Let me cut right to the chase: the great thing about classic muscle cars was how damn honest they were. What you saw was what you got. These things were built for speed, but they weren’t trying to be all fancy about it like a Ferrari. Take a common man’s car, drop in a big ol’ V8, and lay some rubber. Then add some muscle car parts if you got bored. That’s all there was to it. I still can’t get enough of ‘em.
Now look at what we’re dealing with these days. You’ve got traction control to keep our tires from spinning. Computer screens in the dashboard, because God forbid we have to sit somewhere for a while without some gadget to stare at. And don’t get me started on all these safety standards that keep getting in the way. Hell, you can’t even hang your arm out the window anymore because the doorsill’s too high.
But stop the presses, because they got these so-called modern muscle cars nowadays, right? Chevrolet Camaro SS, Dodge Challenger R/T, Ford Mustang GT. All-American coupes with big V8s, just like the classic muscle cars we drove back in the day.
Well, I got to wondering whether they could make an old gearhead smile, so I went down to the dealerships to find the best muscle car on the market. Manual transmission, windows down, foot to the floor. Put these things through their paces. Not that anyone’s asking for my opinion, but here’s how I figure they stack up.
3. 2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS
To me, there’s not much that’s “retro” about this Chevy. Yeah, you can get a four-pack of gauges inside like the old cars had, but from the outside, the 2013 Camaro looks like a Hot Wheels car my son played with growing up. The original ‘60s Camaro was beautiful. This one’s a cartoon character.
Don’t get me wrong, the power’s still there. Big time. Wood the throttle and you’ve got 426 horses to play with. The exhaust sounds like it can barely breathe, but you can still find plenty of muscle car parts in 2013. I’m thinking a nice cat-back Flowmaster would do the trick.
But you’d still have to crane your neck to see out of this thing. Visibility’s terrible, and the doorsill is at my shoulder. Wham bam, no thank you, ma’am.
2. 2013 Dodge Challenger R/T
Now we’re talkin’. This thing’s huge, just like Challengers used to be. It sounds great right from the factory; love that V8 burble out the back like old school muscle cars. The ride’s super smooth, unlike the overly stiff Camaro. You can even fit adults in the back, and there’s plenty of room for their stuff in the trunk.
So why isn’t it number one? Simple: I like a car that I can toss around a little. Just think about the movie Bullitt. Remember how McQueen was in a fastback Mustang, and the guys chasing him were in a Dodge that took up half the road? I don’t need to tell you which car had the upper hand. The new Challenger’s an honest muscle car, that’s for sure, but I want something that’s at home in tight corners, too.
1. 2013 Ford Mustang GT
I keep telling people I’ll never buy a new car again, but tell you what, this modern Mustang muscle car had me thinking twice. You gotta hear the noises this V8 makes, first of all. They say that Ford did something funny with the intake to make it sound better, and you know what, I don’t even care. I could listen to this thing run toward redline all day.
But the best thing about the 2013 Mustang muscle car is that it’s a sports car, too. See, even the sportiest Mustang muscle car from the ‘60s was happiest when the road was straight. But this new one, my goodness, it’ll go around a corner with the best of ‘em. It’s smaller than the other two, so that helps, and the visibility’s better as well.
Truth is, the Mustang’s still got an electronic throttle, electric power steering, and a whole bunch of other unnecessary stuff that gets between me and the road. Those are rental car parts, not muscle car parts. I don’t think this Ford could ever really win my heart.
But if you ask me what’s the best muscle car today for getting an old car guy’s heart pumping, the answer’s clear. Now that I’ve driven one, I’ll always give a nod of respect when I see a new Mustang GT drive by.
Editor’s note: If your DIY routine includes maintaining muscle cars and other prime examples of American Steel, look to Advance Auto Parts for the best in tools, parts and accessories. Get your order fast—buy online, pick up in store.
Personally, I think the Mopar wins hands down. The mustang and camaro resemble their brothers but the Mopar nailed it. Far as power goes even tho can get a rousch Stang or LS camaro both super charged, the Mopar can be had with a viper drivetrain. Add to that a super charger and you have something that not only looks the part but blows away its heritage…. My only question is when is Mopar goin to come out with a factory max wedge again? Since the original hemi wasn’t even a good street engine and was often blown away on the street by max wedges.
Todays muscle cars are wannabes. The older ones were so individual you couldn’t confuse them with anything else, the biggest plus, we could work on them ourselves. If something broke or you wanted to modify it, you did, not some dealership mechanic. New rims, chrome whatever, you took off the old rims and chrome and had them done but you put them back on. These wannabes will never be as great.
This is a good article. I wanted a 69 Camaro in high school, but often wonder if I had the money for a new car which one I would choose.
Have you ever seen Bullit? The Mustang chases the Dodge Charger R/T and never caches it, look it was a movie so it was in the script, but they had to fix the Mustang several times to complete the chase, they did nothign to the Charger.
And just a side note… None of these cars are muscle cars. They are Pony cars. Muscle cars, there at this time is only one modern Muscle Car and thats the Charger R/T-SRT8. Pontiac had the G8 but we all know what happened to that brand.
You are SO correct. These are “pony” cars. I picked up an issue of Muscle Car Review and there were only a couple muscle cars even in the magazine. How disappointing.
Just got the 2014 mustang gt/cs Friday night. It’s amazing!
Brandy – how’s that GT doing? Send us a pic to social at advance-auto dot com
I have to say Mustang wins, then its a camaro then challenger. These were the 3 cars i was stuck between buying but after i found out how heavy and slow challenger is, that was out. Camaro is nice and strong but blindspots were a b*tch. I chose the 13 Stang because it was fastest, powerful, and best MPG. I won races with 2011-2012 Camaro SS and i beat my bro who has a 2012 Charger SuperBee
excuse me but charger is not the challenger. if you are going to compare get the cars correct.
5PointOh – send us a pic of you and your Stang! Send to social at advance-auto dot com
did not have the challenger but did have the cuda (copy of challenger) and have driven the new and loved both. definitely the mopar over the others.
Well I purchased a 2013 mustang GT, Wow I love it ! Great power , been getting about 20.5 mpg so far , can’t wait to put the Amsoil in it to how much it helps . The ride is smooth for a sports car and corners good also,I hope to run it at the Good guys track event in Nashville next week !
I purchased a 2013 Mustang GT Premium Convertible, dressed up in Deep Impact Blue. This car is a flat-out beast. Added a cold air intake and a racing throttle, and a few other goodies, and then GT500 style axle-back mufflers (awesome sound, no more drone), and it flat-out hauls the mail!!! But the amazing thing, to me, is that when I am in my week-day commuter mode, I average 25.3MPG for my GT. (I did buy a tuner, and optimized the computer for both economy and performance). On the weekends, I swap tunes, and who cares about MPG??!!! Great car, great performance, great looks.
I could not be happier!!
Sounds like a beauty Gary – send us a pic of you with your GT – send to social at advance-auto dot com
I just bought a new 2013 Camero and your review is incorrect and it looks slightly biased. The new Camero is quick with a touch of a toe. I happen to be a senior citizen who raced the old and the new. I don’t have any trouble with the size or getting into this sweet little ride. No it isn’t the old but all the perks really make it a fast car with loads of extras and wonderful modern technology. Mine is sleek black and stealth and will kick lots of buts as soon as I put on enough miles on the engine.
PS. Who buys a big V8 for gas mileage?