An American muscle car is an invaluable dream for many, yet beyond the well-known sports cars, there are also other classics that possess no less charm and power. And they show a bit more individuality.

Import Your Muscle Car - There Are Plenty of Alternatives

Muscle cars like the Ford Mustang, Shelby AC Cobra, Dodge Charger, or Chevrolet Camaro are well-known and in high demand, which accordingly drives up their prices. However, beyond the stars of the scene, there are several classics that receive little attention. Often unjustly so. Technically just as competent and also interesting in design, they are particularly rare on German roads. Such lesser-known vehicles often attract more attention than the "mass-produced" ones. Below, we introduce you to 11 interesting alternatives.

AMC AMX

AMC? Yes, this manufacturer also produced the infamous Gremlin. However, the AMX has little in common with it. It was often compared to the Corvette because of its relatively short wheelbase and powerful engines. Today, not only its design and power make it an interesting alternative. Its price-performance ratio is also reasonable. Despite having less power compared to some, its lighter weight allowed it to compete with much larger and more powerful rivals.

AMC Javelin

A direct competitor to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro is the AMC Javelin. An interesting detail: The second generation's AMX variant was the first pony car to be used by law enforcement agencies. Already in the first generation, the car shone with several innovations in the field of safety. Engines ranged from 3.8 to 6.6 liters displacement, producing 110 to 340 horsepower. It was built from 1967 to 1974.

AMC Rambler-Marlin

The AMC Rambler Marlin also deserves a second look. Rare yet affordable, this two-door fastback was only produced for two years, making it even more of a rarity in Europe than in its home country. As an exotic, it attracts many looks here. The engines range from 3.8 to 5.4 liters, delivering power from 155 to 277 horsepower. Unlike many other muscle cars of that time, the Rambler Marlin was luxuriously equipped and finished with high-quality materials.

Buick Gran Sport

Buick also played in the muscle car league. Starting in 1965, the Buick Gran Sport 400 was offered with its 6.6-liter V8 engine producing 330 horsepower. In 1967, a completely newly developed engine with 345 horsepower was introduced. In 1969, the Buick was modified. Stage 1 now reached 350 horsepower, and the rare Stage 2 variant officially produced 365 horsepower. Measurements showed that the actual power was much higher. In 1970, the GS400 was replaced by the GS455, now using a 7.5-liter engine with 350 horsepower, and from 1972 as Stage 1, it also had 375 horsepower. A slightly less powerful sister model (Gran Sport 340/350) with a 5.6-liter V8 was produced starting in 1967. (Image author: Greg Gjerdingen)

Chevrolet Chevelle SS

The Chevelle was built from 1964 to 1977. The sporty versions, which are considered muscle cars, were offered from 1966. Initially, they were equipped with a 6.5-liter V8 engine, which delivered up to 380 horsepower to the road. Later, the Super Sport received a 7.4-liter engine producing more than 270 horsepower. (Image author: nakhon100)

Ford Torino

A highlight from Ford and also very popular in the USA is the Ford Torino. The sporty Torino Cobras, offered in some model years, hold particular collector value. This mid-sized car, built in several body styles, features engines ranging from 5.8 to 7.5 liters, producing 154 to 205 horsepower. The Torino impresses not with the most powerful engine performances. However, it definitely represents the muscle car class with its design, and due to its relatively good equipment and rarity, it's an interesting vehicle with potential for value appreciation. (Image author: Sicnag)

Mercury Cougar

Also significantly cheaper than its established competitors is the Mercury Cougar. It was produced from 1967 to 1970 as a so-called "Pony Car" with engines ranging from 4.7 to 7.0 liters. With the second generation from 1970 to 1973, it grew to over five meters in length. The sports cars, exclusively equipped with V8 engines, deliver between 202 and 380 horsepower. Mercury is a brand of the Ford Motor Company. The Cougar is technically similar in many respects to the Ford Mustang. It is considered the better-equipped version of the cult classic. (Image author Greg Gjerdingen)

Mercury Cyclone

The sister model to the Ford Mustang was introduced in 1964 and offered until 1971. Equipped with V8 engines ranging from 4.9 to 7.0 liters, they produce 213 to 390 horsepower. A particular highlight was the limited Cyclone Spoiler version offered from 1970 to 1971. It featured a locking differential on the rear axle, spoilers at the front and rear, and a special decorative stripe.

Plymouth Road Runner

Strong and in the typical style of the muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s, the Road Runner makes its appearance. An almost endless hood and an elongated trunk dominate the silhouette. Also typical are the spartan equipment and the rather cheap-looking materials used in the interior. Nonetheless, it's a serious contender among American vintage sports cars. It was built between 1967 and 1980 with engines from 6.3 to 7.2 liters, producing between 340 and 431 horsepower. The peak of engine performance was reached in 1971. Due to insurance companies' refusal to insure these vehicles, the power slowly decreased. The Plymouth Road Runner Superbird reached a speed of 322 km/h (200 miles) in 1971, becoming the first muscle car to do so.

Plymouth Sport Fury

Little known is that the Plymouth Fury, in its Sport version, is also considered one of the early muscle cars. Built between 1964 and 1973, the car has a 7.0-liter V8 with 370 and 380 horsepower. It was available in several body styles and was Chrysler Corporation's response to the 1963 Pontiac GTO.

Pontiac LeMans GTO

The first generation of the GTO is relatively expensive. Vehicles from Series 2, from 1968 to 1972, are somewhat more affordable and offer comparable performance to Mustangs and the like. Visually, it also stands out and pleasantly differs from the sea of most muscle cars. The high-displacement V8s range from 6.6 to 7.5 liters, with 253 to 375 horsepower, making the GTO similar in strength to its competitors. Motor Trend magazine named the GTO the Car of the Year in 1968.

Underrated Stars - Individuality for Everyone!

Of course, this list is not exhaustive. The US and Canadian markets offer far more beauties with style and plenty of power. Maybe it doesn't have to be the classic muscle car. In America's earlier decades, large and powerful engines, typical for the American lifestyle, were also implanted in station wagons, vans, and pickups. Surely you will find your dream car with the characteristic V8 sound in our vehicle market. USCar-Trader.com not only offers you the search for your jewel, but we also take care of a safe purchase, the import including all formalities, and the conversion. Are you looking for a very specific car? Our detailed search function will help you find it.

In Germany when purchasing a new car, buyers can customize their vehicle using a configurator according to their preferences. Although this is also possible in America, there are some differences. USCar-Trader.com explains how to buy a new car in the USA.

Almost every driver has used the configurator on car manufacturers' websites to design a new car according to their preferences and ultimately display the total price for their dream vehicle. Whether Volkswagen, Mercedes, or BMW: Almost all manufacturers offer the service to choose from different drives, paint finishes, or special features in Germany.

This is also possible when buying a new car in the USA; however, configurators in the States have several differences. After choosing a vehicle model on the manufacturer's website, such as the VW Atlas, you can select various equipment lines already equipped with corresponding special features and extras. This means: customizing the features is only possible to a limited extent!

For example, if customers choose the base model, in the case of the VW Atlas, the SE variant, they get a vehicle with 18-inch alloy wheels, a digital speedometer display (8 inches), and an emergency brake assist. Heated seats and a blind-spot assistant are already standard. The VW Atlas offers a total of five versions, which, with an increasing base price, offer an increased number of features, such as larger alloy wheels, automatic climate control, or additional assistance systems.

Hardly any individual wishes possible

In the next step, car buyers choose the engine, with a fixed drive usually assigned to each vehicle model. This means that the cheapest standard model often cannot be combined with the most powerful engine. Instead, only smaller adjustments are available, such as drive type (front, rear, or all-wheel drive) or transmission. Those who want a high-performance model cannot be satisfied with the standard equipment.

Subsequently, interested parties can choose the paint finish and a color for the interior. Finally, only minor details are left. Car buyers can choose wheels, for example, and order additional equipment (roof rack, bicycle rack, etc.). However, it is not possible to make in-depth changes to the vehicle. In contrast to the German market, where new cars can be customized down to the smallest detail according to individual requirements, car buyers in the USA must be satisfied with standard variants.

A solution in Germany as well?

Is this concept conceivable in Germany? Yes! The individual configuration of vehicles poses significant challenges for car manufacturers, and customers must expect considerable waiting times, especially in the current situation. The configurators of some car manufacturers, such as Tesla, have already been reduced to a minimum, comparable to the American system. Volkswagen's configurator has also been adapted to the US system for some time.

Most configurators on the websites of German car manufacturers are too complex, posing challenges for inexperienced car buyers. It is not without reason that more than 80 percent of all interested parties want personal contact in the car dealership. Only one in ten new cars is bought online. Online shopping for car purchases? Less likely in the future! This could also lead to car manufacturers further simplifying the configurator on their website in the future.

In Europe, the principle for price indications is that they must be final prices. Therefore, the stated amount includes the sales tax - often separately itemized - and other costs associated with a purchase. This naturally applies to car purchases as well.

This is not the case in the USA. Here, additional amounts are added to the stated price for vehicles, which are often only specified when the buyer and dealer have agreed and a contract is signed. For German buyers purchasing a vehicle in the United States, the so-called documentation fee is particularly relevant. In addition, dealers charge their customers fees for US registration and sales tax. There are also other fees, but these are not consistently applied.

Varying Prices from State to State

A documentation fee is completely unknown in Germany. This fee is intended to cover the back-office costs of the car dealer. The paperwork involved in selling new or used cars requires a lot of work and effort. This is often handled by dedicated employees or the sales staff has to devote a significant part of their working time to it.

The calculation of the documentation fee is a standard practice across the US. Some car dealers are negotiable on the amount, many are not. It is not even mandatory for the fee to be explicitly mentioned in the invoice. Many dealers tend to not itemize the documentation fee separately, but rather combine it with other "additional costs" of the purchase into one item. A reason why many US car buyers pay little attention to the documentation fee, although the costs can be quite noticeable.

The amount of the documentation fee varies from state to state. The range is from a low of $55 to a high of $607. In 35 states, there are no legal limits to the fee, creating "room for maneuver" from the dealer's perspective. Sometimes the fees are calculated as a percentage of the agreed purchase price, and sometimes fixed amounts are applied. Only in one state - Alaska - must the fee be included in the car price; in all other states, it is calculated additionally.

The most expensive states in this regard are currently Florida (average $607), followed by Colorado ($508) and Georgia ($502). At the other end of the scale is California with an average of $55. The table listed here shows the current average values for all US states.

Consideration in Calculation

Consequence: two identical vehicles in terms of equipment, age, and condition, offered in Florida and California for $20,000 each, do not cost the same. In California, the car is on average about $550 cheaper. Of course, this is an isolated view, with other possible cost differences - such as transportation costs - not taken into account. However, German buyers should be aware that the documentation fee needs to be considered in their calculations.

Average Dealer Fees by State

Every used car purchase often resembles the famous "buying a pig in a poke". It remains unclear if the vehicle truly lives up to its promises. Naturally, the seller is inclined to present the car in the best light to achieve a high price, often concealing any defects. This risk is particularly present when importing used cars from the USA, where the great distance and time difference pose additional challenges.

Risk Minimization: The Importance of a Reliable Vehicle History

A comprehensive review of vehicle history is essential to minimize the risk of a bad purchase. USCar Trader offers in collaboration with our partner a detailed query of vehicle history. This is an excellent Carfax alternative, enabling a detailed overview of the history of vehicles originating from the USA. This way, buyers can verify the reliability of seller information before purchase.

ClearVIN - A Carfax Alternative

ClearVIN utilizes extensive databases and is an effective Carfax alternative. It draws information from US-State Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV), car manufacturers, dealers, leasing companies, salvage companies, and insurers. These diverse data sources allow for an almost seamless reconstruction of the vehicle history, largely independent of the previous owner's statements.

The Report: More Than Just History

The report provided by ClearVIN is comprehensive and covers all aspects of the vehicle history. This includes not only basic information but also details about all known issues and events in the vehicle's past. The included scoring system, based on mathematical-statistical methods, evaluates the condition of the vehicle and thus provides an objective basis for the purchasing decision. This report is available online for a fee and offers a transparent overview for buyers.

Conclusion: Why a History Report is So Valuable

A comprehensive history report can significantly reduce the risk of a used car purchase. It provides a solid foundation for evaluating the vehicle but does not replace personal inspection. Undetected damages or unofficial repairs that have not been documented remain a challenge. A personal vehicle inspection in the USA and Canada before purchase, offered through USCar Trader, can minimize this residual risk.

ClearVIN - Your Reliable Alternative to Carfax

ClearVIN is a reliable Carfax alternative, distinguished by its comprehensive and precise information. It provides access to data from leading sources and experts in the automotive industry, including NMVTIS, NVS, NHTSA, J.D. Power, Black Book, and others. With ClearVIN, buyers receive a comprehensive and trustworthy insight into vehicle history, enabling a well-informed purchasing decision.

In Germany, the VW Jetta could never quite match the success of the other VW models. The situation on the North American market is quite different. Here the Jetta is still the most popular vehicle of European origin, and has earned itself a good reputation of a sporty sedan.

Since spring 2018, the Jetta VII, the latest VW Jetta has been on the market in North America. It was first presented at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI in January 2018, and sales started in the middle of the year, built within the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico. VW did one better though and presented the Jetta GLI as a sporty version at the Chicago Auto Show in early 2019. This version has been sold in the USA for a good year now.

Compact car with attractive price-performance ratio - VW Jetta

The VW Jetta VII is unfortunately not offered within Europe, and if you must have it, you have to import it. Under certain conditions though, this can be quite worthwhile as the Jetta of the latest generation impresses with a favourable price-performance ratio. Similar to it's predecessor variants, the VW Jetta VII is a typical representative of the compact class. This is also reflected in the dimensions, with a length of 4.7 metres, 1.8 metres wide and 1.47 metres high, as the car fits in well with our road conditions.

A big plus is the generous amount of space in relation to the size of the car. With a wheelbase of 2.69 meters, there is no feeling of tightness inside and is sufficient in legroom. The trunk offers 400 litres of storage space, enough for the luggage of a family on holiday. Not to mention, the interior has a solid finish and meets common demands without being too extravagant. Those who are looking for sophisticated elegance will probably be less enthusiastic about the VW Jetta VII. But on the other hand, if you are looking for functionality, you are well served!

In the "normal version", the VW Jetta VII is powered by a 1.4 litre petrol engine with 110 kW (150 PS), with the maximum torque being 250 Nm. The vehicle is normally offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, but higher equipment versions have an 8-speed automatic transmission. In the "sporty" Jetta GLI, the two-litre petrol engine similar to the Golf VII GTI powers the car with 169 kW (230 PS). A 6-speed manual transmission is also provided as standard, as well as a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission available as an option.

Import most lucrative for recently used cars

The list price for the VW Jetta VII starts at 22,500 US dollars. At US dealerships, you can find offers up to 1,000 dollars below that. That is cheap for a vehicle in this class - compared to the German price level.Though the costs for the import are not included, such as transport to the next major port, shipping, customs clearance and import sales tax. You can get a total price around 30.000 Euro. There is another alternative though!

Importing used jettas can be worthwhile for those who have only a few kilometers to go. Here, a purchase is possible with a total budget of 23,000 euros - import costs included. A car of comparable size and equipment at this price - that's what you have to look forward to with us! Good to know when importing, is that you can rely on our expertise as a long-standing importer of US vehicles.

Photo: Volkswagen