«   CarDomain Blog Home   »

İyul 23, 2008

Saleen S281 3V vs. Roush Stage 2: Which Would You Choose?

By Rob

Editor-in-Chief

Saleen and Roush are two heavyweights when it comes to Mustang tuners. For this Showroom Showdown, I’ve pitted their entry-level pony cars against each other–the Saleen S281 3V vs. the Roush Stage 2. Both come with various suspension and styling tweaks (and the Saleen comes with a very mildly tuned engine to bump the hp up to 335 vs. the Roush’s stock 300hp). Depending on how you option them, both cars will come in somewhere south of $50k. Motor Trend preferred the Saleen in their test. Which would you choose?

Oh, and thanks to Nate for the idea!

Saleen S281 3V Roush Stage 2

Comments

03-246
Mar 2, 2009 at 6:38 am

Both cars (and Steeda for that matter) are totally inferior in comparison to the Griggs GR40. Griggs might not have the name or the flash…but they sure back up their car with some incredibly fast lap times…Roush or Saleen wouldn’t even come close.

Blake
Jan 13, 2009 at 8:05 pm

First of all, the stage II shouldn’t be competing with the saleen s281. The 427R on the other hand would outrun the saleen in any challenge. That’s been proven!

Brett
Jul 26, 2008 at 1:27 am

The Saleen is way tighter. And fuck all of you hatin on Ford.

Juan Adorno
Jul 26, 2008 at 12:44 am

i think maybe combining both and making the engine a prototype,
(Rouleen) or (Leroush) or something else…

Rob
Jul 25, 2008 at 10:51 pm

Imports vs domestics, Carburated vs Fuel Injected, GM vs Ford, red vs blue, who gives a shit. Saleen looks hella better than Roush, and is better in tuning without the supercharger. But with the blower you can push more power through the Roush s/c than the Saleen. Get a regular GT and turbo it. Amen.

val
Jul 25, 2008 at 10:42 pm

LOL i was laughing my **s off reading all the hate below. Id take the saleen over the roush 2 since thats the original question and not whether GM is better than ford or the other way around. I like the body styling of saleen as well the little bit of extra power.

Tyler
Jul 25, 2008 at 9:41 pm

well i’m sorry some of the words didnt go through. it happens. and they dont have to make since. Thats why there funny because thats how mustang owners are, because it makes no since of why they would buy a mustang when the camaro has always and will always be faster

Məxfi
Jul 25, 2008 at 9:26 pm

Saleen for sure. Maybe cuz i have one?

mj1178
Jul 25, 2008 at 8:58 pm

First off, the Saleen looks better. Although I would not argue if either were offered to me!
Second, for those of you continuing on the traditional arguments of GM vs. Ford…I own a Mustang GT, its what I happen to like. Oddly enough i havent been found on road dead yet, and I never planned on outrunning Dale, although he IS dead. And when I am lucky enough to get F@#*ed on race day, I consider it a good day, dont you?
GM is choosing to make the Camaro BECAUSE of companies like FORD making the retro looking Mustang. The “other” companies saw the market explode with the new Mustang and are doing a “me too” approach, and I dont blame them! Who wins…? ALL OF US! We get to have “choices” how wonderful is that!?! If GM or Ford or Chrysler were the only game in town, how innovative do you think they would have to be? If there was no competition, you would see a very bland automotive market. That is just pure fact.
And third, we all better start supporting ANY and ALL U.S. owned companies that make cars and trucks or there wont BE ANYMORE U.S. owned companies that make cars and trucks out there. The foreign market will take over and there will be no more fun musclecar who is better then who arguments!!!

jerseystang07
Jul 25, 2008 at 7:31 pm

wow austin. real mature. so you know, key word is PROJECTED read those WORDS

tobiasblack
Jul 25, 2008 at 7:26 pm

Mini-vans are for niggers and spics to haul worthless copies of them selves in. Middle-class families don’t even drive vans anymore. Crossovers.

fvckjerseystang07
Jul 25, 2008 at 7:23 pm

fvckjerseystang07
Jul 25, 2008 at 7:22 pm

jerseystang07
Jul 25, 2008 at 6:56 pm

tyler, i didnt know acronyms leave out letters or use abbreviations? Found On Road, For Off Road

Flip Over Read Directions (yeah because that makes any sense)
Ford Owner Really Dumb (person who came up with this speak like caveman)
Flipped Over Russian Dunebuggy (once again, makes absolutely no sense)
Found On Russian Dump (and the final instance of making no sense)

the others you put ive heard which is why im not challenging them

jerseystang07
Jul 25, 2008 at 6:52 pm

hey austin why dont you check out my minivan and don’t forget to rate it while youre there. and i couldnt care less if your dad was at the unveiling to tell you the truth.

Tyler
Jul 25, 2008 at 6:26 pm

and nate. maybe they didn’t buy the camaro back then because they didn’t have sufficient funds or were to young to buy one

Tyler
Jul 25, 2008 at 6:25 pm

Hey jerseystang07 if you want to start pulling out acronyms you cant forget

Fix Or Repair Daily
Found On Road
Factory Ordered Road Disaster
Factory Ordered Rebuilt Dodge
Flip Over Read Directions
Four Old Rusted Doors
F@#*ed On Race Day
F@#*ed Over Rebuilt Dodge
Ford Owner Really Dumb
For Only Retarded Drivers
Ford Owners Recommend Dodge
Flipped Over Russian Dunebuggy
Found On Russian Dump
For Off Road
Forget Out Running Dale
Failure Of Research & Development
Forfiet On Race Day
Fast Only Rolling Downhill

Nate
Jul 25, 2008 at 5:39 pm

First of all, to all the GM fans who say they would rather get an older Camaro because its faster, why didnt you get one when they were still in production? now GM has to play catch up with Ford with the retro pony cars. Second of all, this match up is based on styling. Its not based on speed, because if it were, the supercharged models would be going head to head. And finally to those who say Mustangs are now a dime a dozen, wait 3 years after the camaro comes out and see how many are littering the streets…thats if Chevy can keep them in production for that long

Hellmuth
Jul 25, 2008 at 5:20 pm

I’m not a fan of Mustangs, never have been but I’d have to go with the Roush because I know the numbers they put out once you drop a few of your paychecks into them.

austin
Jul 25, 2008 at 3:32 pm

umm..my dad was at the unveiling of the actual Production car…you can find it on youtube..its a yellow V6 automatic that makes 300hp….and fords a shit, the mustangs are every where….kinda like the mini van you drive

jerseystang07
Jul 25, 2008 at 2:41 pm

id probably take the saleen.

as for the people claiming the new camaro v6 has 300 hp…dont make statements about cars that havent even come out yet you sound like assholes. they are still CONCEPTS and concepts change. plus the engines for the new camaros are still just rumors, especially for the v6. they only worry about the v8s as far as marketing is concerned.

CHEVROLET = Can Hear Every Valve Rattle On Long Extended Trips
FORD = First On Race Day

and for the people thinking their tuners and imports are better than any mustang…i feel sorry for you. youve been watching the fast and the furious a little too much. vinyls dont make your car faster, it just looks like a 5-year-old went crazy with their sticker book on your car.

speed kills. if you want to live drive an import

Məxfi
Jul 25, 2008 at 2:32 pm

Hey XTZT TWIN TURBO KID, Ive only seen one Saleen since the new ones have come out and one roush. Maybe its just me but i dont see one every two blocks. Your just upset because American muscle outruns your pathetic little imports.

goose
Jul 25, 2008 at 12:51 pm

Roush….better handling

Baron Von Natschke
Jul 25, 2008 at 12:28 pm

I’ll take a bone stock 6 banger and make it better then both, and get metter MPG.

Jeremiah
Jul 25, 2008 at 4:56 am

Saleen

Tim
Jul 25, 2008 at 4:32 am

Roush

Noname666
Jul 25, 2008 at 4:01 am

Saleen man

XTZTwinTurbo
Jul 25, 2008 at 3:31 am

Neither… Everyone has a mustang. No offense but, I can’t go two blocks without seeing one.

iRok
Jul 25, 2008 at 3:19 am

saleen niggaz

Kyle Gilstrap
Jul 25, 2008 at 2:27 am

Definitely Saleen, ive seen those two drag, and the saleen smoked the roush, also i love the body style!

Corey
Jul 25, 2008 at 2:05 am

The Saleen

JDawg
Jul 25, 2008 at 1:50 am

saleen
it just looks better
and because neither one is very fast i had to judge by looks

CHEVY BOY
Jul 25, 2008 at 1:48 am

i like the camaro better ford is gay

alvin
Jul 25, 2008 at 1:29 am

roush

Erik
Jul 25, 2008 at 1:11 am

Saleen all the way! More aggresive.. looks nothing like the other stangs

Erik
Jul 25, 2008 at 1:11 am

Saleen all the way! More aggresive.. looks nothing like the other stangs

01cavifreak
Jul 25, 2008 at 12:09 am

I was representing for Ford at an event last weekend. So i would have to go with the saleen.

01cavifreak
Jul 25, 2008 at 12:09 am

I was representing for Ford at an event last weekend. So i would have to go with the saleen.

RICO Laws
Jul 24, 2008 at 11:34 pm

not a big mustang fan, but saleen
person 2 guys below me without a name: 427 isnt in the comparison

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 11:31 pm

i say none

tmonster
Jul 24, 2008 at 8:53 pm

Saleen says it all

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 8:34 pm

Roush 427 R outran the new Dodge Challenger. Check it out on streetfire.net.

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 8:31 pm

Saleen because looks and hp

Tyler
Jul 24, 2008 at 8:29 pm

I agree with some of the people on here. you can get you an LS1 for 10-15K but 2K in performance parts and slaughter these cars

19redformula89
Jul 24, 2008 at 7:45 pm

are you serious 335 hp for $50,0000?
you gotta be stupid rich to waste money on this haha
buy a Trans Am and do a few mods here and there with the left over money (like what? $30,000 if you find a good deal Trans Am) and youll see these in your rearview mirror lol :D

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 7:04 pm

s281 all the way

Chris
Jul 24, 2008 at 6:59 pm

S281

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 6:52 pm

saleen

Cole
Jul 24, 2008 at 6:14 pm

Saleen

Lauren
Jul 24, 2008 at 5:48 pm

Saleen

ryan
Jul 24, 2008 at 5:48 pm

im with austin and stick with anything but a rustang

austin
Jul 24, 2008 at 5:32 pm

Neither…never a mustang…the new camaro(with a v6) has 300 hp, and 300ft lbs of torque

geoff partain
Jul 24, 2008 at 4:43 pm

saleen

A Bengals Fan
Jul 24, 2008 at 4:32 pm

I’d take the Roush.

stari most
Jul 24, 2008 at 4:16 pm

are u seriouse man like this is soo easy man the saleen all the way

Jason
Jul 24, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Year One Bandit, or 2008 Hayabusa

brady bushby
Jul 24, 2008 at 4:04 pm

the saleen with the roush louvers in the back windows…thats basically it…oh yeah and the foose edition grill in the front

Luis
Jul 24, 2008 at 3:55 pm

saleen

Paul S
Jul 24, 2008 at 3:44 pm

the Saleen

MUSTANG_GT_SR
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:55 pm

SALEEN SUPERCHARGE IS BETTER DESIGN ….

Bigmike3023
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Between the two I’d definitely go for the Saleen. But if we had our pick of the litter, I’d be taking the Roush 427R Trak Pak! If you guys haven’t seen it, check it out. With a fully adjustable suspension, function rear carbon fiber wing, not to mention the 400+ horsepower it’s throwin to the wheels, it’s definitely the one I would take! Check out this link if you haven’t already seen one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDtYUj4KhZg

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:30 pm

Thats it…335hp for $50K….ARE YOU F**king Kidin’ me…Both sounds like a RIP OFF.

Dan
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:29 pm

Go with Steeda.

Adam
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Saleen

ip37
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:02 pm

definitely the saleen. don’t like the roush at all

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 1:59 pm

saleen i dont understand why people buy roush it is not pretty

elcamino-dude
Jul 24, 2008 at 1:54 pm

the S281 for sure, my vote goes to the saleen

Derrick
Jul 24, 2008 at 1:35 pm

Saleen, just because I think it looks better.

Mon
Jul 24, 2008 at 12:27 pm

I’d still choose the CORVETTE over those two… :-)

Maffew
Jul 24, 2008 at 12:13 pm

saleen by a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG shot.

Jeremy
Jul 24, 2008 at 11:14 am

saleen

Tony
Jul 24, 2008 at 7:32 am

Had the opportunity to meet Jack last year at SEMA. Really nice fella, and his company produces some tough looking and sounding Stangs that are in my opinion, better then Saleen equivelant.

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 7:03 am

saleen is great stang.

shamal
Jul 24, 2008 at 5:47 am

saleen…

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 5:45 am

Saleen All the way!!!! the roush is UGLY!!!!!

___nes___
Jul 24, 2008 at 5:22 am

Saleen wins on this one, it would be a different story if it was the Roush P51

Pressed_Ham
Jul 24, 2008 at 5:20 am

the saleen looks better b/c its 18″ wheels give it a more agressive stance. the roush has better suspension tuning though

Məxfi
Jul 24, 2008 at 4:45 am

Idk but i would rather get the roush suspension so i pick the roush

shitface
Jul 24, 2008 at 4:08 am

saleen..it does look better!

Mark
Jul 24, 2008 at 4:07 am

Saleen!!! all the way!!

Turner
Jul 24, 2008 at 3:40 am

Saleen purely cause of looks….

G
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:34 am

Saleen

Jack
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:32 am

I’ve never been a big fan of the Saleen styling, I’d take the Roush and bolt on a Saleen twin screw supercharger, much better than the Roush roots style.

Nick
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:14 am

Both are great companies, but Saleen has the better Mustang of the two.

Stewart
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:06 am

Saleen.

Noname666
Jul 24, 2008 at 2:03 am

Saleen. It looks cooler

Danny
Jul 24, 2008 at 1:46 am

Saleen, I’m working on getting a S281 right now, hopefully within’ a month I’ll have it.

Bill
Jul 24, 2008 at 1:43 am

Saleen for sure.

John Mark
Jul 24, 2008 at 12:36 am

Saleen for me

Racedriven
Jul 23, 2008 at 11:35 pm

What a choose, however I would choose the Roush Stage 2, its cheaper and better performance.

Post a comment

Please login to CarDomain to post a comment.