Just received the latest issue of Car and Driver and the cover story pits a Challenger SRT8 against a Bullitt Mustang. Mu first thought is , "well here comes a mismatch". I figured the Challenger's 6.1 Hemi (425 hp) would probably smoke the poor Bullitt with it's 4.6 (315 hp). I am thinking the Challenger is priced in the high 30K and the Bullitt in the low 30K so maybe a better comparison would have been Challenger vs GT500. So I read the article and holy smokes! The Challenger is only 0.2 seconds quicker to 60 and only 0.3 seconds quicker in the quarter mile. Turns out the Challenger is 600 pounds heavier than the Mustang so all that extra weight eats up most of the extra power. The Challenger also stickered at 40K with it's $2000 gas guzzler charge. The Challenge did edge out the Mustang in handling mainly due to it's summer only ultra performance tires against the Mustang's all season performance tires. Bottom line is now I am not at all worried about these Challengers blowing off my Mustang GT. I'll probably be able to take the Challenger RT when it comes out and when the 2010-11 Mustang comes out with 400 hp it should handle the Challenger with no problem. The GT500KR will handle any super Challenger that may come out in a couple of years. Now we just have to wait and see what the new Camaro has.
The last mustangs and fast fords did an aritcle on it were they raced at the 1/4 mile MUstang smoked the challenger to a nice 13.2 and the challenger got a 14.6 all the extra weight and HUGE ASS wheels dont mean a damn thing but slower times !
Motor Trend did the SRT8 vs. GT500 and the GT500 smoked it. Challenger R/T really won't be much different performance wise than the Charger or 300C.
The door mirrors suck out loud. Anyone watch the Flintstones when they were kids? The mirrors looks like Kazoo's antennas that stick out of his helmet.
Camero = Overrated, to pricey, George Jestson look a like... I cant stand the new camero.... And the worst part sooo many young kids with mommy and daddys money will have it and it will only get worse from there... Thats how it is in Cali with the Charger R/T to many kids with mommy and daddies money ! CAnt drive for **** but they all think there Jimmie Johnson !
I just saw the other day on Speed that bet on the quarter mile game show thing, and some guy on there with a Mustang GT with only a Hurst shifter, 20's up front and 17's in the back with some good tires ran a blistering 13.01 second pass. The trick to these cars is knowing where to be in the power band (because of all that electronic CMCV, VVT trickery) and how to shift properly and the car is pretty quick. So I guess the real thing is to just practice and you'll have less to worry about.
Yeah I'm not worried even with my 01 GT. Those cars may have a lot of power but they just weigh too much.
I guess Edmunds suck at driving too....? http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=125968
Wow first off.. im sad if it does run 13.20 stock ;( best i could manage when i was stock was 13.8 in the gt.. however, this review and/or "test" is SO ONE SIDED, this guy must have a huge hard on for Dodge and/or enjoys suckin their penis. the whole time it sounds like he ****'d himself talking about the challenger i mean he's not even remotely fair. THE F"N CAR BASE PRICE IS 40,000 dollars. My car sticker was 29,000 which i paid well below that.
If they like the 4,154 lb tank so much then they can have it. And didn't MM&FF run like 13.2 in a bullitt? Sounds like edmunds was sandbagging the bullitt.
The stock power on these cars feels way held back. After tuning and readjusting the cam tables, and all that jazz this thing is mostly awake. I still hate that "deadzone" at 55mph where you bog 3rd gear at WOT, but have no real room to drop to 2nd.
Road and track ran 13.0 in the Challanger. But they also ran faster when they tested the mustang than either of these sites too. Maybe they are in a better location or drive better. I love the challanger. Yes it's WAY to heavy for my tastes, and yes the auto trans sucks, but I think it is a gorgeous car, and the hop-up potential of the 6.1 Hemi is rediculous. There's guys running deeeeeeeeeep into the 12s with almost-stock SRT Chargers. And you can make a 5.7 Hemi put out 380 HP to the wheels and still idle smooth and look stock. That being said, I also love my Mustang. And for what a Challanger costs, especially considering the markup they will have, the Mustang is a much better value. That is the biggest reason I bought one - because I can afford it. But I also like the feel of the Mustang, being a smaller, ligher car, and LOVE the looks of it inside and out. This car does not have a bad angle, anywhere. I've said before and say again that if you could get a S197 Mustang with an LS1 or new Hemi, it'd be the ultimate car. The looks, size, and handling of a Mustang, with the raw power-potential of the GM and Dodge would be perfect. You can list combos all you want, none in their right mind can deny that the 4.6 does not have near the N/A potential that the other two engines have, it is simply way too small. It does, however, do really well for it's small size (the low end grunt of the 3V amazed me compared to 2V cars I;ve driven), but if I could have 350+ cubes, I'd take it in a heartbeat.
The best times that I've seen with a stock 07 GT, manual tranny car, was a 13.01. Thats with a pro 5.0 driver and perfect conditions. Given the right conditions, a GT may take out the RT stock for stock.
Most car reviews I have seen shy away from the acceleration aspect. Funny since it "got a HEMI in it!". Just read one from Hemmings and Musclecar Enthusiast and only their gut feeling of a 1/4 mile pass were discussed. 4200 lbs is going to hurt its performance on the streets. Motorweek got 13.50's with it with a mid 5 sec 0-60. Face it everyone expected 12's with 425 hp and a $40K+ sticker and it didn't deliver. A nice car but not 40K nice. The Bullitt or any other '05-'08 Mustang V8 version is quicker, sexier, less expensive, and better MPG(like MPG matters). For $40K give me a LS powered Vette or more mods for my '07. Even if the Challenger is someones dream car it must hurt a little having to spend all that money (close to $50K with markup) and still be out more $$$$ with aftermarket mods to hang with a $10K cheaper and sexier Mustang GT. Don't even mention the insurance and gas expenditure difference. A 3500lb car will always be easier to make faster than 4200lb car.
I saw that episode. He said he had a cold air intake on it. Did not mention a tune. If I recall, he had stock wheels/tires on it, matched, front to back. I saw Car and Driver shooting the the photos for the cover of this issue. I was out in my Mustang (of course) on Woodward Ave., where Vinsetta Garage is. You can see some shots I took of my car at this location on my website in the "automotive" section: thombriggs.com Anyway...I was in the turn-around lane waiting for traffic to clear, and I could see the photogs setting up the shot, wetting down the driveway, etc. It was pretty cool, and somewhat low-key. Not a lot of equipment, just a few reflectors and camera/tripod. One thing I LOVE about Woodward Ave., is that all the prototype cars or early release "M Plate" cars come out here to play. I saw a Challenger last weekend, red, with body colored rear spoiler, M Plate car. He was at a light next to a 2004-ish GT, and I was behind the Challenger. The guy was brake-torquing a bit, and as the light turned green he was able to launch with a nice squeel off the line. Of course, the Mustang didn't know he was racing, and spent the next 10 minutes trying to line up with him again. It's pretty lame that those cars have a slushbox trans. They also have ZERO sound to them. My stock GT sounds better than that car.
