VIDEO: Consumer Reports previews muscle car comparo
Click above to watch video after the jump
Consumer Reports has never compared the predicted reliability of a Ferrari versus a Lamborghini. Rather, these guys and gals are famous for testing the vehicles we actually buy: econoboxes, mid-size sedans, CUVs and the like. They're the NPR of the auto reviewing world, except they're really not. We know the people at CR's automotive department, and they're true car fans. That fact is on display in this video, which previews the mag's upcoming triple comparo of the Ford Mustang GT, Chevy Camaro SS and Dodge Challenger R/T. While CR usually buys all of the vehicles that get reviewed in its pages, the team is still shopping for a Mustang and Camaro and so had to borrow examples for this video. We hope they gave the owners some money for new tires, because most of that rubber went up in smoke during filming. Follow the jump to watch the CR crew kick off their loafers and get crazy.
[Source: Consumer Reports]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Dude 4:34PM (5/07/2009)
Consumer Reports?
Let me guess, a Toyota wins.
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Aprime 4:39PM (5/07/2009)
SOLARA BEATS THEM ALL BRO
PJ 5:23PM (5/07/2009)
If you watched the video before posting the knee-jerk "durr CR" comments, you'd see that they actually praise the Mustang and Camaro (and, tangentially, the G8) very highly.
They're essentially giving you the executive summary of next month's test.
#3: Challenger - a styling exercise that cruises comfortably.
#2: Mustang - a great muscle car.
#1: Camaro - a sports car.
Which is true.
Serge 5:28PM (5/07/2009)
The Solara was so far ahead, you couldn't even see it in the video!!!
johncuyle 6:05PM (5/07/2009)
#3: Challenger - a styling exercise that cruises comfortably.
#2: Mustang - a great muscle car.
#1: Camaro - a sports car.
The problem is that #2 and #1 are not true. The Mustang and Camaro are both pony cars. The G8 is a muscle car. The Corvette and Viper are sports cars (Ford doesn't make one.) Actual enthusiasts would know that.
Sea Urchin 7:52PM (5/07/2009)
Great Video
PJ 11:23PM (5/07/2009)
When I use the muscle car vs. sports car dichotomy, I'm talking about driving dynamics more than layout or model-range heirarchy.
The Mustang is big, traditional, mechanically unsophisticated fun (albeit made quite refined since 2005). The Camaro's modernity and engineering finesse blur the line between muscle cars and cars like the Z/G37, 135i, RX-8, etc.--which I would call sports cars, though I realize that's using the term loosely.
Judy Zik 1:24AM (5/08/2009)
@johncuyle
"actual enthusiasts would know that."
You don't know just how much you sound like Comic Book Guy when you say that.
They are all just glorified marketing terms. 10 years from now guys like you will be arguing over which cars were CUV's or SUV's or UAV's. Who cares if he get's them all right as long as he gives them a fair review. Kudos to CR for having someone review these vehicles that actually was more interested in how they drove than what material they used on the headliner, whether or not the steering wheel telescoped or if you could fit 3 child seats in the back.
Jughead 11:45PM (5/09/2009)
Whatta moron . . .
Chris 4:38PM (5/07/2009)
I hate CR. I sat through 3 1/2 minutes of their video to hear they're not going to tell which one is better; though, it sounds like the Challenger isn't even competitive against the Mustang and Camaro. Oh well, thanks CR. Guess I'll have to buy your boring magazine to find out who wins and what coffee grinder is a best pick.
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Yaroukh 4:53PM (5/07/2009)
the key word for today is "previews" ;)
Tricky dicky 4:39PM (5/07/2009)
Revenge of the statistically dubious nerds.
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kgb68 4:45PM (5/07/2009)
Charger?!? As the owner of two 1970 Challengers I can't tell you how many times I've heard that. :(
Tdogg 4:47PM (5/07/2009)
After the test, we'll tell you which car is the best, *cough* Chevy Camaro *cough*.
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Erik 4:53PM (5/07/2009)
Cool video. They may not have liked the Challenger, but in the looks dept, I def think it comes out on top.
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jv2k 10:02PM (5/07/2009)
The video is definitely well done. I think mototrend needs to take some notes on this.
Anyone else see how awkward their Genesis Camaro comparo was?
DayShifter 4:59PM (5/07/2009)
"They're the NPR of the auto reviewing world...."
Uh..I don't think so!!!
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VWBajaBugGuy 5:02PM (5/07/2009)
As far as a car to drive everyday, my vote is for the V6 Camaro RS. 304-horsepower, 0-60 in 6.1 seconds, and 26 MPG highway sounds like a winning combo to me, despite having to wait for the battery cable recall. That said, I still have not seen the interior in person, and it sounds like that is the deal breaker for a lot of people.
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Eric77TA 5:21PM (5/07/2009)
The recall is only on the V8 powered SS models. I don't believe anything has been issued on the V6 models.
bmw4dea 6:44PM (5/07/2009)
its actually 29 mpg (hwy) and 0-60 in 5.9....making it even more of an awesome deal.