Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 2 doors, 400+ HP, a backseat, and a clutch. Which one?

Any car guys want to give me their advice? My current car is a 2006 GTO with the 6.0L and 6 speed. I've enjoyed the hell out of it. A few things are starting to need attention and I'm at that point of deciding whether to throw money at it or trade for something newer. Just for arguments sake, lets say I'm going to trade it in. I would be looking for a used high-HP model. I'd like to stay under $30k, but for the right car that could be stretched.

Main three options are Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger. It seems like there's one of each on every corner, but there just aren't too many other cars that fit my criteria. The Camaro may handle the best, but probably feels the most cramped and everyone says visibility sucks and I'm not in love with its looks except for the ZL1. The Mustang is expensive for the Shelby models, otherwise I like them. The Challenger looks great, but is huge and may not feel as sporty as the smaller gto/mustang/camaros.

My top choice at this point would be the Challenger 392/Scat Pack/SRT8/etc. Its a lot of money for a used Dodge, but they sure look good and have great power numbers. Or the Mustang shelby, but I'd probably have to buy a '13 or older and I'd worry about buying someone elses problems - I guess this worries me for all of them.

I don't think I want to go euro like a m6, rs4, m3, etc. I'm just scared of maintenance costs.

I've thought about a smaller/lighter car that might be more fun to drive like a go cart - like a R32, bmw 1 series, etc, but I'm 6'5 and am not sure I'd fit. (I worry about this with the Camaro also)

I've considered a restomod/pro-touring nova/chevelle/camaro/mustang, but a nice one is probably out of my price range and I don't want a half-assed one. But it would sure be nice to not have to worry about depreciation.

Any thoughts? Any cars I'm forgetting about?

One of the tv shows on awhileback test drove the mustang and Camaro. They both said that the Camaro was like a luxury car compared to the mustang. More room quiet and less engine noise and vibration. My son in law has a 2017 Camaro as with 450 horse. Nice driving quiet car. You know the engine response from you got. Ed k

Not to derail you but I had a 2013 ctsv caddy with 556 horsepower that was awesome. Ed k

I had an 05. In my opinion, it is a more comfortable, better driving car, day to day, than the others mentioned. Very comfy. There are goofy things, electrical gremlins, WHY did they limit tire width? Seat stitching, lack of readily available aftermarket stuff, aside from the motor. I traded mine, and sure liked it. I could only afford one thing, and I needed a truck....anyway, I'd keep it and make it just like I wanted. Having owned one, that's my opinion.

i'd get the mopar, but then i'm bias that way.

Mustang.......close thread.

That would be a good one, for sure!

I’d be looking for a Roush GT Mustang.

My kid bought the ZL1......

Challenger Scat Pack 392. Yes it's bigger but they much more comfy than the other two. Plenty of power too!!

Car is nice but I really like the home!

I bought a 2017 Camaro SS about a year and a half ago.... still grin ear to ear every time I drive it!

Me personally, I would choose it 10 times outta 10 over either of the others. Bro in law has a Challenger and I like it, especially if you want more room and something more “comfy”, but it’s bigger and not as nimble. I’ve always liked Mustangs as well, and considered it - but so many on the road, so many kids driving the V6’s, etc, and subpar performance to the Camaro (the 6th gen Camaro suspension, chassis, etc, is so refined it’s unbelievable to me). I’ve owned all 3 brands (Chevy, Ford, Dodge), plus Toyota and Nissan vehicles - I’m not a single brand fan. But for what I wanted, the Mustang was a distant second and Challenger an even more distant 3rd.

I’ve tweaked it just a bit, maybe 500HP now and lighter forged wheels & better tires... It is fast! And handles like a dream (does have the magnetic suspension)!

The only visibility issue for me is looking back over my right shoulder (like 5 o’clock direction). Other than that, I have no issues with visibility.

Thought about the ZL1 but something about a supercharged American “muscle car” just didn’t grab me. Figured a tweaked NA Camaro was more my thing. And can still go higher HP with cam, more intake changes, etc, if I ever desire.

But again, they are all nice! Great time to be an American muscle car fan!

I'm at the same fork in the road you are. I would never buy German based on the reasons you mentioned. Poorly vetted engineering that they expect the consumer to pay for at the dealership. Google BMW N63 and read about that schit show. I've thought about resto mod but that is more work and effort than I have time for.

BIL had a 392 Challenger and while great in a straight line didn't handle all that well. Drove the Camaro and I think it had a LS3 or some flavor sbc and made power but I couldn't see a damn thing out of it. I've pretty much narrowed it to a ppl2 Mustang GT or a GT350. Really like the sound of the flat plane crank.

Your GTO was an Australian Holden Monaro. Holden imported the Commodore thru Chevy recently rebadging it as the SS. Nearby dealer said he couldn't get a hold of one with a manual though. It had 4 doors and a slightly detuned LS3. The only ones I ever saw had been stepped on by Hennessey as they are right down the road.

Rightdamnednice, Mc.

Slm9s,
Gitcha a real GTO, about a 68 oughta cut it. Or, better yet, a 72 Chevelle SS Cowl Induction with a 454 or 396.

Re: 2 doors, 400+ HP, a backseat, and a clutch. Which one?

No gun rack? WTF?

You been watching the Mecum and Barrett-Jackson auctions and see what these are selling for?

Mega coins.