American Muscle!

[Jazz]

Righteo, some of you might know that I'm in Miami Florida until xmas, and to top it off along with awesome weather and nice ladies all over the place, it's full of brutal big-engined monsters.

Anyways my dad is up for grabbing a muscle car bargain to bring back to the UK. $30k budget means roughly GBP 17k (sorry, no pound sign on these keyboards) and today we test drove two of them. Just to use as a weekend ride, mind. No BMW beaters, but for straight line thrills they're both practically unstoppable.

CAr number one was a 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8, 18k miles. 6.1 HEmi V8, 425bhp, with TV and DVD player, chocka-block full of toys and torque to die for. I rode in the back and all i can say is 'dayam' this thing was very, very quick. Automatic with tiptronic. $29.5k, absolute bargain, but only 19mpg.

http://www.dragtimes.com/images/10279-2006-Chrysler-300.jpg

Second car below was a 2004 Cadillac CTS-V 34k miles. 5.7 V8 460bhp with a 6 speed manual. Less visually agressive than the 300 but with a carbon-fibre strut brace as standard. ;)
Sounded promising but quickly discovered that the yanks aren't great at making "stick-shift" manual cars, heavy noisy clutch and clunky gearbox. Oddly, didn't feel quite as quick as the 300C, but was still seriously, brutally quick. 0-60mph in 4.8s, top speed 175+ mph.

The kick from low-down was sensational, and both cars sounded the absolute nuts. 300C was slightly louder as it had a pre-installed Borla exhaust and K&N enclosed! Again around 18-20mpg, but only $31k. In other words, supercar power for less money than a Civic Type-R. Plus its only about $1200 to ship it home to Sussex :P

http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/CadillacCTS-V/Images/LeftFront.jpg

So opinions please. Both are stupidly quick and both are stupidly thirsty. Cadillac slightly smoother, 300 slightly sportier. Similar price.
My dad likes them but is slightly put off by the dismal MPG Consumption, even if its just for a second ride (he'll keep his Octavia vRS for work use etc). We have until next monday to make our minds up, if any... :A:

[Mitchell]

they both have supercar power but probably weigh more than the building you live in.

if it was me, id much rather go home and spend the money on an evo or similar.

however, out of the 2, the chrysler looks a beast.

[RedB]

they both have supercar power but probably weigh more than the building you live in.

if it was me, id much rather go home and spend the money on an evo or similar.

however, out of the 2, the chrysler looks a beast.

lol Jap all the way mate

Only american muscle id ever want is a shelby mustang or a viper
Dreams

Modded Evos and Supras from 5/6k in Japan plus shipping is around 1k motors out there have better specs and are better taken care of ;)

Plus they get the new Civic Mugen and Nissan GTR earlier than us

[RedB]

Between those two its the Crysler for me aswell

Im not pimp enough for a Caddie

[Jazz]

Japs are better for sure, but at 15k its just soo much power for your money. Trust me, once you've tasted this straight line punch, you'll be laughing out loud.

Hmm not looking likely as a) just found out warranty expires once they're exported, and b) tax, emissions and consumption is looking crazy. In the city they both do less than 18mpg lmao...

Tomorrow dad is looking at a Lexus IS250, a new 2008 model is retailing at the dealer for $32k, bloody cheap as you like, about GBP 17k. Not quite the power lol, only around 206bhp, but my dad loves them and has always wanted a lexus. Lol no idea at the mo, but looks like by the weeks end we'll be having a US imported into the country though...

[Scattle]

Chrysler ftw .

[Raz]

the new dodge charger daytone R/T is a beast of a car tbh...

but my love for evo's will never be over taken by a yank make

[SaxoKez]

Chrysler for sure m8

[Raz]

Japs are better for sure, but at 15k its just soo much power for your money. Trust me, once you've tasted this straight line punch, you'll be laughing out loud.

Hmm not looking likely as a) just found out warranty expires once they're exported, and b) tax, emissions and consumption is looking crazy. In the city they both do less than 18mpg lmao...

Tomorrow dad is looking at a Lexus IS250, a new 2008 model is retailing at the dealer for $32k, bloody cheap as you like, about GBP 17k. Not quite the power lol, only around 206bhp, but my dad loves them and has always wanted a lexus. Lol no idea at the mo, but looks like by the weeks end we'll be having a US imported into the country though...
looking forward to updates :y:

[leeroybrown]

The Americans have problems when developing a car

Now one of them can do a corner

[rey]

isnt the import tax huuuge from america?

[Raz]

The Americans have problems when developing a car

Now one of them can do a corner
agreed Lee....if they sorted out the cornering then id defo have one :y:

[Wayne]

Chrysler for me:y:

[Quick]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/ImportingAndExportingAVehicle/DG_4022583

[chrichvtr]

chrysler all the way buddy!!!! both nice cars also !!!

[Dan]

Black one out of the two, but not a fan of either really

[Chris]

Tell him to get a Dodge Magnum SRT8 instead.... much more aggressive front to it.

Chris :)

[Raz]

Tell him to get a Dodge Magnum SRT8 instead.... much more aggressive front to it.

Chris :)
just searched for a pic of this and agree with you about the agressivness

[boz]

300c all the way matey ;)

[laura_g]

mustang yay

[Jazz]

Import tax from the US is absolutely nothing on a used or almost new car, although he'd have to pay 17.5% (I've heard?!) once its in the UK.

Charger RT is also nice but the 300 SRT-8 is a meaner, more extreme version with more power. The 300C was mental lol, salesman gunned it half-way round a corner and the back end slid out! Scared my little brother to fook but fun as hell.

Over here, about GBP 18k gets you one of these 425bhp monsters *Brand new*. Charger SRT-8. (SRT actually stands for Street-Racing-technology :))
Less than a Golf GTi but very very quick, 170mph... plus full of toys. Plus importing it is like $1500 only..
http://cache.jalopnik.com/cars/images/dodge_charger_srt8_new.jpg

...Well off to look at the Lexus IS today... not quite as mental but who knows...

[Chris]

Tell him to get one of these... then he can use it on the weekend and make some money: -

http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=611823844

STTTTTRRRRRRREEEEEEEETTTTTCCCCCCCHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEDD DDDDDD

Chris :)

[Jazz]

LMAO, already these brutes have problems cornering, I'd love to see that thing take a corner :)

Although the more I think about it, the more it seems to make sense just to get a STi Scoob or Evo instead...

[Chris]

That one is only 120" long.... maybe a 200" Hummer would be better: -

http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=11024218

Chris :)

[rey]

i thought american cars had huge import costs??

remember reading in one of the rags like Max Flower or something about an american car that was about £25k in america, but would cost us £50k to get it imported here, registered, tested etc?

[Chris]

i thought american cars had huge import costs??

remember reading in one of the rags like Max Flower or something about an american car that was about £25k in america, but would cost us £50k to get it imported here, registered, tested etc?

I think that was Top Gear when James May tested that boxy thing the other week.

Chris :)

[Raz]

I think that was Top Gear when James May tested that boxy thing the other week.

Chris :)
thinking the same thing mate....was sat here in a day dream wondering where i heard the info lol

you beat me to in :n: :P

[Jazz]

What we thought but we've asked about and its next to nothing from this end as long as its used, but once we get it to the UK shores then we incur a big tax of 17.5%. New car is taxed both from USA and in UK, so its a heavy bill. Even so, to import a Charger brand new you're looking at a total price of about 22-23k max including tax, really is no more than that. New cars cost a bomb to import but no more than about 3-4k maximum, used or nearly new are an absolute steal tbh...

LMAO about a 25k car costing 50k, its bull-crap lads, they want you to think that so people are put off the idea of importing and savign absolute thousands. The dealers here said so, they say that or the UK market will go out of business over the weekend once people know what stupid prices they charge there.

Trust me when I say its a car-buyers paradise out here, soo many new and used bargains. You can get a brand new Pontiac G6 saloon with 160bhp for about 11k brand new over here, and because of the weather practically everything comes with A/C standard. Mustang coupe? Starts from about 13k- Brand spanking new! Want it convertable? 14.5K! For what we pay there for hot-hatches with 180-200bhp, people here are rolling in 350bhp minimum for the same cash, seriously.

[Ryan]

300c Hemi powwwaa

[The_STIG]

car numero uno, your dad must have money to burn

[Predator_R32]

pah import a VTS over :)

or go for an oldskool muscle car :y:

[gartrell]

Hemi anyday.

Although, they don't produce the 'chug-chug' noise you would expect from a 'hemi'/Big Yank now, shame.

if your going to go for a classic, Plymouth Superbrd FTW!

[James]

Modded Evos and Supras from 5/6k in Japan plus shipping is around 1k motors out there have better specs and are better taken care of ;)

In the respect, if there pushing out allot of power from being tuned there going to spend every week in the garage..buy a fast car in the first place and you don't get this problem..

bah maybe I am getting old. Bring on my next car, standard for the win.

[Jazz]

Decision made! My dad kind of bottled the whole 'muscle car' thing at the last minute, fuel prices in UK, unknown reliabilty and lack of warranty and parts(importing Cadillac superchargers can be a right pain!)

So in the end for $30k we just got a 2007 Lexus ES350, below. Still packs a punch: 272bhp 3.5 V6 VVTi engine, 0-60mph in about 6.5s, approx 150mph, 6-speed auto with tiptronic. Handling not that great but smooth as anything (what my dad wanted lol, he does motorways alot) and full- I mean FULL of toys. Looks average but interior is lovely! :)

http://www.automedia.com/NewCarBuyersGuide2007/photos/2007/Lexus/ES%20350/Sedan/2007_Lexus_ES350_ext_1.jpg
http://image.automobilemag.com/f/auto_shows/2006_chicago/6667306/0603_chicago_05+2007_lexus_es350+front_interior_vi ew.jpg


Due to Xmas and all that, we won't get it until late january, but look forward to it... Will get some proper pics once its safely home :A:

[Raz]

Decision made! My dad kind of bottled the whole 'muscle car' thing at the last minute, fuel prices in UK, unknown reliabilty and lack of warranty and parts(importing Cadillac superchargers can be a right pain!)

So in the end for $30k we just got a 2007 Lexus ES350, below. Still packs a punch: 272bhp 3.5 V6 VVTi engine, 0-60mph in about 6.5s, approx 150mph, 6-speed auto with tiptronic. Handling not that great but smooth as anything (what my dad wanted lol, he does motorways alot) and full- I mean FULL of toys. Looks average but interior is lovely! :)

http://www.automedia.com/NewCarBuyersGuide2007/photos/2007/Lexus/ES%20350/Sedan/2007_Lexus_ES350_ext_1.jpg
http://image.automobilemag.com/f/auto_shows/2006_chicago/6667306/0603_chicago_05+2007_lexus_es350+front_interior_vi ew.jpg


Due to Xmas and all that, we won't get it until late january, but look forward to it... Will get some proper pics once its safely home :A:
nice choice in car....especially if ya dad wanted one that bad :y:

look forward to the pics you get next year buddy :y:

[laura_g]

wow thats well nice is that with the hybrid thing

[Raz]

interior looks smart aswell.....the type of car a buisness man would drive imo

[Jazz]

Cheers all, this one isn't the hybrid (that one was hitting $53k lol) but it still does about 29mpg which isn't all that bad. Its such a relaxing drive you just want to fall asleep inside it, noise insulation is amazing, and is rides so smoothly. the engine is quiet but the car still has a really smooth but effective pick-up. My dad fell in love after the first drive lol, even after driving the 400bhp muscle cars.

More pics to follow in the new year...
:)

[Raz]

Cheers all, this one isn't the hybrid (that one was hitting $53k lol) but it still does about 29mpg which isn't all that bad. Its such a relaxing drive you just want to fall asleep inside it, noise insulation is amazing, and is rides so smoothly. the engine is quiet but the car still has a really smooth but effective pick-up. My dad fell in love after the first drive lol, even after driving the 400bhp muscle cars.

More pics to follow in the new year...
:)
cant wait mate.....try get a vid aswell :y:

[Wayne]

Decision made! My dad kind of bottled the whole 'muscle car' thing at the last minute, fuel prices in UK, unknown reliabilty and lack of warranty and parts(importing Cadillac superchargers can be a right pain!)

So in the end for $30k we just got a 2007 Lexus ES350, below. Still packs a punch: 272bhp 3.5 V6 VVTi engine, 0-60mph in about 6.5s, approx 150mph, 6-speed auto with tiptronic. Handling not that great but smooth as anything (what my dad wanted lol, he does motorways alot) and full- I mean FULL of toys. Looks average but interior is lovely! :)

http://www.automedia.com/NewCarBuyersGuide2007/photos/2007/Lexus/ES%20350/Sedan/2007_Lexus_ES350_ext_1.jpg
http://image.automobilemag.com/f/auto_shows/2006_chicago/6667306/0603_chicago_05+2007_lexus_es350+front_interior_vi ew.jpg


Due to Xmas and all that, we won't get it until late january, but look forward to it... Will get some proper pics once its safely home :A:

looks a pretty smart car:y: would love to have one of these, love the interior.