Like the title says, I need a little persuasion. Yes, I’m on a Mustang forum so I’m already leaning in that direction. The 2016 is a 6 spd GT with the performance package and 61k. The hood has some of that corrosion that seems to be common on these and a decent nick on the passenger door. The Challenger is a 2013 SRT8 6 spd with 18k, and it’s as nice as they get. The Mustang is $28k and the Challenger is $33k. That hemi lifter issue scares me, but I’ve owned other hemi cars without any issues. Which ever car I buy will see maybe 3-4k miles a year. I think this generation Mustang lowered with some nice wheels is about as good as a car can look too.

 

SRT's are awesome! But so are mustangs. if you need to extra room the challenger has to offer go for that. If not I would say the mustang is probably a little more fun to drive. Flip a coin

 

With my trade I’m looking at around $450 a month for the Mustang, and $625 for the Challenger. I like the lower payment because this is a toy and easier to justify.

 

if you want to go fast around corners I'd go with the Mustang because it is smaller and more nimble, and the lower price is nice too

Challenger is bigger and maybe more comfortable, but bulkier and more expensive

personally I would go with the Mustang (obviously) but it's your money

 

I want a car that feels like a “toy.” Loud, fun, something I look forward to driving when I do. I test drove the Challenger yesterday, and it rode smooth. I mean it was flawless. I was really impressed with the Brembo’s considering how heavy the car is. My 300c had the stopping distance of a freight train. I’ve had 3 Mustangs in the past (1985, 2003, 2004) and they were great cars.

 

Sounds Like A Good Question For Our Own @NC14GT As He Has a Mustang & Challenger!

KC

 

Here I am.
You just can not go wrong either way. Those crazy low miles on the Challenger are the winner in my book. It must be like a new car still unless it was left outside in the elements. If it was, PASS. Having the 6 speed is also a plus as it eliminates the annoying MDS. The Brembos are indeed extremely impressive stopping this 4,000 lb beast. i was shocked in my first panic stop at how quickly the car came to a halt. The Hemi tick does exist but MOST cars do NOT have the issue. Excessive idling is a killer with the Hemi engines so that is key. As a toy you should not have any issues whatsoever and have a car to enjoy for many years.
If you need to save money there would be nothing wrong with the 2016 GT at all except I don't care for purchasing a 61k miles car for $28k. That seems too high to me as I just bought my '14 GT in August 2022 for a price in the low $30's with just 8,800 miles on it. It was like new except for the tires of course. The Mustang handles much better than the Dodge and outperforms the Dodge in the high RPM's if that is important to you. Both are extremely quick 'off the line' and the Hemi thrives with those quick starts.
I've owned Mustangs since 1982 and I love them to death BUT this apparently 'like new' Challenger would be the direction I lean in with your situation. If you can afford it, go with the Mopar.
Keep us posted please.

 

I didn’t realize the manual eliminated the MDS (or I knew and forgot). Price wise I’ve seen a couple in the $27k range between 45k-55k. While $28k isn’t a deal, it seems to be the going rate in my area. Also, this dealer is giving me $7000 for my trade while everyone else has been offering $3500-4000. And while I love a low mileage car I’ve learned that low mileage can be deceiving too (looked at a 2013 300c Mopar edition 29k and absolutely trashed). It’s the money, but my reasoning seems off. I can afford the $625 a month (I was paying $975 a month for two cars for the last 5 years) but it doesn’t mean I should. I like being under $500 a month since I don’t NEED this vehicle. But I wonder if I’d be upset down the road wishing I spent a little more to get something else. I wish you never said anything about the mileage, 61k. It’s always in the back of my mind bothering me a little.

 

I say pick the car that you like the best, Which one do you like the best after reading the Ford and Stellates forums. Buy it and enjoy it.

 

The Mustang history will be important with your decision as well. One owner? Garage kept? I don't like the corrosion issue, nor the ding on the door being ignored. What else has been overlooked?? How were those 61k miles used? Local traffic with wear and tear on the clutch or highway miles? The '07 GT/CS I traded in was a 90% highway miles car with minimal clutch use. I also didn't learn to drive a manual with that car. Did this owner learn to drive his first manual with the 2016 or any of the other owners if there were multiple owners?? So many questions about the Mustang vs the Dodge in this instance. If everything was equal, Mustang all the way!! Unfortunately it isn't the case. Make sure you are satisfied before the purchase. Best of luck!!
P.S. Just curious. What color is the Challenger? Do YOU love that color or are you settling?? Dodge has some rather rare 'high impact' colors which are very desirable. It's like the two year only Gotta Have It Green I have with my GT. It was over 800 miles away from our home but it was worth getting since we like it so much.

 

I don’t love or hate the color. I’m not a huge fan of racing stripes, but I could live with them too. I typically prefer a lighter color. I believe the Challenger was garaged most of its life. It’s had 4 owners, and it drove nice but I swear I could smell burning clutch (maybe it was my driving?). What I liked most about the Mustang was it looked really clean under the hood and ran nice while idling (I’ve looked at a few Mustangs with that loud ticking, maybe just the injection pump but I’d rather not take a chance). There’s always a chance the Mustang was driven hard, and while there are often things to look for, nothing is guaranteed. The Challenger feels really tame when driving lightly (nothing wrong with that), but I miss how my 85 stroker felt (yes, not a great example) you knew what you were driving. I feel like you get that a little more with the Mustang if that makes any sense?

 

Mustang Pic???

KC

 

 

Thank you for the follow-up. Man, that Challenger looks sweet to me but 4 owners??? Burning clutch smell?? Sounds like someone or maybe several of those 4 owners didn't know how to shift or learned with this car. I would not pay that $$$ for a 4 owner car. Keep looking is my opinion. NEVER SETTLE!!!!

 

My thoughts were maybe the previous buyers got excited about the condition and mileage only to realize they didn’t like the car? But then again what is the odd 4 different buyers would feel this way?