Comments on: Challenger This: Who’s Got the Greatest Bang for the Buck?

By: Aardappel

Aardappel — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 05:19:20 +0000

I have done this computation before, with a spreadsheet of 2006 specs I have. The formula I came up with is:

pow(HP/weight, 1.5)*price

sorted to the lowest number. The “1.5″ is really an arbitrary number, the higher it is, the less important price is factored in. So for every buyer that number needs to be different depending on what you can afford. If you put it to 1.0 (i.e. straight weight per hp per $), then everyone be driving an aveo, so that would not be very informative.

Here is the list based on the above formula, best first (name, price, HP/weight):

2006 Ford Mustang GT Deluxe Coupe 25140 11.5
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 43690 8
2006 Suzuki Aerio Sedan Base 13999 17.2
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 64890 6.2
2006 Chevrolet Aveo Special Value Sedan 9350 22.9
2006 Nissan 350Z Coupe Base 27650 11.2
2006 Mazda MAZDA3 i 4-Door 13710 18
2006 Saturn ION 2 Sedan Manual 11925 19.9
2006 Suzuki Aerio Sedan Premium 14999 17.2
2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 35320 9.8
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS 28679 11.3
2006 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 23600 12.9
2006 Kia Rio Base 10770 21.8
2006 Nissan 350Z Coupe Enthusiast 29350 11.2
2006 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 18300 15.5
2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP Sedan 27330 11.9
2006 Mazda MX-5 Club Spec 20435 14.5
2006 Chevrolet Impala SS 26330 12.3
2006 Kia Spectra LX 12895 20

By: UnclePete

UnclePete — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:03:49 +0000

Running the calculation, my ‘06 Pontiac GTO gets $78/hp based on sticker, and about $70/hp for what I paid OTD. Sweet!

By: esldude

esldude — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:46:05 +0000

Well, to include gearing with weight vs. hp and all of its effects like traction as well, how about 0-60 or 1/4 mile times vs. price. These being old boring measures I guess don’t generate the buzz of an article like this. And what was the point btw? Just trying to praise trucks?

If you want something different, like muscle or subjective feel of power I think acceleration will still make the best deal. Maybe quickest 25 mph to 75 mph time. Or for muscle, fastest top gear acceleration from 50-70 mph like some mags partial to V-twins use.

By: TriShield

TriShield — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:13:05 +0000

cretinx has the right idea.

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:01:53 +0000

Yep, I’ve got to agree. A better measurement of your bang for the buck would be
(cost)*(weight, ton)/hp.
This way you are comparing the cost versus the hp to weight ratio. I think Motor Trend did this a couple of years ago with some “super” cars, a Ford GT, and a Corvette. No surprise, the European “super” cars finished way back of the Corvette and the MSRP evaluated Ford GT (nobody got that car for anywhere near its MSRP of $100k).

By: Virtual Insanity

Virtual Insanity — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:29:39 +0000

So…is this a serious debate or just I got bored and decided to make a news story sort of thing?

By: timoted

timoted — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:56:35 +0000

Boeing FA-18 Hornet – 32,000 horses – $1094/hp

By: doctorv8

doctorv8 — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:39:09 +0000

Hp/dollar divided by curb weight…betcha the Mustang still wins…on 87 octane, no less!

By: Justin Berkowitz

Justin Berkowitz — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:30:07 +0000

cretinx : what’s important is POWER to WEIGHT ratio (this is how a Lotus Elise keeps up with a Corvette)

You are absolutely right, and that’s why the 425 horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT8 does 0-60 in the low fives (according to Dodge’s projections), which is comparable to any number of cars with less horsepower – Mustang, WRX, Evo, BMW 335i…

By: Jeff in Canada

Jeff in Canada — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:26:55 +0000

I say to hell with new cars, Horsepower/dollar goes to the old 5.0L, picked up mine for a measly $3,000, and with 225 (original) HP thats a whopping $13/HP! Granted, after nearly 2 decades, it’s maybe making 160HP, still under 20 bones/HP

Hmmm, I guess the truck might handle a little better but…..A fun comparison nonetheless!

By: cretinx

cretinx — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:24:15 +0000

horsepower is essentially meaningless

what’s important is POWER to WEIGHT ratio (this is how a Lotus Elise keeps up with a Corvette)

plus lets not even talk about aftermarket power per dollar . . . .

By: Samir Syed

Samir Syed — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:53:51 +0000

The best part? The Ford truck handles just like an old muscle car.

By: Justin Berkowitz

Justin Berkowitz — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:15:19 +0000

steronz:

How? It’s $23,000 and 280 hp, no?

By: steronz

steronz — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:55:34 +0000

If you go back to using MSRPs, the Caliber SRT-4 does OK. I got a value of just over $78/hp.

If you factor weight into the equation, it’s probably an Aveo or a Rio.

By: RayH

RayH — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:30:34 +0000

Sure, could factor weight into the equation as well as torque, but why stop there? Then we’d have to do gear ratios, traction efficiency at wheels, ect. Then there’s always crotch rockets…

By: KixStart

KixStart — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:24:29 +0000

Used ‘94 Ford Aspire: rated 70 hp (let’s guess it makes more like 60 after all these years) for $500 = $8.33/hp.

We have a winner!

—

Of course a Tundra or Titan or whatever, is pushing a lot of steel around with each of those HP.

I don’t believe $/HP is as meaningful as something like $/(lb/hp), which would be a measure of “Thrills for the Bills.”

By: Justin Berkowitz

Justin Berkowitz — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:23:04 +0000

RayH:

Discounts change everything, so I didn’t get into it. For instance, there’s a $5000 rebate on the Ram 1500, which is a fantastic deal at $19,995 for 340 horsepower (and a ratio of $58/hp).

By: Landcrusher

Landcrusher — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:21:13 +0000

BUT, WAIT! There’s more! Buy now, and you get extra torque thrown in at the same low, low price.

By: virages

virages — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:21:12 +0000

Ah but you speed heads have the equation way too simplified. You have to factor weight in the dollars to power equation to get the maximum acceleration per buck…. of course that equation always ends up taking us to motorcycles.

E=1/2mv^2 and F=ma are our base equations… I’m lazy, so I’ll be waiting for some one to get me the comprehensive hp*torque/$$$*Kilos list.

By: RayH

RayH — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:00:45 +0000

Actually, I remember a Titan in the paper for $16999 a couple weeks ago, and it said 4 at that price, so $25994 – crapload = 16999 = $54/hp, plus couple horsepower tax + reg

By: RayH

RayH — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:54:54 +0000

I wonder what the best one after discounts would be? Probably still ford. $24175 – ….$4000 or so, $56/hp, plus a couple horsepower tax + registration.