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Which One Would You Buy?

Camaro vs Challenger
Posted April 21 2009 10:23 PM by Johnny Hunkins
Filed under: Magazine Stuff


It’s a foregone conclusion that the Camaro SS is faster, but is that what it’s really all about?


• Get a Free Quote• Find a Local DealerWith some serious new iron coming out of Detroit now, I am giving some serious thought to purchasing one. But which one? I’ve had hours of seat time in both, which goes beyond a simple test drive at the stealership. They are both within a thousand dollars of each other in cost, so that shouldn’t be a real stumbling block. The way I see it, there are two things pulling me in opposite directions.

The first is aesthetics. At the end of the day, I just think the Dodge folks were more true to their intent, and produced the sexier car. In an informal survey, I found that car savvy people agree most of the time. There is not a single line put wrong on the new Challenger. As far as the interior goes, it’s far more conservative than the space-age Camaro, but the materials, feel, and overall quality of the Challenger is higher. Even after three years of getting used to the Camaro (it was revealed in January 2006 at the Detroit Auto Show), the harsh, angular lines still haven’t grown on me.

The second thing is raw power. The Camaro is lighter, and has more power. Don’t even think about going up against a Camaro SS with a Challenger R/T, unless you’re packing a blower, or you’ve got a more expensive SRT-8. The Camaro even gets slightly better gas mileage than the Challenger. As for the V-6, there’s no contest. The Camaro widens the gap even further, and with way more economy.

If those two cars were the only choice, I think I would pick the Challenger. I’ve owned a Dodge Magnum R/T for a year, and the quality, ride, power, and comfort have won me over. Being down 30 hp isn’t that big a deal. If a Camaro wants to pick a fight, I can always pull the big-block Chevelle out of the garage! And in case you want to know the third option, I’m also considering a used 2006 or 2007 Corvette Z06 (Atomic Orange, please) for $40-$45k.

What do you guys think?

 

Well that pretty much says it all right there. Yes, the Camaro is faster/$. But the incredible looks and overall appeal of the Challenger makes it the one to get.

 

Not much of a choice, I just love the Challenger, THE CAR as I know it.

 

Oh, actually, if somebody GAVE me a Camaro, I'd probably keep it and drive it for a while till I got bored with it and went to trade it in for another Challenger. Admit it: It would be fun driving around drinking PBR, smoking Marlboros and listening to "Free Bird" over and over. (At least almost as much fun as taking speed, smoking Winstons you bummed off a naked chick and listening to "Mississippi Queen.")

 

Being a past owner of a 69 Camaro for 15 years I can say the only 2 things that are retro looking about the new Camaro are the gill fins in front of the rear wheelwell and the console gauges. Sure the Camaro will have a unbeleivable drivetrain but the Challenger beats it out in the looks department 10 times over. I knew I wouldn't even consider a Camaro that's why I bought my Challenger R/T.

 

I guess that it all comes down to brand loyalty. I have been a MOPAR fan all of life and would never consider buying a Camaro. When I saw the 2008 Challenger SRT at the Philadelphia Auto Show in Feb. 2008, it was "love at first sight" and I knew that I had to get one!

 

Good looks is great but stick a Vortech under the hood and you have looks and speed.

 

Well, if GM had made the '10 Camaro look more like the '69, I'd be a lot more interested in it. Even the current Mustang is closer to one of the original designs than is the new Camaro.

 

Everybody pretty much knows how I feel about Crapmaro's. I'd only take one if I won it in a contest, and then I'd trade it for another Challenger.

 

I'm glad that the GM boys and girls have a Camaro to drive again and it looks like a real nice package. Challenger is more retro and the Camaro is supposed to be cheaper if there are no dealer mark-ups. But we know how that goes. I think it will come down to what you want to be seen in and either would be cool. But I already made up my mind and R/T it is for me with no regrets and tons of driving pleasure. Over 7000 miles of it. This car rocks and is such an attention getter. And I'm more of a stealth type person, but I want folks to know what kind of fun it is to drive. I hope the Camaro folks get as much attention out of their rides as we have.