Thoughts on "new" chally after seeing it "in the flesh"

[RT DAVE]

Well, I went to get an oil change (yes, I like service records for warranty purposes) and the dodge dealer had an SRT8 Chally there.   I must say that it looks ALOT BETTER in person.   What's everybody elses opinion on the before/after seeing in person?  I liked it before, now I LOVE it!  The front end and sides look alot better and the rear still looks chubby but not too chubby.   

[Fitz73Chrgr]

I agree it looks much better in person.  I just saw my first one on Sunday.

On a side note I also saw my first new Skyline on Sunday.  That was unexpected.

[RT DAVE]

I agree it looks much better in person.  I just saw my first one on Sunday.

On a side note I also saw my first new Skyline on Sunday.  That was unexpected.

The nissan GTR? 

[Fitz73Chrgr]

I agree it looks much better in person.  I just saw my first one on Sunday.
On a side note I also saw my first new Skyline on Sunday.  That was unexpected.

The nissan GTR? 

Yep, I saw a red one on the back of a car hauler.

[bordin34]

I thought they looked pretty much the same in person. The color has a lot to do with it though. Is the skyline just like the one at the NY Auto Show?

[TK73]

Overall, I like 'em... had an R/T without a $15k markup been available 2 months ago I probably would have bought one...

[rusty lee]

I followed an orange one on my way home. They drove it like an old lady come on it's a muscle car. but a very nice looking ride.

[TK73]

The SRT at the track last Saturday had a best run (that I saw) of 14.15.  Not bad but my '08 GT (at 10k less, NOT counting the 15k markup) will pull about the same numbers 

[hotrod98]

I first saw one at the 2004 SEMA show. I was shocked at how big it was. I gave the factory rep hell over the cross hair grille in the concept car. Apparently, so did others since they changed it to a more original looking grille. I went so far as to tell the guy that it would definitely make a difference as to whether I bought one or not.
Several of my friends have ordered an '09 already. I'm going to wait and order a 2010 model.
They only plan to build these things for five years according to a press release so 2012 will be the final year.

[69*F5*SE]

I saw a few out on the road and they look cool but I still prefer the original over the new one. 

[Charger1973]

Are they all orange and black?  I saw an orange one the other day, would like to see more colors before I pass judgement...  they look cool but im sick of the same colors already. 

[RT DAVE]

This year (08) they were available in silver, black & hemi orange (or whatever they call it now).  Next year there will be those colors and a few more, including my favorite, deep water blue and what they are calling b5 blue...    I believe all the normal pass car colors will be available. 

As far as the 14.15 1/4 is concerned, I believe the best magazine published e.t. is 13 flat.  The guy or gal driving the srt8 you saw must have been having some problems. 

[Chatt69chgr]

They look a lot better in person than in photos for some reason.  Visibility out the rear window is not too good.  I really like the sunroof.  Guy told me $30.5 for RT and $31.1 for RT with 6 speed.  No idea how much the sunroof is.  Also no idea how much the RT Classic will be.  But they usually tack on $3k for packages like this.  They did have literature which I was surprised at.  Gave me a nice brochure.  For some reason, they wouldn't print out a MSRP price schedule.  Does anyone have a complete MSRP price schedule for these cars?  I would think that many have had second thoughts about these due to gas prices even though they are pretty nice.

[RT DAVE]

They look a lot better in person than in photos for some reason.  Visibility out the rear window is not too good.  I really like the sunroof.  Guy told me $30.5 for RT and $31.1 for RT with 6 speed.  No idea how much the sunroof is.  Also no idea how much the RT Classic will be.  But they usually tack on $3k for packages like this.  They did have literature which I was surprised at.  Gave me a nice brochure.  For some reason, they wouldn't print out a MSRP price schedule.  Does anyone have a complete MSRP price schedule for these cars?  I would think that many have had second thoughts about these due to gas prices even though they are pretty nice.

Go to dodge.com and you can option one out already.  The RT I want came up over $37K!!!!!1   

[moparstuart]

love that color best color so far on the new one !

[68chrgrwife]

the dealer that I bought my car from had a black on black one that sold for 30 over.  I saw it when I was up in the service department asking about a feature for my car.  I liked it.  I think it is a great looking car...I would love to see how it handles, but I guess that will never happen.  maybe I can get next years model for cheap in about 6 years when the re-sale value sucks ass.  LOL 

[hotrod98]

Our dealer just sold a loaded out black one for 5K over sticker. Sold the orange one for 8K over. Now they're taking orders on the 09's for $250 over invoice.
They're worried that with the high fuel prices, these cars may not sell as well as previously thought. Don't look for any bargains on the 09 SRT8's though. I heard that for every 8 SRT8's they order, they have to take a Viper. And, the Vipers aren't selling at all even at invoice. Chrysler's trying to force them into taking the Vipers. Is this the last year for Vipers or is it next year? Read about it but don't remember which year.

[JimShine]

I like them more than the old ones. They are beefy looking in person. Great style and stance.

[Mike DC]

The new Chally is about as big as an '68-74 Charger.  Even the wheelbase. 

They did a great job on the styling for what restrictions they had to work with.  Not perfect but it could have been 100x worse. 

[RallyeMike]

If you have to buy daily transportation, you could do worse. On the other hand if you are looking for a toy, think about what kind of classic muscle car, that WONT depreciate that can be bought for the same $37k?   

[RT DAVE]

If you have to buy daily transportation, you could do worse. On the other hand if you are looking for a toy, think about what kind of classic muscle car, that WONT depreciate that can be bought for the same $37k?   

I hear you about the depreciation.  I wouldn't neccesarily say that our chargers are completely immune to depreciation.  If you look at values today as opposed to last year, things aren't as good.  Anyhow, I will give you the fact that an old car won't depreciate as badly as a new one. 

I repriced an RT with a 6 speed as the only option and it came up to $30,900.  I could see buying a used one in a few years or maybe a new one if they'd come done in price from sticker.  I have a magnum with a 5.7 and I think the extra 40 hp with a 6 speed would be pretty snappy in the Chally.   Not a world beater or anything but that isn't to be expected, at least not from me... 

[Mike DC]

   

I agree about the depreciation and the older car. 


The old car values shift around 10-15% some times.  But if you buy a '69 Charger for $37K this year, you can bet it's not gonna fall down to $10K in 6-7 years like the new Chally.     

 

[greenpigs]

I have taken a look at one myself and would just love to get a Tor Red V6 one, the hemi is nice but the Charger would be my play car and the cost difference is enough to make me go "old man" and get the base model.

[hutch]

Hot as hell but way way over priced.   If they would make a bare bones high HP car like they did in the 60's early 70's for under 20K I think they would sell more cars than they could produce.   Making limited number cars for a small % of america is a nice thing but its not going to pull their asses out of the Red or put more cars on the road.

I say, save your money detroit,  scrap all that safty crap you put into the cars,,  I know how to drive.

[RT DAVE]

Hot as hell but way way over priced.   If they would make a bare bones high HP car like they did in the 60's early 70's for under 20K I think they would sell more cars than they could produce.   Making limited number cars for a small % of america is a nice thing but its not going to pull their asses out of the Red or put more cars on the road.

I say, save your money detroit,  scrap all that safty crap you put into the cars,,  I know how to drive.

In comparison to what else is out there, I wouldn't say it's overpriced.  That being said, all new cars are overpriced in my opinion.  For instance, a freakin' Chevy Cobalt starts out at over $15K!  Not what I'm looking to get, it's just the first "cheap" american car I thought of so I looked up pricing.   

[Mike DC]

I say, save your money detroit,  scrap all that safty crap you put into the cars,,  I know how to drive.

You might be right that you don't need it.  But for every one of you, there's 300 other dumbasses out there that couldn't control a skidding Chally in their wildest dreams. 

No electronic safety gear = high insurance rates when all the dumbasses pile their cars up. 

[OldGuy]

An orange 2008 was parked next to me at a car show recently.  Owner said they paid $70K   number certified.  The thing that surprised me was the crappy paint job from the factory.  The orange peel under the clear coat was so bad, you could hardly see your reflection in it.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Drove past a Dodge dealership in West County last night and there were 7 or 8 of them parked outside, all 3 colors, pretty badass.

[RT DAVE]

An orange 2008 R/T was parked next to me at a car show recently.  Owner said they paid $70K   number certified.  The thing that surprised me was the crappy paint job from the factory.  The orange peel under the clear coat was so bad, you could hardly see your reflection in it.

Must have been an SRT8 as the R/Ts don't come out until September.   I had my magnum repainted in a few areas before I took delivery, so I know what you mean about the paint.  Damn Canucks!  (joke, it's really chysler's QC problem not the canadians)...

[RECHRGD]

I had a black SRT behind me for a while (I was in the '68) and it looked great.  Nice car, but the driver was kinda stuck up.  He wouldn't even look at me when he pulled along side.  Bob

[RallyeMike]

Were you staring and drooling? Maybe he was avoiding eye contact with he "weirdo"? 

[elanmars]

i think the driver was ONE UPPED for sure.

[71charger_fan]

I just finished up a visit to the U.S. and was able to see a few. I'll next be back in August of '09. By then the dealers should have bent all the "got to have it now" types over the log and should be ready to be realistic on price. I'll be selling my Jeep overseas and will be shopping for a new car. A Challenger might be next in the garage. The SE I worked up on the Dodge website was just shy of 30K and the R/T was about 34K. I'm hoping that a year from now there will be some deep discounting going on.

[Chargen69]

I saw my first one yesterday, it pulled up behind me at a light, maybe it's all the hype, but I jumped a little bit when I saw it.  Looked great, but some 50 something old white lady was driving it, I could have out run her in my camry

[71charger_fan]

Any rumors as to if/when a convertible will be released?

[69_500]

Just a striped down Challenger R/T with a 6 speed manual transmission would be a heck of a lot of fun to drive around daily. Sure would beat what I drive back and forth to work now anyways.

[Mike DC]

 

Just a striped down Challenger R/T with a 6 speed manual transmission would be a heck of a lot of fun to drive around daily. Sure would beat what I drive back and forth to work now anyways.

Yeah.  An affordable brand-new version of a classic 2dr stick-shifted V8 RWD musclecar.  What a concept. 

Better not let GM & Ford know about this groundbreaking idea.   

[69_500]

You make it sound like the 09 Challenger is way over priced or something. Its not any more expensive than say a Mustang GT. Both cars are in the low 30's for a V8 RWD car.

[gtx6970]

I've heard a 'vert version is due for 2010 model year

[jeryst]

I saw a black one at a car dealer exhibit at the county fair last night. They were asking $58k for it!

I have to say I dont like the black because nothing shows up. The stripes, scoops, etc all just blend in from 20 feet away, and it just doesnt look all that good. The brighter colored ones look a lot meaner IMO.

They did have an amusing sign in the window, however. It said "22mpg at 55mph; 10mpg at 155 mph"

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

I finally saw an 08 SRT yesterday Hemi Orange of course. I will honestly say that has to be one of the nicest cars ever built and if I had the money there is no doubt I would own one.

[keepat]

The Challenger draws as much if not more looks then my 68 Charger! I'm sure that has more to do with the newness of the Challenger. But the car is Awesome! I hope to get the Challenger to the track next week? Looking for low 13!
Pat

[RT DAVE]

The Challenger draws as much if not more looks then my 68 Charger! I'm sure that has more to do with the newness of the Challenger. But the car is Awesome! I hope to get the Challenger to the track next week? Looking for low 13!
Pat

Let us know how you do! 

[Brock Samson]

 word floating around the web is that a 5.7 Hemi will be avail. without the R/T package.

[C_stripes]

I saw something cool today and thought I would share. I guess this would be the place to share it.
Jeremy

[bullit68]

very nice car in person!i like it a lot.one interesting thing i just thought of,is that they said all the 08's were sold out.all 6400.then why is it that all the dealers have them on their lots?i think it was hype.basically all the cars were "spoken"for by the dealers but not sold.i see them forsale everywhere.another interesting note,is that they "officially"only brought 500 forsale in the canadian market even though they are built here.the two i saw had "500"in the grill instead of the srt badge.and on the dash was a plaque with the build number out of 500 listed.

[drodg]

Our dealer just sold a loaded out black one for 5K over sticker. Sold the orange one for 8K over. Now they're taking orders on the 09's for $250 over invoice.
They're worried that with the high fuel prices, these cars may not sell as well as previously thought. Don't look for any bargains on the 09 SRT8's though. I heard that for every 8 SRT8's they order, they have to take a Viper. And, the Vipers aren't selling at all even at invoice. Chrysler's trying to force them into taking the Vipers. Is this the last year for Vipers or is it next year? Read about it but don't remember which year.

I am dealer and that is not true about having to take Vipers.  Also Viper sales I think are up over last year.  They have been actually hard to get. Srt8's are hard to get even as an 09.

[moparstuart]

Our dealer just sold a loaded out black one for 5K over sticker. Sold the orange one for 8K over. Now they're taking orders on the 09's for $250 over invoice.
They're worried that with the high fuel prices, these cars may not sell as well as previously thought. Don't look for any bargains on the 09 SRT8's though. I heard that for every 8 SRT8's they order, they have to take a Viper. And, the Vipers aren't selling at all even at invoice. Chrysler's trying to force them into taking the Vipers. Is this the last year for Vipers or is it next year? Read about it but don't remember which year.

I am dealer and that is not true about having to take Vipers.  Also Viper sales I think are up over last year.  They have been actually hard to get. Srt8's are hard to get even as an 09.

hook us up with some killer deals 

[Mike DC]

It's amazing how successful a car can be when they trying building what the public wants.

[Charged]

The new Challenger? Thats a car built for old people...the kind of people who rocked'em during high school WAY back in the 1970's. Im 27 so Im staying away from that heap called a mid-life crisis. 

[dads_69]

Seen two of them at the car show this past weekend, black and orange. I followed behind the orange chally later on same day, it looked like a fat chic w/short legs driving down the road.
And for the price, I don't think so.

[Magnumcharger]

I finall got to see one in real life, at the Atlantic Nationals in Moncton last month.
It is a Canadian 500 SRT (?), in orange, and was being used as a rolling billboard for A&W restaurants.
There was nobody "guarding" the car when I stopped by to check it out....so I hopped in for a quick "seat check".
Well it fit my fat ass like a glove!
So I'm on the "lovin' it" side of the fence.

[Magnumcharger]

A couple more shots...

[FastbackJon]

I'm 24 and do all right as an R&D engineer. I'd love to have a Challenger as a daily driver, but at gas around $4 a gallon and all those years of monthly car payments ($500 a month over 5 years for the $30,000 R/T), no way. So I went out and bought a very nice used mechanically sound '94 Nissan that gets 38 mpg combined city/highway for $3,000 cash. With the additional $150 a month in gas savings I'm definitely coming out ahead overall.

[moparstuart]

I'm 24 and do all right as an R&D engineer. I'd love to have a Challenger as a daily driver, but at gas around $4 a gallon and all those years of monthly car payments ($500 a month over 5 years for the $30,000 R/T), no way. So I went out and bought a very nice used mechanically sound '94 Nissan that gets 38 mpg combined city/highway for $3,000 cash. With the additional $150 a month in gas savings I'm definitely coming out ahead overall.

but you would look much cooler in the challenger     but i'm cheap too so i know where your coming from !

[Mike DC]

 
I'd take the $30K and build another vintage B-body for a daily driver sooner than anything else. 




And I wouldn't buy a $30K 440 Charger either.

I'd try to buy a $20K smallblock car and then spend the other $10K on making it actually work.  Overdrive, A/C, weatherstripping that works, all modern wiring, etc.   

[Drache]

No idea how much the sunroof is.

$950

Well my '09 Challenger was "MSRP As Configured:    $44,680"   

[RT DAVE]

 
I'd take the $30K and build another vintage B-body for a daily driver sooner than anything else. 




And I wouldn't buy a $30K 440 Charger either.

I'd try to buy a $20K smallblock car and then spend the other $10K on making it actually work.  Overdrive, A/C, weatherstripping that works, all modern wiring, etc.   

Some of us have more time, skill & patience than others.  I have none of those so I wouldn't take up that task.  I know, I'm a sissy...   

[Chargen69]

I saw something cool today and thought I would share. I guess this would be the place to share it.
Jeremy

to the future "back in the day" pic