Mustang Coupe

Make
Ford
Segment
Coupe

It was only a few years ago when America was experiencing record high gas prices. Automakers quickly shifted from SUVs to crossovers and raced to get hybrids to market as fast as possible. But that was then and gas prices today have dropped to a more realistic amount. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why Americans' love affair with V8-powered muscle cars is stronger than ever. A new study conducted by research firm Experian Automotive took a closer look at the sales numbers and noticed something: Americans are buying lots of muscle cars.

As part of the study, researchers also included the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper into the mix, alongside the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Challenger and Charger. Ok, we know muscle car purists won't agree with that Corvette/Viper grouping, but that's what was done. In any case, the numbers don't lie: muscle car registrations have increased by more than 35 percent over the last nine years. There are now more muscle cars on the road than there've been in decades."The love of the Mustang combined with the reintroduction of the Camaro, Challenger, and Charger has sparked a resurgence of the muscle car," stated Experian automotive stats director Brad Smith.

Armed with data dating back to 2006, the Mustang lead the pack with the highest number of registrations, 77,000, followed by the Camaro (66,000), Charger (55,000), Challenger (50,000), Corvette (32,000), and Viper (1,000). Yes, we're also aware the Camaro didn't re-launch until 2009, but remember, this past year was the first year the Mustang surpassed Camaro sales since 2009. But get this: Charger and Challenger "had the highest rates of borrowers in the subprime category (average loan terms are between 73 and 84 months)." Supercharged V8 awesomeness is apparently worth the debt. In any case, muscle car sales aren't showing any signs of slowing.