The challenges of a modern muscle car era

One thing I learned from the Twilight Zone television show is that dreams can come true, but there’s always a catch. As a life-long muscle car enthusiast, I’ve often dreamed of the classic 1960s cars being reborn with modern amenities and performance.

My youthful desires were further kindled by my second car, a Pontiac Firebird. Since then, I’ve driven numerous, memorable muscle machines, each thrilling and disappointing in their own ways. A few years ago, I bought an older Chevrolet Corvette treated to a ground-up restoration and modernization, with a late-model powertrain. Stock appearance with somewhat modern dynamics. Very cool indeed, but not the true fantasy realized.

The current Ford Mustang GT and Shelby GT500 hit my hot button. And the new Chevrolet Camaro has my enthusiasm firing on all cylinders, recalling great memories of flogging a big-block Yenko Camaro. And now, along comes the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 here in Chicago. Wow.

Aside from gaining a little girth with age, as many of us tend to do, it too has that perfect recipe of being the car we all wish the originals were. (Ever go back and drive a ‘60s muscle car? Not quite what you may remember…)

Hard to believe it has been 35 years since the classic Challenger had been retired. The new one casts a familiar shadow, and it is instantly recognizable. Throw in a 6.1-liter V8 producing a magical 425 horsepower, as every Hemi should, and a track-inspired chassis… My right-foot has muscle-memory twitches just anticipating tire-liquefying power and lung-clogging smoke.

Sure, the official presentation and subsequent press materials are filled with references to Keyless Go and MyGig entertainment. Whatever. The real entertainment comes from under the twin hood scoops. The factoids that stuck with me from the unveiling were 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, 13.3 seconds for the quarter mile, and estimated EPA fuel economy 13 city, 18 highway.

Rod Serling, cue music.

I paid $3.35 a gallon to fill up this week. That’s for regular ol’ 87 octane, mind you. The Challenger drinks premium – and has a 19-gallon fuel tank. Another Dodge product is rated at 13/18, the Durango 4x4 with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Understanding this is not a direct comparison, it is worth noting that in Consumer Reports testing, we got just 12 miles per gallon. Sure, a person who buys a $40,000 muscle car may not stress over a few dollars for the driving excitement, but hear me out.

If were I to drive a Challenger SRT8 on my 90-mile round trip commute at $3.65 a gallon, it would cost $27.37 a day, $136.88 a week, and about $7,000 a year for fuel. Not to mention, the Challenger SRT8 carries a $2,100 gas-guzzler tax when purchased. Like it or not, fuel economy is a factor, and one that may prove a spoiler for these reborn muscle cars (at least for those with V8s) after the first year or two of sales.

These calculations sent my mind recoiling during the press conference to the never-ending “What would I buy?” question. The Scion xB and Toyota Matrix would be nice commuters, but is it really worth the operational cost for that BIG 2.4-liter four-cylinder?

To reset my agitated brain, I turned to a senior manager from General Motors and asked, “425 horsepower. Will the Camaro be able to beat that?” He smiled and replied, “I think so, and with better fuel economy.”

There may be hope just yet…I mean, our 505-hp Corvette Z06 got 13 mpg city and 28 on the highway. Understandably, the Z06 is about 945 pounds less than the full-boot Challenger but who would have thought that during the peak of the muscle car wars that a 500+-hp anything would get 28 mpg?

What do you think of the latest muscle cars? And do you think fuel economy will be a factor in their sales? Post your Comments below.

—Jeff Bartlett

Read our complete coverage of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

Comments

[Corvette Restoration]

I hope that car companies will begin to put out new models of old classics!

[Mustang Don]

Usage is the key here. Many muscle car owners do not use their cars for daily driving and certainly those that are going to buy a Dodge Challenger SRT-8 or a Shelby Mustang GT500KR are very likely to join that crowd. If you want to commute daily in muscle car style, wait for a 6-cylinder flex fuel version. Nobody wants to shell out $27.37 every day for gas, but how can you have any fun cruising the Woodward Ave on Friday night, or PCH on a sunny Saturday in a Corolla?

[Cale Johnson]

The hypothetical me... I'm 27, single, have an MBA or Electrical Engineering degree, earn $100k/year... Nope, I don't think gas will even factor in my consideration. I'm happy to have a Challenger to purchase, I was dreading the idea of buying a G37 like all my buddies.

[Everret]

Love the new muscle cars..... I hope to own a Challenger later on when the special colors and bigger engine comes out... with a manual trans.

My truck with 35's gets worse mpg than the SRT challenger, so I doubt gas mileage will have much of a effect on most Muscle car buyers.

[Moparfan]

If you want better fuel economy, wait for the regular Hemi version of the Challenger. Its real-world usable performance should be almost as good as the SRT-8, and the MDS system, which shuts off 4 of the 8 cylinders in light load situations, should help fuel economy on the highway. There will also be a 3.5 liter V6 version.

[Brett - - -]

All people are driving these days are crappy Toyotas and Nissians. Im just glad there will finally be some good cars out there like the Camaro and Challenger. But ill still stay with my old camaro.

[Mustang]

I think its great the Muscle car war is on again, personally have a Mustang GT

[Michael]

I think a lot of young car enthusiasts are going to pass this one up. Paying 33,000 for a new muscle car is more than most people the car industry markets to can afford. I'm waiting for the day the words Chevy is recreating the classic Chevelle Super Sport with 500 + horsepower and 28 miles to the gallon, comes out of General Motors execs mouth. :) I'll go to the crossroads for that one.

[Erik Z]

I'm all about the new SRT8 Challenger, the rear end and front end on the thing looks just like the old school Challenger, absolutely love it! I'm thinking about buying one, but going to wait because of this horrible economy. New 2010 Camaro is pretty sweet too!

[Tom]

Personally, I'd drive a new camaro or challenger ANY DAY. The truth is, their more reliable, better gas mileage per HP, and comfortable than the iconic cars they are replacing. But in this economy their not everyday cars for your average enthusiast who probably makes somewhere around 35-60k a year. Right now, it's only more established buyers who can financially take that kind of risk right out of their pockets- in essense, older people who actually remember the originals. But the truth is, even the new 2010 mustang handles "almost" like a true sports car based on reviews. Finally, detroit is starting to realize that the real war for this generation of auto consumers just isn't going to be hp vs hp but overall quality, handling and ride. That's why the evo and sti are so popular. They take less and do more with it. I own a 2004 gto and love it. But truth be told, I wish it had AWD with a double wishbone suspension and three differentials to handle that beastly power. What good is top line acceleration when the average commuter drives 45mph. They want to enjoy the few corners and hills on the way home. Better in a import than a muscle car? So far that's the case, but I think detroit is catching up in a hurry.