11-29-2020, 08:54 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2015commemorative vert 2SS Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: northern Indiana
Posts: 948
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Not so much
So I looked at at a challenger the other day, since FCA has killer rebates on their new stuff this month. Thought maybe a scat pack equipped 6.4L... car would be interesting to drive maybe. The sales guys first off wouldn't let me test drive the car initially, which I can understand. Its a performance car, not everyone should be able to test drive. They warned me to be careful with the 485Hp under the hood. Wow, what a let down. It drove just fine, great brakes, ok interior, huge trunk. But tried to accelerate up an on ramp, and it was a slug. I was very under whelmed with the test drive. So went and bought a new 2SS camaro instead.
The camaro just feels and reacts like a performance car. Just thought I would try the other options out there.
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2018 ZL1 Bright Yellow, A10, PDR, sunroof, carbon hood, and dash- sold
2020 2SS A10 sunroof..shock and steel special-traded 2015 commemorative vert 2ss |
11-29-2020, 09:31 PM | #2 |
Drives: 19 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Shock Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,947
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I used to want a Challenger very much, but after owning an RX-8, I lost interest as the Challenger doesn't handle well. I would still like to test drive one if I have a chance at some point, though.
There was a thread of a guy with SS racing a 392 SRT Challenger and the Challenger didn't keep up. The Challenger simply weighs too much and the 30 extra horses can't help that. That said, I have a friend with a Hellcat Charger, and the supercharger whine is just amazing.
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Current:
2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE M6 Shock GM Performance Intake and that's it, because driver mods before car mods Past: 2009 Mazda RX-8 GT M6 Velocity Red Mica (Sold) 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 2LT M7 Velocity Yellow Tintcoat (Flood totaled) |
11-30-2020, 02:25 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2019 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Saratoga, NY
Posts: 125
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How are you not taking a financial bath on new car purchases?
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11-30-2020, 06:06 AM | #4 |
Drives: 2021 Camaro LT1 Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Tampa FL area
Posts: 783
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Sometimes a new cars feels like a slug until you get some miles on it.
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11-30-2020, 06:15 AM | #5 |
Thank you Al Oppenheiser!
Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 4,966
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Is FCA doing the "reduced power until break-in is complete" thing with the Challengers like the Demon and new C8 vettes?
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11-30-2020, 06:18 AM | #6 |
Drives: 2021 Camaro LT1 Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Tampa FL area
Posts: 783
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11-30-2020, 06:25 AM | #7 |
Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: MI
Posts: 1,596
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My experience was quite the opposite. I've driven the newer SS, 5.0 GT, and a 392. The 392 actually felt more punchy down low (throttle response was by far the best) and pulled very strong like the SS in my opinion. Even the 5.0 Mustang felt like it had better tip in response than the Camaro, but after that the LT1 torque was noticeably better. On paper these cars are incredibly close in acceleration.
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11-30-2020, 07:43 AM | #8 |
Drives: 23 ZL1 6speed Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: WI
Posts: 1,272
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Haven't you heard from some of the guys on here? Buy a new Camaro and they practically gain value over night, or you can at least break even!
I'm not entirely surprised on the OP's review of the Challenger; that is basically what I would expect. Can't test drive it because it is a high horsepower car, give me a break. That is one thing that has always floored me about domestic dealerships. They treat their vehicles like they're all gold (you NEED someone to test drive with you, have to twist their arm to get the keys, sales attitude, etc.). You can go to one of the higher tiered dealerships and they'll throw you the keys to something with double the MSRP without batting an eye. I will say in their defense, however, that I'm sure the domestic dealerships see a lot more of the "buyer scum" than the higher end ones... people window shopping, test driving for a hot lap, being financially unrealistic.. |
11-30-2020, 07:55 AM | #9 |
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Drives: Fast if no one's looking Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 1,794
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Yeah the Dodge dealers probably get a good share of the under 30 crowd who just want to go for a joy ride with no intent or financial ability to actually buy a new Challenger. There's many on the lots and FCA advertises the heck out of them - with ads that really make you want one!
We've been down that road a billion times with people on this forum about GM's abysmal advertising and promotion of the Camaro. OTOH, That's sort of a positive of the Camaro SS too. With very few on the lots, and fewer people actually knowing about them and thus salivating over them, you have to be a serious buyer to find one to test drive. I drove the only 2018 SS with the manual anywhere in the Cleveland area and the salesman was cool with me driving myself. I can remember when the Camaro, TransAm, Mustang, Regal T-Type/GN/GNX, and the like were all more prevalent, advertised, and stocked at dealers. 16 year olds were showing up looking for a WS6 just to "take for a spin" lol |
11-30-2020, 11:25 AM | #10 | |
Drives: 19 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Shock Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,947
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Quote:
As a serious buyer, I have had no trouble with getting test drives on Corvette, Camaro or Mustang. And yes, when I bought my C7, the salesman told me that they require a deposit on Corvette test drives as they had people who just take them out for spins without any intentions to buy them, especially during COVID when some people are bored. Maybe it's a Dodge thing, then? Sent from toaster or something
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Current:
2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE M6 Shock GM Performance Intake and that's it, because driver mods before car mods Past: 2009 Mazda RX-8 GT M6 Velocity Red Mica (Sold) 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 2LT M7 Velocity Yellow Tintcoat (Flood totaled) |
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11-30-2020, 11:25 AM | #11 |
Drives: women crazy Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: CA
Posts: 698
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Test drove a scat pack a few times. Never felt sluggish to me at all. But the seats were subpar (stock ones anyway) and the bulk/weight turned me off big time.
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‘19 1SS A10, Borla S-type Non-NPP-SOLD
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11-30-2020, 12:22 PM | #12 |
Drives: 23 ZL1 A10 Rapid Blue Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: MO
Posts: 1,960
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The thing I've been turned off the most with Challenger/Charger's is the final drive ratio seems more suited for highway cruising than performance. I had a Mustang GT, 3:73, option was 3:55, base was a 3:23 (IIRC), then the 1LE is 3:73 but those cars the gear ration was something like 2:75 (ish).
To add, my GF had a V6 Challenger and it's big and heavy and bulky, she loved it, great car and she drove the snot out of it and that V6 would GO. Typically if I'm going in to test drive, I would walk if they do the test drive non-sense. I'm 48 and I pull up in these kind of cars anyway so it's not like a kid that is joy riding. |
11-30-2020, 12:40 PM | #13 | |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS M6 Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Indy
Posts: 2,460
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Quote:
If you're comparing it to an auto, you really need to run the #s on trans gear ratio and axle ratio to gauge which one is more aggressive. For instance, comparing the Camaro SS 8spd auto (2.77 axle ratio) to Camaro SS manual (3.73), you can see that the auto is geared more aggressively overall despite the numerically lower rear axle ratio.
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2017 Camaro 1SS, M6, Hurst shifter, Hyper Blue, NPP, Gray Split Spoke Wheels
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11-30-2020, 12:49 PM | #14 |
Drives: 23 ZL1 A10 Rapid Blue Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: MO
Posts: 1,960
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shat...whichever I didn't like whatever I read at the time and then I wasn't getting one any way.
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