keepat Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Some have ask me how the three compare, so after putting over 2500 miles on the Camaro, 4000 on the Challenger, & more than 5000 on the Shelby I think it’s time I do a write up on the three cars. 2007 Ford Shelby GT 500 Motor- 5.4L 500 HP Trans- 6 speed manual Rear- 3.31 Weight- 3785lbs Fuel Economy- city 15, highway 21 Gas Guzzler Tax- $1,300.00 Price with tax & tags out the door- $49,745.00 All option except Nav system ¼ Mile Time & Speed- 12.13 @ 120 mph The Shelby all stock handles the poorest of the three cars. They should’ve used an IRS rear like the Challenger & Camaro did! The car has a lot of road noises and a few squeaks. Now if you hit the gas all you hear is the awesome sound of the supercharger and the road noises disappears. The interior takes 2nd place in the retro contest. It has a great looking dash with two built in shift lights, one light for best mpg and the other is adjustable for red line shifting. The passenger seat is to low and should be electric, and the back seat is for kids at best. The clutch pedal is hard & feels like you are lifting the car up with the effort it takes to push it in. Hands down this is the fastest car of the three and the most fun to take drag racing. You definitely want to be in this car at any stop light street race. With the widest rear tires of the three (285/45-18 still to small) it will smoke them up at 45mph. 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT/8 Motor- 6.1L 425 HP Trans- 5 speed auto Rear- IRS 3.06 Weight- 4150lbs Fuel Economy- city 13, highway 18 Gas Guzzler Tax- $2,100.00 Price with tax & tags out the door- $45,009.00 All 3 option (Nav, upgraded tires, & sunroof) ¼ Mile Time & Speed- 13.18 @ 106 mph To me the Challenger has the best Retro looks, front, back, and side it looks like a 1970 Challenger. It is the biggest of the 3 cars, 10” longer then the Shelby, and almost 8” longer then the Camaro. As a consequence of it size it drive and feels more like a B body then an E body. On the upside of its size it has a comfortable back seat and a large trunk. As the largest & heaviest car one would think it would have the widest tires of the three. Not the case as it rolls on 255/45-20 and there not much room left in the wheel well for a wider tire. Brembo brakes on all 4 corners are an upgrade over the Shelby (front only) and they look cool! This car gets the most attention of the three, partly because of the Hemi orange color and the Retro looks. Its great on the highway as it is quiet, smooth, and relaxing to drive. The Challenger has the best fit, finish, and overall quality of the three. Is that a result of the German engineering on the LX platform? I’m not sure but I do think it’s a notch above the Camaro & Shelby. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS/RS Motor- 6.2L 426 HP Trans- 6 speed manual Rear- IRS Weight- 3900lbs Fuel Economy- city 16, highway 24 Gas Guzzler Tax- NA Price with tax & tags out the door- $39,848.00 All option except ground effects Note Nav system not available ¼ Mile Time & Speed - TBA Driving the Camaro feels balance, agile and it part of the road. The suspension will let you take most turns with confidences and the Brembo brakes will help you through all others. The car is quiet and smooth with no squeak or road noises. The front seats fit me well and their comfortable, but I’m not sure you could say the same about the back seat. The interior is nicely done with the most retro looking of the three cars. The top of the door panels have a cool ambient lighting and the steering wheel feels great in your hands. The emergency brake is on the wrong side of the console and the shifter is clunky and long between gears. It also has a 1st to 2nd bypass to 4th if you drive & shift slow that sucks! For the most part Chevy did a great job with the Camaro and I think it represents the best value of the three. If you break it down price per horse power it’s by far the best deal. The Challenger is $105.90 per HP, Shelby $99.49 per HP, and the Camaro $93.54 per HP Best Motor- (hand built and signed) Shelby GT 500 Best Looking Motor- (no plastic engine cover) Shelby GT 500 Best Trans & clutch- Camaro SS/RS Best Stereo- Challenger SRT/8 Best Paint- Challenger SRT/8 Best Stripes- Shelby GT 500 Best Trunk- Challenger SRT/8 Best Backseat- Challenger SRT/8 Best Tires & wheels- Shelby GT 500 Best Ride- Challenger SRT/8 Best ¼ Mile Time & speed- (12.13 @ 120 mph) Shelby GT 500 Best Handling Camaro SS/RS Best Braking Camaro SS/RS Best Retro Interior- Camaro SS/RS Best Retro Exterior- Challenger SRT/8 Best Emblem Shelby GT 500 Best Overall Quality- Challenger SRT/8 Best Gas Mileages- (only one without gas guzzler tax) Camaro SS/RS Best Gas Fill Cover- (love the chrome) Challenger SRT/8 Best Hood Challenger SRT/8 Best looking from the front Shelby GT 500 Best looking from the side Camaro SS/RS Best looking from the back Challenger SRT/8 Best Sounding Stock Exhaust- Challenger SRT/8 Best Sounding motor- (supercharger) Shelby GT 500 Best Engineered Camaro SS/RS Best Value Camaro SS/RS It’s hard to pick a winner or my outright favorite of the three. If need a usable backseat the Challenger would be the best car. Or if you had a budget under 40K and need the best MPG the Camaro would be your best choice. But if all you are looking for is a ¼ mile racecar the Shelby is the one! Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stump_breaker Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Can I come and live in your garage please? I don't need much space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brands5.0 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Very nice i dont have a camaro but i did have a 2007 Shelby and a 2006 SRT8 magnum, for comfort the magnum was out standing i did get a few 12.97 out of it stock in cold weather. But looks and prformance i love my GT500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMPSGT1066 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Nice write up Pat. Enjoyed reading it considering your not biased to just one brand like some magazine companies are. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleestack Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Very nice i dont have a camaro but i did have a 2007 Shelby and a 2006 SRT8 magnum, for comfort the magnum was out standing i did get a few 12.97 out of it stock in cold weather. But looks and prformance i love my GT500. The GT500 is one of the few cars that can make the SRT8 feel slow. However, I love the SRT8 on road trips or for hauling people...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchGT500 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Nice write up and great pictures. You are lucky to have all three, but you probably work or have worked hard for your $$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchGT500 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Nice write up and great pictures. You are lucky to have all three, but you probably work or have worked hard for your $$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchGT500 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Sorry double post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeCMM Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Great unbiased intel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_KR Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Great read!, I Enjoyed that very much... Well Done Pat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slabo Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Great info and read. It is great to get a review from someone who had actually put some miles on these cars. Thanks Pat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackVert Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Yes, nice write-up! I enjoyed reading... Would definitely agree with you about the Challenger feeling like a better-built car, and it really handles well for a car of its size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SexyStang Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 WOW great write up..... :happy feet: those are some FINE looking cars..... but how do you choose which one to drive everyday.... without beating yourself up over it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Secondo Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 That's really sweet to have all 3 current American musclecars!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoneDoc Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 great write-up.... thanks! you are probably one of only a few people in the country that have real-life driving experience with all 3 vehicles. Also nice to hear an opinion from a real person with no agenda! Your comments seem fair. We are all biased here for GT500 to come out on top of all categories!.... but realistically we all know that there are strengths to each car. I must say your Camaro color combo looks great. I am happy to know that GT500 is the quickest and is the one you pull out when its time to bust some balls at the track! Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackVert Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 I want to know more about that '68 Charger! Beautiful stable of cars.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuickSilverShelby Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 Great reviews. I enjoyed reading abou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordyd4 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Pat, do a write up and surely you will get feedback! It's a great thing the engineers at Ford had the forethought of installing the straight axle in our GT500s. Install a Watts link, issue over. There is no way the Camaro and Challenger IRS cars will ever compete with the Shelby in a straight line drag race just for the reason those cars will never reliably handle 800+ RWHP from a dead stop...and we all know that that who's fastest in the straight line is what it's all about....for many of us anyways:) Who cares about the $/HP. I just want to be able to stomp on any Camaro or Challenger that rolls up next to me.....and do that I will! Anyways, Nice write up on the three cars. I'm glad to see the big 3 getting back performance pony cars. It's all in fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YZD263 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Great write up Pat! You are very fortunate to own one of each! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mach 1 1970 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 I have seen both the camaro and challenger @ cruise night. They share one common thing " they are BIG "and they look even bigger parked next to 60's muscle cars. From the top of the hood they are way to tall. Both cars look better in pictures than real life. The dash in the camaro will never grow on me it's just ugly. I will say the new dash in the Shelby makes the 07 look like a rental unit. Ford did a great job in that area. The Challenger dash looks like it belongs in a Honda Accord or Toyota. Well that's my 2 cents. I had a 69 Z/28 and design wise it was perfect. Like a 57 Chevy it hit the nail on the head design wise. The new camaro missed the the mark by a wide margin. The 05-2010 mustang hit the nail on the head . It just looks good from any angle period. It will be a classic design in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleestack Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 I have seen both the camaro and challenger @ cruise night. They share one common thing " they are BIG "and they look even bigger parked next to 60's muscle cars. From the top of the hood they are way to tall. Both cars look better in pictures than real life. Like them all, well, the Challenger and the GT500 a bit more than the Camaro for all the same reasons. For sure the GT500 and Challenger are different cars in terms of size and power....... begs the question.... does this GT500 make my Challenger look big? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mach 1 1970 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 Like them all, well, the Challenger and the GT500 a bit more than the Camaro for all the same reasons. For sure the GT500 and Challenger are different cars in terms of size and power....... begs the question.... does this GT500 make my Challenger look big? YES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharabi Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Seriously and am trying to be unbiased the GT500 is more aggressive hunkered down than the chally, even with its 4X4 stock suspension. that mustang body is an ace by ford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diamondback Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Some have ask me how the three compare, so after putting over 2500 miles on the Camaro, 4000 on the Challenger, & more than 5000 on the Shelby I think it’s time I do a write up on the three cars. It’s hard to pick a winner or my outright favorite of the three. If need a usable backseat the Challenger would be the best car. Or if you had a budget under 40K and need the best MPG the Camaro would be your best choice. But if all you are looking for is a ¼ mile racecar the Shelby is the one! Pat Is there any way you might want to have the same layout comparison as the pictures and shoot some walk around video and post the video on YouTube that would be so cool and I am sure very popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharabi Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Is there any way you might want to have the same layout comparison as the pictures and shoot some walk around video and post the video on YouTube that would be so cool and I am sure very popular. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleestack Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Seriously and am trying to be unbiased the GT500 is more aggressive hunkered down than the chally, even with its 4X4 stock suspension. that mustang body is an ace by ford. Agree, but the Challenger looks good with a suspension drop to help hide the mass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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