In the end Dodge won - forced into being a Charger Hypocrite

[Crazy Larry]

for the past few years, I had bashed the new Charger up and down. i was angry at Dodge for the look of it and how they basically took the Intrepid, and slapped the Charger name on it. I loved the intrepid and I heard the new "Charger" was a good drive, but the principle of the entire ordeal just made me turn away from Dodge.

As an owner/enthusiast of a 1968 Dodge Charger - this was a serious topic for me.

Then I started my new career as a high-power lineman - which calls for me to travel all over NY state in all seasons to report to work. After driving a police interceptor Crown vic for a few years, and with an upcoming winter season - I could not survive with a rear-wheel drive vehicle.

I drive between 600 to 1,000 miles a week and I also needed decent gas mileage in a vehicle - the crown vic was running me $100 to $200 dollars a week.

I ruled out any pick-up trucks (a classic fave for linemen) because of the gas, price, and i still need something that I can drive the ladies around in.

I needed an American full-sized four-door sedan, with all-wheel drive, good gas mileage, big trunk space for my tools and climbing equipment, and style....

....enter the Dodge Charger AWD SXT.......

...I bought it.....









....and so now I am a shameful convert. i have to admit I was wrong about this car. it may have a cat-fish front end, and not bring justice to the Charger name, but it is a dream to drive, it has cut my gas bills in half, and handles the road like a BMW. It has a style and look - especially at night, that has folks staring. I can't be any more impressed with a car.

I thought by getting the all black grille/body - the style would jump out even more, and it surely does.

I wanted to create this thread to say that I am a "Charger" hypocrite, in the end, Dodge won and I missed my intrepid so much, I purchased one for the reasons stated above. i can't bad mouth this vehicle anymore. It is a great Intrepid-Charger, and it delivers everything I need in a vehicle.

I have to say "Bravo" to Dodge. no more cat fish jokes from me.

[69charger2002]

i bashed on the car at first too. and while i did break down and get one for the wife, because she didn't want a new 2 door challenger, i still think the car is ugly.. and does not ride all that great.. she likes it and that's all that matters, i still won't be caught dead in it.. we're getting 21 mpg city/highway mixed, which is decent i guess..

[41husk]

Should have gooten the 09 Challenger 6 cylinder would give you great milage and you would not have had to sucumb to dodge.  I always liked the look of the new Charger.  I just always felt it should have been named a fury or imperial some namesake that came in a four door model.

[moparstuart]

Should have gooten the 09 Challenger 6 cylinder would give you great milage and you would not have had to sucumb to dodge.  I always liked the look of the new Charger.  I just always felt it should have been named a fury or imperial some namesake that came in a four door model.

4dr coronet !!   then the super bee model would still work also .

[Joshua]

Your user name fits ya then....hahaha!

[Crazy Larry]

Should have gooten the 09 Challenger 6 cylinder would give you great milage and you would not have had to sucumb to dodge.  I always liked the look of the new Charger.  I just always felt it should have been named a fury or imperial some namesake that came in a four door model.

The four doors make it easy to load bags of clothes, laptop, etc. and the car has a ton more room inside than the Challenger - which is more of a sports car.

Yes, a fury or hell, even Intrepid would do just fine.

wonder if I can score an Intrepid logo somewhere? 

[TK73]

Rented one for a weekend, don't ever want to drive one again...

I was "test driving" a few cars prior to buying a few months back.  The Mustang ABSOLUTELY blew the new Coronet away on fit/finish, comfort, drivability...

[Crazy Larry]

Rented one for a weekend, don't ever want to drive one again...

I was "test driving" a few cars prior to buying a few months back.  The Mustang ABSOLUTELY blew the new Coronet away on fit/finish, comfort, drivability...

but in the snow - that rear-wheel drive is a bit tough to get around in.

The AWD is pretty nice. Mustang didn't have that.

[41husk]

I don't know, I like the look of the mustang, but I have been brand loyal to long to ever buy one

[472 R/T SE]

Congrats!  No sense in brow beatin' ya', you said it all in your post.

My wife wants a Chally but our next new rig will be an SRT in purple if they still offer that color for it.  Not enough room in the Chally for my chair & the family in the back, the 4 doors make it so much easier.

Dodge knew exactly what they were doing by resurrecting the Charger name, any other name wouldn't have sold. 

[Khyron]

I bought a Grand Prix. 

When Dodge makes something I like, then i'll go back to Chrysler.

[Ghoste]

Dodge knew exactly what they were doing by resurrecting the Charger name, any other name wouldn't have sold. 

I don't know that I agree Mike.  I'm not bashing the new car either, I'm only saying that I think the name hasn't been the big selling feature of the car.

[WingCharger]

I like the Charger and the new Challenger. I would take both, but hey, a 14 year old doesnt need 4 doors.

[Ghoste]

You may change your mind when you start hauling all your friends around to go girl hunting.  Or not.

[WingCharger]

You may change your mind when you start hauling all your friends around to go girl hunting.  Or not.

I sense the "or not."

I have the truck bed for that. Challenger would be for racing. Legal track only of course.

[Mike DC]

All-wheel drive in that thing? 



How did they rig that setup to work, anyway? 

The standard Chagnum has a conventional longitudinally-mounted RWD drivetrain layout.  I would have assumed that there was not enough room to squeeze in an entire central transfer case & FWD drivetrain too. 

Most of the "All wheel drive" cars that I've ever seen are made on what is basically a FWD chassis layout, and the RWD section is a wedged-in afterthought.

 

[Mopar2Ya]

All-wheel drive in that thing? 



How did they rig that setup to work, anyway? 

The standard Chagnum has a conventional longitudinally-mounted RWD drivetrain layout.  I would have assumed that there was not enough room to squeeze in an entire central transfer case & FWD drivetrain too. 

Most of the "All wheel drive" cars that I've ever seen are made on what is basically a FWD chassis layout, and the RWD section is a wedged-in afterthought.

 

Remember the LX's are based off the Mercedes E Class, which Mercedes makes several RWD/AWD called 4Matic IIRC. Or it's just a long rubber band? 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Oh boy....here we go again!

Say what you will...I still like my orange beast!
Good luck with the new car!

[Kevin68N71]

It's funny, sometimes some of the things you hate end up become things you love when you get close to them.

When I was a kid, I absolutely hated, with a passion, anything Corvair.  The vans, the cars, anything.  That stupid little engine in the back.  The headlights with those bezels.  In high school, however, we had a non-running old two door coupe that we got running and would take it for joyrides.  I was amazed how fun that little car was with the rear engine whirring in the back.  The blue vinyl interior was perfect and it ran like a top once we tuned it.  I learned how to use a clutch in that car.

Flash forward to now, I absolutely love my '61 Rampside.  What a cool vehicle.  What a fine, tiny little 80 hp engine that somehow has enough guts to get the thing down the road.  An 8 foot cargo bed, a fold down ramp.  Talk about fun and functional.

And an old Corsa turbo does not look so bad anymore either!

There is nothing wrong with the new Chargers.  Yes, I would have preferred a more retro look, and maybe making this one the Coronet.  But they sell alot of them, and they go pretty good.

Sometimes you gotta be IN the forest to appreciate all the trees.

[TK73]

Rented one for a weekend, don't ever want to drive one again...

I was "test driving" a few cars prior to buying a few months back.  The Mustang ABSOLUTELY blew the new Coronet away on fit/finish, comfort, drivability...

but in the snow - that rear-wheel drive is a bit tough to get around in.

The AWD is pretty nice. Mustang didn't have that.

True... I still have my 4x4 Pathfinder for any nasty weather here, fortunately Seattle doesn't get much snow...

[bull]

Dodge knew exactly what they were doing by resurrecting the Charger name, any other name wouldn't have sold. 

Correct, they were/are kissing a$$... and some people like lip prints on their butts and are willing to pay $400+ a month for them.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Correct, they were/are kissing a$$... and some people like lip prints on their butts and are willing to pay $400+ a month for them.

Damn Curtis, you're slipping bro!  It took you over 10 hours to put your -.02 in on a thread that has to do with a new Charger.  You know we all love when you spread your hate around

PS---I prefer to get lip prints received elsewhere and I dont have to pay $400+ a month to get them either

[41husk]

nice looking car, I understand the four door thing, but I bet the trunk room is the same or better than the Charger.  It is on the same chasey

[71 Bee Man]

Oh boy....here we go again!

Say what you will...I still like my orange beast!
Good luck with the new car!

I had a new Charger as a hire car when I visitied the States for a few weeks. I thought it was fantastic.

Peter
Sydney, Australia.

[G-man]

drives well 

Still looks retarded  and still aint a charger. 

[resq302]

Well, with regards to the "new 4 dr charger" we just got rid of our charger police car here at work.  Mind you, our crown vics usually last around 100,000 miles before we have to get rid of them due to major probs.  When we just decommisioned our charger police car, it only had 51,000 miles.  We broke 2 motor mounts, went through 8 sets of brakes, too many electrical problems to list, dead batteries, etc.  Honestly, this car had more down time being repaired than it was on the road.

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

It is a sad fact as much as we all hate the new charger and love the new challenger. The charger will still get the nod because of the number of doors for families. So on one hand Dodge had something figured right.

[BigBlackDodge]

Last I checked the new Chally has back seats for the kiddies too..............


BBD

[Ghoste]

Well, with regards to the "new 4 dr charger" we just got rid of our charger police car here at work.  Mind you, our crown vics usually last around 100,000 miles before we have to get rid of them due to major probs.  When we just decommisioned our charger police car, it only had 51,000 miles.  We broke 2 motor mounts, went through 8 sets of brakes, too many electrical problems to list, dead batteries, etc.  Honestly, this car had more down time being repaired than it was on the road.

In all fairness though, the Crown Vic was around a long time so many reliability issues should have been long worked out.  If Chrysler keeps the Charger platform around long enough it should get tougher too.

[resq302]

I agree, however, from talking to other departments, they have had twisted driveshafts, rotors that have been cracking, brakes going through way too soon, etc.  The list goes on and on.  You would think that if Dodge was going to market a car that was known to be abused that they would at least do their research on it before the marketed it as a police package.  Aslo, the rear seat area is too small when you put the cage into the back.  Someone had to come up with a special cage and a half seat in order to tranport a prisoner.

[Mike DC]

 
I've thought for years that Ford should have just started producing a modified Crown Vic chassis specifically to the police/official/taxi buyers. 

Right now Ford has BY FAR the best suitable vehicle for cop-cars anymore.  Ford could take the current full-framed Crown Vic chassis, make a set of changes that cost well within the range of what they'd do for a significant mid-decade update anyway, and end up with a customized car that easily corners 95% of that market for the foreseeable future. 

How hard would it really be to add a few inches into the backseat area?  Make the rest of the outer skin's body panels into 100% bolted-on sheetmetal items, for quick & practical repairs?  Make the cabin pillars strong enough to skip the internal rollbar, and include mounts for the internal cage?  Build the rear end & gas tank stronger for highway rearend collision protection? 

(And imagine . . . what if a modern car factory actually WANTED to make something work right?  What if they DIDN'T cut corners all over every subassembly & electrical system to squeeze out that last $25 per car?)



I don't see why not.  It's not the most lucrative per-car market out there, but the total govt/law enforcement contracts on the Crown Vic are already something like 49% of all the CVs they sell anyway.  The market is absolutely huge.  If they do it reasonably well the first time, the car would be a fish-in-a-barrel cash crop for the next 20+ years without any significant retooling whatsoever.  Most of the OEMs would KILL  for that kind of situation in a civilian-buyer niche.

[1969chargerrtse]

Oh boy....here we go again!

Say what you will...I still like my orange beast!
Good luck with the new car!

Hey chris, is that the same spot you took pictures of your 69 at many years back?

[resq302]

The only good thing my cops could say about the charger was that it was a great traffic car as it had excellent pick up speed and would have been a great pursuit car.  But that was about the only good thing that they could say.

[Mike DC]

As I understand it, that's basically the complaint they have about every modern car they have tried.  Scuff one or two curbs and everything on the front chassis gets bent. 


It's not even necessarily the unibody vs full-frame issue either.  The departments generally loved the durability of the old Mopar unibody-chassis cop cars from the 1970s and 80s. 

It's just modern car designs.  They're saving weight & tightening down tolerances everywhere.  Pretty soon they've got a chassis where nothing gives a millimeter until it suddenly collapses entirely.   

[WingCharger]

For '09 the Daytona R/T Charger will only be available in White with Black Script. The SuperBee will also be discontinued.

I really like the new Chargers.  ALMOST as much as the new Challenger.

[bull]

Rented one for a weekend, don't ever want to drive one again...

I was "test driving" a few cars prior to buying a few months back.  The Mustang ABSOLUTELY blew the new Coronet away on fit/finish, comfort, drivability...

but in the snow - that rear-wheel drive is a bit tough to get around in.

The AWD is pretty nice. Mustang didn't have that.

Aren't there several AWD/4WD cars that get better mileage than the "Charger" gets, if fuel economy and poor weather traction are two of your main criterion? I mean, it's kinda late now but just wondering... One example I can think of right off the bat is the Ford Escape hybrid 4x4 that averages about 10 mpg better.

EDIT** Just did a quick check on fueleconomy.gov and found that the '08 Chevrolet Equinox AWD, the '08 Buick Enclave AWD, the '08 Dodge Avenger AWD, '08 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 4WD, '08 Ford Taurus AWD, '08 Pontiac Torrent AWD, '08 Lincoln MKX AWD, '08 Mercury Milan AWD and the '08 Saturn Outlook AWD all get better (a couple get the same) gas mileage than the "Charger" gets. There are others that do better too but I don't feel like listing every "American" car. Let's just say the "Charger" is pretty low on the AWD/4WD list of cars that get good fuel economy. And isn't the "Charger" made in Mexico?

[WingCharger]

Rented one for a weekend, don't ever want to drive one again...

I was "test driving" a few cars prior to buying a few months back.  The Mustang ABSOLUTELY blew the new Coronet away on fit/finish, comfort, drivability...

New Coronet? 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

For '09 the Daytona R/T Charger will only be available in White with Black Script. The SuperBee will also be discontinued.

I really like the new Chargers.  ALMOST as much as the new Challenger.

Negative....the Super Bee will sadly be Hemi Orange for the 2009 model year

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Hey chris, is that the same spot you took pictures of your 69 at many years back?

Yeppers....good eye   Probably around the same time as well....although the '69 was shot in bright sun while the '08 was shot on an overcast day....thats why it looks more red in the pic

[bull]

Rented one for a weekend, don't ever want to drive one again...

I was "test driving" a few cars prior to buying a few months back.  The Mustang ABSOLUTELY blew the new Coronet away on fit/finish, comfort, drivability...

New Coronet? 

Yea, more "name accurate" than Charger. Since four door cars are not msucle cars by definitiion, though some can be considered cars with muscle. If I may speak for TK73, he's making the point that "Coronet" would have been a more appropriate and accurate name for the car if Chrysler's goal was to revive nostalgia... because there once was a four door, V8-powered, rear wheel drive car named Coronet.