New 08' Challenger V.S New Unique Perf. Original 1971 Challenger

[4402tuff4u]

Hi guys and gals, I just wanted to get opinions on what you guys think about this topic. I was reading November's 06 issue of MCG and read the Chip Foose/Unique Performance Style Challenger article were it mentions that a dozen of these Foose Challengers are going into production this winter. The article mentions that the price might actually be better than the new Challenger coming out. I was wondering what your thoughts are. I'm not a great fan of Foose designs, but I have to say that the Challenger came out sweet, especially if these Challengers will be fitted with HEMI's and five speed TKO's!!! Would you buy a new Challenger 08' or would you buy a new Retro Challenger 71'? Thinking about a bit more, if the new Challenger comes out with a sticker price of let's say $ 45,000, how is Foose going to compete with that? by the time you paint the old Challenger, install the HEMI and the Five speed and misc accessories, profit, he's going to be way above the $ 45 K in my opinion. I wonder if Foose will offer the same warrantees/coverage as Chrysler Daimler for their retro fitted 71 Challengers?

http://www.uniqueperformance.com/challenger.aspx

[Brock Samson]

says right there "Starting at $ 189,000     not $ 18,900,..  189K which makes it pretty simple to me,.. it's a moot point,. nope,..  ain't gonna happen,.. i would concider picking up a neo-chally at say 30K however - a year after they come out.   

[dodge freak]

Thats a toy store for the rich guys

[hotrod98]

When I saw that statement about getting a Foose car cheaper than a new chal, I had a good laugh. His wheels and the paint job would run more than the price of a new chal.
Heck, I'll sell you my freshly restored hemi chal convert clone for nearly a third of the price of the Foose Challenger.

[6670charger]

As much as it costs to restore an original Challenger to pristine condition, there is no way in this universe that Chip Foose could ever produce a resto-modified original Challenger for under $45K.  Even if he could, the question I'd have to ask myself is which of the cars would be most drivable in the snowbelt as a daily driver?  Answer:  08 Challenger.

This, of course, depends on what the new Challenger actually lists for, because I won't be buying the new Challenger either if it costs over $40K. 

[Brock Samson]

i dont think i like the foose chally.... there's soooo many things in those pics i dont like...
i'd rather have a stock one...
then simply write a check...

[41husk]

the retro challenger is a complete different market than the new Challenger, I am sure both foose and daimler will be fine in there indevers and not hurt each other in any way.

[NYCMille]

I would purchase the XV Motorsports over any other modern musclecar out there. The amount of R&D they have put into there cars is really something... research, research, research then more research.

www.xvmotorsports.com

[Shakey]

Would the Foose Mobile come with that musky old car smell.   

[4402tuff4u]

says right there "Starting at $ 189,000     not $ 18,900,..  189K which makes it pretty simple to me,.. it's a moot point,. nope,..  ain't gonna happen,.. i would concider picking up a neo-chally at say 30K however - a year after they come out.   

I see that. The last sentence on the MCG article says that these Foose Challengers might be less than the 08' Challengers. Maybe the 08's are going to be priced up there, who knows! 

[41husk]

the new Challenger better not be much over the 40k range or they will not sell enough to compete with the mustang.

[PocketThunder]

Those guages look stupid.  Its much nicer when somone keeps the original dash design and incorporates new guages in the existing guage openings. 

I am PocketThunder and i approve this message.

[69chargerboy]

Myself, I liked the first Challenger he did on Overhaulin' I wouldn't pay that much for something someone else could buy as well. I would let Foose Overhaul my 68 Coronet 440 or my 69 Charger. Something unique to me. Not a bunch of 68 Coronets or 69 Chargers...... I really liked his 67 Charger he did on Overhaulin' That's what I liked about Foose. He makes one design per car. They aren't all the same, well not anymore! $189k 

[kamkuda]

I would purchase the XV Motorsports over any other modern musclecar out there. The amount of R&D they have put into there cars is really something... research, research, research then more research.

www.xvmotorsports.com

Wow thats cool!  

I agree and liked the Foose Challenger and Charger.  A great car I would be happy to drive

[hotrod98]

I like the Autometer gauges that I installed in my 70 hemi chal convert. They all work perfectly...even the gas gauge.

[dodge freak]

Sweet--looks better then new.

[hotrod98]

Thanks, now if my brand new TCI tranny didn't leak, I 'd drive it.

[72chargerSE]

Personally, I can't stand the FOOSE car.

Last time I checked, the last 71 Challenger was built in 71.. Stop messin' up original cars, CHIP!!

[Dave22443]

Well, I just went and priced a fully loaded SRT-8 Charger.  I picked every option I could find and still couldn't get the price over $40K  ($39,454).  Of course, the Challenger will be higher due to the wow factor and high demand.  For me though, I plan to buy a new Challenger as soon as my house is paid off which should put me in an '09 model.  And when I do, there will be no options spared. 

That is... unless they redesign the new Charger by then to something just as retro 

[72chargerSE]

I wish the Charger was more retro, but I doubt there will be a redesign any time soon.

It has grown on me though!!

Mike

[dodge freak]

They might very well redesign it. Look the Challenger is going to be a 2 door, "hemi" car so all thats needed is a different front end, QP and a dash. Most of the 2 cars could be the same. If Chrysler has any brains thats what they do.

[72chargerSE]

Trust me, I work in the auto industry...

It ain't gonna happen!

The Challenger is DCX's realization that they f'ed up with the Charger!!!

Mike

[Dave22443]

Actually, I personally have no problem with the new Charger and fully intended to buy one as the new family ride (to replace the ugly mini-van).  But when they annouced the new Challenger, my plans changed.  

I think most people on here would even admit that the new Charger is actually a pretty darn nice car, just that it needed a different name (like maybe Coronet?).  The only reason I mentioned a re-design is because I've heard it rumored that the next "refresh" is due in '08.  This doesn't mean they will redesign the entire car, just freshen it up.  Its something all manufacturers do to keep things from becoming stale.  I'm just hoping (as I am sure many are) that they learn from the excitement over the Challenger and give us something a little more deserving of the name.  If they do, I'll probably buy the Charger instead.  If they don't, then at least I know I can get the Challenger.  

[72chargerSE]

My thinking exactly!!!

Great post!

Mike

[4402tuff4u]

Well last night I met with the owner of Security Dodge, A local Dodge dealer cause my wife is looking at a new mini van. I asked him the pricing on the Challenger, he said that the Challenger is going to range from the mid $ 30's to low $ 50's. The low $ 50 price tag is for the big HEMI coming out and high performance package - he couldnt say much more. The convertable will not be available until possibly 2010. We know JJ (the owner) is my daughter's girl friends dad. We also know JJ from high school.

The best part about the whole visit to the dealer is that JJ (the owner) said he had a bunch of old parts from the 60's & 70's in his other warehouse that if I wanted I could go and take a look at them and see if I could use any of them. I might go tomorrow if I can get out of work a bit earlier. Would love to get my hands on a mechanics manual for the 68 Charger! He's having a car show at his dealership on October 8 and he asked me to bring down the R/T.