My 9,000th what car thread, I think I want a 'murica V8....give me your thoughts.

So since a Corvette's are out of the price range. That leaves, Mustang GT, Camaro SS, Challenger. I would get a manual. Keep in mind, this would be like maybe 1-2 times a year at the track if that, maybe an AutoX as well. 

I love the look of the Challenger, but they are heavy. I drove an SS 1LE a few years ago and loved it, it fits me well being short. And of course the Mustang, I've always been a Mustang Fan boy and I had a '13 Mustang GT Track Pack. 

If you were going to drop $45-50k on one of these what would you choose? All reasons are valid, I'm just curious. 

Side question: Even though I know I won't likely use the track pack for any of the cars, I still kind of want that option because of everything they include. 

I have several friends with SS 1LE's, and except for track running costs they are all extremely pleased with them and have had them for a while. I can't say the same for my Mustang friends, for whatever reason. 

I know the Track Pack 2 GT Mustang or the Mach 1 is like the car to have, but they leave me cold and everybody has a Mustang. I know that the Camaro SS 1LE is a track superstar, but it's built by GM and looks hideous to boot. I know that the Challenger is old, heavy, and slow but it just looks so right. It would easily be the most fun to own.

I'd do a Challenger T/A wide body all day, every day. Especially in that new dark red metalflake or Plum Crazy or the army green color. I have to actively avoid Dodge dealers...

I have unshakeable ire for any newer Mopar, and question the mental acuity of people who like them, for One. Huge. Flaw.

You cannot turn the radio off.  You can mute it, but it engages every time you start the engine, so you have to mute it every time.

That is worth a hatchet to the center stack IMO.

Having had a ZL1, and a Mustang GT PP1...

SS1LE if track performance/potential is the main criteria.  It's still a darn good GT car on the street.  The small trunk opening can be inconvenient.  Fabulous on track, but expensive consumables (applies to all 3, really).  Don't believe all the complaints about "bunkers" and rear visibility.  It's no more an issue than a Mustang after driving it for a week.  

Challenger is going to be the most livable on the street and looks the best, IMHO.  Best color choices, inside and out.  Widebody for sure.

Mustang would be my 3rd choice.   Needs more prep than the Camaro (1LE) for track work, and needs more revs to go as well on the street.  Interior is the worst of the three.

If I were to do it again, it would probably be the Challenger, if only because we haven't had one.  But the Camaro is damn good.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Or just pull a fuse?

Does it have to be modern? Would a Factory Five Cobra replica fit the bill?

Javelin said:

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Or just pull a fuse?

Not nearly as satisfying 

Of course, it is part of a whole thing that does the climate control and other stuff.

Today I had a Pacifica and a Patriot in so I had a double helping of arguing with inanimate objects and losing.

I've rented all three at one time or another.

I'd go Mustang 5.0 with the 10 speed.  Challenger is the most comfortable.  Camaro drives the best and might just be the fastest.  But the Mustang is the best all around in my opinion.  The SS seems lazy until you cane it half to death.  The active cylinder management on the 6.2 make it feel hunty on the highway.  Can't turn it off without a programmer I'm told. The 392 had Mexican gas so it wasn't running up to potential.  The 5.0 felt the most eager of the bunch and is just astonishing when punched from 65 or so.  Finds the right gear immediately and is gone.  The SS seems to be a lot more chill.  But I've read that it just feels that way and is actually a few ticks faster than the GT

Both GT and SS had 93 octane.  SRT had mid grade Pemex and was at 6000' plus.  It was not that impressive given those handicaps

So my vote is: widebody Hellcat if you can swing it.  Those things are sex on wheels.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

I have unshakeable ire for any newer Mopar, and question the mental acuity of people who like them, for One. Huge. Flaw.

 

You cannot turn the radio off.  You can mute it, but it engages every time you start the engine, so you have to mute it every time.

That is worth a hatchet to the center stack IMO.

The solution is to just, instead of muting, turn the volume to zero before shutting off the ignition.

Takes like, less than 2 seconds.

dj06482 (Forum Supporter) said:

Does it have to be modern? Would a Factory Five Cobra replica fit the bill?

Unfortunately, yes. If I'm dropping that kind of money. I want a warranty and the support that comes with it.

I know I'm only 40, but I'm over spending a ton of time during the week and on the weekends working on stuff.

Challenger for emotions, Camaro for lap times.  Or just slide the Challenger around in a cloud of smoke with a smile stuck to your face. Fun lap vs fast lap.

I have nothing to offer other than I would avoid the 6 speed mustangs unless you spring for one of the few packages that has the Tremec box (Mach 1 and GT350).  The MT82 is hot, gear grinding garbage.

What about Cadillac options?

I think it's all covered. Looks and comfort = Challenger.  Fastest = Camaro, and best all around = Mustang.  I think that puts you squarely into the Mustang or Challenger.  If you don't care how fast you are on any track day, the Challenger probably delivers the most smiles.  There is a reason, I will NOT drive one.  I know I'd buy it.  I also avoid driving new Camaros and Mustangs for similar reasons.  I'm trying to be practical and buying a Honda.....  trying. 

Another vote for the Challenger based on what you are describing, would be great comfort for regular driving and could handle a few track days here and there.  I had a base 2021 Scat Pack 6 speed, but wished I went with the wide body for adaptive dampers and much better looks.  Might be just above the 50k mark, so might need to play with the configurator a bit.  I sold mine after about 6 months and still miss the sound of a V8 so I'll probably be in the same boat looking at these cars again later this year if (when lol) I get tired of my Type R.

Vote for mustang. I'm a little biased as I DD a 2020 GT PP1 but it's been a great car all around. 

Challenger for me, especially the T/A version.  

Considering your expected usage, Widebody Challenger for sure.

Challenger Widebody, Mood as in moody.

I've had similar day-dreams.

Camaro: Best performance, although I understand they aren't the easiest to live with (you'd think GM would have learned the lessons from the F4...).  Granted, is livability all that important for a car like this?

Mustang:  Here I lean more towards a GT350 - because of sounds.  And just the "specialness" of it. 

Challenger: most comfortable - something to consider since I already have a fleet of "comfort-compromised" LBCs. 

All that said, when I look at car like this and how much they would cost to insure, I get pulled back towards classics.

Why can't it be a Corvette?  Your budget won't get you a C8, but it'll still get you one hell of a used Corvette.  That would be my vote.  However, if forced to pick from the remaining three, I would go:

Mustang

Camaro

Challenger - a very distant third.  It's ancient, and it shows.  I had one for a week as a rental car, Hemi and all.  Made nice noises, but that's about the only compliment I could give it.

I just got to spend 30 minutes whipping a Camaro SS 1LE around VIR over the weekend and it's a very impressive car, doubly so for the price. Has all the right hardware, GM's warranty covers track use, and it's stupid easy to drive quickly. Likes to be slid a bit. Fast in a straight line, great brakes, good steering. I got comfortable with it quickly and liked it on track.

That said, I prefer the Mustang on the street (and haven't tracked a new/newish one) based on seating position/visibility. Neither is "good" but Mustang is better. 

Challenger is very cool but I see those more as comfy cruisers than anything. And the other two have far nicer interiors.

BlueInGreen - Jon said:

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

I have unshakeable ire for any newer Mopar, and question the mental acuity of people who like them, for One. Huge. Flaw.

 

You cannot turn the radio off.  You can mute it, but it engages every time you start the engine, so you have to mute it every time.

That is worth a hatchet to the center stack IMO.

The solution is to just, instead of muting, turn the volume to zero before shutting off the ignition.

Takes like, less than 2 seconds.

That doesn't help when the owner of the car has it so loud that the speakers clip. (Usually Jeeps)

i personally would want it OFF because I don't want a lit screen in my peripheral vision when I am trying to drive.