CD Article: 2010 Camaro SS vs 2009 Challenger R/T

[CD_Editor]

         
CanadianDriver's Made in Canada test drive series:


This week, CanadianDriver begins its new Made in Canada Test-drive series that compares vehicles built in Canada that compete in the same market segment.  We begin with the Oshawa, Ontario-built Chevrolet Camaro SS and the Brampton, Ontario-built Dodge Challenger R/T.
 More: View the photos | All the Features

[TopGun]

57 posts to date on the Nissan Cube...and none in here.   

Perhaps because these cars have already been posted to death in other threads.

Interesting to read that the Challenger came into it's own when it was considered for what it's mission is...a cruising car.

And as for the comment that these cars won't save Detroit because they're niche cars...wonder if they realize how much the Miata had to do with Mazda's return to building great cars...despite the fact it was also a nice car.

[ovr50]

Well, as to niche vehicles, they may not save the companies, but they do help bring traffic into the showrooms. I would think that both GM and Chryco would be happy to have any traffic in their showrooms these days..!! Also, remember the forebearers of these two cars were not mainstream vehicles back in the 60s either, they were the "icing on the cake" that got ppl interested in other, lesser, more utilitarian products.

Unfortunately for both GM and Chry, the Mustang came out in 2004, as a 2005 MY, and sold well. Even 5 years ago, there was less focus on "green", fuel economy, and being "socially responsible" than there is today.

A few old geezers my age will buy them, after that, IMO these will be a tougher sell going forward.

Of the two, my preference would be the Camaro, notwithstanding it's spacey-looking interior. 

[Rupert]

I can't imagine that car companies produce vehicles as loss leaders just to get people in the door. Like some store selling groceries except the customer does not go out with the featured product, they only come to look at it. If these types pull people into the showroom...how can they go out with a high quality sub-compact or such? However, a high quality, great handling, gas saving compact might well draw people to a sub-compact model similarly endowed...or even to the leader itself.
Perhaps we live in a time where utility and substance takes prefference over style and that this does not have to be at the expense of desireability and gratification. This is the challenge that has to be addressed IMO.
It's not that the product here does not have merit; it does...but only to look at for me.

[tpl]

Well, as to niche vehicles, they may not save the companies, but they do help bring traffic into the showrooms. I would think that both GM and Chryco would be happy to have any traffic in their showrooms these days..!! Also, remember the forebearers of these two cars were not mainstream vehicles back in the 60s either, they were the "icing on the cake" that got ppl interested in other, lesser, more utilitarian products.

Unfortunately for both GM and Chry, the Mustang came out in 2004, as a 2005 MY, and sold well. Even 5 years ago, there was less focus on "green", fuel economy, and being "socially responsible" than there is today.

A few old geezers my age will buy them, after that, IMO these will be a tougher sell going forward.

Of the two, my preference would be the Camaro, notwithstanding it's spacey-looking interior. 

Problem is that Chryco and to some extent GM, don't have anything in the showrooms worth looking at. 

[Rupert]

Chrysler do have at least one vehicle worth looking at and it has been, and is, the world leader in it's class. That is the Caravan/Town And Country. You can not go far on the road without seeing several. Not a car but if they can do it in this segement surely they can also perform the same job on other vehicles.

[Mitlov]

I know that the "proper" response is the Camaro, but both my heart and brain go with the Challenger R/T 6MT.  Heart because I love the look and sound.  I've always thought that the Camaro was a little overdone, a little cartoony.  Brain because the Challenger has a far more useable back seat and trunk.

[Winklovic]

both my heart and brain go with the Challenger R/T 6MT. 

+1

[Giant Dwarf]

Ovr, I was always one to say the same thing about 'niche cars'.  "Well, they bring people into the showrooms."  But in pondering it here, I'm not so sure any more. 

I love that GM has brought out a new Camaro.  I'm dying to drive one to feel the thrust of that big V8 and hear its rumble -- and I think they're cool looking (again, crap interior notwithstanding).  But, I have no desire to go out of my way into a Chevy dealer just to look at one.  Between auto shows, really good websites both from the media and the manufacturer equipped with video or high res images, you can get darn near the same experience you'd get by seeing the car in the showroom -- if not better (avoiding the hassle of salespeople and being able to see the car in the colour you'd dream of). 

If someone is legitimately interested in a modern pony car, is their appetite for a snorting V8 Camaro really going to be satisfied by a Malibu?

***

Also, to Wing:  WTF?

[chrischasescars]

GD: The title's actually my fault. Wrong alt code behind one of the photos. Ooops.

[Erik]

I seriously doubt that either GM or Chrysler are losing money on either. All existing, paid for machinery under the skin.The Challenger SRT8 I drove, priced out, drooled at and thought very seriously about was a $50K car! Gulp! Doubt they were losing money off of that one.

[rrocket]

I seriously doubt that either GM or Chrysler are losing money on either. All existing, paid for machinery under the skin.The Challenger SRT8 I drove, priced out, drooled at and thought very seriously about was a $50K car! Gulp! Doubt they were losing money off of that one.

Are they still gouging/marking up the SRT8??

[Turbo Bob]

Ovr, I was always one to say the same thing about 'niche cars'.  "Well, they bring people into the showrooms."  But in pondering it here, I'm not so sure any more. 

I love that GM has brought out a new Camaro.  I'm dying to drive one to feel the thrust of that big V8 and hear its rumble -- and I think they're cool looking (again, crap interior notwithstanding).  But, I have no desire to go out of my way into a Chevy dealer just to look at one.  Between auto shows, really good websites both from the media and the manufacturer equipped with video or high res images, you can get darn near the same experience you'd get by seeing the car in the showroom -- if not better (avoiding the hassle of salespeople and being able to see the car in the colour you'd dream of). 

If someone is legitimately interested in a modern pony car, is their appetite for a snorting V8 Camaro really going to be satisfied by a Malibu?

***

Also, to Wing:  WTF?

Plus you don't have to speak to people who live in fantasyland where 13.9% finance is all that's available and that the base Challenger will be a classic collectable so no budging on price... muppets....

[Mitlov]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Challenger has significantly boosted sales of the Charger and 300, which were starting to get long in the tooth.  People come in because the Challenger is just so cool, but once they're in and their significant other is starting to question the purchase, the salesman points out that the Charger drives similarly, is a lot more practical, and probably is cheaper.

Plus, there's something to be said for just improving brand perception.  Look at Lexus and the LFA.  It's not like people are going to a Lexus dealership intending on getting an LFA but end up driving out in an IS350...but the existence of such models just improves overall brand prestige, which increases demand, which increases the price at which those dealerships are able to sell every model they sell.

[rrocket]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Challenger has significantly boosted sales of the Charger and 300, which were starting to get long in the tooth.  People come in because the Challenger is just so cool, but once they're in and their significant other is starting to question the purchase, the salesman points out that the Charger drives similarly, is a lot more practical, and probably is cheaper.

Plus, there's something to be said for just improving brand perception.  Look at Lexus and the LFA.  It's not like people are going to a Lexus dealership intending on getting an LFA but end up driving out in an IS350...but the existence of such models just improves overall brand prestige, which increases demand, which increases the price at which those dealerships are able to sell every model they sell.

I don't know if I agree with that.  I'm not sure it will increase prestige..but it may increase brand awareness in that Lexus make more than just uber-luxury cars.

Certainly if you are a car nut you'd know that Toyota is capable of building such a car from their F1 experience.  But for the non-car nut, I don't know if people will care about the LF-A either way.

[wing]

The camaro SS is quite the bargain you get a vette motor in a slightly heavier chassis with a sophisticated suspension for $35k starting price?  BARGOON!

Too bad about the interior!

[rrocket]

The camaro SS is quite the bargain you get a vette motor in a slightly heavier chassis with a sophisticated suspension for $35k starting price?  BARGOON!

Too bad about the interior!

Hmmm..GM shows $37K on their site.  Are they discounting already?  Even at $37K, I have yet to see one for that. All the local ones are more or less loaded up.  I have not seen one for any less than low/nearly mid $40s.

I did see one today on the lot.  It was white, and had an interesting goldish sticker trim around the front fenders.  Looked not too bad at all.  Not sure if this is a GM package or some aftermarket thing?

[Giant Dwarf]

Plus you don't have to speak to people who live in fantasyland where 13.9% finance is all that's available and that the base Challenger will be a classic collectable so no budging on price... muppets....

You can get a 2010 'Stang with 0% for 60 months last I checked (maybe that deal is done now?) 

Mitlov, you make a good point about the Challenger possibly contributing to Charger sales.  That I could see happening.

As Rrocket said though, I'm not sure how much halo affect the LF-A will have on the general public.  Most people will never even get to see one (just as well... weird lookin' thing anyway), and unless you're a real car-nut, you wouldn't have an appreciation for it.  Not sure it'd have any more cache to the common joe than an Infiniti G37 or an RX8 except that they'll be less common.

[Turbo Bob]

Maybe you can now, but having dealt with this these idiots twice now I don't think I'll ever go back.

[No H2O]

Problem is that Chryco and to some extent GM, don't have anything in the showrooms worth looking at.

My thoughts exactly!

I haven't bothered going to either site, but if they're going for what others have posted on this thread, OMG, there are far better cars out there for the coin.