Dodge seeking your input...

[skip68]

So true...  As a regular 4dr car, it is a nice car.  Just the wrong badge name.

[Grim Jhaixus]

Hey, I'm 22. I'm the target generation, and everywhere I go my 73 daily driver Charger (complete with rust holes, body damage, and a sickly 318) gets alot of stares, loose jaws and rubbernecks. I promise, there is a market for the older cars in my generation. These retro cars are only selling to women your ages (over 35) and minorities (I must say some of the things the bruthas mod into them are impressive!). I've seen a couple hot chicks in new Mustangs, but Chargers, Challengers, and new Camaros seem to be in the same age bracket as the Corvette: 70+. I live in Panama City Beach, we see alot of tourism here and working in hotels I see alot of tourists cars, I say these retro cars are for the previous generations and not my own.

[Ghoste]

But is that because no one your age likes the retro cars or just because they can't afford them.  A four door Charger is meant to be a family car and the Challengers and Camaros are pretty pricey for someone just starting out IMO.  I know when I was 22 I sure couldn't afford a new car.

[Grim Jhaixus]

But is that because no one your age likes the retro cars or just because they can't afford them.  A four door Charger is meant to be a family car and the Challengers and Camaros are pretty pricey for someone just starting out IMO.  I know when I was 22 I sure couldn't afford a new car.

Exactly. 

We don't like the retros, and yes, the originals tend to be cheaper and about a million times cooler! Who makes a 2-door with a bench seats that could seat 7 comfortably and fit 5 more in the trunk? Hell, it's getting harder to find TRUCKS with benches in them anymore. But at 19 I was able to afford a new car, and almost bought a '05 SRT4... Decided the skittles gave me claustrophobia. After you install an aftermarket electric fuel pump, there is no advantage to a modern car.

You know, I look around me and can't help but notice my generation seems to be lacking ambition.

[Arthu®]

So what you are saying is that they actually did a great job? They made a car that people who can afford them (the 35+) actually like, while the people who can't afford them (16+) don't really care about them. To me it almost sounds like Dodge could be turning a profit on this formula... Also to say say that in the last 40 years the only useful thing discovered in automotive innovation is the electric fuel pump is a bit weird. So I assume that your car will not have any modifications to the brakes, suspension, engine (except electric fuel pump) and that you'll still be running on bias ply tires.

Arthur

[Grim Jhaixus]

That's not what I meant. Of course you have to keep up the parts that wear out.

But yes, Dodge has proven a success in the new Charger (despite a badging error) and yes I say let the octogenarians have the plastic look-a-likes with the heated leather bucket seats and integrated navigation. However, at 22 I live on my own and I can afford whatever I want. It's easy, I don't smoke.

This is what I meant: I HAVE A 1973 V8 THAT GETS 22MPG. I have a bench seat. I have the most comfortable ride I've ever been in. Nothing modern can compare. New Chargers are a smooth ride, but I didn't like the seats... or how ugly it is.

[Ghoste]

I'd have to say that I'm a damned long sight away from being an octogenarian but I am excited about the idea of replacing one of our vehicles with a plastic Challenger look a like a little later in 2010.  I won't even mind if it has heated seats and integrated navigation.

[Arthu®]

However, at 22 I live on my own and I can afford whatever I want. It's easy, I don't smoke.

While that might be true for you, I doubt you can generalize your age category that way. I am your roughly your age and there is not a chance in hell I'll be buying a new car in the next 2 years. It's not that I don't want to, but I wouldn't be able to afford it.

I'm just saying that it seems Dodge has done fairly well on both the Charger (while it may not be entirely true to its legacy) and the Challenger and I think we can agree that the most new car owners are in the age group of 30+ so really the only thing that matters is that is attractive to them. And while we (young people) might not understand the need for comfort things such has heated seats and navigation most people when they get older seem to grow more attached to these things so it makes perfect sense to put them in the cars.

Your car was not much different 35 years ago, it was also aimed at the middle aged man that wanted comfort and some performance (ok in 1973 not really anymore, but you get my point).

Arthur

[Ghoste]

Very good point Arthur.  The Charger was a fairly expensive car in 1969 and if you compare advertising, you quickly get a insight as to the target demographic of the time.  Charger print ads frequently had a guy in his 30's looking very professional as opposed to say, Road Runner ads where they talked a lot about dragstrip performance and price.  Not too many Charger RT's in the high school parking lots of 1969 but many kids with a decent after school job and some shrewd saving could put themselves into a Road Runner.

[Khyron]

wait, ar eu saying i have an old mans car?




o.k. thats it, im selling her!

[G-man]

I finks dodge is going to have a noose in the mail with an instruction manual on how to set it up and where to insert head.

[MoparManJim]

I finks dodge is going to have a noose in the mail with an instruction manual on how to set it up and where to insert head.

Take my advice man, DON"T ship it via UPS what ever you do as it might get damage.   

[Arthu®]

wait, ar eu saying i have an old mans car?




o.k. thats it, im selling her!

Very politically correct I said middle aged but yes to me that's old. You can always send it here and I'll pay for shipping.

Arthur

[Cooter]

Very good point Arthur.  The Charger was a fairly expensive car in 1969 and if you compare advertising, you quickly get a insight as to the target demographic of the time.  Charger print ads frequently had a guy in his 30's looking very professional as opposed to say, Road Runner ads where they talked a lot about dragstrip performance and price.  Not too many Charger RT's in the high school parking lots of 1969 but many kids with a decent after school job and some shrewd saving could put themselves into a Road Runner.

So the lesson learned should have been by the record number of RR sold, that dumping a 6.1 Hemi in a 6 cyl., plain jane, Car is what sold like hot cakes...Oh, and wait.......IT WAS CHEAPER...Wow, what a concept...Cheap musclecar, sells like hell? chrysler, are 'ya listening?

[charger500440]

Let's just face two realities about the current Chrysler vehicles. Quality is below industry average and their pricing is absolutely ludicrous. I'd never buy anything they build today at the current pricing. I can understand why an Acura costs what it does, the quality standard is very high. I'm not getting that with a Chrysler.

That said, same goes for GM. I don't care if the new Corvette is fast enough to leave Earth's orbit, it's not a well built vehicle for the cost. Yeah it's fast, it handles, but at what price is that worth? Oh, and now GM is recalling 22,000 of them with the removable top. Junk...

Mike

[resq302]

Let's just face two realities about the current Chrysler vehicles. Quality is below industry average and their pricing is absolutely ludicrous. I'd never buy anything they build today at the current pricing. I can understand why an Acura costs what it does, the quality standard is very high. I'm not getting that with a Chrysler.

That said, same goes for GM. I don't care if the new Corvette is fast enough to leave Earth's orbit, it's not a well built vehicle for the cost. Yeah it's fast, it handles, but at what price is that worth? Oh, and now GM is recalling 22,000 of them with the removable top. Junk...

Mike

Mike, what is the recall for?  Does the tops come off at high speed when they get ready to leave the earths orbit?   

[BigBlackDodge]

Let's just face two realities about the current Chrysler vehicles. Quality is below industry average and their pricing is absolutely ludicrous. I'd never buy anything they build today at the current pricing. I can understand why an Acura costs what it does, the quality standard is very high. I'm not getting that with a Chrysler.

That said, same goes for GM. I don't care if the new Corvette is fast enough to leave Earth's orbit, it's not a well built vehicle for the cost. Yeah it's fast, it handles, but at what price is that worth? Oh, and now GM is recalling 22,000 of them with the removable top. Junk...

Mike

Mike, what is the recall for?  Does the tops come off at high speed when they get ready to leave the earths orbit?   

Water leaks


BBD

[charger500440]

Let's just face two realities about the current Chrysler vehicles. Quality is below industry average and their pricing is absolutely ludicrous. I'd never buy anything they build today at the current pricing. I can understand why an Acura costs what it does, the quality standard is very high. I'm not getting that with a Chrysler.

That said, same goes for GM. I don't care if the new Corvette is fast enough to leave Earth's orbit, it's not a well built vehicle for the cost. Yeah it's fast, it handles, but at what price is that worth? Oh, and now GM is recalling 22,000 of them with the removable top. Junk...

Mike

Mike, what is the recall for?  Does the tops come off at high speed when they get ready to leave the earths orbit?   

No, I think the plastic is melting during re-entry...

[resq302]

or fiberglass.

[Grim Jhaixus]

Nah, they are carved out of Lexan now.

[skip68]

Hey Scott, I see you are reading this.   Can you tell us what this has to do with us ? ? ?      By now you should have a pretty good idea how most of the mopar guys feel about Dodge.   Do you honestly think there is anything that Dodge can do at this point ?

Chuck.......

[Brock Samson]

i read this entire thread shaking my head wondering why everyone thinks this guy is in charge of design... 
i would suggest more aftermarket support for Mopars of '60s and '70s vintage.
also less gorilla marketing,.. I can spot those trolls sent on here and allpar...

[skip68]

    Well, I guess not huh Scott ?       It looked like you were posting for about 10 minutes but then you left and without leaving a post.      Change your mind ?   I'll see if I can find one of your standard responses (post) on another site and paste it here.    This will save you from having to post it.       You should forward this on to Dodge so they can delete it and pretend we don't exist.  Oh, that's right, Dodge could care less anyway.   

[SF-CHSE]

My '68 gets allot of attention on and off the road.
Last week I pulled into a gas station and a guy yelled "A Real Charger"!
I think that comment sums up what most people think about the new Chargers vs the vintage '66 to '74 models.
It's an interesting question...
Would I buy a new Charger if it looked like my vintage Charger?
I would certainly give it serious consideration.
But it would have to have A/C, CD, XM, All Wheel Drive, etc to take the place of my current daily driver.
Make mine black.
SF

[Sinister68]

First and most critical priority for Chrysler: Get the govt monkey off your back