Pricing and Efficiency: Mustang Owners Save Money at the Pump
Nothing in life is free. If it’s performance you seek, prepare to pay the price. According to the Official Dodge Website, the 2008 Challenger SRT8 has a retail price of $40,095 (MSRP was originally said to be $37,320) and a base invoice price of $34,803. Don’t forget the destination charge which will add $675 to the retail price.In terms of gas mileage, Challenger owners can expect to get 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway. The EPA estimates an annual gasoline cost of $3,212 for the Challenger, which is based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gas at a price of $2.98 per gallon or premium gas as a price of $3.21 per gallon. Oh, and don’t forget the $2,100 gas-guzzler tax associated with a Challenger SRT8 purchase.
The 2008 Mustang GT has a retail price of $27,260 and a base invoice price of $25,104. Ford’s destination fee for this pony car is $745. Mustang GT owners, with automatic transmission, can expect to get 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway with an EPA estimated fuel cost of $2,485. Once again, this is based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gas at a price of $2.98 per gallon or premium gas as a price of $3.21 per gallon. The EPA says it costs $5.35 to drive the 2008 Dodge Challenger SR-8 25 miles, while the cost to drive the Mustang GT 25 miles is $4.14.
PRICE AND EFFICIENCY
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8- Base Invoice Price: $34,803/Retail Price: $40,095
- Destination Charge: $675
- 13 mpg city/18 mpg
- $3,212 EPA Estimated Yearly Fuel Cost
- EPA Estimates $5.35 cost per 25 miles driven
2008 Ford Mustang GT
- Base Invoice Price: $25,104/Retail Price: $27,260
- Destination Charge: $745
- 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
- $2,485 EPA Estimated Yearly Fuel Cost
- EPA Estimates $4.14 cost per 25 miles driven
Interior Showdown
Performance is important. So is driver comfort. What does Dodge have in store for 2008 Challenger owners? Let’s take a look.On the entertainment front, every Challenger SRT8 comes with a 13-speaker Kicker High Performance audio system which features a 322-watt amplifier with a 200-watt subwoofer as well as a SIRIUS Satellite Radio. A MyGIG infotainment system, with navigation, is available at an additional cost.
The Ford Mustang GT comes with a more basic setup. For starters, you get an AM/FM audio system and a single CD player. Mustang buyers pay extra if they plan to add Sirius radio, a Shaker 500 audio system with six-disc CD player, or a Shaker 1000 premium audio system. The Mustang also offers a DVD-based touch-screen navigation system as an optional add-on accessory.
Other standard interior features on the 2008 Challenger SRT8 include heated leather front-sport seats, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated side mirrors, and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat. A sunroof is optional.
If you plan to add heated leather seats to a new Mustang GT, prepare to pay an extra fee, as these items are not standard equipment. The same can be said for the auto-dimming rearview mirror. Heated side mirrors are not offered on the Mustang, nor is a sunroof option.
INTERIOR FEATURES AND STANDARD EQUIPMENT
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8- Standard: 13-speaker Kicker High Performance audio system (w/322-watt amplifier and 200-watt subwoofer)
- Standard: Heated leather front-sport seats
- Standard: Full Power Accessories
- Standard: Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Optional: Sunroof
2008 Ford Mustang GT
- Standard: AM/FM audio system with single CD
- Optional: Shaker 1000 premium audio system
- Optional: DVD-based touch-screen navigation system
- Optional: Leather seats
- Optional: Heated seats
