New member in market for a Camaro or a 392 Challenger

[blizzpat]

im going to buy a zr1, a m6, a c63 amg, a gtr, an srt8 jeep, a lambo gallardo, a aston vanquish and a maseratti.

and a gulfstream.


Should I buy a camry or a corolla?

[BigDan]

Try to wait for the ZL1 Camaro this winter.

[Darkflow]

I honestly dont see why some of you have to throw in the "challenger is heavy" comment?? With the right mods, any "heavy" car can become fast. If i compare my 4th Gen to your 5th Gens, your cars are "heavy" as well.

Dont flame me or jump all over my shit now lol That's just my opinion on ppl using that comment when talking about the Challenger.

Challengers are very nice cars, look great and make good power stock. You cant really go wrong with either car though, but if "weight" is an issue or concern, then your looking at the wrong cars and need to be looking at Vette's. But it dont seem like "weight" is a concern or bother to you.

[Camaroshark]

Originally Posted by Hawkwrath

Money is not a problem, I can afford the cars + modding even if I have to throw in $50,000 on modding, I don't mind. I bought my current BMW for $66,000 Cash and I will do the same when I get my new car. However both Dodge and Chevy dealerships here are idiots and overpriced, the new camaro ss rs convertible's price tag is $70,000 !! and the dealer current has 1 2010 Hennessey camaro for $150,000 ?!?! Is it reallly worth that much ?? Plus the god damn dealer doesn't even know what a "Ground effects" kit is !

Those darn Hennessey stickers are expensive. And, no, I wouldn't say it's worth $150K. You could probably spend $20K above the cost of the car and get far more in performance.

My wife has a Challenger R/T (and so did I until I traded for my 2SS RJT Camaro a couple of weeks ago).

The Challenger is a larger and heavier car. The 392 gives you a nice bump in HP, which is much needed with all the extra weight. The Challenger will give you a far more comfortable interior and a more roomy back seat.

I like the Challenger's interior. The Katskins leather is "cushier" than the Camaro's, but requires a bit more love and care. I like the Camaro's leather seats much better as they are more "sporty" but the Challengers are more comfortable, and include lumbar support. We have 2010 Challengers and they changed the dash on the 2011. I like the 2010 dash better than the 2011.. and I definitely like the 2010 steering wheel on the Challenger better than the 2011. I like the Camaro dash more than both of the others.

Dollar wise... the Challengers are big money. I was honestly looking at an SRT8 and I was getting numbers in the $42K range... certainly couldn't break $40K.. The 392 is really crazy money as a couple of dealers were telling me they couldn't come off more than $1-2K off sticker in the $48 to $50K range.

You can get a new, full bore, all option 2SS in the $33K range. Even expensive Car Max has some used 2010 with few miles for $30K to $32K...

So price has to go to the Camaro.

Even if you went with the ZL1, at let's say $50K, you'd be at 550HP, still more than even the 392 Challenger and at a lighter weight.

Handling: By far the Camaro has much better handling characteristics than the Challenger. My wife's is nice and the SRT8 is a bit better, but by far, the Camaro has better handling.

Ride: The ride is smoother and more "cushioned" on the Challenger. The Camaro is going to be a bumpy "hurt your butt" ride on anything but a super smooth road. So this is kind of a "what do you want" deal... a little more comfort or a more "feel the road" kind of thing.

There you go...

[Camaroshark]

Originally Posted by Darkflow

I honestly dont see why some of you have to throw in the "challenger is heavy" comment?? With the right mods, any "heavy" car can become fast. If i compare my 4th Gen to your 5th Gens, your cars are "heavy" as well.

Dont flame me or jump all over my shit now lol That's just my opinion on ppl using that comment when talking about the Challenger.

Challengers are very nice cars, look great and make good power stock. You cant really go wrong with either car though, but if "weight" is an issue or concern, then your looking at the wrong cars and need to be looking at Vette's. But it dont seem like "weight" is a concern or bother to you.

Let me preface this by saying, I came from the Challenger R/T and my wife still owns one." I like the Challenger.

Yes, weight can be overcome by horsepower, this is true, but we could begin the discussion of would you get best performance gains from increase in horsepower or reduction of weight? Also, given equal horsepower, lower weight will mean significant performance gains.

I'm not sure why you seem to think that weight isn't an issue. There are performance minded folks out there and indeed, weight is a factor.

[BigDan]

What is your final goal with this car because if you want something that is going to do well at roll races then you should look into a car that has the best modding potential, like a stronger engine, stronger axles/ diff, stronger trans/ clutch?

I did the math before I made my purchase and in order to be happy with an SS I knew it would need to be a 2SS with painted ground effects an maybe the optional rims which at the time was about $41k. Since I knew I wouldn't be happy with a low 13 second car it was most definitely going to need a supercharger and full exhaust system with installation is an extra $10,000 in cash on hand which I don't have, and if anything goes wrong with it I'm now on my own for repair bills because adding the supercharger just voided my warranty. Even after the supercharger and full exhaust it still isn't going to be anywhere near the level of the ZL1 due to all the ZL1's added strength and factory warranty. Just ask fellow supercharged SS owners how they compare to higher end muscle.

Even after a supercharger and exhaust you will be chomping at the bit to raise the boost or some other way of getting more power out of the LS3 but you cant because the engine was never intended to run high boost. Then you will be looking at fully built engines, transmissions, rear ends which is fine if you have the $$$$ and always wanted a seriously modded fully built Camaro that you spent over $70,000 on.

If you like the looks of the new GT500's and fully forged, hand built engines that can take the abuse and put down 600whp with $120 pulley swap then PM me and I can tell you why I passed on the SS and went for the 2011 GT500 PP.

[Darkflow]

Originally Posted by Camaroshark

Let me preface this by saying, I came from the Challenger R/T and my wife still owns one." I like the Challenger.

Yes, weight can be overcome by horsepower, this is true, but we could begin the discussion of would you get best performance gains from increase in horsepower or reduction of weight? Also, given equal horsepower, lower weight will mean significant performance gains.

I'm not sure why you seem to think that weight isn't an issue. There are performance minded folks out there and indeed, weight is a factor.

Its not that i dont think weight isnt an issue because i know it is. I just dont think ppl should bash on the Challenger just because of it. Lets judge it on other factors too, like does the hemi respond to mods like the ls3? hows the tranny/rears in them compared to the 5th Gens, hows it ride, interior wise & etc. I see more "weight, heavy car" comments then anything, which i why i said that the weight can always be overcome with the right mods & power. In some cases, it can also be removed easily.

[AZ MSCL]

I'd get the 392. Better looking and much more interior and trunk space. I like the SS as well - same for the new 5.0 and GT500. If the Challenger weren't an option I'd be driving a GT500.

Go drive them all if possible and buy the one that speaks to you. Frankly, you're not going to get many unbiased opinions on a Camaro, Mustang or Challenger forum.

Figure out what's important to you. The second I laid eyes on the Challenger, I knew it was the one, regardless of the issues associated with each car. If you have the money, get all three!

[Kara]

I have both the challenger and camaro. The challenger has more room. I get more compliments in the challenger, I think because they are more rare. All in all though, I like the camaro better. I would drive both. I am lucky to own both. Love em both but if I had to choose it would be the camaro

[HEMI DAVE]

I would get the 392.......in fact I have a GWE 392 on order.

[Njja]

Camaro is the best buy, its very comfortable, fun to drive and faster in the 1/4 mile then the Hemi.

If you are going to spring for the extra cash in my opinion the Shelby GT500 is the way to go. Its currently fastest of the 3 and has the best sound. Its a blast to drive, and the power is really something.

I ordered my Camaro and picked up a Shelby while I was waiting and I am very pleased with my selections. I am set up to look at a 392 Hemi next week but I think I will wait until the new ZL1 hits or they put out a 426 street Hemi. Wife has been patient up to this point, I don't think I should push my luck!

Good luck with your selection!

[ViperTomcat]

Originally Posted by Njja

Camaro is the best buy, its very comfortable, fun to drive and faster in the 1/4 mile then the Hemi.

If you are going to spring for the extra cash in my opinion the Shelby GT500 is the way to go. Its currently fastest of the 3 and has the best sound. Its a blast to drive, and the power is really something.

I ordered my Camaro and picked up a Shelby while I was waiting and I am very pleased with my selections. I am set up to look at a 392 Hemi next week but I think I will wait until the new ZL1 hits or they put out a 426 street Hemi. Wife has been patient up to this point, I don't think I should push my luck!

Good luck with your selection!

The 392 is faster in the 1/4 than the SS.

[Weezerj]

whoa, look at the chally guys coming to the forum!

I really like both cars as well, and if it weren't for the ZL1, I would be really torn between a 392 and an SS+mods.

The biggest problem I have with the Chally is the pricing. I like a good deal and that 392 is closer to where I think the ZL1 will be than close to the SS.

[8cd03gro]

If you can afford the 392, IMO wait for the zl1.