[DomesticLover]

Hello Guys,

As you may notice this is my first post! I am a car guy in the truest sense; I love them all. I have always admired Dodge styling and performance and my family has owned more Dodges than any other brand actually. I am not a "fanboy" of any particular brand. I am, however, partial towards American cars for several reasons. Chiefly, I believe they do make quality competitive cars. So, in that respect, I guess you could say I'm a domestic "fanboy", but even then, I have owned foreign cars and will again, so biased is more of an apt description.

I currently own a 2014 Mustang GT and have a 2015 Mustang GT Performance Pack on order (The same exact spec Mustang that was in Need For Speed and many adverts- red w/black wheels). I was amongst the group of enthusiasts that placed my order on the day after the order banks opened in May. It will be a long wait, however, until those cars hit the street. The most recent forecast is November.

Anyway, since ordering the '15 Mustang, I've considered more and more seriously the idea of cancelling and ordering a 2015 Challenger 392 Scat Pack. I still have months to cancel without it affecting me negatively in any way since I haven't even gotten a future build date yet, let alone a VIN. Nothing sounds as glorious as that 392 HEMI rumble. When they unveiled the Hellcat, I, for the first time considered cancelling my order for the 2015 'Stang immediately lol. It was fu*&%$g awesome in a myriad of ways. Unfortunately, I don't believe I can afford the Hellcat in the slightest, hence, "settling" for the 392 Scat Pack. I LOVE that Shaker Hood.

I wanted to introduce myself and also I'd like to know any of the latest info, ordering, possible pricing rumors... I've read somewhere the order banks have just opened. And Chrysler has projected an earlier release date than Ford actually.

 

[Slosh]

Do you plan on keeping your '14 GT? As you can see from my signature I have a 2009 R/T and a 2013 GT. These cars are different enough from each other to own one of each. Sometimes I'm in the mood to drive one over the other but it's always awesome to have a choice.

 

[15RT]

Hi. I also am a current Mustang owner, 2011 MCA edition and have plans to order a 2015 RT 392, though I may go for a RT Plus with the Classic package. I really tried to like the 15 Mustang but cannot get past the wraparound headlights.

I am waiting until mid-late winter to order and am hoping Plum Crazy is offered by then. If not, it will be B5, Sublime or White for me

 

[Lord Warlock]

You'll find there are alot more mustang owners here than you'd expect. Some of us gave up a faster mustang for the RT with no regrets, I sold my 2004 SVT Cobra for my 2010 challenger RT, and am still pleased with the purchase. I would however have opted for the 392 if it had been available back then, but the 5.7 actually performs quite well. It is a different type of ride than the mustang, a lot smoother, mine doesn't have the track pack so it feels a little soft, but when pushed the challenger holds to the road great, does not have excessive body roll, and has more than enough power to get yourself in trouble with. You'll find the Hemi tends to like being wound up a little higher than the mustang does. Its a world of difference driving a challenger at 80 vs a mustang GT at the same speed. And you'll find cruising steady speeds pretty much feel the same at 70 as they do at 100 without noticing any strain. Dangerous for those of us on longer trips as you tend to speed up over time. first time i've ever been caught over 90 was this year, and I'd been driving it for 4 years.

Unless you want more road feel, to notice every pebble you run over, enjoy feeling a little cramped with 4 people in the car, you won't regret getting a challenger at least over a GT, a shelby may be a different story, haven't tried one of those yet. Personally I'm thinking of either getting a used boss or shelby in a few years to replace the challenger, or I may splurge and get a hellcat instead.

 

[IDMTfirefighter]

Only appreciating one brand of car is like a person saying I'm an art lover but only if it's Picasso, LOL.
There are those who don't understand it's possible to like challengers, and mustangs, and camaros, and even (GASP) imports all at the same time.
They typically keep to themselves unless you have anything positive to say about any car other than a challenger LOL.
I would add a challenger to your stable in place of a second Mustang if I were you

 

[DomesticLover]

Do you plan on keeping your '14 GT? As you can see from my signature I have a 2009 R/T and a 2013 GT. These cars are different enough from each other to own one of each. Sometimes I'm in the mood to drive one over the other but it's always awesome to have a choice.

Unfortunately, I'm not in the position to keep it. It would have to be traded towards the new car. I totally agree though and I would if I could! How would you contrast your Challenger and GT?

 

[DomesticLover]

Hi. I also am a current Mustang owner, 2011 MCA edition and have plans to order a 2015 RT 392, though I may go for a RT Plus with the Classic package. I really tried to like the 15 Mustang but cannot get past the wraparound headlights.

I am waiting until mid-late winter to order and am hoping Plum Crazy is offered by then. If not, it will be B5, Sublime or White for me

After the past year in Mustang land I feel like I have to catch up on all the info on Challengers and packages and the differences between them. I love Plum Crazy. I actually dig the new car but I wouldn't mind something bigger with more torque. They can only ring out so much torque from a 5.0. And as soon as I laid eyes on the '15 Challenger line up I was hooked. People complain the Challenger hasn't been redesigned since its modern inception but the Mustang is even older. We're driving a platform that will be 10 years old when the new Mustangs hit the streets.

 

[GaryT]

You'll find there are alot more mustang owners here than you'd expect. Some of us gave up a faster mustang for the RT with no regrets,

While I am not a Mustang owner, I did seriously consider a 2012 GT when I was shopping, I also tested several variations of the Camaro. While the Mustang was the quicker car of the bunch, it all came down to me asking myself, "how many actual races have I been involved in over the last several years". The answer was maybe 4. From that point, sheer comfort and appearance won out and I bought the RT.
There is always, and I mean always something faster out there, always something bigger and better. I am amazed at how much some are losing their minds over the upcoming Hellcat. I think its great that Dodge is raising the bar, I would much rather go out and enjoy the car I currently own as opposed to getting all giddy over one that has not even started production.

Looks like I got a bit off topic there, its still early.

 

[DBDLIVES]

I don't really care what brand it is. I was a die hard Chevy guy in the beginning. I still have my 20 year old Chevy jacket. Ive grown to like em all though. I went to a dyno day not to long ago with my Chevy Jacket on with a GT500 shirt on underneath it and drove up in my Dodge Charger.

 

[DomesticLover]

You'll find there are alot more mustang owners here than you'd expect. Some of us gave up a faster mustang for the RT with no regrets, I sold my 2004 SVT Cobra for my 2010 challenger RT, and am still pleased with the purchase. I would however have opted for the 392 if it had been available back then, but the 5.7 actually performs quite well. It is a different type of ride than the mustang, a lot smoother, mine doesn't have the track pack so it feels a little soft, but when pushed the challenger holds to the road great, does not have excessive body roll, and has more than enough power to get yourself in trouble with. You'll find the Hemi tends to like being wound up a little higher than the mustang does. Its a world of difference driving a challenger at 80 vs a mustang GT at the same speed. And you'll find cruising steady speeds pretty much feel the same at 70 as they do at 100 without noticing any strain. Dangerous for those of us on longer trips as you tend to speed up over time. first time i've ever been caught over 90 was this year, and I'd been driving it for 4 years.

Unless you want more road feel, to notice every pebble you run over, enjoy feeling a little cramped with 4 people in the car, you won't regret getting a challenger at least over a GT, a shelby may be a different story, haven't tried one of those yet. Personally I'm thinking of either getting a used boss or shelby in a few years to replace the challenger, or I may splurge and get a hellcat instead.

I am driving what is effectively a two seater. I'm in my 20s and don't have a family just yet so I can get away with it; but when people ask for rides I cringe when they have to come because I know their shoes will be all over the seats in the back. The back of my seats touch the backseat when I recline back to what a comfortable driving position is for me considering I'm 6'3". I would enjoy a bigger car. I am really interested in that 8-speed automatic. And this is coming from a manual guy. You just can't compete with that, driving stick. I was going to buy a Charger SRT-8 last year but the old Mercedes 5-speed dissuaded me. I'm so glad they are out with an 8-speed. I love how they still call it a TorqueFlite, too. It seems Fiat has big plans for Dodge. The only gripe I have is in relation to Ford, Chrysler seems to give you less value for the money. It's quite possible that you do get more value due to the packaging. I'm just not to familiar with what they give you package wise for that 45k. Just looking at face value sometimes the Challengers seem to be a bit pricey for what it is. That gas guzzler tax has to be painful though. I'm surprised they haven't found a way around that yet.

 

[DomesticLover]

I don't really care what brand it is. I was a die hard Chevy guy in the beginning. I still have my 20 year old Chevy jacket. Ive grown to like em all though. I went to a dyno day not to long ago with my Chevy Jacket on with a GT500 shirt on underneath it and drove up in my Dodge Charger.

Haha. I agree totally. I genuinely don't understand extreme brand loyalty. I have had equal problems across the board with all car brands. I had to replace the steering rack in my '14 GT with 1,000 miles on it. Stuff happens. I can appreciate brand loyalty but taking it to the extreme only deprives you of all the good stuff out there. For me, Chrysler as always held a heritage lore of the gold old days that I just cant shake. I'm young and even my parents were too young to have enjoyed the real '64-'71 muscle car era. But when I read about it and watch documentaries, nothing is a revered as Chrysler cars and HEMIs. I always say if I were my age in 1968, I'd run to the nearest Dodge dealer and get a black 1968 Charger R/T HEMI.

 

[demon72]

I do that too. Challenger shirt. GT500 hat, Demon shirt, whatever I pull from the rack in the closet. OP just stay away from the GT500 vs Hellcat thread. Nothing but trouble in there for any mustang talk.

 

[Lord Warlock]

While I'd agree that mustangs often become two seaters most of the time, you can force 4 grownups inside with accommodations. On long trips, which for us is 375 miles one way, there is room for everyone to fit in comfort, with room for a wide rear armrest. My grown daughters (college age) could cocoon back there, I'm 6'1", and will move it forward an extra inch or two to give extra room so they can move legs without kicking the seats. I wouldn't want to put someone as tall as you directly behind the driver, my kids are both 5 footers. I like the auto, even if it is a 5 speed, agree that an 8spd should be an improvement. I've never touched the roof of mine with my head and I have a sunroof.

An srt8 version of either will likely suit your purpose. The chargers are usually cheaper than challengers are. You will enjoy the extra space, comfort doesn't suck either, My RT seats are much more comfortable than my 2004 or my 2000 GT ever were.

To tell the truth, when spending that much on a car, the gas guzzler tax is barely a consideration. An auto 392 tend to get just as good or better mileage as the 5.7's do, as for value, thats hard to make a call, I think you get as much for one as the other, they are a bit packaged differently. I haven't missed the mustang size for the challenger yet, I've been pretty happy with both ford and dodge over the years, even liked pontiac for the wife to drive, as a brand loyalist I'm not very good at it. It just seems I tend to hold the dodges longer.

 

[judgeman6970]

Not too much "extreme brand loyalty" here either. Pontiacs, GT500's, an SRT8 Challenger, and even an Olds in my garage....and love 'em all!!

 

[aldo90731]

I really like the 2012-14 Mustangs. So much so that I test drove GTs several times, but the Dodge won me over...twice.

I think Ford is doing some great things, but the company's products are becoming more global in scope, and by definition less American in flavor.

FCA products may end up going in that direction, too. But until then, in my mind nothing beats a badass American car like a HEMI-powered Challenger, Charger or 300...!

 

[Figma]

I almost bought a 2013 Mustang Boss 302. But I really like the black color and the only way to get that was buying the Laguna Seca Edition which was another $8000 or so on top of the regular 302. A little steep for black.

Well, that didn't happened. But I found a new Challenger R/T for sale and thought I'll give it a try. Geez, this was probably the best decision ever. Totally awesome car. Plus I saved probably close to 20K. That's a lot of grocery bucks.

 

[DomesticLover]

I really like the 2012-14 Mustangs. So much so that I test drove GTs several times, but the Dodge won me over...twice.

I think Ford is doing some great things, but the company's products are becoming more global in scope, and by definition less American in flavor.

FCA products may end up going in that direction, too. But until then, in my mind nothing beats a badass American car like a HEMI-powered Challenger, Charger or 300...!

I love the legend of HEMI. The new 2015 392 Scat Pack Shaker cars are beautiful. I'm a sucker for the lights and the Shaker "Air Grabber" in a red or the champagne/silver color they showed in the promo videos. I'm such a dork that I watch old Chrysler Corp dealer promos of GTX's and such.

How is the build quality? What is your average mpg in mixed driving?

In my 6-speed 5.0 I'm only getting 12-13mpg on average. I guess because I wind out the gears and don't skip gears in order to save gas. I just love the sound but LOVE the sound of that HEMI 350 or 392 more. I just wish they would have squeezed 400ci out because it would seem so much bigger and cooler haha. The 5.0 can't compete so far as that deep meaty sound of a big displacement pushrod HEMI. I fear Ford is going to stick to the 5.0 too long for nostalgia. It needs a bigger displacement and that 5.0 would look cooler as a 6.0 DOHC Ti-VCT.

 

[DomesticLover]

I almost bought a 2013 Mustang Boss 302. But I really like the black color and the only way to get that was buying the Laguna Seca Edition which was another $8000 or so on top of the regular 302. A little steep for black.

Well, that didn't happened. But I found a new Challenger R/T for sale and thought I'll give it a try. Geez, this was probably the best decision ever. Totally awesome car. Plus I saved probably close to 20K. That's a lot of grocery bucks.

The black Laguna Seca is my favorite Boss color, too. They are too expensive, plus I don't want a rear seat delete even if it is worthless. I dislike some of the more outlandish Boss colors. It doesn't look as good as the more traditional colors.

One of the reasons I ordered the 2015 GT Performance Pack aka Track Pack was because the head Mustang engineer said famously it can beat the Boss around the track. That's impressive considering the Boss (Laguna Seca I believe) even beat an EVO around a track on one of these YouTube auto channels. He worded it slyly though. He just said the 5.0 will beat a Boss. Well, which one? As you know, there are different Boss trim levels and I'd be skeptical that it could beat a Laguna Seca Boss.

However, I'm ready to kiss that Solid Rear Axel SRA good bye and good riddance. I see some of the guys on the Mustang forum crying foul over that. They're nuts!

 

[aldo90731]

I love the legend of HEMI. The new 2015 392 Scat Pack Shaker cars are beautiful. I'm a sucker for the lights and the Shaker "Air Grabber" in a red or the champagne/silver color they showed in the promo videos. I'm such a dork that I watch old Chrysler Corp dealer promos of GTX's and such.

How is the build quality? What is your average mpg in mixed driving?

In my 6-speed 5.0 I'm only getting 12-13mpg on average. I guess because I wind out the gears and don't skip gears in order to save gas. I just love the sound but LOVE the sound of that HEMI 350 or 392 more. I just wish they would have squeezed 400ci out because it would seem so much bigger and cooler haha. The 5.0 can't compete so far as that deep meaty sound of a big displacement pushrod HEMI. I fear Ford is going to stick to the 5.0 too long for nostalgia. It needs a bigger displacement and that 5.0 would look cooler as a 6.0 DOHC Ti-VCT.

If you are fine with Mustang build quality, you will be more than fine with Challenger quality. And I expect the 2015 build quality to blow the doors off the 2011-14 Challengers.

I average 14 MPG in the city consistently, and have been able to average 21 MPG on road trips. And I don't really watch my foot, either.

 

[Lord Warlock]

I get between 18-21`mpg in combined driving. to get anywhere here you have to get on the highway, if only doing city I suspect its around 15 or 16, unlike some I use my mds. Build quality on my 2010 was very very good in comparison to my fords, however, I got the challenger new, I got the fords lightly used.

I never understood the problem with the solid rear axle people have with mustangs, the 2000 GT had a solid the 2004 had an independent rear. I drove the 2004 harder more often but it didn't feel that much better than the older GT. If you took it to the track or sloloms I can see the difference, but not for everyday use. Only issue i ever had was the tranny on the 04, eventually a warranty rebuild fixed that. It didn't like to powershift without a little trimming or modification of the linkage.