Pony/Muscle Cars - Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, Genesis (?) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Sliver · 04-19-2012, 09:48 AM

Love the fun these cars provide at a pretty reasonable price point (especially on the used market). So which one do you like best for the 2012 model year...Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, or even the Genesis?

Personally, I'm not loyal to any particular brand, but I am on my second Mustang because I think they are the best of the bunch. I really like the look of the Genesis, but it's too small inside for my 6'4" frame. The Camaros look deadly but I don't fit in those too well because of the really low roof. They don't seem to do as well in comparisons against the Mustang, either. Challenger is a fun car and I like the interior, but they don't seem as pinned down as a Mustang.

So, whaddaya guys think?

Table 5 · 04-19-2012, 09:56 AM

I think the reason that the Mustang does so well in all these muscle car tests is that it's actually moving away from being a muscle car. More focus on handling and dynamic driving, and less on pure outright muscle (unless we're talking the nutty Shelby models). It's more or less a sport(y) car in a muscle car body now. The next gen, when they swap in an IRS, will be even less so.

It's definitely the one I'd pick out of the group.....if only there was less emphasis on the retro. I'm tired of all these cars being some baby boomers childhood wet dream.

photon · 04-19-2012, 09:58 AM

I kind of like the Genesis, though they've changed it for 2013 and I'm not sure I like it as much.

2012 was a Infiniti G35/7 Clone:

The new one looks like a Supra ate a Volester (which isn't necessarily bad)

The others all look like boxes with wheels.

photon · 04-19-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

It's definitely the one I'd pick out of the group.....if only there was less emphasis on the retro. I'm tired of all these cars being some baby boomers childhood wet dream.

Totally agree!

If I got the Genesis, I'd rebadge it too:

Lt.Spears · 04-19-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

I think the reason that the Mustang does so well in all these muscle car tests is that it's actually moving away from being a muscle car. More focus on handling and dynamic driving, and less on pure outright muscle (unless we're talking the nutty Shelby models). It's more or less a sport(y) car in a muscle car body now. The next gen, when they swap in an IRS, will be even less so.

It's definitely the one I'd pick out of the group.....if only there was less emphasis on the retro. I'm tired of all these cars being some baby boomers childhood wet dream.

The best part about this change in ideology is that the Mustang still beats the Camaro and the Challenger in straight line power and acceleration as well. It really is the best of the best.

Sliver · 04-19-2012, 10:04 AM

Yeah I agree on the retro thing even though I own an '05. For what I use it for, the retro thing actually kind of works, mind you. It's a third car that doesn't get driven a ton, but whenever we do it's to do something fun with either me and my wife, or the two of us with our two little kids. You hop in this thing, out of our more modern-feeling vehicles, and it does kind of feel like we should be going to one of those old A&W drive-ins then off to a picnic in a park while I get progressively drunker drinking stubby beers while I drive.

But yeah, if what you posted in that other thread about the new Mustang concept is true, I support it 100%. The retro thing was fine for two body styles over eight or so years, but it's time to move on for the next body style. It would make their competitors look like dinosaurs, too, which would be kind of funny watching them chase the Mustang. Again.

Here's my bitch:

Spoiler!

Sliver · 04-19-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

The new one looks like a Supra ate a Volester (which isn't necessarily bad)

The others all look like boxes with wheels.

It does look neat and I really respect what Hyundai is doing with this car. If I was buying the above model I'd be a little concerned about how my eyes would see that thing in a few years with all those crazy squiggles and lines...not sure if it would age well. It could, though...who knows.

Table 5 · 04-19-2012, 10:26 AM

Personally, Hyundai styling just doesnt do it for me. It's way too overwrought. Out of all of the muscle cars, I like the look of the Challenger the most (which goes totally against my anti-retro stance).

photon, what did you end up buying btw? I remember you were considering a whole slew of things a few months ago.

photon · 04-19-2012, 10:27 AM

Yeah that's my biggest concern as well, though the Supra did age well.

We've kind of settled on a Caddy CTS Sport Wagon as a replacement for the Murano, and I'm a bit concerned about that as well, all those angles and stuff.

Sliver · 04-19-2012, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah that's my biggest concern as well, though the Supra did age well.

We've kind of settled on a Caddy CTS Sport Wagon as a replacement for the Murano, and I'm a bit concerned about that as well, all those angles and stuff.

I hope you get the Caddy so we can get your review! My next daily driver is a Caddy, I'm 90% sure.

photon · 04-19-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

photon, what did you end up buying btw? I remember you were considering a whole slew of things a few months ago.

I ended up buying my wife's plan to pay off debts before buying a car

Well buy wasn't the right word... more like a collection agency phoning you until you give in

We had quite a bit of unexpected spending last year due to some family stuff and we didn't realize how significant it was, so cars are on hold.

Table 5 · 04-19-2012, 10:29 AM

Understood....but if you do get the Caddy, make it a V! Go for gold.

photon · 04-19-2012, 10:31 AM

Lol, I actually tried that already..

"You know we could get a smaller car for you and a CTS-V for me and we'd end up spending the same!"

EDIT: She does like the Minis though, if there were an AWD Mini I might make that fly.

EDIT2: Oh god there's an AWD Countryman. Holy crap I'm getting a CTS-V.

afc wimbledon · 04-19-2012, 10:32 AM

personally Id take a decent second hand M3 over any of them.

Table 5 · 04-19-2012, 10:34 AM

You know with all these nice cars on this forum, one of these days we should hold a CP car meet. Maybe hold a BBQ or something.

Of course then we'd have to talk face to face, which is always sub-optimal.

Madman · 04-19-2012, 10:35 AM

Top Gear USA Season 3 Episode 2 covered your dilemma quite well with a test of all 3 of the American Pony cars - you should give it a watch.

Reaper · 04-19-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Totally agree!

If I got the Genesis, I'd rebadge it too:

I find that rebadging really ghetto considering the Genesis badges are straddling the inset for the original Hyundai badges.

Sliver · 04-19-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

You know with all these nice cars on this forum, one of these days we should hold a CP car meet. Maybe hold a BBQ or something.

Of course then we'd have to talk face to face, which is always sub-optimal.

Maybe we could open up a live chat and just type through our smartphones? Then we wouldn't actually have to talk.

Table 5 · 04-19-2012, 10:48 AM

We could communicate through engine rev morse code?

photon · 04-19-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper

I find that rebadging really ghetto considering the Genesis badges are straddling the inset for the original Hyundai badges.

Yeah, though that's a lot cheaper I imagine.

I just was trying to find pictures of the actual Genesis wings badge on the car.

There's a blue one I've seen around that did it properly (filled, painted, etc) and it looks much better. I think the large badge really makes the car, though maybe that's just mental bias with the Hyundai badge.