How to Compare Classic & New Muscle Cars

There is a huge difference between the muscle cars of the '60s, '70s, and '80s eras and the muscle cars being produced in the 21st century. The technology used in modern day muscle cars is far superior to the technology used in older models. And though the designs are slightly similar, muscle car manufacturers are trying to take a more modern approach in the newer muscle car designs to appeal to the majority of car buyers, not just muscle car enthusiasts.

Instructions

1

Find out what kind of injection system the muscle car uses. For example, the '70s Ford Mustang uses a carburetor, like all early muscle cars, to inject fuel and intake air into the cylinders of the engine. The 2005 Ford Mustang GT, on the other hand, uses fuel injectors to inject fuel and an air box (the standard in all new muscle cars) to intake air. The newer approach is significantly better than a carburetor system---fuel injectors and air boxes deliver fuel and air more efficiently, increasing gas mileage and power, without lowering the exhaust note.

2

Determine how much money you are willing to spend on a muscle car. Old muscle cars can be very cheap; you can find them for under $1,000. However, most older muscle cars are in poor running condition due to their age and the fact that the people who bough muscle cars back in the day used them for more than just transportation (drag races). To find an old muscle car in clean and perfect running condition, which are usually sold as antiques or collection cars, you can spend more money on it than a modern day muscle car ($20,000 and up).

3

Buy a muscle car that is practical if you want to use it for daily driving. Older muscle cars may not have air conditioning or soundproofing, which makes them loud year round and hot in the summer. Newer muscle cars have plenty of soundproofing, plus other conveniences like airbags, air conditioning and power steering. They also are smoother on the road due to better suspension technology, use less gas, and create less pollution. And newer muscle cars are not even that expensive; many can be bought for under $20,000.