Muscle Car Vs Sports Car: Which Is Right For You?

Forbes

01-04-2025

Ford Mustang Dark Horse powering along a backroad
Ah, the daily commute: heavy traffic, potholes, and terrible drivers. It's enough to make you forget that driving can be fun. However, all is not lost and choosing the right car can inject fizz back into driving, but which should you choose? An athletic Lotus Emira or a brawny Ford Mustang? And so the battle of muscle car vs sports car begins.
First, ask yourself: does tire smoke and a thumping V8 give you tachycardia or a headache?
Still not sure? Here's a rundown of each category, starting with those at home on winding tarmac - the sports car.
Sports cars provide driving thrills without stepping too much into silly supercar territory. They're designed to engage the driver, and conjure laughter between cabin occupants as you nose its chassis into tight bends with gusto. Their engines might not be V8-symphonic, but are often charismatic and well-suited. Lightweight components and slippery low-slung bodywork top things off. And finally, many have convertible roofs or removable hard tops, meaning you can soak up the sun when weather permits. These are cars for those who enjoy fast backroad drives.
However, there are some downsides to sports car ownership: squeezing in a stroller is often impossible, harsher suspension could dislodge your spine, insurance is usually expensive, and maintenance bills typically cause great sorrow.
Alpine A110 R on ice
Then there's the muscle car, the gym-goer of the motoring world. They're obnoxious in the best possible way. Under their broad bodies and boxy shape is often a naturally aspirated or supercharged V8 which feeds monstrous torque to the rear wheels via either a manual or automatic gearbox.
Unlike the sports car, corners aren't quite its thing. It won't fall over going round one, but you could find yourself in a hedge if you're overzealous with your right foot. These are cars for those who enjoy powering down straight tarmac with dramatic flair, and are for those who don't mind attention.
It sounds great, but like sports cars, muscle cars have downsides too. Heavy bodywork and colossal drivetrains mean poor economy, older cars often lack creature comforts and safety tech, most aren't environmentally friendly, they often have odd wheel sizes, and take up two car parking spaces, well, in the U.K. at least.
This comes down to preference and bank balance. The used car market is filled with sports cars like the Nissan 350Z, Honda S2000, Porsche Boxster, Mazda MX-5 (Miata), and E85/E86 BMW Z4. Most have different engine options (350z aside) with varying power outputs, too.
Fancy a new sports car? An entry-level BMW Z4 is priced from £46,545 ($54,500) while the M40i costs £58,970 ($67,000). The £202,900 ($253,100) McLaren Artura and £200,000 ($197,200) Porsche 911 Turbo are great choices for those with deeper pockets.
A Lotus Emira ironing out corners
Similarly, a manufacturer warranty often backs a new car, while used examples could be warranty-free, meaning you'll pick up any repair bills.
Most sports cars, even the rawest, can be good daily drivers unless you have mountains of work equipment.
The character of older muscle cars is tough to beat. There were no zealous safety systems in the 1960s, and firing up the engine from cold would rattle house windows. This, combined with swapping cogs via a four-on-the-floor transmission, made muscle car ownership rewarding.
Gargantuan power outputs (700bhp-plus) are often conjured from fairly regular displacements; gone are the times when engines exceeded 7 liters, but this is due to various regulations. Many modern muscle cars use forced induction to deliver impressive power while maintaining fuel efficiency. Likewise, stricter noise emission regulations mean quieter exhausts.
The author driving a Ford Mustang GT
Like many sports cars, older muscle cars are generally terrible daily drivers, something worth remembering if you're swapping out your Toyota Camry. Older muscle cars include the Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, Pontiac GTO, Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, Buick GSX, and Plymouth Hemi Cuda.
Many modern examples carry classic badges but with more modern tech. These include the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger R/T, and Ford Mustang GT.
The trade-off between old and new lies with character and driveability. Older muscle cars ooze character but can be tiresome to drive daily while newer muscle cars often lack the analogue temperament of predecessors but are easier to live with.
Remember, it's your money and the decision on whether to choose a muscle car or sports car should be based on preference rather than persuasion. If straight lines and V8 soundtracks are favored, buy a muscle car. Prefer fast cornering? The sports car is for you.