Era of the Muscle Car is over

AutoX Z · 06-14-2009, 10:00 AM

Sure this might be the death of the muscle car but I think it will be the rebirth of the traditional sports car. There's going to be a big push to make smaller lighter cars now that people realize how big an enemy weight is. So sure the giant V8's and possibly V6's are not long for this world with the advances in direct injection and turbo's there's still a bright future for performance cars.

NeedforZ · 06-14-2009, 10:32 AM

The era of muscle cars as we known it may be over but sports cars will continue to evolve. I think people will figure out how to mod and race just about any form of transportation. Come back 50 or 100 years. Moon buggy races in low G may be a lot of fun.

Mergnthwirker · 06-14-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

Sure this might be the death of the muscle car but I think it will be the rebirth of the traditional sports car. There's going to be a big push to make smaller lighter cars now that people realize how big an enemy weight is. So sure the giant V8's and possibly V6's are not long for this world with the advances in direct injection and turbo's there's still a bright future for performance cars.

I couldn't agree more. The old Colin Chapman line, "For more speed... add lightness" applies. My Sentra SE-R was about 2100 pounds and went damn well with only 130hp. I've driven a Caterham Super 7 which is under 1500 lbs, and it was a hoot! DAMN fast, and very visceral (but a bit scary next to an 18-wheeler on the highway).

I continue to watch in horror as each generation of cars add more weight and need to increase engine size to return decent performance. I hope the new focus on efficiency starts to drive weights back down, but the costs of exotic materials and the safety and content requirements of new cars make this a difficult engineering challenge. I'd be really happy with the same power-to-weight ratio as my 370Z in a 2000lb car!

I'm sure it would get a lot better fuel mileage. But I still wouldn't want to meet a Chevy Tahoe head-on...

HJM

Sashimi · 06-14-2009, 02:37 PM

I think that the muscle car will be here as long as it by itself if a profitable car. what we will proboboly see is that they are going to be made cheaper and cheaper and only having minor upgrades over the years to come. Example is the mustang, the mustang was barely changed from the last generation to this generation. While the Z on the other had, from 350z-370z is almost a completly new car.

End of the muscle car? I didn't think so. but after going to the track and seeing a stock 370z beat a brand new Challenger SRT8 which has over 400HP on a STRAIGHT line. I don't know what to say.

hot370z · 06-14-2009, 11:03 AM

Never American Muscle CAR!!!!!!!!!! will never END. It's in are blood.

GingaBreadMan · 03-09-2010, 05:09 PM

I wasn't ever a fan of muscle cars. I like power but those big bloated porkers are a Timex watch in a digital age. They are only good in a straight line and are like crap going down the toilet in the twistses. May they Rest In Peace.

dad · 03-09-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GingaBreadMan

I wasn't ever a fan of muscle cars. I like power but those big bloated porkers are a Timex watch in a digital age. They are only good in a straight line and are like crap going down the toilet in the twistses. May they Rest In Peace.

What goes around comes around! The Z will be in the same category in the future!

GingaBreadMan · 03-10-2010, 10:00 AM

I doubt it. With all of the electronic gizmos, safety equipment, and sound deadening cars are only going to get heavier. Instead of making a car that handles well they have a computer control body roll (magnetorheological shocks). I enjoy big power, but not in exchange of increased weight. The funny thing is that muscle cars in the past weighted less than most sports cars now. If you want to do burnouts and go fast in a straight line you get a GT500, or a Challenger. You wanna have an all around kick a$$ vehicle you get a Z.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

What goes around comes around! The Z will be in the same category in the future!

Zsteve · 03-10-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GingaBreadMan

I doubt it. With all of the electronic gizmos, safety equipment, and sound deadening cars are only going to get heavier. Instead of making a car that handles well they have a computer control body roll (magnetorheological shocks). I enjoy big power, but not in exchange of increased weight. The funny thing is that muscle cars in the past weighted less than most sports cars now. If you want to do burnouts and go fast in a straight line you get a GT500, or a Challenger. You wanna have an all around kick a$$ vehicle you get a Z.

There is one company, not sure which it is off the top of my head, its a spyder convertable, I know that, and they made it with no stereo, no AC, even no cup holder, so they can save on weight. Its a pure sports/muscle car.

edit: Its a Porsche boxster spider $61K

370Zsteve · 03-10-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hot370z

Never American Muscle CAR!!!!!!!!!! will never END. It's in are blood.

Yes! Can you say GT500, Grand Sport, Z06... the muscle lives.

spearfish25 · 06-14-2009, 11:36 AM

Check out the Top Gear episode where there test the Tesla. While it had intoxicating acceleration, there were some huge drawbacks. For example, they made it 50mi on their track before the battery died...and it only takes 16 hours to recharge. They had a few other problems too that I just can't recall right now.

Dova80 · 06-14-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Check out the Top Gear episode where there test the Tesla. While it had intoxicating acceleration, there were some huge drawbacks. For example, they made it 50mi on their track before the battery died...and it only takes 16 hours to recharge. They had a few other problems too that I just can't recall right now.

Brakes broke, and also over heating..

CBRich · 06-14-2009, 01:47 PM

Actually by out I mean in production and not just a few released. Tesla is struggling in so many ways right now.

k20z3 · 06-14-2009, 02:35 PM

duh duh duh...
the government is winning.

Insert________sadface

dad · 06-14-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k20z3

the government is winning.

Always question authority!

03-09-2010, 05:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
GingaBreadMan Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Posts: 313 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6spd Rep Power: 17	I wasn't ever a fan of muscle cars. I like power but those big bloated porkers are a Timex watch in a digital age. They are only good in a straight line and are like crap going down the toilet in the twistses. May they Rest In Peace. __________________ ClearBra/Debadging/Tinted Head & Taillights Coming Soon:180° Customs Headlights/ISS Forged Spyder 19" 265*305/Swift Springs/STS Rear Mount Turbo

06-14-2009, 02:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
k20z3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Denver CO Age: 35 Posts: 2,146 Drives: 2006 Civic SI HFP Rep Power: 407	duh duh duh... the government is winning. Insert________sadface __________________ 2006 RALLYE RED HONDA CIVIC SI HFP Clint's Helpful Photoshop Hints!

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06-14-2009, 10:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
AutoX Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 314 Drives: 370Z Base, Sport Rep Power: 17	Sure this might be the death of the muscle car but I think it will be the rebirth of the traditional sports car. There's going to be a big push to make smaller lighter cars now that people realize how big an enemy weight is. So sure the giant V8's and possibly V6's are not long for this world with the advances in direct injection and turbo's there's still a bright future for performance cars.

06-14-2009, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
NeedforZ Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 163 Drives: 370z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 18	The era of muscle cars as we known it may be over but sports cars will continue to evolve. I think people will figure out how to mod and race just about any form of transportation. Come back 50 or 100 years. Moon buggy races in low G may be a lot of fun.

06-14-2009, 02:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sashimi Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pleasanton, CA Posts: 120 Drives: Pearl White 370z Rep Power: 402	I think that the muscle car will be here as long as it by itself if a profitable car. what we will proboboly see is that they are going to be made cheaper and cheaper and only having minor upgrades over the years to come. Example is the mustang, the mustang was barely changed from the last generation to this generation. While the Z on the other had, from 350z-370z is almost a completly new car. End of the muscle car? I didn't think so. but after going to the track and seeing a stock 370z beat a brand new Challenger SRT8 which has over 400HP on a STRAIGHT line. I don't know what to say.

06-14-2009, 11:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
hot370z Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CA Posts: 102 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 18	Never American Muscle CAR!!!!!!!!!! will never END. It's in are blood.

06-14-2009, 11:36 AM	#11 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1858	Check out the Top Gear episode where there test the Tesla. While it had intoxicating acceleration, there were some huge drawbacks. For example, they made it 50mi on their track before the battery died...and it only takes 16 hours to recharge. They had a few other problems too that I just can't recall right now.

06-14-2009, 01:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 546	Actually by out I mean in production and not just a few released. Tesla is struggling in so many ways right now.