- Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 5 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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5.0 stars
"Modern Muscle, Old School Flare"
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.
- 1 reply to this review
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I forgot to mention one important little fact: If you are concerned about gas mileage, then buy a Prius!
Where to buy
2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8:
$40,220.00
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Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price From Edmunds.com
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$40,220.00 |
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