IMPORTS?
IS ONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER? AND WHY? OR ITS JUST MATTER OF PREFENCES?

Sorry for making this a little difficult. But now let me tell you guys the story behind this question.
A few weeks ago my coworkers found out about my new toy (t/a ws6). My manager make the comment that it was a nice car but, imports are better than domestic in every way. I replied that imports have a good reputation in different aspects but when we talk about power and especially TORQUE there nothing like american muscle cars. Then he asked me that if I think that I can beat at least one of the cars on the covered parking (Doctor's parking).( I work in a hospital by the way) I can honestly say that 90% percent of this vehicles are imports. And I'm not talking about 4 banger here, I mean real cars like porches, bmw m5, mercedes benz E55, bmw 850il etc... I know that muscle cars gotta have something better that this imports. And in my opinion the difference is the price. We get more hp and torque for less $$$. What do you guys think?

['68SuperchargedLT1Camaro]

I'm a little confused by the pole. Both answers describe characteristics of a V-8. Was this intentional?

I'd much rather have a muscle car over an import. You can make ALOT more power with a bigger motor. Rice boys try to argue that they don't like domestics because they don't handle well. That's BS. Newer Camaro's and TA's can be set up to handle pretty well, and if I want REALLY good handling, I'll get a Vette. Domestic is the only way to go.

[jdawgs94z]

little confused on the poll,i choose domestic v8 over import,compared to a ricer my car is cheap to make REAL hp,if i wanted to run a 16 sec 1/4 with 10k of engine work i would go import ;D

[lt1sierra]

AMERICAN MUSCLE ALL THE WAY!

What it comes down to for me is that you can make anything fast, everyone knows that. It all just depends on how much money you are willing to spend. I just think the domestics look WAY better doing it, and there's not question that they sound better going fast.

[turtle]

wenceslopez said:

???MUSCLE CARS OR IMPORTS?
IS ONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER? AND WHY? OR ITS JUST MATTER OF PREFENCES?

So which one is supposed to be the import on the poll. I'm confused Regardless my vote goes for muscle cars

[yellerr]

I think 'Low RPM Torque' means V8 muscle car. That's my vote.
Nothing like the sound of a very nicely tuned V8! ;D

['68SuperchargedLT1Camaro]

I'll admit, just about all of the old twin turbo imports (3000GT VR-4, Twin Turbo Supra, Twin Turbo RX-7) are pretty nice cars. Nice interiors, good body lines, etc. But these little Honda's with 4 bangers are a joke. The kids that buy these cars don't seem to realize that these are bottom of the line, entry level econo boxes. NOT sports cars. There is very good reason why all of the nice, and expensive imports are rear wheel drive (or all wheel drive like the VR-4), and don't have little 4 cylinders.

[1bad2k2ta]

admin said:

I'll admit, just about all of the old twin turbo imports (3000GT VR-4, Twin Turbo Supra, Twin Turbo RX-7) are pretty nice cars. Nice interiors, good body lines, etc. But these little Honda's with 4 bangers are a joke. The kids that buy these cars don't seem to realize that these are bottom of the line, entry level econo boxes. NOT sports cars. There is very good reason why all of the nice, and expensive imports are rear wheel drive (or all wheel drive like the VR-4), and don't have little 4 cylinders.

I agree; there is no replacement for displacement. It is very difficult to make big power with only 4 cylinders. While there are some turbo cars out there that can surprise a V8 owner, they usually don't live long because the only way they can make that power is to rev the crap out of it. Take the Honda S2000. Honda rates it at 300 hp (flywheel), but you have to rev it to its 9k red line to get it. Granted it is a nice, high tech motor, but it still won't live long at that rpm. The LS1 makes the same power (flywheel) at around 3500; not even breathing good yet. Cold air intake, cam, true duals, a good tune and you are making 400+ at the wheels. That is about 500 at the flywheel at 6k. You will be hard pressed to get that out of the same Honda S2000 at 9k, even with a turbo.

What about handling? A lighter car will almost always be more nimble. The more mass you have the harder it is to hold the Gs. You can get an f-body to hold close to 1G on a 200' circle. Corvettes, even better. I think the smaller cars may have an edge on the slalom courses, because again greater mass is at a disadvantage being tossed from side to side. Some people find that kind of thing fun, but I for one can testify that it doesn't compare to being able hang the tail out at and boiling the tires at will. Not to mention the looks on the young guys faces when on the highway I drop from 6th to 3rd at 70 and jump 5 or 6 car lengths on them in as many seconds. Then, go straight back to 6th and let them catch back up. All I see is eyes, teeth, and thumbs. I just love that. ;D Hee hee.

[Fire67]

Green WS6 how about you clarify your poll for us... I'm building a blown 383 wich should make monster low rpm torque, but my old motor made way more power at my money investment level than any import Ive seen.

[Green WS6]

Hope the story can help you guys!!

[ssnorm96]

Here's my take...for the average guy (you and I) import will always mean Japanese or bottom-end German. With that in mind, there is none higher than an American musclecar. If your manager wants to compare your $12000 TA to his or someone elses Porche or other top end German car, he is wanting you to admit that your car is inferior....probably because he has a small thingy. Tell him that if he were a smart person, he would have bought(or should go buy) a C6 Corvette...if he has that much money a Z06. Explain to him the cost/hp ratio, the $$$$ required to repair each vehicle, and the availability of parts for each car. Also explain to him how you can make an American car better with what amounts to minimal money...in respect to Porsche or BMW improvements or initial cost. Remember, money doesn't make the man, it's the man that makes the money.
IMO, anyone that buys a high end car is not a "car guy", but someone that has more money than sense. Don't forget that your car is a status symbol. At face value, one might believe that someone with a high end car is of higher status. That is exactly the impression he wants to make. He probably has never driven that car so as to appreciate the handling or performance.....thus making him not a car guy.
To summarize my horribly long post, to each his own....but around here, you should find that most appreciate American Musclecars. I know I do!!

[Green WS6]

Wow!! I'm very impress with you post man. I can tell that you are very smart and that you are a real guy car. Thanks for your response.

[turtle]

ssnorm96 said:

Here's my take...for the average guy (you and I) import will always mean Japanese or bottom-end German. With that in mind, there is none higher than an American musclecar. If your manager wants to compare your $12000 TA to his or someone elses Porche or other top end German car, he is wanting you to admit that your car is inferior....probably because he has a small thingy. Tell him that if he were a smart person, he would have bought(or should go buy) a C6 Corvette...if he has that much money a Z06. Explain to him the cost/hp ratio, the $$$$ required to repair each vehicle, and the availability of parts for each car. Also explain to him how you can make an American car better with what amounts to minimal money...in respect to Porsche or BMW improvements or initial cost. Remember, money doesn't make the man, it's the man that makes the money.
IMO, anyone that buys a high end car is not a "car guy", but someone that has more money than sense. Don't forget that your car is a status symbol. At face value, one might believe that someone with a high end car is of higher status. That is exactly the impression he wants to make. He probably has never driven that car so as to appreciate the handling or performance.....thus making him not a car guy.
To summarize my horribly long post, to each his own....but around here, you should find that most appreciate American Musclecars. I know I do!!

Well said ssnorm96

[ssnorm96]

Thanks

[momacoz]

my .02, i know there are lots of imports out there that are actually pretty
cool and even fast. but they will never be able to stand up to the American Muscle.
just how many imports have had the georgous bodies that we have had? Camaros,
Firebirds, GTOs, Chevelles, 442s, mustangs, cudas, chargers, need i go on? when
was the last time you saw a porshe(sp) and a old Chevy Muscle Car and said that
the porshe was sexier?
ther is no substitute for Cubic Inches.

[blackbirdws6zzz]

I racing an M3 the other day and kicked it's ass. Guy didn't look at me when i returned to normal speed and he passed. hahahaha. Theres nothing like american torque.

[Iroc313]

well heres something you should take into consideration If you lived in japan if you had a muscle car it would be considered an import so it would be both a muscle car and an import


LOL just bieng annoying muscle cars all the way

[JoeCool]

American cars are way better. Those overpriced European cars are peices of Junk. Always needing repairs.

Also remind him that a lot of those "awesome" European cars are owned by AMERICAN companies. Jaguar, Aston-Martin, Land Rover, Volvo: FORD
Mercedes, Maybach: Chrysler
Saab, Vauxhall, Opel: General Motors

[AAron]

it was diamler that bought chrysler so it isnt an american car company anymore.

and i wouldnt claim Saab