All Challengers deliver, but SRT8 is built to perform

[davidlane]

Not totally new, none the less a nice review of the Challenger line up.

The trio is complete.

The 2009 Dodge Challengers have arrived and they're starting to roll into dealerships. There's the mega Challenger, the SRT8; the high-charging R/T and the base model SE, which starts at $21,995. The wide range creates the possibility that everyone in American can have a Challenger. Wouldn't that be a sight? A sea of orange racers cruising down the road, windows down and the drivers' left arms folded neatly out the window in repose.

Recently, I had a chance to test all three around New York City and even after the flight back to Detroit, I could not pry the grin off of my face.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...02/1148/AUTO01

[MrCritical]

My only wish would be that the sea of orange rolled at about 1000lbs less per vehicle.

[Ambalanche]

It looks so much better in person than in the pics. If you wanted a muscle car with mid-size room, you'd have to go with this instead of the Camaro. I would be afraid of the resale value though. I saw an '07 Charger SRT8 with about 10K miles on a used car lot for $24k a couple week ago. I'm afraid that's going to happen with all V8 cars. I know my 'Vette has taken a beating in the value area!

[davidlane]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

It looks so much better in person than in the pics. If you wanted a muscle car with mid-size room, you'd have to go with this instead of the Camaro. I would be afraid of the resale value though. I saw an '07 Charger SRT8 with about 10K miles on a used car lot for $24k a couple week ago. I'm afraid that's going to happen with all V8 cars. I know my 'Vette has taken a beating in the value area!

Yes, however after there are virtually no V8s being sold think about the collectible value. Not to mention the enjoyment right now. I had a '96 with the LT4 and as I consider eventual replacements for my Reatta a new 'Vette is very appealing! And the best thing GM does IMO!

[big swede]

Originally Posted by MrCritical

My only wish would be that the sea of orange rolled at about 1000lbs less per vehicle.

Don't we all. That goes for just about every car made now. Can you imagine the performance of some of these brutes at a couple hundred lbs. over a Cobalt.

[racy]

Originally Posted by big swede

Don't we all. That goes for just about every car made now. Can you imagine the performance of some of these brutes at a couple hundred lbs. over a Cobalt.

Its not as bad as it would seem...3,700 pounds is considerable less than the 4,200 pounds of the Chrysler 300C.

My Vette is 3,300 pounds with driver...and the Vette is a much smaller car than the Challenger. So a 400-500 pound difference isn't all that bad especially considering you could comfortably seat 4 in the Challenger...I can only fit two in the Vette

I've see the Challengers on the road, and Jesus Christo - they have a presence. There is absolutely no doubt about it. I am not even a Mopar junkie, and I have to admit that there's no question, when one of these things pulls up next to you. You just *HAVE* to look. Its impossible not to.

...those who have seen the Camaro in person, describe a similar experience. I eagerly await its arrival. While Chrysler has beefed up the LX platform for the Challenger, I still don't think it'll keep up with the new Camaro's platform. As a car lover, these are the things we dream about.

[MrCritical]

Car and Driver says the SRT8 weighs 4189lbs.

[mpsrent]

I watched an orange Challenger light up and leave a set of lights today. I must admit.....it was impressive. Needless to say, everyone at the intersection had their eyes on the Challenger.

[big swede]

Originally Posted by racy

Its not as bad as it would seem...3,700 pounds is considerable less than the 4,200 pounds of the Chrysler 300C.

My Vette is 3,300 pounds with driver...and the Vette is a much smaller car than the Challenger. So a 400-500 pound difference isn't all that bad especially considering you could comfortably seat 4 in the Challenger...I can only fit two in the Vette

I've see the Challengers on the road, and Jesus Christo - they have a presence. There is absolutely no doubt about it. I am not even a Mopar junkie, and I have to admit that there's no question, when one of these things pulls up next to you. You just *HAVE* to look. Its impossible not to.

...those who have seen the Camaro in person, describe a similar experience. I eagerly await its arrival. While Chrysler has beefed up the LX platform for the Challenger, I still don't think it'll keep up with the new Camaro's platform. As a car lover, these are the things we dream about.

There is more than a 400-500lb difference between the Challenger and the Vette. Not that I would compare them anyhow because they are two totally different cars. I was just commenting that yes the Challenger is heavy but so is just about every other new car on the road today.

I think the word presence is a direct bulls-eye when describing the Challenger. I have never had a desire to own any Chrysler product but the Challenger has changed all of that. I stopped by the Chrysler dealer earlier today and they even had two SE’s. I wouldn’t buy the SE because the RT is a great bargain but the SE surprised the heck out of me by how good it looked.

[silvergoat2k6]

Someone over at ls2gto.com posted a picture of a Challenger parked next to a '06 GTO...the difference was very striking...the Challenger looked like a huge brick next to the GTO.

It's a solid effort from Chrysler, but I don't see myself trading the GTO in on one anytime soon.

[Firebird00]

I saw an orange Challenger the other day on the freeway. It has a presence that no American car has had since the 98-02 WS6 Trans Am. Its like it owns the road. Even the concept Camaro does not have the same high level of sex appeal that the new Challenger has. Outside of the unobtainable Viper, its the first Chrysler car I've ever really liked and would not mind owning.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by Firebird00

I saw an orange Challenger the other day on the freeway. It has a presence that no American car has had since the 98-02 WS6 Trans Am. Its like it owns the road. Even the concept Camaro does not have the same high level of sex appeal that the new Challenger has. Outside of the unobtainable Viper, its the first Chrysler car I've ever really liked and would not mind owning.

Compared to the Camaro, the Challenger is the only pony car I'd consider buying with a V6.....still get the same menacing look