The History and Performance of Cars: A Comparison between Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Challenger

In 2019, Dodge introduced the Challenger SRT Hellcat Reda, which boasted an impressive 797 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque. The 2020 Challenger SRT Super Stock is a more powerful variant, with a revised power drain calibration that increases the red line from 6300 to 6400 RPM, resulting in 807 horsepower.

The Dodge Challenger has been a popular choice for car enthusiasts, but there are some models that you should avoid. Specifically, the 2011 to 2013 models have received numerous complaints from owners, with issues ranging from electrical problems to engine failure and power window malfunctions. The 2012 model is particularly notorious for its reliability problems, with six NHTSA-issued recalls and a high number of owner complaints. In contrast, the 2008 model has been relatively reliable, with few complaints.

On the other hand, Chevrolet's Corvette has also had some issues in its history. Perhaps the worst model ever produced was the 1983 Corvette, which was canceled due to emissions and retooling issues. Production of the 83 model was limited to 43 units, but only one unit remains today as a museum piece. The Corvette has since faced another threat when it suffered from a sinkhole at a museum, but fortunately, it escaped damage.

However, many consider the C6 generation (2005-2013) to be one of the best modern Corvettes. This generation features the iconic seven-liter LS7 V8 engine, which was the first Corvette to have fixed headlights since 1962. The C6 models had a manufacturer-adjusted retail price around $50,000 for standard trim and up to $100,000 for the ZR1 model. Today, you can find a used C6 Corvette for less than $20,000, depending on the car's mileage and condition. A used Z06 model can be found in the range of $30,400 to $40,000, while the ZR1 trim can be purchased for between $50,000 and $60,000.

In conclusion, when it comes to choosing a used Corvette or Dodge Challenger, there are some models that you should avoid due to their reliability issues. However, both Chevrolet's Corvette and Dodge's Challenger have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the right model for you will depend on your personal preferences and budget. Whether you're looking for a powerful performance car or a reliable and affordable option, there's a model out there that's sure to meet your needs.

The Link Between Corvette and NASA

There is an interesting link between Chevrolet Corvette and NASA that dates back to the 1960s. Astronaut Alan Shepard was a long-time Corvette owner, and GM's chief engineer, Zora Arcus Duntoff, invited him to test drive pre-production Corvette models. As a token of appreciation for Shepard's service, Ed Cole, GM president at the time, gave him a brand-new 1962 Corvette with the deluxe Bill Mitchell interior.

Cole also set up an executive lease program for astronauts, which allowed them to choose two new cars every year. The astronauts usually chose a family car for their wives and a Corvette for themselves. Shepard and fellow astronaut Gus Grissom reportedly had friendly races with their Corvettes, and there are even accounts of colorful Corvettes being lined up in the parking lots outside of astronaut's offices.

The executive lease program was a clever publicity stunt that helped to promote the Corvette brand among NASA personnel. It also gave astronauts like Shepard and Grissom a chance to experience the thrill of driving a high-performance sports car. Today, the Corvette is still closely associated with NASA and the space program, thanks in part to its rich history and iconic design.

Mid-Engine Layout and Performance

The 2020 Corvette C8 has a new mid-engine layout, which makes it more competitive against big European brand names. The C8 Corvette comes equipped with a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 called the LT2 engine, which generates 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when paired with the Z51 performance package. The C8 convertible is also notable for its retractable hardtop.

The mid-engine layout has been praised by many car enthusiasts for its improved handling and agility. However, it's not without its challenges, as some owners have reported issues with the engine's cooling system and the transmission's responsiveness. Nevertheless, the C8 Corvette remains one of the most exciting and desirable sports cars on the market today.

In contrast to the C8 Corvette, the Dodge Challenger has a more traditional rear-wheel-drive layout that is better suited for everyday driving. While it may not offer the same level of handling and agility as the Corvette, it's still a capable and powerful performance car that's well-suited for long road trips or spirited driving.

Which Model to Choose

When it comes to choosing between a used Corvette and a Dodge Challenger, there are many factors to consider. Both cars have their strengths and weaknesses, and the right model for you will depend on your personal preferences and budget.

If you're looking for a high-performance sports car with advanced handling and agility, the C8 Corvette may be the better choice. However, if you prioritize everyday driving comfort and reliability, the Challenger might be a more practical option.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your individual needs and priorities. Whether you're a seasoned car enthusiast or just looking for a fun and affordable ride, there's a model out there that's sure to meet your requirements.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: entoday we're looking at two powerful cars the Chevrolet Corvette and the Dodge Challenger will drive through and see how each car evolved in technology and style why did Chevy test boat Engineers to design the Corvette engine what's the link between the Corvette and NASA why did Dodge discontinue the Challenger twice only to re-emerge more muscular and powerful than ever before also we'll find out which used models are best to buy and which ones to avoid and more so hop in and let's go for a ride did you know the Chevy Corvette holds the title as America's first sports car the initial Corvette design was inspired by English and European sports cars that were raced after World War II Harley Earl the designer thought it was time for General Motors to have a sports car he began working on a secret project called project opal then he presented it to the general manager Ed Cole Cole loved the concept and soon America saw the first Chevrolet Corvette in 1853 the Corvette was one of the first cars made entirely of fiberglass which is a fairly common material used in cars today but back then it was very rare the Corvette helped to boost the popularity of fiberglass then soon afterwards many more cars started incorporating fiberglass in their construction either in whole or in part believe it or not the initial Corvette logo was different from what we see today the very first logo featured a checkered flag crossed with the American flag but then Chevy learned that it was illegal to use the American flag for commercial branding purposes so just four days before the core vets debut the logo was redesigned to the one we know today the fleur-de-lis with the Chevrolet bone the Corvette didn't become an American icon until after Chevrolet replaced the original low power straight six cylinder engine with a V8 and three-speed manual transmission in 1955. thereafter it really took off for the second generation Chevrolet added folding lights to the Corvette fans love the new feature and the lights should remain on the Corvette for four generations this generation also saw the Corvette Stingray which was designed by Bill Mitchell GM's head of styling and design the legend goes that he was out fishing when he caught a shark which would later Inspire his design he even had the Prototype repainted multiple times to get the exact matching color of the shark's skin for the third generation Chevy redesigned the Corvette this time they found inspiration in the Mako Shark 2 concept developed by Bill Mitchell the C3 Corvette had a pointed snout and other details partially inspired by the short fin Mako shot it became an iconic style that would last 15 years and even survive hard economic time meanwhile in 1970 Dodge introduced The Challenger to America they were six years late to the pony show and they marketed the Challenger by combining performance and customization like nine engine options and eye candy colors like home crazy and Hemi orange customers could even customize their Challenger with bumblebee Stripes twin scooped Hood Shaker hoods and rear deck Wings throughout its first generation Dodge refresh the Challenger multiple times primarily with different Grille and lighting features but sadly Dodge discontinued production after just four years but four years later the Challenger returned but sadly it was mostly in name because it was actually a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant lamb dust it was a lot it didn't have the styling or design cues from the previous Challenger generation it's less powerful engine didn't live up to its Pony stance in 1984 Dodge discontinued production again meanwhile Chevy redesigned the Corvette the fourth generation was sleek and futuristic with each engine upgrade the C4 actually increased in horsepower in 1990 the Corvette ZR1 was introduced with the lt5 engine which was designed by lotus and built in the Mercury MerCruiser division why did Chevrolet test boat engineers at the Marine Division to create the engine well Chevy he wanted a motor with a relatively small displacement yeah could output over 400 horsepower boats usually have similar displacements to power ratios by 1993 the motor was able to produce 405 horsepower helping the ZR1 to perform well in road tests brake speed records and eventually become a collectible Chevrolet then introduced the LS1 V8 engine which had 385 horsepower and would become a legend of its own it really helped to advance the fifth generation Corvette for example the Corvette Z06 had the first mass-produced titanium exhaust system why titanium well titanium is incredibly strong and has a natural corrosion resistance in fact the high strength to weight ratio is the reason why the Aerospace industry uses titanium anyway Chevy replaced the 44-pound stainless steel system with a 26 pound titanium Muffler and tailpipe assembly the 41 lighter weight bent faster acceleration better handling higher cornering speeds shorter braking distance and increased fuel economy pretty much we're talking racing technology in a street car Chevrolet then refined the Corvette the sixth generation was five inches shorter more angular and sharper with exposed flush headlights it was also faster in life with solid performance due a larger engine and upgraded suspension this generation saw the return of the convertible option alongside the coupe and also the ZR1 high performance variants around this time after a 20-year Gap Dodge revived the Challenger and they were smart in bringing back the Retro style of the first Challenger while upgrading it with modern features the new Challenger also had double headlights and a rectangular Grille indented into the hood reminiscent of the 1970s models it was pretty much a modern day replica of Dodge's early Challenger this retro inspired Challenger remained unchanged in 2012. when they flipped the lower grille upside down the 2015 refresh lifted back up and came with the stink tail lights and a split Grille reminiscent of the 9 1971 Challenger meanwhile Chevrolet refreshed the Corvette's image 2 the seventh generation was Bolder more aggressive because Chevrolet wanted to Target the younger demographics this generation was the first to use the name Stingray since the C3 days the C7 Corvette would be the last generation to have a front engine design in the meantime Dodge released the Challenger frt Hellcat a high performance variant that came out in 2015. it was equipped with the most powerful engine Dodge had ever made the first supercharged Chrysler Hemi engine it was a very expensive Endeavor in fact it almost got nixed when Chrysler temporarily paused the idea to save funds but the special racing technique team SRT persistent and the project got approved interestingly the first dealership Hellcat didn't last one hour a 34 year old bought the car and barely an hour's drive from the dealership he lost control and crashed into a tree police ruled out alcohol and speeding but nonetheless the driver was trying charge of careless Drive fortunately he and his passengers weren't injured the only casualty was the Hellcat itself in 2019 Dodge introduced The Challenger SRT Hellcat Reda it output 797 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque the 2020 Challenger SRT super stock is the same engine as the red eye with the revised power drain calibration that increases the red line from 6300 to 6400 RPM so it's more powerful at 807 horsepower a couple of years ago Chevrolet debuted the C8 Corvette at the Kennedy Space Center during the media event that coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission so what's Chubby's link to NASA The Story Goes that astronaut Ellen Shepard was a long time Corvette owner one day GM's chief engineer Zora Arcus duntoff invited Shopper to test drive pre-production Corvette models soon after GM president Ed Cole gave him a new 1962 Corvette with the deluxe Bill Mitchell interior it was in tribute to thank the astronaut for his service and also a clever publicity stunt but astronauts couldn't make product endorsements eventually Cole set up an executive lease crowd on for the astronauts it allowed astronauts Alan Shepard Gus Grissom and Gordon Cooper to choose two brand new cars every year the astronauts usually chose a family car for their wives and a Corvette for themselves as they drove the Corvettes three thousand miles GM then gave them the option to buy them at a used price there were accounts of colorful Corvettes being lined up in the parking lots outside of astronaut's offices the Johnson Space Center in Houston as well as stories of Shepherd and Grissom having friendly races and that's how the link between the Corvette and NASA was born brought back to our story about the 8th generation Corvette we're talking about the 2020 model now the ca Corvette comes with a new mid-engine layout making the Corvette more competitive against big European brand names it's powered by a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 called the lt2 which generates 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the z-51 performance package the C8 Corvette convertible is the first Corvette with a retractable hardtop but now let's switch gears if you're looking to buy a used Corvette or Dodge Challenger Which models are worth considering which one should you avoid let's start with a Dodge Challenger you should be careful with the 2011 to 2013 models but particularly the 2012 model the 2012 is known for receiving the most number of complaints from owners but it's not just that that model is one of the worst in terms of severity of problems and repair costs the most commonly reported problem was around electrical issues and there were reports about the alternator going out or the engine not turning over or the power windows killing the battery the 2012 Challenger also had six nhtsa issued recalls including ones around the alternator the 2008 model received the least number of complaints of all models so it's a good bet if you're one in an older used Challenger the 2017 and 2016 challenges have also been faring well with just a low number of complaints as far as Chevy Corvettes are concerned the worst model in history literally was a 1983 Corvette evidently production of the 83 model got canceled due to emissions and retooling issues you can't avoid that model because there's literally none available in the market to consider that's because of the 43 Pilots already made the company destroyed all but one unit and that last remaining model is currently sitting in a museum later that one model faced another threat when a sinkhole opened up under the museum but fortunately it escaped that too today it's the only surviving 1983 Corvette in the world if you're looking for a used Corvette many consider the C6 to be the best modern Corvettes it covers the 2005 to 2013 models that was a generation about the seven liter LS7 V8 engine it was the first Corvette to have fixed headlights since 1962. a new C6 back in the day had a manufacturer adjusted retail price around fifty thousand bucks for standard trim and up to a hundred thousand for the ZR1 but if you're looking for a used one today you can find a standard CX for less than 20 grand depending on the car's mileage and condition a used Z06 model can be around Thirty forty thousand and the ZR1 trim can be in the fifty to sixty thousand dollar range but now you tell me which do you like more and why please comment below Sherry stories and voice your opinion if you like this episode please subscribe to my channel thanks for your supporttoday we're looking at two powerful cars the Chevrolet Corvette and the Dodge Challenger will drive through and see how each car evolved in technology and style why did Chevy test boat Engineers to design the Corvette engine what's the link between the Corvette and NASA why did Dodge discontinue the Challenger twice only to re-emerge more muscular and powerful than ever before also we'll find out which used models are best to buy and which ones to avoid and more so hop in and let's go for a ride did you know the Chevy Corvette holds the title as America's first sports car the initial Corvette design was inspired by English and European sports cars that were raced after World War II Harley Earl the designer thought it was time for General Motors to have a sports car he began working on a secret project called project opal then he presented it to the general manager Ed Cole Cole loved the concept and soon America saw the first Chevrolet Corvette in 1853 the Corvette was one of the first cars made entirely of fiberglass which is a fairly common material used in cars today but back then it was very rare the Corvette helped to boost the popularity of fiberglass then soon afterwards many more cars started incorporating fiberglass in their construction either in whole or in part believe it or not the initial Corvette logo was different from what we see today the very first logo featured a checkered flag crossed with the American flag but then Chevy learned that it was illegal to use the American flag for commercial branding purposes so just four days before the core vets debut the logo was redesigned to the one we know today the fleur-de-lis with the Chevrolet bone the Corvette didn't become an American icon until after Chevrolet replaced the original low power straight six cylinder engine with a V8 and three-speed manual transmission in 1955. thereafter it really took off for the second generation Chevrolet added folding lights to the Corvette fans love the new feature and the lights should remain on the Corvette for four generations this generation also saw the Corvette Stingray which was designed by Bill Mitchell GM's head of styling and design the legend goes that he was out fishing when he caught a shark which would later Inspire his design he even had the Prototype repainted multiple times to get the exact matching color of the shark's skin for the third generation Chevy redesigned the Corvette this time they found inspiration in the Mako Shark 2 concept developed by Bill Mitchell the C3 Corvette had a pointed snout and other details partially inspired by the short fin Mako shot it became an iconic style that would last 15 years and even survive hard economic time meanwhile in 1970 Dodge introduced The Challenger to America they were six years late to the pony show and they marketed the Challenger by combining performance and customization like nine engine options and eye candy colors like home crazy and Hemi orange customers could even customize their Challenger with bumblebee Stripes twin scooped Hood Shaker hoods and rear deck Wings throughout its first generation Dodge refresh the Challenger multiple times primarily with different Grille and lighting features but sadly Dodge discontinued production after just four years but four years later the Challenger returned but sadly it was mostly in name because it was actually a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant lamb dust it was a lot it didn't have the styling or design cues from the previous Challenger generation it's less powerful engine didn't live up to its Pony stance in 1984 Dodge discontinued production again meanwhile Chevy redesigned the Corvette the fourth generation was sleek and futuristic with each engine upgrade the C4 actually increased in horsepower in 1990 the Corvette ZR1 was introduced with the lt5 engine which was designed by lotus and built in the Mercury MerCruiser division why did Chevrolet test boat engineers at the Marine Division to create the engine well Chevy he wanted a motor with a relatively small displacement yeah could output over 400 horsepower boats usually have similar displacements to power ratios by 1993 the motor was able to produce 405 horsepower helping the ZR1 to perform well in road tests brake speed records and eventually become a collectible Chevrolet then introduced the LS1 V8 engine which had 385 horsepower and would become a legend of its own it really helped to advance the fifth generation Corvette for example the Corvette Z06 had the first mass-produced titanium exhaust system why titanium well titanium is incredibly strong and has a natural corrosion resistance in fact the high strength to weight ratio is the reason why the Aerospace industry uses titanium anyway Chevy replaced the 44-pound stainless steel system with a 26 pound titanium Muffler and tailpipe assembly the 41 lighter weight bent faster acceleration better handling higher cornering speeds shorter braking distance and increased fuel economy pretty much we're talking racing technology in a street car Chevrolet then refined the Corvette the sixth generation was five inches shorter more angular and sharper with exposed flush headlights it was also faster in life with solid performance due a larger engine and upgraded suspension this generation saw the return of the convertible option alongside the coupe and also the ZR1 high performance variants around this time after a 20-year Gap Dodge revived the Challenger and they were smart in bringing back the Retro style of the first Challenger while upgrading it with modern features the new Challenger also had double headlights and a rectangular Grille indented into the hood reminiscent of the 1970s models it was pretty much a modern day replica of Dodge's early Challenger this retro inspired Challenger remained unchanged in 2012. when they flipped the lower grille upside down the 2015 refresh lifted back up and came with the stink tail lights and a split Grille reminiscent of the 9 1971 Challenger meanwhile Chevrolet refreshed the Corvette's image 2 the seventh generation was Bolder more aggressive because Chevrolet wanted to Target the younger demographics this generation was the first to use the name Stingray since the C3 days the C7 Corvette would be the last generation to have a front engine design in the meantime Dodge released the Challenger frt Hellcat a high performance variant that came out in 2015. it was equipped with the most powerful engine Dodge had ever made the first supercharged Chrysler Hemi engine it was a very expensive Endeavor in fact it almost got nixed when Chrysler temporarily paused the idea to save funds but the special racing technique team SRT persistent and the project got approved interestingly the first dealership Hellcat didn't last one hour a 34 year old bought the car and barely an hour's drive from the dealership he lost control and crashed into a tree police ruled out alcohol and speeding but nonetheless the driver was trying charge of careless Drive fortunately he and his passengers weren't injured the only casualty was the Hellcat itself in 2019 Dodge introduced The Challenger SRT Hellcat Reda it output 797 horsepower and 707 pound-feet of torque the 2020 Challenger SRT super stock is the same engine as the red eye with the revised power drain calibration that increases the red line from 6300 to 6400 RPM so it's more powerful at 807 horsepower a couple of years ago Chevrolet debuted the C8 Corvette at the Kennedy Space Center during the media event that coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission so what's Chubby's link to NASA The Story Goes that astronaut Ellen Shepard was a long time Corvette owner one day GM's chief engineer Zora Arcus duntoff invited Shopper to test drive pre-production Corvette models soon after GM president Ed Cole gave him a new 1962 Corvette with the deluxe Bill Mitchell interior it was in tribute to thank the astronaut for his service and also a clever publicity stunt but astronauts couldn't make product endorsements eventually Cole set up an executive lease crowd on for the astronauts it allowed astronauts Alan Shepard Gus Grissom and Gordon Cooper to choose two brand new cars every year the astronauts usually chose a family car for their wives and a Corvette for themselves as they drove the Corvettes three thousand miles GM then gave them the option to buy them at a used price there were accounts of colorful Corvettes being lined up in the parking lots outside of astronaut's offices the Johnson Space Center in Houston as well as stories of Shepherd and Grissom having friendly races and that's how the link between the Corvette and NASA was born brought back to our story about the 8th generation Corvette we're talking about the 2020 model now the ca Corvette comes with a new mid-engine layout making the Corvette more competitive against big European brand names it's powered by a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 called the lt2 which generates 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the z-51 performance package the C8 Corvette convertible is the first Corvette with a retractable hardtop but now let's switch gears if you're looking to buy a used Corvette or Dodge Challenger Which models are worth considering which one should you avoid let's start with a Dodge Challenger you should be careful with the 2011 to 2013 models but particularly the 2012 model the 2012 is known for receiving the most number of complaints from owners but it's not just that that model is one of the worst in terms of severity of problems and repair costs the most commonly reported problem was around electrical issues and there were reports about the alternator going out or the engine not turning over or the power windows killing the battery the 2012 Challenger also had six nhtsa issued recalls including ones around the alternator the 2008 model received the least number of complaints of all models so it's a good bet if you're one in an older used Challenger the 2017 and 2016 challenges have also been faring well with just a low number of complaints as far as Chevy Corvettes are concerned the worst model in history literally was a 1983 Corvette evidently production of the 83 model got canceled due to emissions and retooling issues you can't avoid that model because there's literally none available in the market to consider that's because of the 43 Pilots already made the company destroyed all but one unit and that last remaining model is currently sitting in a museum later that one model faced another threat when a sinkhole opened up under the museum but fortunately it escaped that too today it's the only surviving 1983 Corvette in the world if you're looking for a used Corvette many consider the C6 to be the best modern Corvettes it covers the 2005 to 2013 models that was a generation about the seven liter LS7 V8 engine it was the first Corvette to have fixed headlights since 1962. a new C6 back in the day had a manufacturer adjusted retail price around fifty thousand bucks for standard trim and up to a hundred thousand for the ZR1 but if you're looking for a used one today you can find a standard CX for less than 20 grand depending on the car's mileage and condition a used Z06 model can be around Thirty forty thousand and the ZR1 trim can be in the fifty to sixty thousand dollar range but now you tell me which do you like more and why please comment below Sherry stories and voice your opinion if you like this episode please subscribe to my channel thanks for your support\n"