2011 Mustang vs. R/T Challenger

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ayabe

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2005
7,449
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0
I'd be a liar if I said I have no interest in the new Mustang, it will be the performance car to have under 50K.
 

TheUnk

Golden Member
Jun 24, 2005
1,810
0
71
Out of the 2.. Mustang for speed. Challenger for looks.

So many stangs out there, you will go unnoticed. The challenger on the other hand will probably get you more speeding tickets.
 

Lakedaimon

Member
Jan 29, 2009
66
0
0
Well this is a pretty relevant topic for me. Im probably going to order a Challenger R/T at the end of the month (when the new white color Bright White becomes available).

Originally I had planned to get a Mustang because I get A Plan, but I was disappointed at the low horsepower combined with lousy mileage. When the Challengers first came out in 2008 they were only SRT models and I balked at the $40k+ price tag.

But in my opinion the Challenger is the best looking car on the market, its a little roomier inside (and the back seat is at least inhabitable by a normal human being) and still has a healthy amount of power (its supposedly underrated at 370hp). And its a more uncommon car that gets attention.

Is it the fastest car? Nope - too big and too heavy. But im not out to drag race anybody or do donuts in the local high school parking lot. The Camaro has the best engines available right now but just like the OP I find it kinda ugly. Upcoming Mustang engines are a big leap forward. The 2011 Challenger SRTs (production wont start until around December) are going to have a 6.4L V8 which will produce at least 450hp. An improvement but obviously not enough to push it past its smaller rivals. Hopefully they can increase the mileage a bit too and maybe avoid the worst of the gas guzzler tax.
 

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Out of the 2.. Mustang for speed. Challenger for looks.

So many stangs out there, you will go unnoticed. The challenger on the other hand will probably get you more speeding tickets.

I see a challenger every day and while it is nice looking...it isn't that good looking...and what is with fake carbon fiber strips on the hood...really?

the new mustang looks really good to me..and is likely better put together.
 

KentState

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2001
8,397
393
126
A co-worker has a Challenger. Would never say it to his face, but I'm not a fan of the car. It's big, really big, doesn't feel all that powerful, and didn't feel overly sporty. I much prefer my Vette to his car, though I do understand it was about $10k more.

On the other hand, the 2011 Mustang GT looks like the performance bargain and they have a lot of options and probably the best interior out of the Challenger, Mustang, and Camaro.
 

rancherlee

Senior member
Jul 9, 2000
707
18
81
I really wouldn't worry about the new 5.0L engine from ford, they have been building the DOHC modular engine since 1993! (Lincoln Mark VIII) the 5.0L is just an updated version of that engine with more displacement and VVT.
 

Herbot

Member
Jan 22, 2010
126
0
0
Thanks for the comments, but...

1) Not going to buy a Corvette. The insurance costs are exponentially higher than for any of the pony cars by virtue of no back seats. Stupid, but an extra couple hundred a month is a waste.

2) Want something either brand new or at most a year old. I've only owned used vehicles my whole life (except my bike) so it's sort of a big deal to buy new.

3) Again, per the title of the thread, it's either between the Challenger and a 2011 Mustang. I definitely prefer the aesthetics of the Challenger and it's certainly a car that stands out. Way too many Mustangs out there...but if the new Mustang lives up to expectations, I'd definitely get one.

4) Fuck Japanese cars. I owned an Infiniti i35 for less than a year because it was a piece of crap. Sold it as soon as I could. My Lincoln Towncar supposedly has a much less power-to-weight ratio than the i35 but would smoke it in the 1/4. Not to mention it's a lot bigger on the inside and gets decent highway mileage.
 

lurk3r

Senior member
Oct 26, 2007
981
0
0
The "problem" years of the Corvette was not a Corvette thing but a car thing. All cars were pretty weak and had issues in the late 70's early-mid 80's. Even then a early C4 can be gutted and made fun.

I actually respect Chevy for maintaining some dignity in the 70's, look at the competition, the Mustang II and the Shelby 2.2 ... At least the vette kept a solid V8 in their sports car. The 84 was a horrible car too, but you have to respect what they tried ... new fuel injection, and one of the best cornering cars in history, running over the lines in the road would knock your teeth out, but the thing corners with obscene accuracy.
 

overst33r

Diamond Member
Oct 3, 2004
5,761
12
81
Thanks for the comments, but...

1) Not going to buy a Corvette. The insurance costs are exponentially higher than for any of the pony cars by virtue of no back seats. Stupid, but an extra couple hundred a month is a waste.

2) Want something either brand new or at most a year old. I've only owned used vehicles my whole life (except my bike) so it's sort of a big deal to buy new.

3) Again, per the title of the thread, it's either between the Challenger and a 2011 Mustang. I definitely prefer the aesthetics of the Challenger and it's certainly a car that stands out. Way too many Mustangs out there...but if the new Mustang lives up to expectations, I'd definitely get one.

4) Fuck Japanese cars. I owned an Infiniti i35 for less than a year because it was a piece of crap. Sold it as soon as I could. My Lincoln Towncar supposedly has a much less power-to-weight ratio than the i35 but would smoke it in the 1/4. Not to mention it's a lot bigger on the inside and gets decent highway mileage.

1) Did you actually run the quotes on a USED corvette compared to a NEW Challstang? If you haven't, you might be pleasantly surprised.

2) I can't help you there, that's personal preference. I personally would happily trade in "newness" for performance. Especially if it's not a daily driver.

4) Just because you had one bad experience doesn't mean you should jump to hasty conclusions like that.
 

MetalMat

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2004
9,687
36
91
The charger is just way to big and fat to even bother considering for me.

The charger is certainly no sports car, only reason why I have one is because I only wanted one car, wanted something fast and needed a 4 door. Charger SRT8 fit the bill.

Either way you go is a win, I loved my 2005 Mustang and the Challengers look badass. The only problem is that when you get the R/T challenger you will always second guess yourself for not getting the SRT, but R/T is still very cool. Used SRT8 challengers are still selling way marked up.
 
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Herbot

Member
Jan 22, 2010
126
0
0
1) Did you actually run the quotes on a USED corvette compared to a NEW Challstang? If you haven't, you might be pleasantly surprised.

2) I can't help you there, that's personal preference. I personally would happily trade in "newness" for performance. Especially if it's not a daily driver.

4) Just because you had one bad experience doesn't mean you should jump to hasty conclusions like that.

Amazingly enough, I did actually call my insurance company...I realize that must be astounding to some people, but yeah, I know how much it'll cost. Look, I DON'T WANT A CORVETTE. Jesus...

As far as Jap cars go, I only gave one bad experience because it is the most recent. I've had bad personal experiences with Mazdas (rotary engine sucks) and a Camry. I don't mind Hondas or Kias but they're too small.
 

c3p0

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 2000
2,494
0
0
Herbot,

My comments are my opinion and only mine. I think the 2011 Mustang will be a great car. I like the looks and if the engine is even close to the power that people are saying, it will be a lot of fun to drive.

As for the Dodge Charger. My wife owns a 07 Charger RT. That car makes me smile every time she lets me drive it. Yes it's big and heavy. And no, it's not the fastest car on the road. But man it sure is fun to drive. That being said, I always wonder I we should have bought an SRT. If you decide to go the Dodge way, definitely look at the SRT's.

Personnaly, I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Both cars would be great fun to drive.

Pics to wife's Charger RT.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/c3p0_photos/P1000030.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/c3p0_photos/P1000031.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/c3p0_photos/P1000057.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/c3p0_photos/P1000421.jpg
c3p0
:D
 
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StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
My wife owns a 07 Charger RT. That car makes me smile every time she lets me drive it.
Everything about those two sentences is wrong other than smiling when driving the Charger. Everything else horribly, horribly wrong.
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
Doesn't Chrysler have one foot in the grave anyway? And they haven't even started their Renaissance...Ford is a couple years into theirs and Chevy isn't far behind.

The Challenger looks a lot better than the Mustang, but that feeling washes away once you get inside one. Materials quality and trim level are still crap.
 

c3p0

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 2000
2,494
0
0
Everything about those two sentences is wrong other than smiling when driving the Charger. Everything else horribly, horribly wrong.

When the wife is happy, then I am happy. Everything else is not wrong...it's my opinion...nothing more, nothing less.

c3p0
 

amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,332
249
106
FWIW, my father had both a 5.7 and 6.1 300c. The 6.1L feels MUCH more powerful when driving.
 

Elfear

Diamond Member
May 30, 2004
7,163
819
126
If you're set against the Vette, than I think the Challenger is the prettier of the two but the Mustang will offer better performance and mpg (if that matters to you). Tough choice. I'd just wait until the new Mustang comes out and go test drive the two.
 

ayabe

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2005
7,449
0
0
Well it is her car. She picked it out and she paid for it. So yes, I ask if I want to drive it. It works best that way for us.

c3p0

If she's under 300lbs you've got yourself a winner.