muscle cars vs japanese imports

[benny3008]

i have to hold a debate at college today on why american muscle cars (eg - ford GT, chevys etc...) are better than japanese import cars (eg - Evos, Tokyo drift style cars and all that jazz), can anyone give me some advantages that american have over japanese please?

[mike11111]

You could say, a la Prince Philip, that Japanese cars have slitty headlights, but perhaps that may not go down too well.

[NazNomad]

Firstly, the obvious ... http://www.google.co....=wi&biw=1280&bih=645.

Secondly ... http://www.soundboard...uscle_Car_sounds.aspx

[ChuckFickens]

Who says they are better.

they are different but that's not necessary better.

[benny3008]

Im not saying they are better, i dont know which one is better but i have to come up with some advantages they have over jap cars whilst also taking into consideration that jap has over american muscle.

[jake-the-peg]

Simplicity of mechanical design ?

Engine capacity - tend to be big V8s - More is... well more

Been around much longer (not sure why that would be good)

The original Ford Mustang was a phenominal car for the money they sold 4 times the predicted number in the first year.

Check relative prices and price performance

[benny3008]

Thanx jake, i'm noting those points down now. :-) cheers.

[chas2008]

American LHD, Japan RHD, hence why so may Jap imports
American vehicles tend to have big V8/V12 engines with lots of BHP as standard many are also still RWD which makes for interesting driving especially with this weather at the moment.,

[chas2008]

if importing Jap cars they dont require much modification for the UK, where as American vehicles require new headlamps ie correct dip, which on certain models can be in excess of £1,000 per headlamp....from what i remember Corvette headlamps are £1,500 each !!

[jake-the-peg]

I think we're trying to help Benny with ideas on why American cars are better Chas!

[ChuckFickens]

"American vehicles tend to have big V8/V12 engines with lots of BHP as standard"

Yes, it's amazing how they can manage to squeeze 250bhp from a 5litre V8!!

[jake-the-peg]

The original GT40 was a very pretty car too

http://en.wikipedia.o...ki/File:Ford_GT40.JPG

[jake-the-peg]

Big American cars are hobby cars nobody buys one and commutes to the shops in one. So when people come up with the fuel comsumption argument Benny you can just point that out.

Same argument for parts and other practicalities.

Sell the argument on emotion - people don't buy good cars they buy pretty ones.

American muscle cars come with a heritage and culture - American Graffetti - Steve McQueen etc.

Japanese cars don't have the same cache - they are souless

Mind you given the choice I'll take an Italian/British car
http://robson.m3rlin....60-copy.thumbnail.JPG

[chas2008]

thinking more of corvettes with 500+ BHP

[chas2008]

watch the steve macqueen Bullit film...

[cazzz1975]

two words

knight rider ! ;)

[wilkesneil]

you could probably fit 2 or 3 jap cars in an american car.

my fave is the original "DODGE CHARGER" , if i could afford to run a yank tank over here i would buy 1 tomorrow, the best selling car of last year was i believe the FORD F50, big USA pick up truck, i know top gear had it on and it was too wide for the roads over here etc...

[scotman]

Most American cars with V8 motors are nowhere near their mechanical limits and hence tend to last much longer. If you fit extras onto typical V8 you can get quite bewildering power output from them without (significantly) prejudicing reliability. They have longer history hence more info on improvements.

I always thought the Pontiac Firebird & GTO were very nice looking vehicles.