The Best in Modern American Muscle Cars

Posted by Mike Stone on November 6, 2009

What makes the powerful American muscle car so strong today is the fact you can get them for a fraction of what a luxury car is priced.

The car world is dominated by German and Japanese made cars. That’s not a bad thing, but real American engines are still around. You just have to look for them.

There are some powerful and unique American cars available, especially modern American muscle cars. But what makes these American muscle cars 1) affordable for the common car fan and 2) loud and fast to boot?

Before we go there, what do modern American muscle cars need to be considered important? American muscle cars of quality should have some “amp” to them, roar loud like the corvette, and be fast, going from 0-60 in no time.

Oddly enough, the vintage cars we now call muscle cars were just V-8 engines put into small cars. The movement for better and better muscle cars drew definite interest from the automobile industry, and we’ve seen lines like the Pontiac GTO rise, fall, and rise again.

The Pontiac GTO has always been in the running for American modern muscle cars, but newer additions like the highly rated Cadillac CTS-V and the Chrysler 300 Hemi are definitely to be considered too.

In terms of the most affordable American muscle cars, there are still some options if you want to race a bit over the speed limit. These three have varying price ranges, but are high value for what you get.

Let’s consider the Cadillac CTS-V. The pros here are the modern muscle cars’ incredible power. It’s got a supercharged 6.2 V8 engine, with some incredible horsepower numbers pushing 550. And you can go 0-60 in 4.3. The only clear con to this modern American muscle, if you could call it a con, is the basic seats and the price tag, nw at $60,000.

Next, let’s talk about the Cadillac CTS-V. The pros here are the incredible horsepower, the very best in modern American muscle cars. It’s got a supercharged 6.2 V8 engine, with some incredible horsepower numbers pushing 550. And you can go 0-60 in 4.3. The only clear con to this modern American muscle is the price tag, pushing $60,000.

The Chrysler 300 Hemi is second on horsepower to the Cadillac, but nice look with a big grille and lots of noise. She clocks in around 5 to 5.5 in 0-60 with her 340+ horsepower. The big saver for this vehicle is new models are less than $25,000. For value for money, you’ve got a winner.

The most important American muscle car is? It’s a tough call. For history, the GTO might get it. For sheer power, the winner is the Cadillac CTS. For a combination of price and power, you’ve got the Chrysler 300 Hemi. It’s almost a draw, but since it has the most storied history, the Pontiac GTO is the most important modern muscle car.

Modern American muscle carshave always interested Mike Stone, a former auto journalist who likes to lend is ideas and automotive thoughts for Streetside Auto.com.