Motor Trend Comparo_GT vs SS vs RT

[1BADRT]

Anyone catch the latest issue of Motor Trend? There was a pretty in-depth comparison of the Camaro SS/Mustang GT/Challenger RT...the SS of course has SRT8 engine stats, and the GT had the TRAC-PAC installed; all were 6 speeds.

Bottom line, the Challenger RT placed third behind the Mustang, with the Camaro SS leading the group. They put the highway comfort cruising characteristics as best for the Challenger, but it fell behind in ALL of the performance tests.

My personal opinion, for the money (low $30Ks) the Camaro SS is by far a much better buy than all three, and for overall looks the Challenger is the best...but because I have a family of 5, and the SS and GT are only 4-seaters, looks like I've got the car I was destined to be in!!!

However, if I had only 2 kids, it sure would be hard to justify paying what I did for the RT when Chevy offers the MUCH MORE POWERFUL SS for the same money...........amazes me that Dodge is asking so much for the RT.

Anyway, check it out if you get the chance, it was a good comparo test.....

[Goehner]

Not to flame, but seriously? Isn't there an 18 page thread on this in the off topic? Beaten to death?

[judgeman6970]

yeah, but try to actually "buy" a Camaro for that price....local guy here bought an SS2 in FLA...said sticker was damn near $40k, plus $5k "market adjustment"....I agree that the Camaro is a great car for the $$$, but only AFTER the stealerships stop overcharging!!!

[TommyGNR]

The 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for that article were not done a track. They were performed on the street and the timings were done using GPS. If you go over to camaro5 you will see that the SS's are running slower at the track.

[bandman]

If you only had one kid you would not buy the camaro (unless they were a todler).

Go check one out and sit in the back seat.....Then report on the value saved.

[nadz240]

I looked at all 3 and this is my take:

GT: There are sooo many on the road. Granted they did a good job refreshing the 2010 but it doesn't look that much different. According to the comparo, the GT handles really well, even considering the live rear axle. They didn't like the fit and finish on it though. Said that the window leaked at speed and some other minor quibbles. Could have been a pre-production though. The interior is nice and I think the GT500 is a good competitor to the SRT8, albeit at a slightly higher price. That cue ball shifter is something else, though. PLUS, they didn't take any gov't bailout $$$ - I think that's a rock star move on their part.

Camaro: I wanted to like this car. Espec. after I saw it in Transformers 1. But, it just seems too small. It reminds me of the G35 coupe I used to drive. That was a fun car but the size is too small for American muscle. It makes sense that this would be the quickets of the bunch given the weight/power ratio. Also, the interior looks weird as hell. Like I said, I really did want to like this car but it just doesn't do it for me. Even fully loaded with the RS package and the aero kit it still seems too sporty, not enough muscle.

Challenger: I liked this car from the moment I saw the concept. This to me defines American muscle. It's big, has a rumbling V8 under the hood, and rides with comfort. This thing is longer than my current M35 or my wife's Murano!! It would barely fit in my garage even with moving some stuff around. The trunk is downright cavernous and the engine bay is so large they fit the Viper's V10 under there for that SRT10 concept!! Try that in the Camaro!! Also, the available features on the car are stellar - MyGig rocks!! Plus the 4 spoke steering wheel is perfect for cruising.

These are just my opinions after having looked at these cars for what seems like eternity and being called obsessed by the wife over and over again. I might be biased towards the Challenger seeing that I am trying to finalize a deal on a DWB R/T within the week but it's just my opinion. We are still entitled to those in this country, right?

[BearsFan82]

Steve Irwin died.

[Brucer41]

Enough of this. I think we have beaten that horse to death. We all get it, the review was off base. ENOUGH ENOUGH ENOUGH.

[1BADRT]

Originally Posted by apederso2

Not to flame, but seriously? Isn't there an 18 page thread on this in the off topic? Beaten to death?

Not to flame, but seeing the OFF-TOPIC threads are for non-Challenger related discussions, I didn't bother browsing through the umpteenth million pages of various posts to pinpoint said 18 page thread that didn't belong there.....but thanks for the great after-the-fact librarian work

I was just letting you guys know that there was an article in the newest Motor Trend issue that had something to do with the car you "supposedly" have in your garage....if it doesn't interest you, oops, my booh.

[Hemi Orange]

The horse is dead. Stop beating it!!!