New Mustang vs Camaro vs Challenger vs ___ vs ___

[SW CQB 45]

Seeking knowledge on any two door Sports Car in the 30K range…newer models.

I am starting my research for a 2 door sporty type car but not dead set not the top 3 pony cars (Mustang, Camaro, Challenger)

I am also not looking for a strong performer (no big horsepower or turn on a dime 1G suspension)

What I am looking for is longevity/good value, reliability, comfort/drivability, and very nice sporty looks. 10 years is what I consider nominal vehicle life before problems start to show up (if you take care of your vehicle from day one).

While I plan to drive this vehicle early on, its ultimate goal will be low use, garage kept and in the next couple of years, a high school graduation gift.

in the area of cost savings, I will not seek Hemi, SS or high end/horsepower motors, etc.

I have read that Camaro's interior looks cheap and while I like the exterior of the Camaro, I feel the interior is just as important as the exterior. Does anyone know if the changes to the 2016 Camaro will also include a euro style dash board?

I plan to test drive each model, but I would like anyone with any of the vehicles to include Hyndai Genesis Couple, Nissan 370Z, etc with any pros and cons. if you have owned several or driven any of these newer models, let me know. Opinions and bad experiences are also welcomed.

Remember, I won't be looking for 1/4 mile performance, high speed turns or 0-100-0.

I really like the looks of the Hyndai Genesis…..just don't know nothing about it.

While 370Z is very sharp looking, I know Nissan replacement parts when the warranty runs up are very high….but that may be for all models these days.

thanks in advance

 

[Matt Hooper]

So much to cover here and a lot of it is subjective.

IMHO no manufacturer as gotten the "retro" styling better than Dodge with the Challenger. When I was looking for a new toy, I chose it over the mustang and Camaro for many reasons. First, I just liked the looks. Second, I like a slightly bigger ride. You can easily fit a couple kids or even full sized adults in the back seat. No go with the other two.

The visibility out of the Challenger was heads and tails better than the Camaro. That car did not feel safe to me at all. It's lighter and faster but again, I just couldn't see out the back and the clutch was just awful. Again, just my 2 cents.

None of these will hold value very well unless you get into the higher end performance levels like the SRT, Shelby or SS/RS.

I have the SRT Challenger. It's a 2010. Has been perfect. Very heavy car, not a superb handler but in the straight aways… HOLD ON!

Challenger aside, I think for that money, if you can get into a Mustang GT it may be the best bet. That 5.0 litre power plant is bulletproof and it's got a great feel in the twists.

Get what turns your head and puts a permagrin on your face when you climb behind the wheel! Good Luck!

Here's mine

 

[RonJ]

I don't have any answers for you but I'm looking forward to the rest of this thread.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Excellent write up Matt.

That is exactly the type of info I am looking for

Please keep the info coming.

 

[don5]

I don't have any answers for you but I'm looking forward to the rest of this thread.

^What he says as well applies to me.

I have seen two Challengers running around our town with the snorkel hoods on them. I have to say I think that is the right look for one of these cars. I think they used to be called a drag pack hood maybe. I am not sure but I think it would look really good on Matt's car.

 

[jdh]

Inexpensive, economical, low maintenance cost, fun, sporty and long lasting. As much as it pains me to say this, you just described a Mazda MX5 Miata.

 

[Stirling]

Of the 3 cars mentioned by the OP the Mustang is newest. I was in Florida in December and was surprised to see so many 2015 models. The Challenger is also a good option with recently revised interior and more space then the others. I like the Challenger and saw a few more than the Camaro.

Ultimately the best way to decide is to get a test ride in them all and check out the interiors and performance of the models in your price range. You'll know what you're looking for when you find it.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Inexpensive, economical, low maintenance cost, fun, sporty and long lasting. As much as it pains me to say this, you just described a Mazda MX5 Miata.

That model is not out of the list, however I am 6'03".....the Miata would need mods for me to fit

 

[mstem]

For God's sake, please don't anyone call any of theses cars(Mustang, Camaro, Challenger) "muscle cars"! Because the AREN'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[williamlayton]

The $30,000 is gonna throw a wet blanket on your dreams.
If you live in a reasonably large town---go look at 'em. That is what I did--course, I wanted a convertible.
Almost bought a Mercedes.
The new Ford motors are top notch---I can vouch for that.
Blessings

 

[cowart]

What I am looking for is longevity/good value, reliability, comfort/drivability, and very nice sporty looks. 10 years is what I consider nominal vehicle life before problems start to show up (if you take care of your vehicle from day one).
...
I really like the looks of the Hyndai Genesis…..just don't know nothing about it.

I drive a 2009 Hyundai Sonata which I bought new as my "retirement" car. Now at 45K miles and has had only routine maintenance. The only mechanical problem so far is that something broke inside the battery the first year, Replaced for no cost under the excellent Hyundai warranty.

My car has the V6 engine which is no longer available on the Sonata, but is available on the Genesis, so I would expect the Genesis to have a similar feel to my Sonata.

FWIW, I get emails and flyers every month from the dealer where I bought my car, asking me to sell it back to them!

 

[venomballistics]

If it were my choice ... mustang 2.3 turbo smells about right.

I won't have a Chrysler product again if I can help it.
Too many dixie cup cars and expendable engineering for too long for me to invest any faith in any offering, no matter how they try to reinvent themselves.

The Chevy .... yeah .. we get into that Ford vs Chevy rivalry thing .. but really, its tasters choice between them.

FWIW, I get emails and flyers every month from the dealer where I bought my car, asking me to sell it back to them!

Of course ... that keeps you paying interest.

 

[Wingmaster]

If all else was equal, Ford didn't take the "Bail out"

That is important to me.

Wing master

 

[sheepdawg]

Back in late 2004 you didn't get many options. Mustang or Corvette. Chevy had quit making the Camaro and the Challengers hadn't even been skketched out yet. When I ordered this Mustang, late 2004, you had the choice of 6 cylynder or the GT, 8 cylinders. Hardtop only. Arrived in late March, the GTs were running behind. This was the number 10 GT of the new retro styled Mustang delivered to the dealership.

You Camaro and Challenger fanciers owe this 2005 Mustang everything, if it's new retro style had flopped you'd be in Toyotas.

Over 10 years later and it sill sits in the driveway, 94.000 miles. It'll still smoke the tires.

 

[Matt Hooper]

For God's sake, please don't anyone call any of theses cars(Mustang, Camaro, Challenger) "muscle cars"! Because the AREN'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I dunno… My SRT with a 6.2 and a bunch o' goodies added on making 445 hp seems kind of muscular to me

 

[radar1972]

Even though I'm a pony car lover from way back, if I were going to buy a car in that class nowadays, I would get the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. I love the look of that car!!

 

[schgsd]

As a Mustang purist I loved what Ford did bringing back the retro style. And I bet SheepDawg is right. If it had flopped, the others wouldn't have done it. Two Thumbs down for me though on the 2015 Stang. They have strayed too far from the "look".

I do find my head turning for the Challenger too.

 

[rags]

Opinions? I got nuttin'....

 

[jdh]

That model is not out of the list, however I am 6'03".....the Miata would need mods for me to fit

Don't bet on it. One of out local club members is 6'4" +3" of helmet and he is out on track all the time in his.

Take a look at the Scion FRS/Subaru BRZ (same car different badging) They seem to do their owners good on the track also.

 

[jdh]

For God's sake, please don't anyone call any of theses cars(Mustang, Camaro, Challenger) "muscle cars"! Because the AREN'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No they aren't. They are Pony Cars. Pony cars handle much better than muscle cars and have similar power.