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Which retro ride is the coolest? Challenger, Camaro or Mustang. And how dead IS retro?

Agent00J submitted on 07/18/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 11:34 PM
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[45] user comments | category: Reviews

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Which retro ride is the coolest? Challenger, Camaro or Mustang. And how dead IS retro?

Anticipation has certainly run high as muscle car fans eagerly await the return of the Camaro. Chevrolet has given us the first official pictures of the forthcoming Camaro, and based on initial impressions the production car holds true to the concept car many have lusted over for the past few years.

Of course had it not been for the success of the Mustang and its retro inspired sheet metal, perhaps the Camaro might never have been brought back. Dodge quickly hopped on the retro train, first in introducing their thoroughly modern Hemi engine, and then by bringing the Challenger to market.

For the muscle car fan, heck for the car enthusiast in general, the availability of such cars at a price most can afford should bring a smile to your face. Horsepower, handling and style are all hallmarks of the Mustang, Challenger and Camaro. But all three share a common thread in that they elicit an emotion inside brought on by the cars they draw inspiration from, all cars of the past.

Retro design has been with us for almost 10 years now. Volkswagen really started the whole retro revolution with their New Beetle. Ford followed suit shortly thereafter with the Thunderbird. BMW revived a whole brand in bringing us the Mini Cooper, a car that virtually created a new segment with the premium small car concept.

But is Retro past its prime, and should car makers be looking to catch the wave of the next hot thing.

Let’s face it, when the Mustang hit dealers lots it created a lot of excitement and buzz because of the car it so closely resembled, and yet today few of us even give the Mustang a second glance when we see it on the road. Retro is cool, but retro certainly has a shelf life. Both Dodge and Chevy brought products to market based on the success of the Mustang, but where do they go from here? The Mustang has always been a strong selling car for Ford. When previous generation Camaros and Firebirds were still for sale, Ford easily outsold those models with the Mustang, a fact that led to the eventual death of both offerings from General Motors.

Will the Challenger and Camaro both be one hit wonders, or do they have the staying power to truly become successful model lines for Dodge and GM? Time will ultimately be the judge and juror, but if retro is past its prime, what happens to the replacements for the Challenger and Camaro after their shelf lives expire?

So I guess it boils down to this, which (if any) of the three would you choose to drive, and do you think retro is past its prime and a new design language be instituted for future models?

In asking the question I also want to answer from my perspective. I love the look of the Challenger, but the fact that no manual transmission is available on the SRT-8, I would probably go with the Camaro SS with the 6-Speed manual. In terms of the whole retro design, I do have to say that I feel as though it certainly has a “been there done that” feel to it.

Of course it is my opinion, we want to know what you think…

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Which retro ride is the coolest? Challenger, Camaro or Mustang. And how dead IS retro?

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theman - 7/18/2008 11:54:09 PM

+9 Boost

I like the Challenger the most..

reply to this comment

EnnNorak - 7/19/2008 11:34:28 AM

-2 Boost

As for looks, Mustang takes the cake but none of that stuff is cool anyway. Cool would be a restored 1972 Chrysler Imperial on a brand new custom-fabricated stainless-steel frame and a souped-up 572 cu. in. GM crate motor.

bfghemicuda - 7/23/2008 8:22:31 PM

+1 Boost

When you build a mopar you stay with a mopar crate engine. Keep your GM engines in your GM cars. Now, an old Imperial with a 500 wedge injected, Skirted block cross bolted mains better induction etc.

BmwVoyager - 7/19/2008 12:11:03 AM

+2 Boost

The Challenger takes my eye...
The Camaro looks like a plastic car ;<
and the mustang........its just eh

reply to this comment

WorldofLuxury - 7/19/2008 12:16:03 AM

+2 Boost

Mustang has been out for a while and still looks good.
The Challenger is awesome...true muscle car.
And the Camaro is cool in its own way...I like its modern touch.

They're all winners, and I'd say choosing just one of them would be the hardest decision of my life.

reply to this comment

exgmer - 7/19/2008 12:18:17 AM

+4 Boost

While the Challenger is cool in that is it the most retro, it doesn't do much for me (especially the cheap interior)

I like the Mustang and will be interesting to see what Ford does with its own upcoming update.

For now it's definitely the Camaro for me. The exterior has retro cues but seems much more modern overall. I also think the interior design is head and shoulders above the others. Yes, it's seems like it's been quite a wait from the time the concept was unveiled, but it seems that GM is really focused on doing it right.

reply to this comment

Agent63 - 7/19/2008 12:29:21 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Coolest I would probably have to say the Camaro. I think the interior for the 'maro is the best. However if you want retro styling for an interior the Challenger is the winner.

reply to this comment

nsmatt - 7/19/2008 12:37:14 AM

+1 Boost

Challenger: reserved, and looks like it's bursting at the seams with power. I love it.

reply to this comment

eric452 - 7/19/2008 1:43:25 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

CHALLENGER LOOKS SICK!
Camaro is ok
and mustang is to common on the roads

reply to this comment

eric452 - 7/19/2008 3:00:28 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

fyi
sick is a good thing

senorgato - 7/19/2008 2:07:19 AM

-2 Boost

I really can't tell the diff betw the Challenger and Camaro.

reply to this comment

toolatetorace - 7/19/2008 10:22:09 AM

+2 Boost

you better put your glasses on

chewy - 7/19/2008 2:31:50 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Camaro, less retro and the best performance.

reply to this comment

MunichRob - 7/19/2008 4:39:57 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

I'd go with the Challenger as it's the most powerful & IMO best looking.

reply to this comment

adamsaf723 - 7/19/2008 5:02:06 AM

+1 Boost

Challenger
Camaro
Mustang

In that order.
Keep in mind the Mustang is reaching the end of its model cycle, so it is going to seem stale looking.

reply to this comment

ilmor - 7/19/2008 6:29:20 AM

+2 Boost

Give me the Mustang any day over the others - and bear in mind that the current Mustang has been out since 2004, and in 2010 there will be a new model. The Challenger is a shortened 300, and is much too big and heavy at over 2 tons. The Camaro is way overstyled and looks like it was designed by aliens, plus it is also too heavy at 3700 lbs. The Mustang has and always will be the leader in this group, which is why it has been around since it started in '64 and the others have not!

reply to this comment

PrancingHorse - 7/19/2008 7:51:51 AM

-8 Boost

All 3 are "cartoon" styled cars that wont be able to take a corner faster than 50 mph.US car companies are such a joke they come up with a nice initial design sketch and all the trailer trash gets excited than 5-6 yrs later they produce the car that now has gone through the bean counters and financial department and you have a overweight,over powered (for the outdated chassis) underperforming car that can be be beat by most cars with half as many cylinders and half the price.US cars just like most US people all show and no go.

reply to this comment

cyco - 7/19/2008 9:32:01 AM

+4 Boost

I guess if you avoid reading any data on them, make negative generalizations about them, the country they come from, and the people in it, you're right.

Of course you expose yourslef as an utter fool and not someone anyone with half a brain would take seriously, but don't let it slow you down. You just keep doing what you do best. The world certainly needs more clowns...

fuelfool - 7/20/2008 1:38:32 AM

+2 Boost

Do you rely on gross generalizations and bigoted stereotypes to make all your decisions?

Htay7500 - 7/19/2008 7:57:38 AM

+3 Boost

challenger.

reply to this comment

iepurilah - 7/19/2008 8:33:58 AM

+2 Boost

Like someone else said above, the Challenger looks more retro than the other, but I have to go with the Camaro. It's just awesome.

reply to this comment

cyco - 7/19/2008 9:25:14 AM

+2 Boost

Camaro
Mustang
Challenger

reply to this comment

2JayZee - 7/19/2008 9:47:59 AM

+2 Boost

Challenger
Mustang
Camaro

reply to this comment

damikco - 7/19/2008 9:53:58 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Camaro
Mustang
Challenger

reply to this comment

damikco - 7/19/2008 9:56:30 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Retro is no where near dead!!! its still cool even toyota's retro Fj crusier witch many pepole forget is styled to be retro paying homage to its early beginings.

toolatetorace - 7/19/2008 10:31:57 AM

+2 Boost

Who said retro is dead . I was going to post this as soon as I saw the article but, damicko beat me to it . It is very refreshing to look at cars that are not so government inspired , cars with the ultra areo look, and anteater looking cars along with cars that are inspired by aplliance makers

damikco - 7/20/2008 10:23:37 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

foirgn cars just dont have this type of flash!!

bmwdrvr - 7/19/2008 10:22:52 AM

+2 Boost

i like the Camaro the best, it sorta puts the other cars to shame from an interior styling stand point, and it also in my opinion doesnt have the overly retro styling of the challenger, or the cheap look of the mustang

reply to this comment

Tonee - 7/19/2008 10:36:54 AM

-1 Boost

Mustang
Camaro
Challenger

P.S. Can anyone tell why Chevrolet decided to steal the rims right off of a Mazda RX-8?

reply to this comment

spyderz007_X5 - 7/19/2008 12:45:48 PM

+1 Boost

Challenger
Camero
Mustang

reply to this comment

mpwr - 7/19/2008 2:01:00 PM

0 Boost

Mustang
Challenger
Camaro

reply to this comment

BMW4me4ever - 7/19/2008 2:02:23 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Challenger .. it of the cars most closely recreates and takes you back in time.

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Carboy - 7/19/2008 2:40:10 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Is there an all three option?

reply to this comment

Denali - 7/19/2008 6:36:15 PM

+1 Boost

Challenger overall, i still like how bumblebee looks in black

Mustang, do they still make those?

reply to this comment

85bmw745i - 7/19/2008 8:10:59 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Exterior challenger, interior camaro.

reply to this comment

fuelfool - 7/20/2008 1:40:41 AM

+2 Boost

Have to go with the Challenger in black.

reply to this comment

valhallakey - 7/20/2008 2:39:10 AM

+1 Boost

GM should attempt to make the Camaro a model something along the lines of BMWs 3 series. Make a similarly styled 4 dr sedan and wagon. Put a 6 (turbo and non-turbo) in the mainstream models but keep them very sporting and add some nice trick high end luxury options. Camaro for me... IRS, modern chassis and good looks take it.

reply to this comment

CanadaCraig - 7/20/2008 4:28:14 AM

+2 Boost

A great design NEVER goes out of style. It's just put away for awhile because people [North Americans mostly] want 'new' even if 'new' is worse. They want 'change' for the sake of 'change'. The original Challengers [Not to be confused with the Mitsubishi 'Challengers'] and the early Camaros and Mustangs were great looking cars. And they are STILL great looking cars. So how could it possibly be a bad thing to bring back a 'look' that has already proven itself to be a success? It can't be. Beautifully designed cars will only die if people are stupid enough to let them die. Does anyone think of the Porsche 911 as a 'retro' car? If not - WHY NOT? Because Porsche never allowed that 'look' to become dormant in the first place.

That said...

In order of preference...

Challenger
Mustang
Camaro

As for the Challenger interiors being 'cheap' - perhaps some of you should sit in a new Mustang for awhile. I'm not quite sure what you're comparing the Challenger's interior to.

Craig!! :o)

reply to this comment

85bmw745i - 7/20/2008 9:25:43 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Just wait another 20 years when the mustang goes retro 80's lol then the camaro will bring back the Iroc-Z in retro form. Chrysler can bring a retro K-car 2 door, you remember, the one that had a 4 cylinder and had a hemi badge on it lol, or maybe a retro of the 80's Daytona/LeBarron lol.

reply to this comment

damikco - 7/20/2008 10:25:25 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

man that's funny

iamdabest1 - 7/20/2008 11:09:55 AM

+1 Boost

they are all nice , the challenger looks most gangster retro.... but im a camaro guy personally.

reply to this comment

carguy68 - 7/21/2008 11:06:27 AM

+1 Boost

mustang
challenger
& the other car.

reply to this comment

mkk21 - 7/21/2008 3:11:00 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Never really cared for the retro look. IMHO, the retro look is like taking the easy way out. No creativity, no imagination, no skill. Just take an old design and update it. Among all the american brands I give Cadillac the most praise for reviving the company without going the retro route.

reply to this comment

bfghemicuda - 7/23/2008 8:17:56 PM

+1 Boost

Challenger

2007Tahoe - 7/24/2008 11:27:51 PM

+1 Boost

I like both the Challenger and the Camaro, but the Camaro's going to be too late to the party. Still a nice car. I'm curious why GM is taking so long to develop this car, when the ZR1 took less than that to build. We've known about the Camaro for what, 2-3 years now? The ZR1 less than a year?

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