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Head-to-Head Comparison: Shelby GT500 Mustang vs. Challenger SRT8
Last week I pitted the Mustang GT against the Challenger SRT8. This "Basic" Mustang vs. "Performance" Challenger comparison was designed to see if the most basic of V8 Mustangs can compete with what Dodge calls the "Performance" Challenger. After all, a lot of people say the Challenger will hurt Mustang sales, so I wanted to see what impact, if any, the SRT8 would have on the base 4.6L Mustang. In the end, the GT was able to keep up with the SRT8 in the numbers game. It was also cheaper and achieved better gas mileage. That's a given. It's a basic model and the SRT8 is a performance model vehicle.
What really surprised me, though, was the performance comparison. I thought the SRT8 would boast superior performance numbers against a basic V8 Mustang. It didn't.
[quote]ORIGINAL: RLSH700
To respond to this comparison, I'm going to restate what I said in another thread:
As for the debate about the GT vs. SRT, I already commented that comparison is a completely illogical comparison. One of the biggest flaws in that comparison is that they are comparing an automatic SRT to a manual GT. I know that the 2008 does not have a manual yet, but the fact of the matter is the GT is not limited to a manual; therefore, you compare apples to apples in transmission offerings. The tests of the GT I have seen with the automatic places the GT acceleration times at around 5.2-5.4 secs in 0-60. For the sake of using averages in this comparison, lets look say its 5.3 secs for an automatic. Now let's compare the top speeds for a minute Challenger: 170+ vs. 148-150, the Challenger outclasses the GT in this category. Let's see if the GT500 is more closely comparable. The GT500 accelerates 0-60 in 4.5-4.7 secs and the top speed is around 155-157. If again we want to average things, we will say 4.6 secs. Now between the two the Challenger is almost equally between the two in acceleration times having a margin of .3-4secs on it; however, the fact of the matter is the Challenger's top speed is undeniably faster than the GT and still faster than the manual only GT500 (due to being electronically limited) and between the two it is still closer to the Mustang when you use the "official" numbers Chrysler has given. Then when you compare how the other SRT-8s have done (which are heavier and less aerodynamic), they do 0-60 runs in 4.7-4.9 secs. 4.7-4.9 secs is much closer to 4.5-4.7 than it is to 5.2-5.4. The Challenger should not be compared to a less powerful model that it is undeniably faster than just so then GT owns can argue "bang-for-your-buck," when the simple fact is that a GT owner can use the same argument to a GT500 owner. A GT owner could easily modify their GT to beat the daylights out of the GT500 and still have money leftover for gas for the next five years. It is a slanted, bias comparison plain and simple. No credible media source would be foolish enough to compare claims against facts. That is our job that we don't charge people for. If they are charging people, they need to give a real comparison.
We will see how the Challenger really stacks up when it is in full production against the Mustang and Camaro, just don't be surprised when they have rigged comparisons(expect a lot of V6 matches with the others using manuals so then they can rip on the Challenger instead of comparing the models people are really interested in). The fact is the automotive media like everyother type of media in the world is very bias and they have their favorites just like we do.
I have never, ever seen a comparison where the GT got 4.9 secs nor 5.0 secs either. The absolute fastest I've read the GT go is 5.1 secs and that is with a manual. The 4.9 secs for a GT is a total lie/pipe dream. The SXT is pretty much just a trimming package, once again they are going to just offer the 3.5L and drop the 2.7L (thank goodness) in the