What To Look For When Buying a Muscle Car

While your first car might have been a family hand-me-down (thanks older sis!), you might want to think about investing in a new muscle car. A “muscle car” is a term used to describe high-performance, American-made cars. In fact, Merriam-Webster defines “muscle cars” as “any of a group of American-made 2-door sports cars with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving.” So sure, your older sis’ soccer mom van might have gotten you around a college campus, but it might be time to visit an auto dealership.

It’s totally okay to buy a pre-owned vehicle as well. In fact, in 2015, manufacturer certified used cars sales reached 2.55 million units and in 2016, that number increased to 2.6 million users. If you’re buying a vehicle that is less than 5 years old, consider one that is certified pre-owned (CPO). There is no need to have to buy a brand new one or have to lease one when you can pay much less for a pre-owned version of a great muscle car. Car dealers can help you decide what’s best for you and can help you find a pre-owned vehicle you will love.

But what should you look for when you try and purchase a muscle car? You want to look for the following things:

1. Think about what kind of car you want

You might be thinking, “well, duh!” However, just because you know you want a muscle car doesn’t mean that choice will be easy. There are a ton of great varieties, such as a roush mustang stage 3, Chevrolet Camaro, or Buick Wildcat. Do you want a new model or a vintage classic? How much are you looking to spend, especially on service and maintenance? These are all aspects you have to take into consideration.

2. Is it right for your lifestyle?

While you might really want a muscle car, is this something that would work for you right now? Do you have children that you might need more space in your car for? Do you have a pet? How much trunk space do you need? Do you plan to drive long distances and need good fuel economy? These, again, are all aspects of what to think about. If you’re a college student or recent grad and want to try out a new kind of car, then you might want a muscle car. Just think about your lifestyle.

Do you really want that Roush Mustang stage 3? You might find another kind of model when you go look are cars for sale. (Although, hey, a Roush Mustang stage 3 is pretty sweet!).

Have you ever owned a muscle car? Let us know in the comments!