Muscle Cars, Ranked

"PRBot II" (prbot2)
03/25/2014 at 22:03 • Filed to: rankings

1. Mustang

2. Challenger

3. Camaro

Note: Modern American muscle cars in coupe form.

DISCUSSION (31)

CAcoalminer > PRBot II
03/25/2014 at 22:05

Are we comparing the current generations only or taking all generations into account?

PRBot II > CAcoalminer
03/25/2014 at 22:06

Current.

For Sweden > PRBot II
03/25/2014 at 22:07

Rental Spec V6 Muscle Cars, Ranked:

1. Challenger

2. Camaro*

Pending: Mustang

*Camaro was more fun to hoon, worse in every other way

Cherry_man1 > PRBot II
03/25/2014 at 22:08

Honestly I would agree. Though I would bring the Camaro up to 2. only because it is faster and more nimbler then the Challenger.

AthomSfere > PRBot II
03/25/2014 at 22:10

1) Camaro

2) Challenger

3) Miata

Maybe 2015 will change things, I really want it to! But the last generation of Mustang I really liked was the first generation.

PRBot II > Cherry_man1
03/25/2014 at 22:13

I thought about including performance in the rankings, but this list is based on the feels. I like the Challenger's attitude more than Camaro.

Cherry_man1 > PRBot II
03/25/2014 at 22:15

I will say the Challanger does have a good driving feel got to drive an R/T Last year and it was smooth. But my 2o11 Mustang GT feels the best

CAcoalminer > PRBot II
03/25/2014 at 22:15

Oh. Well personally, I would rank them:

1. Mustang

2. Camaro

3. Challenger

I would give the Camaro the nod over the Challenger mostly because it has a more diverse line up.

PRBot II > Cherry_man1
03/25/2014 at 22:18

Hell, I haven't even driven them. I'm just going on gut feeling.

PRBot II > CAcoalminer
03/25/2014 at 22:25

I won't argue with that. Plus the Camaro has a handbrake, whereas the Challenger uses a foot pedal. Ouch.

But overall, I placed Challenger over Camaro based on what I'd prefer to DD.

CAcoalminer > PRBot II
03/25/2014 at 22:29

I can understand that. From what I've heard, the Camaro has atrocious visibility.

Thanks for posting an interesting topic.

PRBot II > CAcoalminer
03/25/2014 at 22:33

Can confirm. I sat in a dealership Camaro, and instantly regretted it.

Team6.1 > CAcoalminer
03/25/2014 at 22:45

Can also confirm. Actually went Camaro shopping first. The visibility + clutch feel are the 2 main reasons I went Mustang instead.

Team6.1 > AthomSfere
03/25/2014 at 22:45

I threw up when I got to number 3

AthomSfere > Team6.1
03/25/2014 at 22:50

Honestly, and I know it sounds crazy: The Miata got the "Mustang" spirit as much as the current Mustang. They just both have different parts of it. The Mustang got the big engine, and the Miata got the small / fun part.

Sure I like the Mustang, but I can think of a dozen cars in more or less the same price bucket(s) I like more.

desertdog5051 > PRBot II
03/25/2014 at 23:50

I will gladly take whatever you folks discard.

Team6.1 > AthomSfere
03/25/2014 at 23:51

Agree on the price bracket part. Mustang to me just screams horse power above all, where the Miata is all handling, which I personally would not include in muscle car land

wiffleballtony > PRBot II
03/26/2014 at 00:15

The list is correct. I drove all three back in 2012, ended up with the Mustang GT. Largely because it was the fastest, most maneuverable, cheapest and with the most visibility. The Challenger is the most traditional in terms of muscle car look and feel, fast but boatlike. I respect everything that Chevrolet did to modernize the Camaro, but the additional 600 pounds is quite noticeable against the Mustang and nullified any advantage the modern suspension had. Plus visibility was borderline dangerous.

Cherry_man1 > PRBot II
03/26/2014 at 00:54

Ya my dad has a cousin who's uncle owns one of the oldest Chrysler/Dodge dealer in IL, Oliver C. Joseph . and I got to drive the R/T in a Parade and a little afterwards.

AthomSfere > Team6.1
03/26/2014 at 06:04

I can see it two ways on handling.

Muscle cars don't have to have good handling, that isn't the point of the type of car. On the other hand the current Camaro does has have good handling and I think that makes for a much better car. Not sure if it makes a better muscle car, but it makes a car I would rather have.

And I have always agreed Mustang are all about power. It is the measuring stick they use to address every other deficit in the car.

CAcoalminer > Team6.1
03/26/2014 at 07:01

Huh. Thanks for confirming that. What model did you end up getting? I assume the GT by your screen name.

Dunnik > CAcoalminer
03/26/2014 at 07:12

Driving the Camaro with a roof is like peering through the slit of a medieval battle helm. The roofline is so low, and the window opening so narrow, that you'll break your neck reaching out - to get a parking ticket from a machine, or at a drive-through. In convertible SS form with the top down, however, it's pretty nice. In RS trim with the 3.6L V6, however, it's a underpowered and sluggish pig. The Impala LT is faster.

The 'stang is nicer in every way. Haven't yet driven the Challenger: I wonder if it'll change my impression that it's really a 300 with two doors.

CAcoalminer > Dunnik
03/26/2014 at 07:25

Geez I didn't realize it was that bad.

Dunnik > CAcoalminer
03/26/2014 at 13:10

Here's my full review, if you're interested:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/rental-car-rev…

Dunnik > Dunnik
03/26/2014 at 13:11

$&%&^$ Kinja. Hyperlink wouldn't insert. Here it is, you'll have to C&P:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/rental-car-rev…

CAcoalminer > Dunnik
03/26/2014 at 13:41

Thanks. I'll take a look after work.

Team6.1 > CAcoalminer
03/26/2014 at 15:16

Found a 2011 GT manual with the premium package (lights, leds, shaker stereo etc) with 11,000 miles in June 2012 for $26,000 at a Kia dealership. Been loving it ever since. Although I do like the looks of the Challenger the most, the SRT8 was $40k+ and that was way out of my range.

CAcoalminer > Team6.1
03/26/2014 at 16:11

Very cool. They definitely sound great with a simple exhaust change.

GRawesome > PRBot II
03/26/2014 at 17:20

Hard to believe that any of these cars has worse visibility than a Challenger. Still given that I would rank them slightly different:

1. Challenger

2. Camaro (very close second)

3. Mustang

Meatcoma > PRBot II
03/27/2014 at 09:07

Test drove a Mustang, bought a Camaro.

1. Camaro

2. Challenger

3. Mustang

I have had it over a year and have not had one issue with sight. All I can say is learn to position your mirrors correctly. I barely have to turn my head anymore to switch lanes and I could not be happier about it.

RT > PRBot II
10/27/2017 at 19:37

They’re all cool, albeit flawed cars. I like them.

But now it’s 2017. The Camaro is advanced but poorly designed while the Challenger is dated and even more poorly designed (but it does come with crazy engines and colours to make up for it). Right now I’d pick the new Mustang, until the ugly facelift comes next year.

But again, I like them all, just don’t think they’re that special - just cool.