Yup, that’s my current car (well, not the actual one I own which is silver, but you get the idea) a 2001 Nissan Altima GXE Limited Edition (you know, because they only pumped out several hundred thousand of these). It’s not a bad car - as far as basic transportation goes, it’s served me well these last 4 1/2 years with no problems. But therein lies my problem - it’s just basic transportation and the sucker will be all paid off in December. Now, I could certainly kick back and enjoy life without car payments and I might just end up doing that… but then there is the other part of me whispering in my attentive ears “Life’s too short… you’re only going to have more responsibility in the years ahead… NOW is your chance.” Hell, even my GF thinks I should go for it and ditch my “grandma car”. Such an enabler.
So I’m thinking of getting one of the modern muscle cars and have narrowed it down to three:
2005 Ford Mustang GT (the 6 cylinder version is an affront to all that is good and right in this world)
2006 Dodge Charger
2005 Pontiac GTO
I have some leanings on which one of these I currently prefer, but I was curious to hear everyone else’s thoughts. I figured this was as good a place as any to get some ideas on muscle cars, especially since I know Biotest picked one up for itself (a 1971 'Cuda if I am not mistaken).
Kuz
Return with honor (and return really, really fast in a sweet V8).
The Chargers are cool but they were supposed to do a better job of “hiding” the two rear doors. So it ended up looking alot like the 300C. Not bad for a four door.
The Mustang’s new body style kicks much ass. And you have it right, if you’re going to get it, you have to get the GT with the V8. Otherwise there’s no point.
The GTO…well it’s an australian body style and there’s nothing real new about it…Plus they didn’t power it right to go along with the GTO namesake…but for 2006 they slammed the LS2 save all motor in it to give it a great kick. So if you go with the GTO, it’s gotta have the LS2…
That’s just my humble opinion. I’m a Chevy guy so I’d get the GTO to stay with GM…but if I were to cheat, the Mustang would be the one without question.
Personally, I am a huge fan of the Mustang especially the new retro look. However, I wouldn’t rule out looking at the Chrysler 300C.
It’s a luxury vehicle but it has huge amounts of power and it’s fast. I love mine. The only thing that would make it better would be to offer it as a convertible. Plus, if you want to deck it out it just looks better.
None of the three are a bad choice. I like the Mustang because they brought back the classic Mustang lines.
GTO is fast, but the name the hood scoop is the only thing links it to the past.
I gotta say I am really impressed with the lines on the new Charger. I don’t know much about it except that it’s “Hemi-powered”. Is it front wheel drive, or rear?
Why not just save your cash up and get the Shelby Mustang coming out next year? I’d probably sell my kids for one of those.
None of the three are a bad choice. I like the Mustang because they brought back the classic Mustang lines.
GTO is fast, but the name the hood scoop is the only thing links it to the past.
I gotta say I am really impressed with the lines on the new Charger. I don’t know much about it except that it’s “Hemi-powered”. Is it front wheel drive, or rear?
Why not just save your cash up and get the Shelby Mustang coming out next year? I’d probably sell my kids for one of those. [/quote]
RJ - Believe me, the Shelby Cobra Mustang in 2006 is a beautiful, beautiful car. I think it will probably end up being a little TOO pricey for me (which is a bummer), although selling your kids to buy my Cobra works for me… ohh, that’s not what you meant? Damn.
lostin - I would definitely be looking at the newer GTO with the 400 HP engine, but I will look more into the LS2 - maybe we are thinking of the same thing? And RJ, on the GTO thing, I don’t have any nostalgic links to the old GTOs, so I don’t necessarily have the same feeling that I know a lot of GTO afficionados seem to feel about the new design. I am more of an old time Mustang guy, hence my fondness for the updated design.
The Charger is nice, but the one that really catches my eye is their SRT version of it (the black one you see on the main Charger site in the link above). Not sure what the $$ damage will be to pick up that beauty, though. I think the rear door is not horribly noticeable, though. Honestly, it almost looks a bit like a somewhat stretched out 2005 Mustang where they were able to fit in a rear door.
I tend to choose Chrysler products first, (I own a Dakota & a Wrangler), then various GM products, (I own a Chevy Tracker & a Grand Prix GT), then Ford.
That being said, the 'Stang looks the most like the old days. I love the look except I am not crazy for the rear end.
I love the whole look of the Charger, especially the SRT8, but it looks nothing like the Chargers of old.
I don’t like the look of the GTO at all, and it looks nothing like an old Goat.
My choice would the Charger SRT8, unless price/performance lean decidedly in favor of the Mustang GT. I don’t think I would choose the GTO at all.
Mustang GT all the way. The aftermarket for Mustangs is always there and growing. If you want to upgrade any portion of the car, whether it’s power, suspension braking, etc. the options are out there.
It’s not very difficult to make a 1 G handling Mustang that makes 500 rwhp.
Because I’m nostalgic, I’m definitely dissapointed in the GTO, pontiac fucked up bad. I remember seeing the concept GTO at a show and it looked so damn aggressive and cool, but their street car came up short, for sure.
The mustang and charger are definitely sexy ass old school looking cars.
Other things to consider, and potentially sway you back to the GTO is.
I would definitely go with the Mustang if I were getting a new car. My first car was a turquoise '66 Mustang. I loved that car and I love the new body style of the '05.
How are you still even wondering? The mustang without a doubt. Out of curiousity, could you add the prices on the cars? I think a new Mustang GT is like 150 000 $ over here (damn taxes).
I don’t think you could go wrong with any of those cars. But cocider buying used like an '04 SVT Mustang- 390 HP 390 Ft-lbs. Or perhaps a 02-04 Z06 - They are hovering in the low $30’s right now, many of them have very low miles and are flat fucking amazing. I have a friend with one so far has beeten, well everybody porches have been his favorite food. Last years GTO’s are pretty cheap, they just never sold well and small adaptations will easily push this car over 400 HP. Good lord I could go on for ever, just get your self the bad-ass car of your choice. Keep the family beater for rainy days.
[quote]Imbrondir wrote:
How are you still even wondering? The mustang without a doubt. Out of curiousity, could you add the prices on the cars? I think a new Mustang GT is like 150 000 $ over here (damn taxes).[/quote]
Damn - another reason I love living in the U.S. lol
Mustang GT approx. $27,000
Dodge Charger R/T approx $32,000 (not sure how much the SRT version will be with the 6.1L Hemi)
Pontiac GTO approx. $34,000
The Mustang Shelby Cobra will probably be about $38-$40K. Just a guess based on what I am seeing out there on Internet forums.
A guy at my company just bought a “Marauder”. Holy crap. It’s like a State Police Cruiser on roids. Big V-8. Think it is 5.7. Not really sure but it looks massive. He said it blows the doors of of anything he’s ever had and he is a car guy, unlike me.
