Took out a fully loaded Challenger SXT (That's a canuckian only model btw). It had power everything and a leather interior. It is a DEVASTATINGLY pretty car in person. My girlfriend, who doesn't really like cars, thought it was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. Contrary to what I thought, it has a HUGE trunk. Bigger than a lot of midsize sedans. The steering feel is very crisp, very responsive. The four speed auto isn't super smooth, but it's good. It's also an older Mercedes tranny.
Which brings me to the biggest observation about the car. It doesn't feel like an old Challenger, it feels like an old Merc CLK when you drive it. It's smooth, quiet, comfortable and swells into it's acceleration rather than bursts. It's not a sprightly car, sadly my 2002 Sunfire with a 2200 LN2 feels more powerful. I'm sure it's not, but the impression I got was that it was. The engine also sounds very quiet and buzzy and refined, a bit too much to play the part of a musclecar. Oh, and the rear 3/4 roof pillars block your view of the road and traffic like crazy.
And that's it.
I can't think of a single bad thing to say apart from the so-so read view, the dissapointing amount of power and the engine sound. Some people have bitched about the plastic interior and yeah, it's not as good as some cars, but you get 90% of the classic Dodge Challenger's looks and 75% of the comfort of an old Mercedes coupe, all wrapped up in a very reasonably priced new car with a warranty. Seriously, if you're over 30 and are in the market for a coupe you are INSANE if you don't buy this. It's the bargain of the century.
And remember, this is coming from a guy who LOATHES Chrysler cars for their crappy quality. This isn't crappy one bit, and whatever flaws the car has are perfectly acceptable when taken in conjunction with it's low price.
So to sum it up:
- Looks like a 1970 Challenger
- Drives like a 1998 Mercedes
- Costs the same as a Chevy Malibu
You make the decision.
Quote:
It's not a sprightly car, sadly my 2002 Sunfire with a 2200 LN2 feels more powerful.
What???? Seriously I went to get my fu˘king glasses to be sure I was reading than line correctly.
It's NOT slower than a LN2 Sunfire, nor did I say that it was. I said that it feels that way. The Sunfire is light and made of tinfoil and old cans. Of course it's going to feel faster, for the same reason a home made go-kart with a lawnmower engine will feel fast even if it wouldn't be able to outrun your little sister while she's jogging.
The quarter mile time for a LN2 Sunfire is what? 17 seconds. The Challenger V6 is about 15.9 or so. You're not going to feel that one second difference in such a big and stable car. The Sunfire shakes and rattles it's way down the road, the Challenger wooshes down it majestically.
I know I'm making it sound boring, but it isn't. It's a HELL of a piece of machinery.
I love these cars in white, I don't even want to test drive an R/T 6-speed, because I know I'd end up buying one
I hear you Brown. Strangely I think the V6 version is my new favorite. It's affordable, quiet and refined. The perfect car to drive every day. The gas bill will be a little higher than with a honda accord or something, but the cabin is SUCH a nice place to be. I was bitching in another thread, and a little bit in this one, about the lack of growl in the V6 noise; but the more I think about it the less it matters. This is a car that looks like an old 1970's musclecar and drives like a 90's German luxury car. It's truly amazing, I can't say enough good things.
sounds like a nice review. id love to get my hands on one
We Have a Black On Black SRT Challenger an 2 SRT Calibers. I must say i Love Both of them. Never test drove but they both look like Pure Sex!!!!
Nothing Chrysler builds is a "It's the bargain of the century". I love the car but hate the company that makes its horrid reliability record
Sounds like a nice car, totally looks like a nice car...but no thanks.
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Ec0tec2 wrote:We Have a Black On Black SRT Challenger an 2 SRT Calibers. I must say i Love Both of them. Never test drove but they both look like Pure Sex!!!!
Not to menetion the Sticker price was around or above $50k
Jookycola wrote:Nothing Chrysler builds is a "It's the bargain of the century". I love the car but hate the company that makes its horrid reliability record
Sounds like a nice car, totally looks like a nice car...but no thanks.
I agree 100% with your concerns. In fact, I probably hate Chrysler Kwality more than you since I've been personally burned by the company about 3 times. However, it doesn't matter if it'll come apart at the seams in 5-6 years because so will most Ferraris, Lambos, Jaguars, Aston Martins, Rolls Royces, Mercedes and Alfa-Romeos; and last time I checked those cars cost a wee bit more than the Challenger. The thing is that this car seems to give you most of their "goodness" for a small fraction of the price. You feel like you're in a much more expensive car. It looks beautiful, you're coddled like a King and the car is bound to keep a high resale price. Not to mention that I'd half hope the engine would give out in 7 years so I could toss in a 360, 440 or 426 Hemi and really have some fun.
Had a Hemi Orange SVT Challenger and a black with silver stripes GT500 zip past me in interstate traffic yesterday afternoon. From what I could see of the Challenger, it looked like one great piece of machinery.
Jookycola wrote:Nothing Chrysler builds is a "It's the bargain of the century". I love the car but hate the company that makes its horrid reliability record
Sounds like a nice car, totally looks like a nice car...but no thanks.
Agreed
But yea i would rather just wait and save and get a Camaro might not be as good looking but a much better car overall, i mean isnt it basically a G8? (and i badly want on of those)
