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View Full Version : The horsepower wars are on!


Zerin Dube
08-09-2006, 04:14 PM
I don't know how much of an automotive enthusiast any of you are beyond photographing them, but I am just so excited of where the industry is going. While we are still in the middle of some of the highest gas prices we've seen in the U.S., manufacturers aren't forgetting about that core group of people that will pay whatever it takes to go out and have fun.

Tomorrow, Chevy is going to announce the return of the Camaro at an event in Warren, Michigan. Rumors are that we could see the return of the Camaro as early as the 2008 model year... Some of you might also know that Dodge has announced the production of the Challenge, also for 2008. Rumors are also flying that a BOSS variant of the Mustang will be coming out around that time.

Ladies and gentlemen, its the late sixties all over again. Maybe not quite to the extent, but for some of us youngins, this is the closes we've come to this kinda horsepower war. Sure the Germans have been one upping each other for years, but who the hell has $100k to throw around on a car? These domestic muscle cars are built for the average working guy who wants power and style at a price that is affordable.

Personally, I can't wait. Dodge has already said that you won't be able to tell the difference between the design of the sheetmetal on the concept and the design of the production car. Chevy has a bit more of a challenge on their hands making it from concept to production. I hope they don't lose as much as Ford did when they introduced the production version of the Mustang. Regardless, this is one hell of an exciting time to be a car guy, as the domestic horsepower wars are on! It just so happens my Audi's lease matures in '08. Decisions, decisions, decisions....

What do you guys think? Am I the only horsepower crazy guy here? :)

http://www.speedsportlife.com/photopost/data/902/medium/MG_8167.jpg

http://www.speedsportlife.com/photopost/data/896/medium/MG_7611.jpg

Jeff Wilson
08-09-2006, 05:41 PM
I love horsepower, but sadly it strikes me as bad timing for these cars with gas at $3/gallon or more. I think the cars are impressive and stunningly beautiful, but slow sales of them could further hurt the manufacturers. Talk about kicking a fella while he's down.

Todd Corzett
08-09-2006, 05:50 PM
I love horsepower, and am happy to pay when I play... but I need more functionality to my cars... at least I can get a bit of both worlds with the Magnum.

-Todd...

Mark Delbrueck
08-09-2006, 06:09 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, its the late sixties all over again.

...and ist about to be 1973 all over again if we can't get this oil thing figured out...

Daniel Buck
08-09-2006, 06:46 PM
screw horsepower, I want torque :D

Todd Corzett
08-09-2006, 07:20 PM
I want torque :D
Ah, very true! Torque is good... but I don't want to have to drive around a diesel pick-up to get it :rolleyes:

-Todd...
...

Daniel Buck
08-09-2006, 07:21 PM
Ah, very true! Torque is good... but I don't want to have to drive around a diesel pick-up to get it :rolleyes:

-Todd...
...

think big block :D

Dan Neri
08-09-2006, 10:24 PM
Personally, I loved every day I got in my Camaro and lit those F'in tires up when leaving a light.

I hang out with a bunch of guys with 50's & 60's hot rods.. there's nothing like it!!

I almost got a Mustang, even though I'm a Chevy guy, just to get some HP and rear-wheel drive for a decent price.

I would seriously look at an '08 Camaro when them become available.

Erik Anderson
08-10-2006, 02:58 PM
I love the torque and hp numbers but a car has to be functional. None of this only-in-a-straight-line crap. Gimme a RWD-something that can do high 12s in the quarter, pull near a G on the skidpad, and has an LSD and I'm happy. :)

Austin Langley
08-10-2006, 04:04 PM
I love the torque and hp numbers but a car has to be functional. None of this only-in-a-straight-line crap. Gimme a RWD-something that can do high 12s in the quarter, pull near a G on the skidpad, and has an LSD and I'm happy. :)
x2
Going fast in a straight line is fun, but what happens when you need to stop or make that turn? If I wanted a boat I'd go to the marina. Sadly though, most domestic cars will value straight line over taking corners.

Erik Anderson
08-10-2006, 04:40 PM
x2
Going fast in a straight line is fun, but what happens when you need to stop or make that turn? If I wanted a boat I'd go to the marina. Sadly though, most domestic cars will value straight line over taking corners.

Great Prelude minds think alike. Comptech SC'd S2K anyone? :)

Daniel Buck
08-11-2006, 01:18 AM
x2
Going fast in a straight line is fun, but what happens when you need to stop or make that turn? If I wanted a boat I'd go to the marina. Sadly though, most domestic cars will value straight line over taking corners.

my old boss used to tell me, "if you can still turn, you aren't going fast enough!" in regards to salt flats type racing though, he was pretty old school like that. Personally, I like acceleration better than speed or turning. If I can make a quick blast up to 90, thats all it takes to make me happy. :) Well... A nice lopy idle is cool too :D

Brian Falvey
08-20-2006, 09:45 PM
Ah, very true! Torque is good... but I don't want to have to drive around a diesel pick-up to get it :rolleyes:

-Todd...
...
Lol....nothin wrong with a diesel. About 18-22 mpg on the freeway and I can still give pretty much any car I come up to a run for the money out of the hole up until 70 mph....nothing beats 4wd boosted launches.

Todd Corzett
08-21-2006, 03:28 AM
Lol....nothin wrong with a diesel
Never said anything was wrong with a diesel... heck, the R10 is proof that! It is more about the "pick-up" part.

-Todd...