Jalopnik managed to stage the picture you see stuck in this post. It's a shot of a Shelby GT500KR, a Dodge Challenger SRT8 and a Chevy Camaro V6. That's right, all three of America's pony cars together somewhere in San Diego. Sure, some people are going to bark and holler that the big 2.8 are several years (decades?) late to the party, gas prices, global meltdown and all that. Personally, I don't care. I love RWD, V8 two-doors. Especially affordable ones.That's my story and I'm sticking to it, come hell or high water (or melted ice cap-powered tsunamis). Now, out of the three mallets in the above photo, I'm obviously taking the Shelby. The SRT8 is a fat pig and I'll pass on the V6 Camaro. But I've heard that the Challenger R/T with its six-speed is much more fun to drive, even though it's down on power. And I'm sure a Camaro with an LS3 engine and a 6-speed would be one hell of a machine. Of course, would either of the challengers to the Mustang's throne be able to come anywhere close to the mechanical perfection that is the Bullitt? I'm thinking no. You?
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I want a Camaro. That marque has a lot of plesant memories for me. Once upon a time, when I was a little lad, a neighbor of mine had a ’69 Camaro, white with black Z/28 stripes. He let me ride shotgun in it around the block once. When he stomped the go pedal and I was pinned to the seat, with that glorious V8 rumble emitting from the exhaust pipes, I knew right there that I wanted one. I hope GM survives, because I will be there, money in hand, when the Camaro hits the showrooms again.
Oh, and the Challenger R/T has a 6-speed manual, not a 5-speed. The automatic is a 5-speed, though…
Actually the Challenger R/T has a six-speed manual available as does the SRT8 and should be showing up on dealer lots by now.
You and I are the same, give me RWD muscle any day over anything else. I’ll gladly pay the gas for the thrills and to stare at it in my garage, driveway or wherever I take it.
That said, I’m a little torn. I have a G8 and GTO right now and am looking at one of the new breeds to replace the GTO. Most likely it will be a Camaro SS with a manual and 1LE (Shhh, it’s a secret). But I also love the Challenger R/T (I’d rather have the SRT but it’s too much money). The upcoming G8 ST (Neo El Camino) also has my attention, but with no manual option or LS3 it might be out.
Decisions, decisions.
TriShield: You should probably drive the SRT8 before you decide you want one.
I’m drooling over a new Challenger R/T. I’ve been a fan of the Barracuda/Challenger since a high school friend pulled up in the driveway with a ’70 ‘Cuda.
I hope Chrysler can hold together. I have a 2006 Charger R/T and it is the most solid trouble free car I’ve ever had. With some luck, maybe I could say the same for the Challenger.
The G8 ST if I have to pick a 2-door. Otherwise, the G8 GXP if I can go with a sedan.
I really like the Challenger, Mustang, and new Camaro (esp. the Dodge). But, I have a feeling GM is going to axe Pontiac in the near future, and I would want to own the last Pontiac performance car given the odd brand loyalty I have had to them.
Now, if GM makes a Pontiac version of the Camaro- then I would probably go with that.
I wasn’t impressed with the Challenger at all until I examined one up close. I had to admit it looked pretty bad-ass. I have no idea how any of the above-mentioned cars drive, but if I were basing my decision on looks and sheer animal presence, I’d have to go with the Challenger.
Probably the Bullitt. The others (including the GT500) as well as the G8 and the other SRT-8 Chryslers are a bit too overstyled.
That said, bring back the Magnum and I’ll change my answer.
I want the one that was in Transformers!!
current? Corvette of course. Classic? ’64 Chevelle SS
In december I get 10 days leave from the army and i’m placing an order for an 09 mustang to be ready for me when i get home from good ol iraq. Why? its the lightest and cheapest and has solid rear axle. I like straight lines more than the curves so irs doens’t do anything for me. the 5 grand i save over challenger/camaro i can use to supercharge up to 500 hp or so and smoke both their fat asses! The challenger is a beauiful car and if i was 50 i’d be buying that instead (but making manual a $1000 option is not cool)
ok i’ll be honest… i am twenty years old and a normal college student with a love of cars, and none of these three cars stir many emotions within me. actually only the camaro does anything at all. give me a new sti and we will call it good. sorry america
I’d go with the Shelby (actually I’d rather have a Bullitt), but I did get an up close look at the new Challenger at a local car show a few weeks back. To me it’s not as hideous as people make it out to be, and it had one helluva exhaust note.
But I like the Mustang because their exhaust not was even more evil sounding.
hell or high water (or melted ice cap-powered tsunamis).
I wonder which one floats the best…They’d make nice boats.
Not like I’m buying one, but I have to say, the Mustang is by far the best looking one, still. The Challenger is just way too porky looking (and in real weight too). A side-by side with a 300 shows how much they share in common under the skin, including that high cowl and beltline. The Camaro is just too cartoonish looking for me, although I don’t doubt it will be the best balanced ride of all three: IRS, 300lbs lighter than the Challanger, etc. But the Bullitt is the looker; the ’67 fastback was always my fav “Stang, and for good reason. I hope the 2010 Mustang doesn’t blow it.
Shelby GT500, though I haven’t seen the Charger inperson nor, obviously, driven one, which could certainly change my mind. By the way, I thought the Shelby GT500 had a cobra emblem not a running mustang on the grill (like the “Shelby” in the photo). I saw one in a parking lot yesterday with the cobra emblem.
I agree with Jonny. I’ll take the Bullit over all of the cars listed above. If we get a little flexible with the definition of muscle car, then it would be a Z06 ‘Vette for me.
I saw a Challenger this weekend on the road – way too big for my tastes.
The Mustang still looks “right”, although the more modern platform under the Camaro and better engine choices may make it the one to want.
However, I saw a Bullit this weekend too and WOW.
I know that we aren’t on good terms with Autoblog, but can I link to this?
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-chevy-camaro-ss/997103/full/
How about a 2-year-old AMG Mercedes still with factory warranty. Given the steep depreciation, the AMG is going to have the same purchase price as the new muscle cars. Given that the AMG has already depreciated, further depreciation will be less than the muscle cars.
Uhh…
About that picture. That’s not a GT500KR Mustang behind the Camaro.
The GT500KR has a different front fascia than the one in the picture.
But yeah, I’d still pick the Mustang above the rest, except in GT guise (delete rear spoiler; it just looks wrong). The Mustang GT is a great deal and the perfect blank canvas for further mods. The Challenger is a bit big (LX car roots) and the Camaro looks a bit bloated in my eyes. And if ever I felt that the Mustang was lacking performance-wise in comparison to the other two, then there’s always Saleen mods.
Honestly, I’m more of an AMC guy, so I’d probably take the cash, buy a straight ’63 Rambler with the V8 they introduced mid-year and that funky two-stick manual. Even one of the best examples couldn’t be much over thirty grand, so I could buy a decent Volvo 240 and sink an AMC V8 in there for use as a winter car.
None of the above…I’ll keep my ’06 GTO. I got it for invoice and 0% financing, and I’ve put a lot of money into it over the past 2 years. I still enjoy driving it, and I still get compliments everytime I’m out and about in it. I just passed the 10K-mile mark and have yet to have one problem with it. I can’t see paying $35K+ right now to replace it with a new Camaro, Challenger, or Mustang.
Otherwise, the G8 GXP if I can go with a sedan.
Put me down as well; a G8 with a stick…
Yup. The GTO was THE sleeper. Some say it was bland and not new. My foot doesn’t know the difference. I can’t the outside from the drivers seat.
Why compare the other V-8’s to a GM V-6? The Camaro would most likely win the brawl.
But I’m sensing another bash GM thread.
I sold my LS2 GTO for an e39 M5 which I plan on keeping. If I had to add another American beast to my garage I would go with:
1. Corvette
2. Mustang Bullitt
3. Camaro SS
Last. A chrylser product that is not a Jeep Rubicon
I don’t even like the Mustang, but boy do I want one of those Bullitts…everything in that picture is impressive…but not desirable.
Mustang.
And that is the GT/CS Mustang in the background… the little white stripe says so.
If I’m going to be confined to a sports coupe then I’d rather have something with a bit less weight, independent suspension all around, a smooth I4 or I6, and a simple interior. And something you could do some touring with, through Europe of course.
I guess an MX-5 coupe would be ideal, not sure how well that would do on the “touring” part.
The one I already have – 2007 Mustang GT. Though I wish I could justify upgrading to a Bullitt. Drove a 2006 Charger R/T, didn’t do anything for me. If I were to get another Chevy, I’d go straight for the Corvette… again :)
Cadillac XLR. Rare, unique, Corvette based car. Never driven one, but it seems pretty neat. Probably an interesting car when it becomes a classic, in an Allante sort of way.
Well, I can’t play this game by the rules set forth (ie, “AMERICAN muscle car”).
First off. American. Hard to choose one that’s made of mostly American parts and mostly assembled here in America. So I wouldn’t even try.
Second. “Muscle” car. To me, adaptability and versatility is much more important than “muscle.” That’s why I’ve been driving a Prius for the last four years.
There are two sports cars that I would consider. Neither is a muscle car, nor “American” by most casual standards, except that one is assembled here.
If either one was available as a hybrid (or at least as a mild hybrid with autostop capability; that is, with the ability to shut off the ICE at traffic lights), I’d seriously consider a current Mazda Miata or a BMW Z4. With a stickshift only!
Those are the only non-Prius “sports” cars that I would consider. Neither is a slouch, but neither is a muscle car, either. The Z4 is still made in South Carolina, as far as I know, although that would not factor into my decision.
The Miata is a better bang for the buck; better on gasoline…unless I bought TWO. Which I could do for the price of a single Z4.
If they weren’t GM, I would consider the Skyy or the Solstice. But I won’t go there. Past horrible experience dictates that GM isn’t worthy of my patronage.
Sorry, but there just are no GM, Ford, or Chrysler products that fit the bill for me.
1) Camaro SS
2) Challenger R/T (a close second)
3) Mustang Bullit(a distant third)
The Mustang might’ve withstood the test of time, but i hate ox-crate axles in passenger cars. I remember renting a Mustang convertible for the day and it was horrible, from the lawnmower exhaust note (I suspect the V8 would’ve sounded much better) to the skittish suspension, to the atrocious interior quality to the somewhat vague handling.
I’d grow a mullet for an SS Camaro.
I’d take some version of the Mustang. Might be a bit of a mundane choice, but they are quite reliable, will have an active parts market into the foreseeable future, and the specialty versions will end up having some collectors value. I realize that Ford is on TTAC Death Watch, but I expect them to survive the onslaught, even if they emerge from it as a smaller company.
The future of Chrysler products is questionable. Even if Cerberus soldiers on, their commitment to the used car parts market is a question mark. (Look at how they treat their suppliers — don’t think for a second that they won’t do it to you, too.) I’d leave the challenge of the Challenger to somebody else.
I thought the camaro came out already. I saw it in a movie. Okay, well, joking aside, the Challenger SRT8 looks great, but it’s far too porky. The Mustang remains my favorite. It also looks like it will be the most affordable of the 3 with a V8.
Turbo G : How’s the E39 M5 working out? I’m thinking of picking one up in a few years.
The Challenger is the most unapologetically retro, but it’s also the best looking of the bunch. Thus, Challenger it must be.
A 2400 lbs. roadster driven by a 2.4 liter straight six putting out about 200 hp.
The Bullitt Mustang. It’s the most understated, clean looking of the trio and with any luck, the ’10 will continue and improve on the low-key look with some needed styling improvements (like some subtle bulges over the wheel wells, especially the rear).
The new Challenger looks like exactly what it is – an old E-body stretched over a new Charger. Pass. Although the original E-body was based on Chrysler’s B-body intermediates, it wasn’t nearly so easy to tell as the new Challenger is derived from the 4-door Charger. Chrysler would have been better to simply have come out with a Charger two-door that utilized the tunnel-back window and tail-light treatment from the classic ’69-’70 car. Not to mention that the new Challenger’s interior just flat out sucks (stylistically, anyway).
The new Camaro would have been okay if GM had stayed closer to the original ’69 front and rear end styling (like Ford did with the Mustang). Instead, they had to ‘improve’ on the original and thereby screwed it up. As someone else said, it looks too much like a characture of the original ’69 car. The one thing that the new Camaro has going for it that trumps the Challenger (and probably the Mustang, as well) is a well designed retro interior.
Not to be a dick, but I’m gonna be a dick. I think Jonny’s question “Which American Muscle Car For You” was getting at “Which American Muscle Car” you would have.
____________________
For the record, my choice would be the Mustang Bullitt. I like the power of the Camaro SS very much, but I just hate the interior, weight, size, and image.
@Justin Berkowitz
“AMC” means “American Muscle Car,” right?
G8 GXP 6 speed ftw.
I would have to go with the Mustang. The styling is the best Jay Mays ever did with his retro futuristic and it works well for this genre. The Camaro is a little too chunky for me. The Challenger is nice but I just like the Mustang better and its relatively svelt 3300lb curb weight gives it a clear edge. If it had a 50/50 weight balance and an IRS I’d probably own one.
The Challenger. R/T or SRT8 preferred, but I’d even take the 3.5L 6cyl challenger over any flavor of Camaro (if they actually *produce* it) or Mustang.
Beyond those 3, the Pontiac G8 GXP (or GT, i’m not that picky really) can line up #2 behind the Challenger.
For years I lusted after a 1979 Trans Am.
I lucked into owning a Mustang though. I would get another one without hesitation. It’s a rip-roaring good time.
I’d grow a mullet if I could grow a mullet.
Easy one, mint Javelin or AMX, any year.
As has already been mentioned that is a California Special Mustang not the GT500KR.
With that said I’ll take the Mustang. If all goes according to plan I’ll be ordering an ’09 GT convertible in the spring. I’ll be looking at the BMW 1 series, and Volvo C70 convertible as well, but the Mustang is cheaper than those two. While it’s not as sophisticated either, it’s an iconic american convertible.
whatsanobeen: So true, I will be taking advantage of the spoiler delete option myself.
Plan ol’ Mustang GT. Convertible. An iconic American affordable sporty car. Not too sophisticated, like me.
Areitu- The e39 M5 has power on the same level as these new Muscle cars but with better handling and more practicality (but honey, it’s a four door family car, hahaha) It’s becoming a real bargain as depreciation has been steep over the last couple of years.
I wouldn’t mind adding some american muscle to the fleet soon, however. I do like the understated looks of that Bullit, I must say.
One more for the Mustang Bullitt. I like the Camaro’s underpinnings, but there’s no way to make the car understated. That was actually the problem with the previous Camaro, and the Firebird to an even greater extent. I find it impossible to drive those two without feeling slightly foolish, whereas the Mustang..
I’d abandon them all for the Holden Coupe 60 with the G8’s front-end. The concept has a Camaro chassis with a proper M3-style wedge body shape and short overhangs. The press shots give me heart palpitations.
http://www.autoclub.com.au/uploaded_images/holden-coupe-60-concept-2008-760960.jpg
Ummm Reality Check…
Yah… all these cars had some allure in their original form back when I was a boy and had nothing else to compare them to but to be honest: The Germans have ruined it for me.
I mean come on… Even the Audi S4 has better performance and considerably better build quality, safety, engineering etc. than any of these 3. Not to mention the BMW’s and MB’s AMG and even some of their stock models
… Yah the Germans cost more but they are miles better in every way measurable. I have owned an S55 and a CLK55 among others and speak from my own observations.
BTW I have looked these 3 closely -and sadly, they are all compromised. In sum the US mfr’s are capable of so much more but try to pass off ‘modern remakes’ with plastic craptastic (to use a Farrago) interiors and subpar handling and questionable build quality and safety. They can do better and I believe that every one of these cars that is purchased encourages their slothly ways.
(This is not meant to encourage flames or insult – just my opinion as I see it.)
Detroit V8 iron? Black 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire.
I know, it’s not really a ‘muscle car’, but you can save the Camaros, Mustangs, and their latter-day cash-grab ilk for the baby boomers who have chosen to forget the trail of undersized brakes, drivetrains, and broken engine mounts the originals left behind them until the malaise of the ’70s put an end to that.
Wait where did all the other amc people come from? In addition to getting a new stang you’ll all be happy to know that the rest of my “war money” is going to the restoration of my 68 Jav (-; I was totally ready to buy a new javelin when i saw the hot rod mag thing back in april
Bullitt for me!
G8 GT.
Got’s to have the 4 doors (for the next decade or two).
I personally find all of these appalling. If I buy a car, I put 100000 miles on it. At 50mph mixed driving speed, that is 2000 hours. For that, I want a better than average interior. None of these deliver.
I dunno — the Camaro with the 300HP DI V6 and a six-speed stick and IRS seems to be the winning combo for me – minus 400lbs and that awful “modern/retro” interior.
Guess I’d have to see it in person.
Maybe they’ll be a real steal once GM goes ch 11 or 7.
The thing I like about the Mustang is that it’s actually built in the United States of America.
Beyond that, though, I really like the Challenger, which is odd, since I vehemently dislike the ’70s Challengers.
I’m sure the Camaro will be the best engineered, fastest, and best valued of all three. But in this segment, I think personality speaks just as loudly as paper statistics. In that respect, the Challenger is the winner.
I think the Challenger is beautiful, they got the proportions just right.
The Camaro less so.
The base and GT Mustangs are drop dead gorgeous. The Bullett is stunning. The GT500s, less so.
I would take the mustang convertable so far. A Bullitt, except for the following:
I really wish they would drop a more efficient engine in them tho – every time i fill up, I see some smilimg oil funded homophobic saudi imam teacher telling a class full of 6 year olds how they should shoot me on sight because i am gay, god forbid american!
I really dont know how it makes you less of an american if you use less of a product that is purchased from people who hate us.
Some great responses here, sans euro talk (on that end…I love the M3 and the RS4). But we’re talking brash, ol’merican iron.
For me, it’s the Camaro. I love the Mustang, have since the retro re-design, but there is something about that Camaro…It almost looks like what I thought cars in the future would look like when I was a kid 20 years ago. Long, wide, low lines…just damn slick. Give me one in bright yellow with black leather, some brushed stainless rims and tasteful tint (read: just enough to block some heat), and we’re in business.
The Dodge…eh, whatever. I wouldn’t touch ChryCo a product this side of the Wrangler with a rusted metal pole.
Bullit Mustang for me, as well. The Challenger is too big and too ostentatious, and the new Camaro is just plain ugly.
I’m still holding on to the dream of one day owning a 1987 Buick Grand National. *sigh* One day….
Jonny – how can you call the Challenger a fat pick compared to the Shelby? It weighs just as much.
The BEST Mustang bet out right now is the Roush – it will hand a Shelby its ass despite having 75 less hp simply due to its 600 lb lighter weight and dramatically superior suspension.
Oh, and you can get one for $40,000 too.