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"Just unbelievable." on by cjn2009
Pros: Throw-back to the days of muscle, yet modern. The perfect style combination. Headturner. Big. Fast. Comfortable on long drives. Fantastic performance.
Cons: Stock exhaust has very soft note.
Summary: This car turns heads, gets comments, causes people to come to talk about it. There is nothing like it on the road. Best vehicle purchase I have ever made.
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"Modern Muscle, Old School Flare" on by Raszaron
Pros: Dodge hit a homerun with the 2009 Challenger SRT8 (with 6-spd manual). This car comes with so much extra over the competition: Brembo Brake System, Bilstien Suspension Components, HEMI, Vehicle Information Center, plus so much more...
Cons: If I couldn't just say nothing, then I would have to say that it would be the 4180 lbs. that the SRT8 weighs. But having raced a stock Challenger SRT8 at VIR in Alton, VA., 85mph in the Ess's and 130 mph in the back straight... heavy weight champ!
Summary: This Challenger brings back the memory and image of a classic muscle car, but the SRT engineers have given it the modern convienences, comfort, and power that cars of today should have. Aesthetically the Challenger looks closest to it's older brother, as where the new Camaro looks like Cheverolet couldn't decide on whether or not the car should look like a 69 or 70 Camaro, not to mention the hideous back end on the car... can you say Corvette bumper with misshapen taillights!
The price of the SRT8 has people gasping, but for all the extra's that you get for that price, over the competition... it is well worth it. I enjoy modifying cars with the aftermarket products, and to add the same stuff that comes with the Challenger to the Camaro or Mustang, both of the competitors cars would cost just as much if not more.
The other nice thing, exclusivity! Just like the late 60's early 70's, you cannot turn anywhere without seeing a Mustang, Camaros are every where as well, but seeing a Challenger makes you snap your head around because they are sold in lower numbers. Great for future collections just as the old Mopar predecessors.
Performance, sure the Camaro SS is .1 second faster in the quarter mile with it's 6.2L V8. You should however look closer at the numbers. The Camaro SS weighs in at 3850 lbs, the Challenger SRT8 at 4180 lbs. Every 100 lbs lighter you are should lower your ET by .1 seconds in the 1/4 mile. That being said with the SRT8 being 300 lbs heavier, the MOPAR drive train with it's 6.1L HEMI, makes more transferable and efficient power than the Camaro.
Car test have also shown that while the Camaro SS beats the Challenger R/T in the Slalom, the SRT8 pulls more G's and has a better Slalom time than the SS, due to the stronger upgraded suspension under the SRT8 compared to the R/T. The Mustang GT's live axle is great for drag racing or baby butt smooth roads, and that's about it!
Comfort, the Challenger SRT8 has an awesome interior! The leather and suede seats and body panels make you feel like you are in a luxury car, and with the Navi system, the long road trips that you may dread become fun, and you may want to do them more often! Not to mention, it is very quiet in the car. After going under the car to look around, I think I know where a hell-of-a-lot of the extra weight comes from... I have never seen so much sound deadening material and heat shields on a car. The competitions interiors; Mustang is alright, much improved over their SN95 body style cars, but once again, Cheverolet put the ugliest, cheapest feeling interior in their car (probably to save a majority of cost).
All in all, the $42,000 price tag on a well equiped SRT8 is worth every penny compared to it's competition if you are looking for a well rounded muscle car!
If you want cheap but extremely common, buy the Mustang GT!
If you want fast but questionably ugly in too many areas, buy the Camaro SS!
If you want great performance, that looks good, and gets you there in comfort and style, then the Challenger SRT8 is your car!
*I would like to add, that while I am not impressed with the Camaro SS, I am glad that Cheverolet was able to bring back their iconic muscle car. Now improve the mistakes you made on it!
*Thank you to Ford for starting this whole retro muscle car war again!
*Thank you to Dodge for changing the Challenger prototypes grille to what it is today, and adding the Viper 6-spd Transmission to the car, but not changing anything else with the prototype! You did it right. -
"AWESOME RIDE, BAD A--" on by HAM711
Pros: JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING, THE SRT8 IS THE BEST CAR I HAVE DRIVEN. MY OTHER CAR IS A ESCLADE EXT 2008. I JUST BOUGHT A 2009 SRT8
Cons: NOTHING TO DISLIKE
Summary: I AM 65 AND HAVE DRIVEN SOME FAST HOTRODS. HAD A 65 HURST GTO IN 66. IT WAS VERY FAST ON THE STREET. BUT THIS DODGE CHALLENGER SRT8 IS NOT JUST FAST IT DRIVES AND HANDLES GREAT. IT ALSO HAS ALL THE GADGETS FOR COMFORT. LOOKED AT THE CAMERO BUT GM STILL DOESN'T GET IT. THE CAMERO IS A NICE RIDE IF YOU LIKE A STRIPPED DOWN CAR. IT OFFERS NOTHING MORE THAN A FAST CAR. NO COMPARISON TO THE CHALLENGER.
DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DRIVERS FROM THE TEST WERE CONPLAINING ABOUT THE INTERIOR. THE 2009 THAT I BOUGHT IS JUST FINE. AND BY THE WAY, IF YOU ARE BUYING A MUSCLE CAR, WHO CARES ABOUT THE GAS MILEGE!!!!!!!!! -
"WOW, A True Tribute to the Muscle Car Era" on by climberccm
Pros: Well balanced, comfortable, looks and sounds great.
Cons: If you are worried about gas mileage this is not the car for you.
Summary: Owned it for a month. It is a joy to drive and begs to be driven fast. The car maneuvers very well for a vehicle weighing in at 4125 lbs. Acceleration is quick at any speed. Brembro brakes stops this monster quickly, smoothly and effectively. Despite CNET review of the interior, I find it athestically pleasing and have heard none of the rattling when playing the stereo or DVD (Kids tested it with Hip Hop). Sound quality of the system is excellent. Agree that not having voice control on the steering wheel is a bit of pain, but you really should be paying attention to your driving.
Speaking of driving, the car at highway speed is fairly quiet until you punch the gas pedal then you can hear the throaty roar of 425 horses being unleashed. In terms of looks the car definitely pays tribute to the 1970 era Challengers. It gets stares, thumbs ups, and drooling glances from men and women alike.
Yes the GT500 and Camaro are faster and perhaps more nimble but the SRT8 provides the driver with a more refined driving experience. -
"Thunder on Wheels" on by hacker412
Pros: From the moment you start the engine you fall in love with this car. The deep tone of the engine is like I lion waiting in the brush. The stance of the car is incredible. The handling is surprisingly excellent for a car of this size.
Cons: Blind spots are a little tricky.
Summary: A legend reincarnated with the force of a hurricane.
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