Chevy Camaro vs. Dodge Challenger
A muscle car is an intermediate-size car powered by a large V8 engine. Muscle cars are performance-oriented yet can still be bought at an affordable price range. In the past, muscle cars used to be fullsize vehicles with an added extra performance to them, and these full-size vehicles are still considered muscle cars until today. Another class of muscle cars, relatively a new class, is the pony car.
Pony cars are the smaller versions of the strict-definition muscle cars. Small vehicles can only be considered pony cars and muscle cars if they have top-class performance. Other characteristics include stylish or sporty designs that include long hoods, short decks, and open mouths; assembled from off-the-shelf mass production components, and youth-oriented marketing and advertising. Famous manufacturers of pony cars and muscle cars, in general, include AMC, Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, and Pontiac.
Two famous pony cars of this generation include the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger.
The Dodge Challenger is already on its third generation. The first was introduced in the industry as a pony car in the 1970s that shared major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The second generation ran in the late 70s to the early 80s, and the third generation was first introduced in 2008 to rival the fifth generation of the Chevrolet Camaro. Compared to the latest model of the Camaro, the Challenger is a bit bigger and heavier, and less sporty, which is maybe due to its Chrysler LX underpinnings. Although having a less stylish interior than the Camaro, the Challenger gives a much more comfortavle rear passenger space and smoother ride. It also has a lot of convenient features including Bluetooth, navigation, and iPod connectivity.
The Camaro, on the other hand, first appeared on the market in the late sixties and has continued to evolve until today. The 2010 model of Chevrolet Camaro is has become is one of the most sought-after pony cars today. Whether it is equipped with the direct-injected V6 or the optional V8 engine, the Camaro promises to give optimum performance. Having 300 horsepower, the Camaro can run at 60mph in just six seconds. The vehicle is also impressive in terms of fuel consumption, given how powerful the engine V6 or V8 engines are. However, the stylish car’s retro-themed exterior and high beltline compromise outward visibility of the windshield and windows that it sometimes becomes difficult to park in tight spots. The steering wheel is also oversized that some drivers find it awkward to use as it does not fit the hands properly. The same comment can be made about the manual shift knob.
Still, the 2010 model of Chevy Camaro is among the best options for those who enjoy spirited driving. And with its current price, the Camaro is already a great bargain for muscle cars enthusiasts.