Drove Camaro V6 vs Challenger V6 I drove

[Stew]

Finally got a chance to drive a 1LT V6 on the same route on which I drove the Challenger SE. The good, decent power from the V6, not quite as able to "pin you in the seat" as I expected, but good nonetheless. It had decent handling and looked great on the outside. It had a sunroof, which made the headroom tight, my head was scraping the roof the whole time with the seat lowered and in decently comfortable driving position. The seats were rather comfy, much better than I had expected. Knee room was too tight, while I was in a comfy seating position, my knees felt like they were squeezed between the door and center console. Another issue was that the steering wheel had to be in the fully raised position to not block the speedo/tach from view. The driving experience was pretty nice, the only qualms with it, would be the steering, which feels artificially heavy, yet lacking feel. Also, the ride was rather stiff and felt most if not all the imperfections in the road in the seat, yet not through the wheel. I won't even get into seeing outside the thing, but it ws NOT as bad as I thought it would be.

Now some comparisons between the Challenger and Camaro. Challenger is an 09 SE, base, 19k miles, Camaro was a 10 1LT with 2900 miles.

Power: Camaro, but not the knockout I had imagined, the Camaro has a decided advantage low in the RPM range, but oince the Challengers 3.5 gets wound up through the RPMs it pulls pretty good.

Transmission: Camaro (note the Challenger had the 4 speed automatic with no manumatic shifting while 10s have the V8s 5 speed automatic with autoastick) It did seem to kickdown slower than I expected, and the manuamatic shifting wasn't as crisp as I had expected, then I am used to driving a manual transmission everyday so I may be biased against all automatics now LOL.

Ride: Challenger, just soaked up the bumps in places iwhere the Camaro seemed to just beat you a bit.

Handling: Camaro, felt more crisp and definatly stiffer, but it is still noticable it is NOT a light car.

Interior: IMHO Challenger, gotta love the space and the guages are a hell of a lot nicer than the Camaros and the steering wheel doesn't block them. I just love the oldschool look of the Challengers interior, the Camaro seems contrived and compromised to me.

Visibility: Challenger, though it's no walk in the park there either.

Steering: tie, the Camaro felt more precise, but the Challenger felt more natural

After driving both I prefer the Challenger and I have little doubt the 11 upgrade will bring V6 horsepower and no doubt a 6 speed auto to the game. in the end the Challenger just left me feeling more satisfied despite it's shortcomings. In the end I think everyone looking for a good sport coupe in the mid 20k range should really drive both of these before putting money into something like a Civic SI, Altima Coupe, Accord Coupe, etc, etc..

[caddycruiser]

Great comparo and all valid points, from your perspective--great read!

Owning a G8 GT and having driven a Chrysler LX sedan or two before, I'd say similar things about such a combo of even these, at least regarding overall ride/handling & feel, liking things about both and enjoying my Zeta hugely.

[Stew]

I loved my friends 09 G8 GT, and I really like my other friends 06 Charger R/T. GM really needs to give CHvy a Zeta Sedan since they killed the Poncho.

[a_Username]

I think the general consensus is that if you are stuck in the '70s, that you prefer the Challenger. If you are a more modern person that would like some stylistic cues from the original, then you like the Camaro.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by a_Username

I think the general consensus is that if you are stuck in the '70s, that you prefer the Challenger. If you are a more modern person that would like some stylistic cues from the original, then you like the Camaro.

Hardly..................

[mjf6866]

Originally Posted by a_Username

I think the general consensus is that if you are stuck in the '70s, that you prefer the Challenger. If you are a more modern person that would like some stylistic cues from the original, then you like the Camaro.

not sure why im so hung up on the challenger styling as i was only born in 1980. the only thing i can think of is i grew up on the dukes of hazzard (i know it was a charger) and my dad's road runner in the family for my intro to cars, i guess you can say. the 70's looked and sounded weird and i'm not sure i'd want to be stuck there.. i like a lot of the rock music out of there though!

[mrray13]

Originally Posted by Stew

I loved my friends 09 G8 GT, and I really like my other friends 06 Charger R/T. GM really needs to give CHvy a Zeta Sedan since they killed the Poncho.

They are. The new Caprice, yes, we police get it first, will be out soon, followed by a RWD Impala.

In Caprice form, it will have the 6.2v8 only at first, with the 3.6 v6 following. I expect the Impala will follow suit, but I've not heard.

From photos I've seen, the Caprice looks almost like the current Impala, not quite as muscular as the G8 looks.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by mrray13

They are. The new Caprice, yes, we police get it first, will be out soon, followed by a RWD Impala.

In Caprice form, it will have the 6.2v8 only at first, with the 3.6 v6 following. I expect the Impala will follow suit, but I've not heard.

From photos I've seen, the Caprice looks almost like the current Impala, not quite as muscular as the G8 looks.

Cool, didn't know they were making a civvie version though. Isn't the Caprice based on the larger Estate cars from the middle east/aussie instead of the slightly smaller G8 platform? I used to have a 96 Caprice boat and absolutely loved the thing.

[lcmc]

I test drove an 09 Challenger SE for my son. It lacked power. Very poor acceleration. Compaired to his 06 Mustang V6 it was a joke. The Mustang would smoke it. With all that said I sure the V6 Camaro would take either one quite easily.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by mjf6866

not sure why im so hung up on the challenger styling as i was only born in 1980. the only thing i can think of is i grew up on the dukes of hazzard (i know it was a charger) and my dad's road runner in the family for my intro to cars, i guess you can say. the 70's looked and sounded weird and i'm not sure i'd want to be stuck there.. i like a lot of the rock music out of there though!

One thing you might have liked from the 60's and 70's was that it was hard to find cars the did not have a V-8 in them. I sure miss that.

[mrray13]

Originally Posted by Stew

Cool, didn't know they were making a civvie version though. Isn't the Caprice based on the larger Estate cars from the middle east/aussie instead of the slightly smaller G8 platform? I used to have a 96 Caprice boat and absolutely loved the thing.

Don't know about the Estate cars. I was told the Caprice will actually be a touch smaller then the current Impala. I am told that the Caprice might hit this summer, followed by the Impala later. There will definitely be a civvie version though.

We have two 96 Caprice, LT1 powered, boats out back of our department that are for sale. They are true police package, and need some work, but I've been jonesing to buy one as a toy, lol. I love those things!!

[Stew]

Originally Posted by mrray13

Don't know about the Estate cars. I was told the Caprice will actually be a touch smaller then the current Impala. I am told that the Caprice might hit this summer, followed by the Impala later. There will definitely be a civvie version though.

We have two 96 Caprice, LT1 powered, boats out back of our department that are for sale. They are true police package, and need some work, but I've been jonesing to buy one as a toy, lol. I love those things!!

Yes, do it, they are real fun, the best long trip cars. I actually owned 3 different B/D bodies, 96 Caprice and 96 Roadmaster Limited (complete with opera lights LOL), both LT1s and a 93 Fleetwood with the TBi 350, good low end torque, but otherwise a complete dog and averaged 46-8 MPG less than the LT1 cars. These were tough cars, IMHO they just don't build them like that anyomore, even accidentally took my Caprice offroad once (ain't nothing like sliding a 4200 pnd boat through washes of mud and having someh have to guide ou under downed trees and deep ruts LOL). My caprice actually had a factory towing package on it and the b4U "sport suspension", same spring rates as the Impala SS, but taller and didn't have the Bilstien shocks. Really, REALLY miss that car. I am getting sentimental now haha.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by lcmc

I test drove an 09 Challenger SE for my son. It lacked power. Very poor acceleration. Compaired to his 06 Mustang V6 it was a joke. The Mustang would smoke it. With all that said I sure the V6 Camaro would take either one quite easily.

It is not the best, but the one I drove surpprised, it was doggish in the lower RPMs, but once in the higher range it felt surprisingly sprightly, still wouldn't buy one. I may have helped that it was well broken in too because Mopars are help back through the break in period, even my Jeep picked up a decent amount of thrust, took like 10k miles before it felt it's strongest though (has 32k now in a year and a half).

[GMRULZ]

Originally Posted by Stew

It is not the best, but the one I drove surpprised, it was doggish in the lower RPMs, but once in the higher range it felt surprisingly sprightly, still wouldn't buy one. I may have helped that it was well broken in too because Mopars are help back through the break in period, even my Jeep picked up a decent amount of thrust, took like 10k miles before it felt it's strongest though (has 32k now in a year and a half).

Track tests don`t lie... The Challenger 6 gets smoked by the Camaro 6 in the 1/4... It may not feel like it since the Camaro`s power delivery is so smooth. But its a massive difference. IMO. As a case in point My 96 LT1 Trans Am when stock felt faster than my bud`s stock 1999 LS1 Trans am, but at the track he was 7 tenths faster.... ET doesn`t lie. Most buttmeters aren`t that well calibrated...You may want to take yours in for recalibration...