Dodge Challenger

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

I had a Dodge Challenger trying to race me down I-75 at about 7AM this morning.

Manufacturer plates. Completely undisguised, so it must be coming out soon? I was minding my own business at about 85-90 in an A4 Quattro when I casually passed this guy. Then the idiot starts jerking from one lane to another, accelerating, slowing down, speeding up next to me

This went on for miles. Whatever pal, I'm not impressed

It's always interesting to see cars out on the road in amongst traffic. They usually look totally different than seeing one at a car show or in print. In this case, the Challenger looks very LARGE and HEAVY. It looks A LOT like the Charger. Would look much better at about 7/8 scale. Didn't bother to snap a photo since there will be a bazillion of them on the road in a few months.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Didn't bother to snap a photo since there will be a bazillion of them on the road in a few months.

At $60-70K a pop. $42K MSRP + $20-30K mark-up, I've heard through the rumor mill.

The concept car looked great in photos. Shots of the production car look a little less stunning, IMO. The result of loss of "tumblehome" I've been told.

Buckterrier · 02-28-2008, 04:34 PM

The car is Mfg. on the 300 frame, it is big

HardDrive · 02-28-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

The car is Mfg. on the 300 frame, it is big

Thats cool, because big American made pieces of ***** are all the rage these days.....

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

That makes sense, it definitely looked like a 300 series Charger. I don't really want to knock the car because it's always good to see manufacturers make an effort to come out with cool cars like this. But it looks bloated. If I were looking for an American muscle car, the Mustang would win over this thing hands down in the proportion/looks department.

Buckterrier · 02-28-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

That makes sense, it definitely looked like a 300 series Charger. I don't really want to knock the car because it's always good to see manufacturers make an effort to come out with cool cars like this. But it looks bloated. If I were looking for an American muscle car, the Mustang would win over this thing hands down in the proportion/looks department.

Not so sure I agree with the looks end of it. I think, (the press pics anyway), it looks cool as hell. But if it's visually that big, what a shame. Looking forward, I think, to seeing one on the road myself.

tabs · 02-28-2008, 05:00 PM

The orginal was big heavy and clunky.

tabs · 02-28-2008, 05:01 PM

The orginal was big heavy and clunky.

Buckterrier · 02-28-2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

The orginal was big heavy and clunky.

What car in the early 70's wasn't??

kstar · 02-28-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

What car in the early 70's wasn't??

How about little and clunky?

The Gremlin GT, as if the standard Gremlin wasn't enough.

pwd72s · 02-28-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

I had a Dodge Challenger trying to race me down I-75 at about 7AM this morning.

Manufacturer plates. Completely undisguised, so it must be coming out soon? I was minding my own business at about 85-90 in an A4 Quattro when I casually passed this guy. Then the idiot starts jerking from one lane to another, accelerating, slowing down, speeding up next to me

This went on for miles. Whatever pal, I'm not impressed

It's always interesting to see cars out on the road in amongst traffic. They usually look totally different than seeing one at a car show or in print. In this case, the Challenger looks very LARGE and HEAVY. It looks A LOT like the Charger. Would look much better at about 7/8 scale. Didn't bother to snap a photo since there will be a bazillion of them on the road in a few months.

Don't bet on that...the next few months thing. Maybe in 2009. I called the largest volume Chrysler dealer in the country...they've only been given 6 of them...all previously sold.

KaptKaos · 02-28-2008, 07:35 PM

IIRC The Gremlin actually had an Audi 4 cylinder motor.

kstar · 02-28-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaptKaos

IIRC The Gremlin actually had an Audi 4 cylinder motor.

Google says the Audi motor was used in '77 and '78. The Gremlin was/is considered a success, which I didn't know . . . and was introduced on April 1, 1970! Ha!

http://www.allpar.com/amc/gremlin.html

Best,

Kurt

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

I knew a guy with a gremlin that had a small block V-8 and denim seats, pretty fast.

I don't understand why they don't make little cars with the motor in the middle. Then they get decent mileage, but should drive okay. I don't know who wants to buy a big heavy American car, but it ain't me

Sarc · 02-29-2008, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

The orginal was big heavy and clunky.

For comparison's sake:

onewhippedpuppy · 02-29-2008, 04:50 AM

Nice pic, am I the only one who thinks the original looks SMALLER?

Chargers will be a rare sight on the road for a while, only because they are introducing the over $40k 425 HP SRT first. Once the regular V8s and V6s come out, they'll be as common as the Mustang.

Mule · 02-29-2008, 04:56 AM

I couldn't believe they built the Challenger. I always thought the 'Cuda was infinitely better looking. Besides, Sox & Martin, come on!

cashflyer · 02-29-2008, 04:58 AM

My local Dodge dealer said they are allocated 2 Challengers.

The cars were originally slated to make it to market in February, but I hear that was delayed due to the sale of the company.

Although I love the idea of a revisioned Challenger, I fear that fuel prices will kill production in the first year. Plus the mark up will limit the number of people who will buy it in a softening economy.

Missed it by that much, Dodge.

Mule, I agree.... but the Chrysler corporation eliminated the Plymouth division years ago.

Big Ed · 02-29-2008, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

I don't know who wants to buy a big heavy American car, but it ain't me

It's me.

I wanted a car where I could transport 4 adults comfortably. I transport clients fairly frequently and in addition, my regular golf foursome all have pickups or subcompacts -- which always meant multiple cars when going out of town.

I have tried most of the SUVs, and I just don't like driving a truck -- even owned a BMW X5 for a year, but just didn't like it.

So I started looking around for a large sedan, that would be at least moderately fun to drive. Because I have people in the back more than a little, I wanted there to be enough room that a 6 footer wouldn't feel cramped. Ruled out a lot of nice cars right there...BMW 5 series and Audi A6 in particular.

The one I really wanted was the Audi A8, but the price tag, too much. The Lexuses and Infinities were very nicely done, but lacking in soul IMHO.

I got a Chrysler 300C SRT-8. Brand new leftover model for $35K. 425HP, great suspension and brakes, sport seats, ample room for 4 large guys, all the bells and whistles. I think it's decent looking too, but that's subjective. The quality of the interior materials is lower than the Germans, but of course I'm not getting into any of those for 35 large.

It may not be your cup of tea, but it really is not a steaming pile of turd.

Of course, I wouldn't be out on public highways trying to incite street races, either. That's just stupid.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-29-2008, 05:07 AM

$35k for an 300 SRT8? Not half bad.

Cashflyer, I agree, I think Dodge is a few years late to this party. Chevy's new Camaro even more so. Just like the '90s, we'll end up with more muscle cars than the market will consume. I wonder if the Mustang will come out on top again?