Quote:
Originally Posted by robertway
My situation is this, I am 6' 4" tall pretty balance between leg length and torso. My intention is to use this vehicle as a daily driver to own for more than a decade and hopefully 200-250k miles, I have four kids with the oldest being 7 (we already have the obligatory mini-van in the household) and my car is BARELY used to cart anyone but myself around. I am leaning towards the manual transmission in both cars for the "fun" factor and the fact that it would keep my wife out of the car (I'll deny I ever said that in front of her  )
The one thing that I feel the Camaro has a leg up with is the pricing with a 7-10k lower sticker price for pretty much the fully loaded SS2 vs the SRT8, beyond that I take them both to be very solid cars, comparable in stock performance (I have no intention of going to the track of drag strip) so price and quality (what has the better chance of lasting 250k miles and over a decade) are of my greatest concerns. As an aside, I do drive in bumper to bumper traffic a couple of times a week so I am iffy about the manual (has been a while since I drove a manual).
Robert |
You are in luck. Because I bougt an every option SRT8 Challenger 6 speed manual on December 3. It cost 45,545 on the window sticker. I sold it 4 months later after driving it 6000 miles.
I now own a 2SS Camaro 6 speed manual. It is a 2SS and the only options are Red Jewel tincoat paint and polished wheels. Window sticker was 35,020.
As far as I can tell the only things I gave up are the Camaro does not have a sunroof, navigation, HID headlights or a pushbutton start.
I cannot say enough about these cars! They are both great cars and anybody that has one would be happy to own it. It's AMAZING how far automobiles and musclecars have come in every respect.
My camaro seat insert perforated leather is paper thin and I have some minor concerns about that. Not sure if all models are the same? The Camaro console is smaller and harder to use. The car and so the interior overall is smaller on the Camaro. The Camaro beltline is higher so if you like resting your arm on the door with the window down that may feel awkward ( I am 5'9" so this may not not matter to you). Neither car has "any" room for rear seat occupants legs if you front seat is back very far. So if you throw a kid back there you will have to put your seat forward. Common sense tells me the challenger may have a slight edge here. The Challenger trunk is much larger and easier to use. I tried to put a leaf spring off my Valiant that was 55" long in the Camaro trunk and it would not go in no matter what, without folding down the rear seat down. 55" is not very long.
As far as overall quality I will have to say they are very comparable. They are both very well built Cars. It is unfortunate the general american public does not know this. I don't think I could say one was better than the other. The challenger did use one quart of oil in the first 2500 miles. But in some cases that could be considered normal, so it did not concern me. I would hope that it would get better after more break in? But still not a huge concern.
I have always loved GM powertrains and this car is no exception. The Camaro is smoother and quieter. It shifts smoother and the exhaust is quieter. The Camaro has that quiet sound of power where the Challenger literally did not need aftermarket exhaust to make it sound any better. It was pretty loud for stock exhaust and sounded bitchen! I liked both but I am 50 so I am leaning twoards the camaro on the exhaust. I am 100% sure (from my own experience) it does not take loud exhaust to make power. The Camaro has a slight edge on NHV. The Camaro has a little more power, and has more power down low and therefore better drivability. I stalled the Challenger probably 10 times backing in my carport and not once with the Camaro. Neither car will do much nailing the throttle if you are at freeway speed in 6th gear. But the Chevy seems to have a definate advantage here. Either car will accelerate from 700-800 rpm in any gear. So you can literally roll around a 15 mph corner in 3rd gear and it is not a problem. But the chevy will accelerate better and easier. You are right about the 6M VS fun factor. I strongly considered an auto with the chevy since it is a 6spd too. But I stuck with the Manual and I do not regret it one bit. They are not so bad in traffic as long as it is not every day, all day. You could literally use 3rd gear for 10-60 MPH if you wanted.
Based on your concerns, I literally could not give you a solid reccomendation of one over the other. Price, the chevy is way better, especially if you do not want all the expensive options. Powertrain longevity, I would have to say goes to the Chevy. I think the Dodge soft trim might have a slight edge. I actually think the Challenger is the best looking. But not by much! I am liking this Camaro more everyday as far as looks. It grows on you.
You may have noticed that I am comparing to a SRT8 Challenger. The Chevy Camaro powertrain & Brakes & wheels/tires totally outclasses a Challenger RT. So there is no Comparisin.
I guess my final reccomendation is if you can fit in the car and be comfortable in a Camaro and do not put a premium on interior and trunk space then you should get a Camaro. The powertrain (which is the most important) will probably be more reliable and the price is definately better.
Tell your Dad that another Die Hard Mopar Guy reccomended the camaro to you! LOL.