Challenger or Charger?

Question

My favourite car is a 1970 dodge challenger with a 440 magnum. I love that car so much that I have even thought of buying one, although with gas prices these days... My friend recently told me that a dodge charger was much better in almost every way. So I was wondering if a 1970 charger is really much better than a 1970 challenger? Any thoughts?

Answer 1

dont go with the charger the other 1 is worth more

Answer 2

Barry Newman starred in "Vanishing Point", not Kurt Russell.

It depends on what you like, I found both the Charger and the Challenger to be  excellent vehicles, we still have both in our stable. Both models have a tendency to be nose heavy with a big block and the stock suspension, but ours have the power to induce oversteer with a jab of the right foot. My wife's matching numbers, big block '70 Charger 500 is a bit tail heavy but easily controllable with the proper use of your right foot and/or a touch of brake with the left, a bit more comfortable to cruise long distances. The Challenger R/T's our children now have, have a small trunk compared to the Charger and are not quite as comfortable, but the Charger has automatic, cruise control, and A/C for comfort, only one R/T was an automatic, the other a four speed, neither have cruise or air. My '71, originally a 318 automatic with A/C, is slowly taking on a new life with either a 383 automatic or a 360 automatic, either one will have cruise control from a '71 Chrysler Newport Brougham I have in my "yard" and A/C,  and a CD player.

None of the big blocks got great MPG, but then again they were not designed to be economical. Good luck with your search.

Answer 3

did your friend list any reasons as to why they prefer the charger over the challenger???It's really a matter of personal preference.The challenger had a cheaper interior if you ask me.Lots of hard plastic.But, you really can't go wrong either way.

Answer 4

What's better comes down to personal preference - do you like a mid-sized musclecar or a ponycar?

All things being equal, the Charger is probably a better car. The E-bodies were not engineered as well when it comes down to being in the driver's seat. They feel cheaper, and the interior looks cheaper (those doorpanels are gawd-awful on a Barracuda!). You also sit much lower to the point where it just seems like some compromises were made in the E-bodies. Granted, the Charger was in its 3rd year of its lifecycle so there are things that will seem circa 1968, but it probably is an easier car to live with.

But if the Chally is your dream car, why not try to chase your dream? It may carry a premium, car-for-car, over the Charger, but no one says you have to get your dream the very first time - for one thing, as prices are high, it may make more sense to settle on the Charger (whose prices are also high, but ponycars tend to be worth more than mid-sized cars) for the time being.

So it depends on what your friend means by "better" . . . in the end, it's all about preference.

Answer 5

the charger is larger and heavier>>originally based on dodge coronet model in 66...the Challenger is based on the same platform as the Plymouth Barracuda..it did'nt appear until 1970..about the size of a Camaro or Firebird...but with a 440 Magnum or 426 Hemi..the car is basically a better candidate for a hotrod...the Charger has awkward handling..legendary for fishtailing...to be honest, The Dodge Coronet Super Bee and Plymouth GTX...1970 models are the ones to have...the Charger just looks better...the 68 and 69 models especially...movies and TV shows made it popular...I would get the Challenger...just to be different...alot of guys know about the Charger...they never saw Kurt Russell in Vanishing Point....

Answer 6

Go with the charger

Answer 7

You gotta be kidding me...The challenger is the way to go...It,s smalller faster and they didn,t make as many....Check out ebay and compare prices...You,ll see alot of chargers but not as many challengers...I have a 67 gtx,i go to my share of car shows near were I live...Including hot august nights in Reno...You,ll see may be  a dozen or more chargers...Maybe a couple challengers...I have only seen one 67 gtx like mine there in 3 years...I like to be different!!!!!Challenger gets my vote!!!The movie Vanishing Point is a fav mopar movie for me!It,s got a challenger as the star!!!!

Answer 8

if your going to get something like a 70 model you cant go wrong with either a challenger or a charger both those cars for that year look real good,my self i would take a challenger because of the body style,but either car is still as valuable as the other one is,the only difference to me would be in the weight of those,the challenger is lot lighter,both are excellent cars to own though,good luck.

Answer 9

I saw Challenger but hey its you r the one that's gonna buy the car so u should choose the car u like. Me l like the Challenger but thats just me.

Answer 10

I once had a 1969 Charger with a 383 but I've never owned a Challenger so I can't really compare the two.  I do know that Charger kicked some serious azz.