Pricing and Efficiency: Closely Matched But The Mustang Gets Better Mileage
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; nothing in life is free. If you want a car that can outperform the competition, be prepared to pay the price. Fortunately, buyers looking for the better deal will find the 2008 Shelby GT500 and 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 similarly priced.The 2008 Shelby GT500 Mustang coupe has a retail price of around $42,170 and a base invoice price of $38,101. Ford’s destination fee for this pony car is $745. Shelby GT500 owners can expect to get 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway with an EPA estimated fuel cost of $3,009 based on 15,000 miles a year. The EPA says it costs $5.35 to drive the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 25 miles, while the cost to drive the Shelby GT500 25 miles is $5.02.
The 2008 Challenger SRT8 has an MSPR of $40,095 and a destination charge of $675. As for gas mileage, 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. There is a $2,100 gas-guzzler tax associated with a Challenger SRT8 purchase. The Shelby GT500 comes with $1,300 gas-guzzler tax.
Although the Shelby GT500 is $2,075 more expensive than the Challenger, the gas-guzzler tax for each will make the Challenger a better deal by only $1,275 when all is said and done. This, of course, is based on MSRP. The chances of purchasing either of these vehicles and paying sticker is unlikely due to the demand for each. Prepare, instead, to pay “fair market value”.
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 Shelby GT500 Mustang
- Base Invoice Price: $38,101/Retail Price: $42,170
- Destination Charge: $745
- 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway
- $3,009 EPA Estimated Yearly Fuel Cost
- EPA Estimates $5.02 cost per 25 miles driven
Interior: Challenger Offers More Standard Features
In the early days, performance vehicles didn’t need spectacular interiors. Their job was to provide exceptional performance. Things have changed. In a world where automotive manufacturers will do almost anything to move inventory, interior features are as important as the number of horses under the hood. There’s nothing wrong with that. As such, both the Challenger SRT8 and the Shelby GT500 Mustang are both well equipped.For instance, the 2008 Shelby GT500 Mustang features leather sport bucket seats with Snake logos embossed in the seatbacks and comes with full power accessories. It also includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a Shaker 500 AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD/MP3 capable player and eight speakers. Don’t forget its unique shift knob with leather shift boot and parking brake handle. An ambient lighting option is also available for those looking to change the color of their Shelby interior at night. For an additional price buyers can move up to the GT500 Premium Interior Trim Package which includes wrapped and stitched instrument panel brow and center condole with upgraded door armrest, electrochromic rearview mirror, and aluminum pedal covers. Other optional features include Sirius satellite radio and a 1000 watt audio system with AM/FM stereo, in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 player, and 10 speakers.
The Challenger SRT8, on the other hand, comes standard with heated leather front-sport seats, full power accessories, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated side mirrors, and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat. As for audio, buyers get a 13-speaker Kicker High Performance audio system which features a 322-watt amplifier and 200-watt subwoofer, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. A MyGIG infotainment system with navigation, as well as a sunroof, is available for an additional cost.
Overall, the Challenger offers up more standard interior features than the Mustang does. This should come as no surprise to the many Mustang owners who have told me the Ford Mustang’s interior needs to be reworked. If Ford were to include the GT500 Premium Interior Trim Package as standard equipment, the two would be more closely matched. The Mustang does offer a more powerful sound system with the 500-watt Shaker 500 setup. Unfortunately, heated seats are an additional cost, while heated-side mirrors are not an option at all. The 2008 Shelby GT500 does not come with a sunroof option. Shelby buyers can purchase a convertible GT500 instead.
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 Shelby GT500 Mustang
- Standard: 8-speaker Shaker 500 AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD/MP3 capable player
- Standard: Leather front-sport seats
- Standard: Full Power Accessories
- Optional: Shaker 1000 premium audio system
- Optional: GT500 Premium Interior Trim Package
- Optional: Heated seats
