Can Muscle cars be reliable?

Question

I love muscle cars especially old Mopars like Super Bees and Road Runners. For the money $25,000 I could get a nicely kept one and then buy a (junker) cheap car to drive day to day OR I could spend the money on a new (if bland, but more reliable) car. My concern is would I have to keep dumping money into the Muscle to keep it running? will a Mopar I get for that price be a Piece? I still will need some sort of daily driver either way. What would you guys do and why?

Answer 1

A couple years ago, I used a '66 Dodge Dart with about 200,000 miles on the clock as a daily driver. It wasn't some pristine survivor, more like a car that had led a rough life and just enough repairs to keep it running. And it held up quite well given the car's mileage. A better kept one might be a bit better, but I still would want some sort of back-up transportation.

The good thing about the car was that there were very few things on it that could break that weren't something I could find a cheap replacement at a parts store, swap it out in a couple hours, and be back on the road. The bad thing was this happened about once every three months.

However, you will want to get one in the best condition you can find, and be prepared to give it a bit more preventative maintenance and tune-ups than what a modern car would need. And please don't drive it on salted winter roads.

Answer 2

It's not so much that it's a muscle car, it's the age of the car. If you get a 30+ year old car. There are going to be issues that come up no matter how well kept it is. Also, older cars like that are more maintenance intensive just do to the level of technology.

If you are fairly mechanical, you should be able to keep one in pretty reliable running shape by just keeping up with preventative maintenance and a little tlc.

Answer 3

I wish my husband would have asked that question before buying our son an old model Vette. Its had three engines and more much put into it than its worth.It now sits in the garage as collateral for a race car that is sure enough a nightmare. And yes, upkeep on any muscle car is pricey. Are you reading all the muscle car forums for the cars you are thinking about buying? No better info anywhere than from the guys who own the cars and live on those sites.

Answer 4

muscle cars are reliable, however because it is a muscle car, you tend to put your foot on the floor quite a bit, spinning tires, etc. So all of that hard running will wear on the engine the same as it would a newer car. Maintenance is key. Change the oil, check other fluids, keep her aligned, and keep the belts in good shape and it should stay reliable. Just try to keep your foot off the floor so much.

Answer 5

that should be a no brainer. its a muscle car. thats half of the fun owning one. its the constant repair, upgrades and shear fun of blowing the doors off of imports and other vehicles. If the engine and trans our built right thou you should have no problems with it. your looking at owning a nice piece of history. old mopars that are in good condition with matching numbers are very expensive and have a very good and pricey resale value if keep in good condition. I would check it out thoroughly if good get it. then buy a junker jalope to drive day to day.

Answer 6

If you have collector car insurance on your muscle car as you should. You can't use it as a daily driver anyhow. News cars are junk and will not give the enjoyment that and older car will. Buy your muscle car ,enjoy it when you can . But you will need something for everyday use.As to your original question .Yes they are,they are also easier to maintain than newer cars

Answer 7

Buy a new muscle car liek a Dodge Charger or Magnum and get the Hemi with the fuel saving 4 cylinder shutoff mode and then buy a project classic muscle car.