Wild Thing, I Think I Love You: Challenger Review

[zete]

Throughout the entire review there's not a whisper regarding fuel economy. Truly, who cares. You buy this car for looks and performance. Graeme Fletcher has it right. Focus on the car and the feeling it offers you, and not on the fact it doesn't deliver Cobalt-like mileage. It's why his entire review focuses on the car and targets those of us who'd be interested in such a beast. This review bodes well -- as does the reaction of folks on the street -- for the arrival of the Camaro.

How do you explain the lure of an icon to someone who has never owned one?

When I arrived in Canada, a caring soul donated a 1969 Pontiac Beaumont Custom to the cause -- a rather rusty four-door that looked a little worse for wear. My buddy, being a little better off in the wallet department, drove a 1970 Challenger.

After being out trying to do what single lads do on a Friday night, "Bessie" and I invariably ended up going home alone. Oh, the lonely nights and the longing to drive something with the Challenger's pulling power.

The new Challenger can only be described as sex on wheels: Everybody -- from the vroom-and-boom brigade who think a souped-up Civic is a muscle car to the Viagra set -- gave the Challenger two very enthusiastic thumbs up.

When the concept version of the car first debuted, there was an unseemly crosshair (the omnipresent Dodge emblem) nestled in its grille. Thankfully, those in charge dumped it, which now leaves the nose looking clean and tidy.

As a result, the Challenger is one of the very few concept-to-production cars that actually looks better on the road than on the stage. Nothing -- not even a Porsche GT -- has garnered so much attention.

It got to the point where an hour had to be added to every errand just so the throng of people that invariably surrounded the Challenger could sit in it and have a picture taken.

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The Challenger is the sort of car that makes one's mouth water. Over and above its drop-dead gorgeous looks and mechanical wherewithal, it has the ability to get non-automotive-minded people drooling. It's a rare blend that will see the car become an instant and treasured collectible. Thirty years from now, the Dodge Challenger will still be dropping jaws.

More at link: Wild Thing, I Think I Love You

[Uzzy]

I preferred the cross hair grille on the concept. It's also a shame they couldn't put those tail lights and the LEDs in the front on the production car.

[PAULSTS1]

The 1970 model was available when I got my new 1969 Camaro SS396. One of my friends got a Plum Crazy Challenger 440 six-pack SE (leather clad, all gauges), this car was a Bomb! Today the Hemi actually 2 Hemi's are available, and while I can finance it out of change in my couch, my tastes have changed. One thing is the middle of my back is a little more sensitive to road shock, that's why I now drive Cadillacs.

Sincerely, I hope the Pony cars are a blast again, though I expect after the initial exposure, the industry will return to sanity, either way we'll see!

[zete]

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

The 1970 model was available when I got my new 1969 Camaro SS396. One of my friends got a Plum Crazy Challenger 440 six-pack SE (leather clad, all gauges), this car was a Bomb! Today the Hemi actually 2 Hemi's are available, and while I can finance it out of change in my couch, my tastes have changed. One thing is the middle of my back is a little more sensitive to road shock, that's why I now drive Cadillacs.

Sincerely, I hope the Pony cars are a blast again, though I expect after the initial exposure, the industry will return to sanity, either way we'll see!

It's why I drive Buicks and/or Cadillacs. My back and kidneys can't take the punishment anymore. Sucks being old. I'm still pining for a Corvette, but it'd be a car to enjoy now and again. Of course, Cadillacs with those modifiable suspensions would be sweet, too, allowing me to switch from plush to sport. I think all the top end cars should have magnetic ride control.

I do think we'll see a huge uptake on Camaros in years 1 and 2 and then a drop to about 75k/year ongoing. GM does need to have another Zeta car for Oshawa to ensure Zeta remains profitable. They also need to move the Camaro to a stretched Alpha ultimately. Let's all be real, the back seats in most 2+2s are useless so they're there more for convenience than practicality. Plus, a move to a smaller platform will result in better mileage, which is something GM is after. It'll also provide better performance, something enthusiasts are after. Win-win, methinks.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by zete

Let's all be real, the back seats in most 2+2s are useless so they're there more for convenience than practicality. Plus, a move to a smaller platform will result in better mileage, which is something GM is after. It'll also provide better performance, something enthusiasts are after. Win-win, methinks.

The reason backseats are in most cars like these are so people can justify the purchase to their better halves

[Hitman1970]

Wasn't the Challenger designed for Boomers in their relaxed-fit jeans and wore out joints in mind? I have read that the ride is much more compliant than other sports cars, but still handles great.