Camaros vs. Challengers

Gearslammer · 09-06-2016, 10:09 AM

I have driven many 2016 SS's, 2015 ZL1 and 2015 Z28 and I have recently driven a 2016 Scat Pack 392. All had six speeds. The nice part about the Camaros are the balance of power and handling seem to be more to my liking. Both the Hellcat and Scat Pack 392 seem to have the same extremely heavy clutch that make them seriously deficient as a daily driver. All the Camaro clutches were easy to operate and I have a strong leg. The Challengers are heavy cars with more interior room than the 2016 Camaros. The seats in the Challengers are similar to the 2015 Camaros which are both more comfortable than 2016 Camaro SS standard seats. The Recaros in the 2015 ZL1 and 2015 Z28 were very comfortable on a local ride but not sure about long, 500 mile, trips. Yesterday, we saw a 2016 Challenger following a 2016 Camaro SS in traffic and the side styling was clearly better on the Camaro. The Challenger looked dated. Clearly the mileage ratings are better in the Camaros. I like the Camaros better overall.

Com69 · 09-06-2016, 10:18 AM

One of our customers has a 2015 Challenger. He dropped it off on Friday for some (more) work, and when I hopped in to move it, my first thought was "This thing feels like a tank after driving my Camaro". It's still a nice car, but omg, compared to the Camaro, it's just huge.

BlueSteel07 · 09-06-2016, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearslammer

Both the Hellcat and Scat Pack 392 seem to have the same extremely heavy clutch that make them seriously deficient as a daily driver. All the Camaro clutches were easy to operate and I have a strong leg.

I've rented a six speed scat pack a couple of times and thought the clutch was very easy and light; however, I've never driven a six speed gen6 Camaro so I can't compare it to that.

ChefBorOzzy · 09-06-2016, 10:33 AM

I've also driven a Scat Pack and thought clutch was light.. Unless my memory is wrong..

SpeedIsLife · 09-06-2016, 10:41 AM

I never found the clutch to be heavy in the 2 M6 Challenger's I drove (one with the 5.7 the other with the 392).

While the styling is old-er, I'd say the refresh they did somehow managed to make the car *look* slimmer than it actually is, and it's been rewarded with (slowly) increasing sales..they reliably sell over 5,000 a month now, and have outsold the Camaro at least 3 times this year.

BlueSteel07 · 09-06-2016, 12:47 PM

I drove an auto 2016 Camaro 2SS and a 2015 Auto Scat Pack Challenger back to back one time. My impressions were that the SS was a nicer car. The SS felt much more nimble and felt a little quicker than the dodge. I liked the dodge's transmission better though as it seemed to shift more quickly. The funny thing is that I thought the Chevy was a little easier to see out of than the dodge. I felt very comfortable driving the Camaro. Basically, I liked the Dodge's transmission better and preferred the Camaro in most every other aspect.

jdasnt3 · 09-06-2016, 01:30 PM

Interesting that there seem to be more Challenger comparisons than Mustang comparisons. The Scat and SRT Challengers are awesome. I drove the Scat and loved it, but preferred the Camaro for the total driving feel. I also prefer the Camaro's looks.

SpeedIsLife · 09-06-2016, 01:51 PM

I think a lot of people compare the Challenger and Camaro now because of the similar power levels (485/455) and the 8 speed transmissions.

I don't think anyone really thinks the Challenger is in the same league with the Camaro in terms of handling performance.

JFM-jr · 09-06-2016, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedIsLife

I think a lot of people compare the Challenger and Camaro now because of the similar power levels (485/455) and the 8 speed transmissions.

I don't think anyone really thinks the Challenger is in the same league with the Camaro in terms of handling performance.

Handling no, acceleration without a question yes

motorhead · 09-06-2016, 09:16 PM

Challengers handle just fine. I love how people say that they don't handle at all. I wouod hate to see these same people in any 60's or early 70's muscle cars if they think any modern performance car handles bad.

jlagman · 09-06-2016, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead

Challengers handle just fine. I love how people say that they don't handle at all. I wouod hate to see these same people in any 60's or early 70's muscle cars if they think any modern performance car handles bad.

I don't think you can deny the "boat-y-ness" of a Challenger at least compared against the 6th Gen, though. One of the things that really attracted me to the 6th Gen was its diet...and the MRC.

motorhead · 09-07-2016, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlagman

I don't think you can deny the "boat-y-ness" of a Challenger at least compared against the 6th Gen, though. One of the things that really attracted me to the 6th Gen was its diet...and the MRC.

They are a very nice comfortable car to drive on the street. Most people don't push any of these cars to the point the minor differences in performance to even matter. I like power and performance as much as the next guy, but for a driver, I look at the over all package. That is the main reason I gave up my GT500 for a ZL1. It's over all a more comfortable car to live with everday.

It's really about what you want out of a car as to which one to purchase. They are all pretty good these days.

Jimtasteek · 09-27-2016, 09:20 AM

Just curious - how does the Challenger interior compare to the 6th gen Camaro (which I very much like). Materials, quality, flashiness/sense of occasion and all that. I've only had chance to drive a 2013 Challenger here in the UK and I hear the new ones are a step up.

SuperSound · 09-27-2016, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimtasteek

Just curious - how does the Challenger interior compare to the 6th gen Camaro (which I very much like). Materials, quality, flashiness/sense of occasion and all that. I've only had chance to drive a 2013 Challenger here in the UK and I hear the new ones are a step up.

IMO here's a quick analogy:

Camaro = jet fighter cockpit, all the stuff you really touch is soft but some hard plastics still there but they don't look cheap like before

Challenger = more like a Bently GT (minus the ridiculous lavishness), soft touch material everywhere, plush seats, retro, sense of isolation from the environment (both good and bad).

Both cars definitely have the high tech feel, quality and design. But the Challenger is more like a Gran Tourer in terms of the interior, while the Camaro is more sports/driver oriented.

09-06-2016, 10:09 AM	#1
Gearslammer Drives: Z28 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sacramento Posts: 75	Camaros vs. Challengers I have driven many 2016 SS's, 2015 ZL1 and 2015 Z28 and I have recently driven a 2016 Scat Pack 392. All had six speeds. The nice part about the Camaros are the balance of power and handling seem to be more to my liking. Both the Hellcat and Scat Pack 392 seem to have the same extremely heavy clutch that make them seriously deficient as a daily driver. All the Camaro clutches were easy to operate and I have a strong leg. The Challengers are heavy cars with more interior room than the 2016 Camaros. The seats in the Challengers are similar to the 2015 Camaros which are both more comfortable than 2016 Camaro SS standard seats. The Recaros in the 2015 ZL1 and 2015 Z28 were very comfortable on a local ride but not sure about long, 500 mile, trips. Yesterday, we saw a 2016 Challenger following a 2016 Camaro SS in traffic and the side styling was clearly better on the Camaro. The Challenger looked dated. Clearly the mileage ratings are better in the Camaros. I like the Camaros better overall.

09-06-2016, 01:30 PM	#7
jdasnt3 Drives: 18 Silverado 1500 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 1,721	Interesting that there seem to be more Challenger comparisons than Mustang comparisons. The Scat and SRT Challengers are awesome. I drove the Scat and loved it, but preferred the Camaro for the total driving feel. I also prefer the Camaro's looks. __________________ 16 Red Hot 2SS A8: NPP, CAI Cold air, Ported TB, Fasterproms Ported intake, E85 flex, Formatto tuned. 11.80@118 with 1.92 60' (600-700 DA) on stock run flats.

09-06-2016, 10:18 AM	#2
Com69 Banned Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS 6M Nightfall Gray Join Date: May 2016 Location: Western MA Posts: 522	One of our customers has a 2015 Challenger. He dropped it off on Friday for some (more) work, and when I hopped in to move it, my first thought was "This thing feels like a tank after driving my Camaro". It's still a nice car, but omg, compared to the Camaro, it's just huge.

09-06-2016, 10:33 AM	#4
ChefBorOzzy Drives: 2016 F150 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,196	I've also driven a Scat Pack and thought clutch was light.. Unless my memory is wrong..

09-06-2016, 10:41 AM	#5
SpeedIsLife Drives: Current Camaro-less Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,242	I never found the clutch to be heavy in the 2 M6 Challenger's I drove (one with the 5.7 the other with the 392). While the styling is old-er, I'd say the refresh they did somehow managed to make the car look slimmer than it actually is, and it's been rewarded with (slowly) increasing sales..they reliably sell over 5,000 a month now, and have outsold the Camaro at least 3 times this year.

09-06-2016, 12:47 PM	#6
BlueSteel07 Drives: Nothing Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: USA Posts: 233	I drove an auto 2016 Camaro 2SS and a 2015 Auto Scat Pack Challenger back to back one time. My impressions were that the SS was a nicer car. The SS felt much more nimble and felt a little quicker than the dodge. I liked the dodge's transmission better though as it seemed to shift more quickly. The funny thing is that I thought the Chevy was a little easier to see out of than the dodge. I felt very comfortable driving the Camaro. Basically, I liked the Dodge's transmission better and preferred the Camaro in most every other aspect.

09-06-2016, 01:51 PM	#8
SpeedIsLife Drives: Current Camaro-less Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,242	I think a lot of people compare the Challenger and Camaro now because of the similar power levels (485/455) and the 8 speed transmissions. I don't think anyone really thinks the Challenger is in the same league with the Camaro in terms of handling performance.

09-06-2016, 09:16 PM	#10
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	Challengers handle just fine. I love how people say that they don't handle at all. I wouod hate to see these same people in any 60's or early 70's muscle cars if they think any modern performance car handles bad.

09-27-2016, 09:20 AM	#13
Jimtasteek Drives: S197 Mustang Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: UK Posts: 102	Just curious - how does the Challenger interior compare to the 6th gen Camaro (which I very much like). Materials, quality, flashiness/sense of occasion and all that. I've only had chance to drive a 2013 Challenger here in the UK and I hear the new ones are a step up.

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