Challenger SRT8 vs Mustang Bullitt

[565]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=125968

Once again the Live rear axle lets the Mustang down.

"On the other end of the evolutionary suspension timeline, the Bullitt's highway manners remind us why live-axle rear suspensions are relics found in pickup trucks. If the Mustang isn't required to tow anything, why does it need a live axle? So omnipresent were the motions of the rear suspension on anything but freshly steamrolled asphalt that it was damn near impossible to read the already inscrutable speedometer. We'd hate to guess what would happen if the Bullitt's 18-inch wheels were replaced with the Challenger's 20s."

"In the end, however, the Bullitt's old-school solid rear axle limited its slalom speed because slight pavement irregularities upset the rear of the car long before the front goes off line, ultimately making the Bullitt more of a handful than the Challenger."

[GoCougs]

Uh, huh - no surprise.

But then again I seriously doubt that you'll be able to get a 5.7L Challenger R/T for a base MSRP of $26k...

EDIT: DUDE - I just read that the '09 will be available with a Trak Pak - including a pistol-grip 6sp MT. Cool.

[Submariner]

Uh, huh - no surprise.

But then again I seriously doubt that you'll be able to get a 5.7L Challenger R/T for a base MSRP of $26k...

EDIT: DUDE - I just read that the '09 will be available with a Trak Pak - including a pistol-grip 6sp MT. Cool.

Really?  thats interesting.

[Sigma Projects]

nice the duo gets to battle it out again. Did Edmunds forget that live axles are cheaper and stronger and lighter than an IRS? Most people drag race their Mustangs anyways.

[r0tor]

nice the duo gets to battle it out again. Did Edmunds forget that live axles are cheaper and stronger and lighter than an IRS? Most people drag race their Mustangs anyways.

most? as in like 2%?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

most? as in like 2%?

I think he also means that most just stomp on the go pedal from a light or in a straight line(like a 40-100) type of thing.

[SVT666]

I'm not surprised.  It better be better for that price.

[r0tor]

I think he also means that most just stomp on the go pedal from a light or in a straight line(like a 40-100) type of thing.

which leads to an advantage for a solid rear axle how?

[SVT666]

which leads to an advantage for a solid rear axle how?

A solid rear axle has a huge advantage in drag racing, but only a small number of Mustang owners actually go to the track.  I think Ford should make IRS standard with an optional solid axle for those who want drag racing capabilities.

There is certainly not a whole lot wrong with the Mustang's setup since only a small number of buyers will actually drive their car hard enough to experience any of the drawbacks of a solid axle.  It's more the perception that matters.  I've driven a few of the new Mustangs and not once could I have ever picked a moment in those drives where I thought, "Oh, that was because of the solid axle".

[Raza]

Hmm, you forgot the most important part of the article:

[Submariner]

The more I see the challenger the more I want one.

[NomisR]

A solid rear axle has a huge advantage in drag racing, but only a small number of Mustang owners actually go to the track.  I think Ford should make IRS standard with an optional solid axle for those who want drag racing capabilities.

There is certainly not a whole lot wrong with the Mustang's setup since only a small number of buyers will actually drive their car hard enough to experience any of the drawbacks of a solid axle.  It's more the perception that matters.  I've driven a few of the new Mustangs and not once could I have ever picked a moment in those drives where I thought, "Oh, that was because of the solid axle".

I'm sure 90+% of the Mustang buyers as well as regular car buyers could not tell the difference between IRS and Solid Live Axle.  As long as it looks cool and goes fast in a straight line, that's all that matters, what's a corner??

[Raza]

I'm sure 90+% of the Mustang buyers as well as regular car buyers could not tell the difference between IRS and Solid Live Axle.  As long as it looks cool and goes fast in a straight line, that's all that matters, what's a corner??

I've never driven the new Mustang on the highway, but on some pretty bad backroads, the Mustang's ride was fine, and the turn in wasn't bad at all.

[GoCougs]

which leads to an advantage for a solid rear axle how?

That it's cheap (as in trading an anachronism for more power).

[SVT666]

The performance numbers and price of the SRT-8 are a lot closer to the GT500 then the Bullitt.  I wonder why it wasn't compared to that.

[FoMoJo]

Of the two, I'd pick the Bullitt based on looks and price.  If I wanted to beat a Challenger SRT8 I'd get a GT500.

[SVT32V]

The performance numbers and price of the SRT-8 are a lot closer to the GT500 then the Bullitt.  I wonder why it wasn't compared to that.

It would seem that Edmunds has it out for the mustang.  Why else pit the expensive all show and no go shelby GT vs the STI. A $26K GT would do just about as good but that would make the $10K price difference the factor.

If they picked a GT500, it would have totally blown away the SRT in acceleration at the very least. Therefore, they pick an expensive Mustang that doesn't really perform any better than a base GT to make the SRT look better.

No matter how you look at it, a GT500 and SRT are closer in price and are more the direct competitors.

[CALL_911]

It would seem that Edmunds has it out for the mustang.  Why else pit the expensive all show and no go shelby GT vs the STI. A $26K GT would do just about as good but that would make the $10K price difference the factor.

If they picked a GT500, it would have totally blown away the SRT in acceleration at the very least. Therefore, they pick an expensive Mustang that doesn't really perform any better than a base GT to make the SRT look better.

No matter how you look at it, a GT500 and SRT are closer in price and are more the direct competitors.

Agree with everything above except the smidge on Edmunds, because I don't know about that.
The R/T is more of a Shelby GT/Mustang GT competitor and the SRT-8 is more of a GT500 competitor.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'm sure 90+% of the Mustang buyers as well as regular car buyers could not tell the difference between IRS and Solid Live Axle.  As long as it looks cool and goes fast in a straight line, that's all that matters, what's a corner??

Most serious drag racers have a ton of money invested in the rear end anyway! So put the IRS in standard and let the dragsters swap it out for a live axle.

[JYODER240]

I've never driven the new Mustang on the highway, but on some pretty bad backroads, the Mustang's ride was fine, and the turn in wasn't bad at all.

A solid rear axle isn't going to affect turn in.

[Atomic]

i love the dodge charger srt-8. i have yet to drive a new challenger, and with sales so brisk, may not get the chance. i did check out the 'stang (in gt, shelby and bullit forms) and think it is desperate need of a redesign and upgrade; yet, still, an awesome car. i bet the upcoming chevrolet camaro will be a pretty funky vehicle, too.

i think we are mighty fortunate to have these sporty offerings to choose from. grab one while you can, as i'm afraid that the bush era gas prices and overall frightening economy will soon make these wonderful "sets of wheels" a thing of the past. sadly.

thank god for choice, gm, fmc and mopar fans. we pray that the economy will improve with the next president of the u.s. -- perhaps our only chance!!!

[Catman]

The more I see the challenger the more I want one.

[hounddog]

A solid rear axle has a huge advantage in drag racing,

Well, for what most people do with their mustangs, IRS would actually be better.  Lighter, better handling, and better everyday performance.

The 03 and 04s had the IRS, and they do just fine with reliability and racing ability for the everyday Joe.  Even up to 5-600 horse! 

Give me an IRS Cobra anyday of the week over the old and stodgy live axle cars. 

[hounddog]

I'm sure 90+% of the Mustang buyers as well as regular car buyers could not tell the difference between IRS and Solid Live Axle.  As long as it looks cool and goes fast in a straight line, that's all that matters, what's a corner??

Until they go over any type of bumps in the road and cause the axle hop most stangers hate. 

[Raza]

A solid rear axle isn't going to affect turn in.

Turn in, handling, all that shit.

[hounddog]

Most serious drag racers have a ton of money invested in the rear end anyway! So put the IRS in standard and let the dragsters swap it out for a live axle.

Shazaam!  I completely agree.  Draggers will appreciate the SLA, while the rest of humanity will appreciate the IRA. 

[JYODER240]

Turn in, handling, all that shit.

Like everyone else I didn't notice until the road turned bumpy. Unfortantly the pavement on all the good backroads near my house is older than I am. It was well composed on smooth corners but the chassis still suffered but a general disconnect from the driver. Far better than the previous generation though.

[SVT666]

Well, for what most people do with their mustangs, IRS would actually be better.  Lighter, better handling, and better everyday performance.

The 03 and 04s had the IRS, and they do just fine with reliability and racing ability for the everyday Joe.  Even up to 5-600 horse! 

Give me an IRS Cobra anyday of the week over the old and stodgy live axle cars. 

You have obviously never driven a 2005+ Mustang because if you had you would know that they handle and ride better then the Terminator Cobras do with an IRS.  I've driven Mustang from all generations and the 2005+ is the best by far, even better then the Terminators.

Oh and by the way, Terminator Cobras shred their transaxles at the track all the time and many of them replace the IRS with a solid axle.  It's a popular conversion for Terminators that are used at the track on a regular basis.

[JYODER240]

You have obviously never driven a 2005+ Mustang because if you had you would know that they handle and ride better then the Terminator Cobras do with an IRS.  I've driven Mustang from all generations and the 2005+ is the best by far, even better then the Terminators.

Oh and by the way, Terminator Cobras shred their transaxles at the track all the time and many of them replace the IRS with a solid axle.  It's a popular conversion for Terminators that are used at the track on a regular basis.

Comparing the IRS in the Cobras to the SRA on the 05+ isn't really a fair comparison.

We've got a Terminator with over 500hp at my work right now. You're right that they don't handle well, but it is probably the best sounding car I've ever driven.

[SVT666]

Comparing the IRS in the Cobras to the SRA on the 05+ isn't really a fair comparison.

I was simply responding to Hounddog's comment that he would take a Terminator over the '05 Mustang because of the IRS.

We've got a Terminator with over 500hp at my work right now. You're right that they don't handle well, but it is probably the best sounding car I've ever driven.

They sound great, have stupid power, and I would take one in a heartbeat simply because of the unbelievable potential and relatively light weight, and the suspension can be upgraded in the aftermarket.