Topic: Comparison Test: 2016 Mazda MX-5 vs 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

[Autos_Editor]

David Matsuda vs Hank Goliath.
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[aquadorhj]

interesting comparo, Brendan.

i liked the article, and i like both cars.

maybe in a few years ....  i might get a camaro convertible as best of both world compromise. 

[PJ]

Tough choice, I think the best choice would be one of each.

[johngenx]

"There are those who point out that it looks like Mazda cribbed the lines of the F-Type, but really, that’s the best kind of flattery there is. Matter of fact, park the Jag next to the Japanese drophead and the former starts looking nearly ungainly, not unlike an early Ferrari California in the wrong colour."

Completely agree.  I was blown away by the Mazda in person.  The lines and proportions are just perfect, better to my eye, than the Jag.

I also like the retro look of the Challenger, but I'd like it a LOT more if it were 7/8 the size it is now.

[84im]

I'm looking at a car that has a bit of both.  It's a 1992 Monster Miata, with a warmed over 302, Mustang 5 speed, and T-Bird rear diff.
With suspension mods it will handle very well and while the 302 probably won't be able to keep up with the Dodge, it will give it a good run for its money.
I owned a 1990 Monster Miata a while back and can't wait to own another.  It was one of the few cars I've owned over the years that I regret selling.  The other was a 1970 VW single cab pickup, with a Porsche 2.7 911 engine.

[Brendan McAleer]

The other was a 1970 VW single cab pickup, with a Porsche 2.7 911 engine.

That sounds AMAZING.

[johngenx]

I owned a 1990 Monster Miata a while back and can't wait to own another.

The most mind-bending car I've ever driven was an NA Miata stuffed full of modded LS3.  4.4lbs/hp meant even the Hoosiers on the car could be lit up at 100km/h with no effort at all.

[mixmanmash]

I owned a 1990 Monster Miata a while back and can't wait to own another.

The most mind-bending car I've ever driven was an NA Miata stuffed full of modded LS3.  4.4lbs/hp meant even the Hoosiers on the car could be lit up at 100km/h with no effort at all.

Yep.  This is the way I would mod mine.  The GM LS engines are so much lighter than the cast iron Ford V8.

[84im]

If I was having a stock Miata converted to V8 power my first choice would be an LS engine too, but this car will be fast enough for me.

[tooscoops]

while yeah, it seems crazy to compare them... it's not really... both are fun cars that you can convince yourself to buy due to the fact that they *can* both be practical in some way... the challenger for interior space/drivability and the mx-5 for fuel economy... (started typing before getting to the last page! sounds like a similar result)

for my life, i'd go challenger... but if it was a car all about just weekend cruising, hard not to pick the little drop top.

only notes... the challenger is a 6.4L, not a 6.8L.... and yes, it is damn near impossible to order/package one "properly"... hence why i don't stock a single one.

[Nuttygent]

  I was kind of thinking the new new turbo 2.5 Sky-active shoe horned into the engine bay would take care of the power deficiency. That would keep it able with a lot of higher end machines out there...scare the hell out of those manufacturers if Mazda even thought about doing it!

[Noto]

It’s basically Clifford the Big Red Dodge

Love it.

As for the comparo, totally unfair...MIATA.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

It’s basically Clifford the Big Red Dodge

Love it.

As for the comparo, totally unfair...MIATA.

My favourite line too.

Also this one: "This, to paraphrase Douglas Adams, has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad idea." 

Excellent article Brendan! Kudos!



Tough choice between these two. I came really close to getting an R/T Challenger last spring.

[Fobroader]

It’s basically Clifford the Big Red Dodge

Love it.

As for the comparo, totally unfair...MIATA.

My favourite line too.

Also this one: "This, to paraphrase Douglas Adams, has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad idea." 

Excellent article Brendan! Kudos!



Touch choice between these two. I came really close to getting an R/T Challenger last spring.

Wait...wait..wait....stop the train...you looked at a Challenger R/T and a Jetta and said, "mmmm, gotta get me some of that VW 4 cyl sedan goodness"?!?!?!? WTF man?? 

[OliverD]

Hey now, he got a Passat.

[Fobroader]

Hey now, he got a Passat.

Sorry...sorry...wait, no, Im not sorry...you picked the nutless V8 over a car powered by an angry dinosaur?!?!?! Again....WTF man?!?!?!??!

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Hey now, he got a Passat.

Sorry...sorry...wait, no, Im not sorry...you picked the nutless V8 over a car powered by an angry dinosaur?!?!?! Again....WTF man?!?!?!??!

I've got a nasty Puritanical side that rears its head from time to time. I'm working on it. 

[Fobroader]

Hey now, he got a Passat.

Sorry...sorry...wait, no, Im not sorry...you picked the nutless V8 over a car powered by an angry dinosaur?!?!?! Again....WTF man?!?!?!??!

I've got a nasty Puritanical side that rears its head from time to time. I'm working on it. 

So you have a devil on one shoulder and a retired accountant on the other??

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Hey now, he got a Passat.

Sorry...sorry...wait, no, Im not sorry...you picked the nutless V8 over a car powered by an angry dinosaur?!?!?! Again....WTF man?!?!?!??!

I've got a nasty Puritanical side that rears its head from time to time. I'm working on it. 

So you have a devil on one shoulder and a retired accountant on the other??

 

Pretty much Fob.

Nice one.

[Noto]

I sh!t you not - that's not my image!!  Totally stolen off Google Images!!!  Amazing.