Challenger 2 for 2 versus Mustang
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,132
From: Santa Clara, CA
Challenger 2 for 2 versus Mustang
Motortrend put a Challenger up against the 500hp GT500, while C&D put one up against the Bullitt. In spite of the 250 and 650 pound weight advantage for the Mustang, the Challenger won both encounters.
In the Challenger vs Bullitt test, the Challenger was a bit faster (in spite of the Bullitt having a manual to the Challenger's auto), and the test mileage was 19 for the Challenger versus 21 MPG for the Mustang.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm having a hard time getting worked up over those 2 MPG that the Challenger gives up for its extra weight ...
In the Challenger vs Bullitt test, the Challenger was a bit faster (in spite of the Bullitt having a manual to the Challenger's auto), and the test mileage was 19 for the Challenger versus 21 MPG for the Mustang.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm having a hard time getting worked up over those 2 MPG that the Challenger gives up for its extra weight ...
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
I can see the plusses for both cars, and I have alot of respect for both.
The Shelby GT500 puts out a godawful amount of horsepower, and the amount of engineering that went into making the handling overcome the weight of the car is by every imaginable measure impressive.
The Challenger SRT, despite resembling the original and being the poster child of retro and weighing 2 tons, is also impressive. It has killer brakes, accelerates like mad, and has enough interior and trunk room to make the ultimate cross country or at least long distance performance machine.
My hope is that Camaro splits the 2.
Camaro has IRS like Challenger, and is a handler like the Mustang, and I expect both are done better in the Camaro.
The Shelby GT500 puts out a godawful amount of horsepower, and the amount of engineering that went into making the handling overcome the weight of the car is by every imaginable measure impressive.
The Challenger SRT, despite resembling the original and being the poster child of retro and weighing 2 tons, is also impressive. It has killer brakes, accelerates like mad, and has enough interior and trunk room to make the ultimate cross country or at least long distance performance machine.
My hope is that Camaro splits the 2.
Camaro has IRS like Challenger, and is a handler like the Mustang, and I expect both are done better in the Camaro.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,308
From: Oshawa - Home of the 5th-gen
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,881
Just watched a motorweek with the challenger.........god I want that car. Sucks that these cars are coming out now instead of the early part of the decade. I would have eventually had one each of the mustang, challenger, and camaro in my garage. Every day that hope looks pretty less likely with the way gas is.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,132
From: Santa Clara, CA
Just watched a motorweek with the challenger.........god I want that car. Sucks that these cars are coming out now instead of the early part of the decade. I would have eventually had one each of the mustang, challenger, and camaro in my garage. Every day that hope looks pretty less likely with the way gas is.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Just watched a motorweek with the challenger.........god I want that car. Sucks that these cars are coming out now instead of the early part of the decade. I would have eventually had one each of the mustang, challenger, and camaro in my garage. Every day that hope looks pretty less likely with the way gas is.
If these cars had started coming out in the 2002-2003 timeframe, along with the current automakers investment in cars instead of just trucks & SUVs and emphasis on quality and useful (as opposed to gimmicky) innovation, the entire US auto industry would be in far better shape, and probably would be viewed better than imports by now IMO.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,650
From: Indianapolis, IN
Without having driven either one, my preferences definitely lean toward the Mustang...
If I needed a bigger backseat, I could see it going the other way. But I love the looks of the current Mustang.
A GT (or GT500) convertible would be in my garage before the Challenger.
If I needed a bigger backseat, I could see it going the other way. But I love the looks of the current Mustang.
A GT (or GT500) convertible would be in my garage before the Challenger.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,400
From: Michigan's left coast
If these cars had started coming out in the 2002-2003 timeframe, along with the current automakers investment in cars instead of just trucks & SUVs and emphasis on quality and useful (as opposed to gimmicky) innovation, the entire US auto industry would be in far better shape, and probably would be viewed better than imports by now IMO.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 658
From: Madisonville, Louisiana
You bring up a good point. These cars SHOULD have come out at least 5 years ago!
If these cars had started coming out in the 2002-2003 timeframe, along with the current automakers investment in cars instead of just trucks & SUVs and emphasis on quality and useful (as opposed to gimmicky) innovation, the entire US auto industry would be in far better shape, and probably would be viewed better than imports by now IMO.
If these cars had started coming out in the 2002-2003 timeframe, along with the current automakers investment in cars instead of just trucks & SUVs and emphasis on quality and useful (as opposed to gimmicky) innovation, the entire US auto industry would be in far better shape, and probably would be viewed better than imports by now IMO.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,647
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I can see the plusses for both cars, and I have alot of respect for both.
The Shelby GT500 puts out a godawful amount of horsepower, and the amount of engineering that went into making the handling overcome the weight of the car is by every imaginable measure impressive.
The Challenger SRT, despite resembling the original and being the poster child of retro and weighing 2 tons, is also impressive. It has killer brakes, accelerates like mad, and has enough interior and trunk room to make the ultimate cross country or at least long distance performance machine.
My hope is that Camaro splits the 2.
Camaro has IRS like Challenger, and is a handler like the Mustang, and I expect both are done better in the Camaro.
The Shelby GT500 puts out a godawful amount of horsepower, and the amount of engineering that went into making the handling overcome the weight of the car is by every imaginable measure impressive.
The Challenger SRT, despite resembling the original and being the poster child of retro and weighing 2 tons, is also impressive. It has killer brakes, accelerates like mad, and has enough interior and trunk room to make the ultimate cross country or at least long distance performance machine.
My hope is that Camaro splits the 2.
Camaro has IRS like Challenger, and is a handler like the Mustang, and I expect both are done better in the Camaro.
The only people not buying a Camaro will be the Chrysler/Ford diehards. You won't be able to fault the Camaro on power, handling, mpg, or modability.
Just my opinion.