Just test drove the Challenger SRT8.......

[Winters98GT]

First things first.

1. Price

The car came to a total of 48,000 on the sticker. The dealer had added a set of wheel locks and something else. To me, for a muscle car, that is just retarded.

2. Performance

The car was a big disappointment here. First, you sit so high up that it feels like you are in a small suv. The clutch had way too large of a range, and the release felt awkward. The shifter was an absolute joke. It felt like you could rip it out of the tranny. The handle is soft and it felt flexible, like an older porsche boxter. The overall feel of the car was "heavy". I was utterly dissapointed when I put my foot into 3 times. 2 times I ran it 1st through 3rd gear. I told the sales guy after I punched it that I wasn't impressed. He told me that I had it in the wrong gear. LOL

3. Looks.

To me, the car looks great. Nice mean, muscle car look. Interior was nice, had a lot more bells and whistles that the Z. The seats were comfortable. I'm 6'1'' and a 6'5'' person could easily fit in it.


Overall, I thought the car was a joke. Maybe they hit it right on, as far as being a muscle car, because it drives horribly and feels like a tank like the cars from the 60's. But for 48,000?

 

[Mossberg]

I've driven the automatic version.

This is one HUGE car. I love the exterior styling, but other than that, the interior didn't impress me at all. It was a typical Chrysler interior.

The power was decent but the car feels like it weighs more than an SUV.

 

[Tim2002GT]

I thought all of the 1st years models were going to be autos.

 

[san~man]

The lack of performance can probably be summed up in one word: weight. The car is simply a pig, even for the SRT motor. Imagine how much worse a regular R/T will be with way less HP.

Looks wise, it looks great.

Price wise, 48k is stupid. No wonder they're going under.

 

[mustang50v8]

I thought all of the 1st years models were going to be autos.

they were.

 

[Stark77]

Car is just about 2 tons - adding more power seems like it would add to the handling nightmare. That thing needs to go on a diet. I think the only recent car that Chryslter/Dodge/Plymouth did right, in regards to a muscle/street car, is the Plymouth Prowler. The new camaro - from the pictures that have a human next to it for perspective - looks to sit up fairly high as well. When I get in my buddy's F-body SS, I feel like I'm sitting in a recliner with my legs parallel to the floor.
Have you checked out the Challenger R/T? I bet it feels pretty wheezy if the SRT8 did.

 

[GDawg]

So.... crib notes... are we going to be able to take them or not?

I saw one on the street a few days ago. Looked nice but can I take him?

Pony vs Muscle....

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Car is just about 2 tons - adding more power seems like it would add to the handling nightmare.

I guess it all depends on where the weight is? My car weighs nearly the same and makes just about as much power and it handles as well as an SN95 I've been in?

 

[LaserSVT]

I guess it all depends on where the weight is? My car weighs nearly the same and makes just about as much power and it handles as well as an SN95 I've been in?

Yeah but thats Canadian and the exchange rate is different

 

[mazen189]

the dodge charger is a nice car, and i wouldnt mind having it as a family vehicle, or as a daily driver, as winter said, the looks of the car are impressive, has that mean aggresive look and interior is nice, but as far as a performance vehicle, ive never looked at it that way.

also, the price, is absured, id rather dig deeper in my pocket and buy a c63 amg Benz and wreck on a charger, and almost every other vehicle all day long.

 

[myponyrocks]

There is a black Challenger and black 09 Bullitt on the base dealership right now. I was surprised how small the Challenger looked after having seen so many size compro shots. It's not THAT much bigger than the Stang.

And it is, IMO, the sexiest of the 3 "muscle" cars on the market. Shame it's so heavy. It does sit a little high inside, but sits much lower visibly than the Bullitt.

I'd buy one as a weekend warrior, but I couldn't bring myself to DD it.

 

[Stark77]

The Charger SRT8's aren't very quick either. That's a boat of a car - but it looks sharp! I'd take the Charger over the Challenger. However - I'd take the Bullitt over both of those.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Just about two tons? It's 4200 lbs.
As soon as i heard they were building the challanger on the Charger's (a 4 door) platform i knew the car was destined for fail regardless of how good it looks.

 

[04YELLOWGT]

There is a black Challenger and black 09 Bullitt on the base dealership right now. I was surprised how small the Challenger looked after having seen so many size compro shots. It's not THAT much bigger than the Stang.

And it is, IMO, the sexiest of the 3 "muscle" cars on the market. Shame it's so heavy. It does sit a little high inside, but sits much lower visibly than the Bullitt.

I'd buy one as a weekend warrior, but I couldn't bring myself to DD it.

WHAT?!?!?!

The challenger is f***ing huge compared to the Mustangs. My buddy had one and we went to a car show and I took the Shelby. The GT500 looked tiny compared to it, it was like parking my GT beside the Shelby.

They are a nice car but it is big and the perfomance is unimpressive.

Here is what his Challenger looked like after he sold it. He did the custom hood and spoiler.

View attachment 276047

 

[GDawg]

the dodge charger is a nice car, and i wouldnt mind having it as a family vehicle, or as a daily driver, as winter said, the looks of the car are impressive, has that mean aggresive look and interior is nice, but as far as a performance vehicle, ive never looked at it that way.

also, the price, is absured, id rather dig deeper in my pocket and buy a c63 amg Benz and wreck on a charger, and almost every other vehicle all day long.

We're talking Challenger not Charger... Charger looks like a family car. Challenger looks a lot like the original.

 

[mazen189]

We're talking Challenger not Charger... Charger looks like a family car. Challenger looks a lot like the original.

ahh, my bad, i read huge, so i prolly automatically assumed charger, but the challenger is just as heavy isnt it ?

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

ahh, my bad, i read huge, so i prolly automatically assumed charger, but the challenger is just as heavy isnt it ?

Same platform

 

[Winters98GT]

thanks for the replies.

Here is the add for the car. I guess the "internet price" is lower. Who knows, still way too much for way for that car. Should be sold for 30-32k IMO. Also, 19mpg on the highway That's a freakin joke for a 6 speed car. He asked what I get, and got a had a nice laugh when I told him I am averaging 30.5 on the highway on road trips. Even my 5 speed mustangs with gears got 23-24.

For comparison purposes, it felt about as quick as a bolt on PI car to me, but cost 8 times what you can get one for now. I'd take a PI mustang over it, any day of the week. There was really nothing pleasurable about driving it except for the newer technology, the amount of room and comfy seats.

New Dodge Challenger, Houston, TX, Coupe, Allen Samuels Dodge Houston Stock: 9H570239

 

[98COBRA281]

i love the look of them, but there HUGE!!, i didnt think they were that big untill i parked next to one when with my mustang, it made my car look tiny.....

 

[scupking]

They look awesome, a guy on my street has a SRT8. Take off 500lbs and it would be good.