I wish this was a choice for the new charger.

[Hudson Hornet !]

I ran across this picture today.   I love the looks of this car!  It is probably an old picture for you guys but it is new to me.  I know if these were for sale I would have one!  What do you guys think?

[Gary42]

I've seen that pic before, and I'll say the samething I did when I saw it......"way too cool," I want one. I bought a new Challenger because they produced that eye sore "New" thing they call a Charger. I'll say it again and again, "A CHARGER HAS NEVER BEEN 4 DOORS." Shame on Chrysler for destroying the Charger name like that, and all they say is, "we wanted to make it look good, and be a family car too!" OMG, if you want a family car, BUY A VOYAGER, lol!!!!! Just say'n I guess

[twodko]

X2 and X2

[A383Wing]

Loose the center "I" piece in the grille and it would look even better

Bryan 

[68X426]

Loose the center "I" piece in the grille and it would look even better

Bryan 

Agreed x2. And then add round side markers and it's done. 

[JB400]

The car's pretty cool. My first time seeing it.  As far as bashing chargers with 4 doors,  let me remind you of the 99 concept charger.  The one car Dodge should have built, but didn't.

[1974dodgecharger]

raplhes gilles wont do it because he said the charger is meant for 'FAMILY' so sedan it was.  'We dont need two muscles coupe in the lineup'

[Cooter]

Hell, I don't even care anymore. Let Chrysler/Fiat/Mercedes/Err Whatever keep producing cars aimed at kissing Soccer mom's asses..That just makes my junk all that much cooler when their little "Honor Student" asks  "Why don't they make cool cars like that car anymore?"

Auto manufacturers don't want to give the BUYING public what they want, they want to give them what THEY think they want and the public of today is willing to buy it.

[JB400]

Hell, I don't even care anymore. Let Chrysler/Fiat/Mercedes/Err Whatever keep producing cars aimed at kissing Soccer mom's asses..That just makes my junk all that much cooler when their little "Honor Student" asks  "Why don't they make cool cars like that car anymore?"

Auto manufacturers don't want to give the BUYING public what they want, they want to give them what THEY think they want and the public of today is willing to buy it.

The government decides what is made.  But you are right.  Throw all this junk on a car, make it look similar to an old one, and glorify it.  Kudos to SRT for not putting a cup holder in the new Viper.  Only new car that I know of with out one.

[Kern Dog]

GREAT concept!
This is just as true to the old form as the new Challenger is to the E body. I agree though, LOSE the grille divider.

[1974dodgecharger]

Hell, I don't even care anymore. Let Chrysler/Fiat/Mercedes/Err Whatever keep producing cars aimed at kissing Soccer mom's asses..That just makes my junk all that much cooler when their little "Honor Student" asks  "Why don't they make cool cars like that car anymore?"

Auto manufacturers don't want to give the BUYING public what they want, they want to give them what THEY think they want and the public of today is willing to buy it.

The government decides what is made.  But you are right.  Throw all this junk on a car, make it look similar to an old one, and glorify it.  Kudos to SRT for not putting a cup holder in the new Viper.  Only new car that I know of with out one.

government does not determine 'style' thats up to chrysler/dodge to do such things. Ralphe Gilles decided NOT to make the charger a 2 door like its heritage. He did not want the consumer 'fighting' over two muscle car coupes one catered to the 'family' and other catered to the 'single' life the challenger won out obviously and maintained its heritage.

[kab69440]

Then he should have named it Polara or Monaco. Diplomat is most fitting since the thing is aimed at fleet buyers. I agree it's not a bad car, it just has the wrong name.

[1974dodgecharger]

Then he should have named it Polara or Monaco. Diplomat is most fitting since the thing is aimed at fleet buyers. I agree it's not a bad car, it just has the wrong name.

WELL PUT.....

[Fred]

Definitely needs a 68 grille to make me happy. Just sayin'   

[Mike DC]

  
A modern car company is never gonna name anything a "Polara" or "Diplomat".
 

[Mytur Binsdirti]

The Challenger has just about run its course & it wouldn't be that difficult to re-skin it to the car pictured above, which I personally think makes more sense than the proposed Dodge Cuda that's (supposedly) due out in a couple of years.

[JB400]

The Challenger has just about run its course & it wouldn't be that difficult to re-skin it to the car pictured above, which I personally think makes more sense than the proposed Dodge Cuda that's (supposedly) due out in a couple of years.

Hate to burst a bubble, but the new cuda or whatever it's going to be will not be called a dodge.  I think the project will be taken over by the SRT brand.  Sign of the times unfortunately.

[1974dodgecharger]

The Challenger has just about run its course & it wouldn't be that difficult to re-skin it to the car pictured above, which I personally think makes more sense than the proposed Dodge Cuda that's (supposedly) due out in a couple of years.

Hate to burst a bubble, but the new cuda or whatever it's going to be will not be called a dodge.  I think the project will be taken over by the SRT brand.  Sign of the times unfortunately.

Im fine by that...heck the so called dodge viper is not that anymore.....though it is...

[Bobs69]

Yeah the above car is awesome.  Be glad they don't make it.  What value would you put on your old classic if that new guy was around?  I don't think I'd be bothered with mine. 

Maybe it would increase the value of the older ones??  If so great.  I'll sell mine and buy a new one!

[Silver R/T]

Looks pretty good, especially Magnum sedan they call "charger"

[rt green]

hey Chrysler. now was that so hard? now that doesn't look like the pos they made.

[hawkeye]

chrysler corp deserves to go broke if they had that design and didn't use it

[aussiemuscle]

... Shame on Chrysler for destroying the Charger name like that,

They destroyed the Charger name long before the 2006 MY. (cordoba and omni chargers come to mind).

[Ghoste]

I don't think Gilles had anything to do with it.  He may be holding up the torch now but it was Mercedes who made the decision to give the Americans a four door touring sedan and marketing that decided Charger was a good recognizable name from the past to whore out.  The Challenger came along a bit later and was likely somewhat a response to the bad press they got over the Charger.
No doubt Gilles has stated that there isn't room for a pair of two door performance cars in the lineup and he is likely right.
Does Gilles have anything to do with Dodge even?  I thought he was the SRT honcho?

[1974dodgecharger]

I don't Gilles had anything to do with it.  He may be holding up the torch now but it was Mercedes whop made the decision to give the Americans a four door touring sedan and marketing that decided Charger was a good recognizable name from the past to whore out.  The Challenger came along a biit later and was likely somewhat a response to the bad press they got over the Charger.
No doubt Gilles has stated that there isn't room for a pair of two door performance cars in the lineup and he is likely right.
Does Gilles have anything to do with Dodge even?  I thought he was the SRT honcho?

He was in charger of dodge before SRT came to actual fruitition......so yeah he had something to do with it directly or indirectly he is in charge..

[Ghoste]

Was he in charge of Dodge when they did the Charger?  I'm not sure of the years but he was styling director for trucks around the time the new Charger came out wasn't he?

[Gary42]

... Shame on Chrysler for destroying the Charger name like that,

They destroyed the Charger name long before the 2006 MY. (cordoba and omni chargers come to mind).

I am in "total" agreement with this statement and most all the others that have been posted here . Lose the divider and the "third/fourth" doors along with it. Renaming it something different would have been the "PERFECT" idea . I bought my new Challenger because they actually followed the "old" school lines of the car, but built it on the new #%*&@## Charger platform. It was a hit, sure, and soon coming to an end  , but I don't believe that putting the Cuda concept on the Fiat platform will do it justice. Remember, it was difficult (even today) for guys like myself (6' 4", 225lbs) to get into and out of these "old" school cars, esp after 20 plus years in the Army. The "older" you get, the less likely it is to just hop out/in them and have a great time. My knees hit the dash board, even with the seat all the way back. Maybe I should just remove the front seat and sit in the back to drive them, lol. Just a thought!

[Ghoste]

Yes, let the Cuda rest in peace.  It died honorably and shouldn't be trotted out like pretty much every other muscle name Chrysler had used.

[Gary42]

Yes, let the Cuda rest in peace.  It died honorably and shouldn't be trotted out like pretty much every other muscle name Chrysler had used.

[Iron Chef]

Something that I (and many of you) may not be aware of is that the car that is the Charger was not named until the last minute.  I watched an interview with some of the designers of the new Charger not too long ago (I believe it was on YouTube) and the designers interviewed all agreed that if they had known the car was to be named Charger, they would have designed it a lot differently.  This decision came from the upper levels of management.

The government does not mandate how cars are designed.  What they do mandate is emissions and safety features, and it's up to the auto manufacturers to create a design that falls within those guidelines.  They don't even mandate fuel economy.  You can have a car that only makes 8MPG IF you're willing to pay a gas-guzzler tax.  Chrysler knows that it would not be cost-effective to produce such a car because only a VERY small segment of the population would be willing to do pay such a tax.

Something else that I read in here before (and agree with) is that most people these days have grown up with four-door cars and they don't see them as a bad design.  Hell...I like some of the four door cars out there including the Charger.  If I was looking for a four-door car, the Charger would be right near or at the top of my list.  It's fast, good looking and comfortable and a whole lot safer and better riding than anything produced in 1970.  It is NOT an old Charger, and it's not supposed to be.  I own a '71 Charger and I love it...and I don't look at the new Chargers and get all knotted up because Chrysler didn't do it the way I wanted them to.

My 

[Cooter]

Musclecar= any 2dr medium/low priced bodies with the biggest damn engine offered installed....


Today's Musclecar= Basically, anything that is offered that will make you a hit at the local car cruise with a bunch of like minded people that haven't/didn't/wouldn't research the meaning of true musclecar.



I don't buy that a VERY small segment of the population would be lining up to buy. Only the ones that can afford the $60K (Like when the Challengers first became available) price tag. Therefore, by default, only a small segment of the population can afford to "outbid" the jerkoff with money that just has to have the first one on his/her block.

If the Charger actually looked like say a 1969 Charger, only updated like the Challenger, I bet a bushel of apples you couldn't keep 'em on the damn lot. Gas guzzler tax or not. People want what has been deemed as cool and anything that's "Retro" is "Cool"...Otherwise, we wouldn't keep getting the thumbs up, or "I wish I could afford one of these!! I have hunted hgih and low for a '68-'69-'70 Charger and can't find one!" Comments.

I say keep making the "Uncool" Chargers..All that does is make mine(A True Charger, not a jacked up Intrepid with a few side scoops) all that much cooler and sought after.

[bill440rt]

So, then by definition, this is NOT a musclecar? Coronet Hemi 4-DOOR.

I "think" I read also that a handful of Max Wedge 4-doors were built as well? 

[UH60L]

raplhes gilles wont do it because he said the charger is meant for 'FAMILY' so sedan it was.  'We dont need two muscles coupe in the lineup'

You mean the one where they made it so hard to tell it was a foor door that most people didn't notice at first.... and that I have no doubt would have had a two door variant available?

Sorry, it wasn't a production car, thus, though you disagree, his comment was accurate, that no charger had ever been a four door....

[Cooter]

So, then by definition, this is NOT a musclecar? Coronet Hemi 4-DOOR.

I "think" I read also that a handful of Max Wedge 4-doors were built as well? 

Occasional, oddball, "one got through", bullsh*t doesn't count by definition.

[Ghoste]

That Charger began as a two door concept and it was Lutz or Eaton that instructed them to add two more doors to it because thats what people want.  That even predates the Germans mandate.  Say, who was it that sold Chrysler out to Mercedes anyway?

[UH60L]

Something that I (and many of you) may not be aware of is that the car that is the Charger was not named until the last minute.  I watched an interview with some of the designers of the new Charger not too long ago (I believe it was on YouTube) and the designers interviewed all agreed that if they had known the car was to be named Charger, they would have designed it a lot differently.  This decision came from the upper levels of management.

Yep, this is true, I have the video, it was on Autoline with Jonh McElroy.  The management folks knew what the name would be, but the designers didn't know until the car was almost finished, and at least a few of them regret using that name on the car.

[bill440rt]

Okayyyyyyy...
How about these then? 4-door police cars with the Police Pursuit package with a 440. Probably thousands made.
Somehow the "definition" morphs to what you want it to be.  

[Ghoste]

I don't think I personally consider the four door Coronet with a Hemi to be a musclecar.  Nor the police cruisers.  They are just some that may have coincidentally had high powered engines but the engine alone does not a musclecar make.

[bill440rt]

Oddball cars for sure.

[Ghoste]

Yeah.  Were there not a couple of Maxie station wagons too?  I know there were a few run that way but were there any factory built ones?

[Kern Dog]

The "Interceptor" is not related to any Mopar Police car. It is a FORD term.
The Dodge and Plymouth terminolgy is/was : Police Pursuit. Calling it by a FORD name is as bad as saying that your Dana 60 has a 4.10 posi.

[bill440rt]

Thx for the clarification! 
Post modified.

[Ghoste]

The car that Hank drove and Steve built in Dirty Mary Crazy Larry notwithstanding. 

[chargerjy9]

I don't Gilles had anything to do with it.  He may be holding up the torch now but it was Mercedes whop made the decision to give the Americans a four door touring sedan and marketing that decided Charger was a good recognizable name from the past to whore out.  The Challenger came along a biit later and was likely somewhat a response to the bad press they got over the Charger.
No doubt Gilles has stated that there isn't room for a pair of two door performance cars in the lineup and he is likely right.
Does Gilles have anything to do with Dodge even?  I thought he was the SRT honcho?

you are absolutely correct on all counts
actually, if you old time forum members recall, Gilles had nothing to do with the 06 Charger. remember the name Trevor? He was in charge back then, and really, he was being dictated to by Daimler. I know, I was there. I worked on both projects

[chargerjy9]

OK, time to stir the pot....

I am a charger fanatic from way back, I drove and worked on that icon back in the 60's. I worked in the B Body styling studio at Chrysler as a clay sculptor. I hated the 4 door idea that came with the 06 as much as any one. That being said, I have an 11 R/T as well as a 73 SE survivor. My 11 fits what the definition of Charger is as well as any previous B Body model. EXCEPT FOR THE 4 DOORS... However, I tell my pals who constantly harp about that issue, that, "if your Charger had 4 doors, My  Charger would blow all 4 of your doors off. "(tongue-in-cheek )

IMO, The current Charger on the road is an exceptional vehicle, fast, tenacious on the road, roomy, comfortable, way more fuel efficient (My 73 Big block gets 13 MPG hi way, the 11 gets high 20's all day long ) As Ralph Gilles said to me "It is a steal for the money"

[Gary42]

I guess what it all comes down to is this, Chrysler makes the 200 and 300 series "touring" sedan/s that are fuel efficient, look good, great handling, and very fast with the Hemi engines, why the heck would they have wanted to place the Charger namesake on a car with "four" doors? Makes no sense to me. I guess people just wanted to say they "own" a Charger, even if they cannot afford the "old" school styling of the "real" Chargers. The preposed pic would have been as much a hit as the new Challengers have been had Chrysler made the decision to "poll" sites like this one "before" the decision was made to "stick" a name on it. As for the "I" beam partition in the grill, they attempted to use the same design as the 69/70 Chargers. Remember, not all the "old" school Chargers had the full wrap around bumpers. The plastic grill pieces came to that "I" beam look on some 69/70 base model Chargers, so I guess I can live with that decision. This subject will never die until the day comes where either people accept what has been done or not. Yes I agree having a 68 thru 72 "old" school muscle car is "unique" at best, but like the decussions on here as well as in the "garage/s," the new muscle cars of today will sail but every gas station in the five county area, out ride and "old" school muscle car, and out preform any "old" school muscle car on the road today. Think about it this way, why spend the 40-60 thousand dollars on something you will "not" be driving every day, and looking "cool" as someone said on here, (remember, parts are getting much harder to replace or come by with "old" school cars) if they cannot possibly "out preform" today's muscle cars! Point well taken and I agree. Then the reliability becomes an issue. Keep in mind this: you will not be taking that "old" school muscle car to the nearest Dodge dealer for repair/oil change because we don't want someome making a "mistake" by scratching it, getting dirty hands on it, or taking it for a "test" drive to make sure everything is running properly. We have no problem taking these new performance cars to the dealer because that's what the extended warrenty is for, and just think, if they scew it up, "THEY FIX IT" with new OEM parts that readily available. I guess its just my 

[Cooter]

Think about it this way, why spend the 40-60 thousand dollars on something you will "not" be driving every day, and looking "cool" as someone said on here, (remember, parts are getting much harder to replace or come by with "old" school cars) if they cannot possibly "out preform" today's muscle cars! Point well taken and I agree. Then the reliability becomes an issue.  I guess its just my 

Simple.....It's gotta SUCK when you roll up in your 2010 Charger and Someone rolls up in a 1969 Charger and the old one is WAY cooler even getting 10 MPG, 2 Drs, unreliable, hard to find parts for, can't take it to your local Mechanic, won't/can't drive everyday New Charger is....

[1974dodgecharger]

Think about it this way, why spend the 40-60 thousand dollars on something you will "not" be driving every day, and looking "cool" as someone said on here, (remember, parts are getting much harder to replace or come by with "old" school cars) if they cannot possibly "out preform" today's muscle cars! Point well taken and I agree. Then the reliability becomes an issue.  I guess its just my 

Simple.....It's gotta SUCK when you roll up in your 2010 Charger and Someone rolls up in a 1969 Charger and the old one is WAY cooler even getting 10 MPG, 2 Drs, unreliable, hard to find parts for, can't take it to your local Mechanic, won't/can't drive everyday New Charger is....

WELL PUT.........dont know what else to say.

The new so called, 'charger' owners even say it best, 'if I could plump down 20k on a old charger I would, but I had to finance for a new charger'

[Ghoste]

As far as naming the new version, what is the real story.  I've heard one version that the Dodge dealer group lobbied for it to be named that.  I've heard another version that the dealer group lobbied for A Charger and the decision was made to stick it there and I've heard yet another one that marketing went out and randomly asked people which car name from a prepared list they most associated with Dodge.  Charger won and marketing pushed for the new sedan to be that.
Anyone know the truth?

[Cooter]

Also, you'd be surprized at what a 318, 1968-70 Charger can "out perform" when you dump $60K in it.

[chargerjy9]

Also, you'd be surprized at what a 318, 1968-70 Charger can "out perform" when you dump $60K in it.

true, but enough money can take ANYTHING as far and as fast as the money can go. However, If you take a stock 69 R/T right from the dealer floor, it plain cannot touch a stock 11 or 12 R/T in any category except for the 2 less doors.

[Ghoste]

How about long term desirablility?

[skip68]

I'm not as hung up on the 4door thing as much as I am about the styling.  Now, with the 2011 model changes I have to say I'd drive one.  Mucho better.   

[Ghoste]

I like it better too but its still lacking the cool factor of the old one. 

[JB400]

The newer body style is a step in the right direction.  It's not as cool as the 99 concept though.  I still prefer the 2nd gens though.

[chargerjy9]

The newer body style is a step in the right direction.  It's not as cool as the 99 concept though.  I still prefer the 2nd gens though.

I agree totally. I like 2nd gens like everyone else, an ageless classic design, one of the best styling exercises ever, but I am partial to 3rd gens, having worked on, and owned one, in the day, and now. The 99 concept was way cool, ( except for the frt end, the grille and head lite treatment was, IMO sorta weak ). that concept however was never meant for production. It was just an exercise, it was designed off an LH platform (FWD ) at a time when we knew the architecture was to be changed to RWD. (LX)

[myk]

Hmmm...nice Challenger...

[1974dodgecharger]

dont forget about me guys im the AVENGER I was actually the charger:

[Ghoste]

Chargerjy9, as a stylist how do you feel about the crosshair grille that Dodge wants as "trademark" look?

[Cooter]

Also, you'd be surprized at what a 318, 1968-70 Charger can "out perform" when you dump $60K in it.

true, but enough money can take ANYTHING as far and as fast as the money can go. However, If you take a stock 69 R/T right from the dealer floor, it plain cannot touch a stock 11 or 12 R/T in any category except for the 2 less doors.

My '69 Charger cost me an engine block. I invested no where NEAR $30-60K....

However, I do fear that a 2012 Charger will cost significantly more. Invest the same in my car that a new one costs, it's 6 to 1, half dozen the other.

[1974dodgecharger]

Also, you'd be surprized at what a 318, 1968-70 Charger can "out perform" when you dump $60K in it.

true, but enough money can take ANYTHING as far and as fast as the money can go. However, If you take a stock 69 R/T right from the dealer floor, it plain cannot touch a stock 11 or 12 R/T in any category except for the 2 less doors.

would like to argue that one so you take a 40k car off the lot of a dodge dealership vs a 4500 dollar 68 charger off the dodge parking let me see here the 68 charger now has roughly 44k to play with to mod itself up to the new charger.  YEAH ALL MY MONEY IS STILL ON THE 68 TO OUTPEFORM HP WISE....

[chargerjy9]

Also, you'd be surprized at what a 318, 1968-70 Charger can "out perform" when you dump $60K in it.

true, but enough money can take ANYTHING as far and as fast as the money can go. However, If you take a stock 69 R/T right from the dealer floor, it plain cannot touch a stock 11 or 12 R/T in any category except for the 2 less doors.

would like to argue that one so you take a 40k car off the lot of a dodge dealership vs a 4500 dollar 68 charger off the dodge parking let me see here the 68 charger now has roughly 44k to play with to mod itself up to the new charger.  YEAH ALL MY MONEY IS STILL ON THE 68 TO OUTPEFORM HP WISE....

ya can't compare price. $4500 in 1968 is not the same as $4500 today. price is relative to the times. I suggest that both cars, in their stock form, no mods, the 12 outperforms hands down.  BTW; 1969 R/T 440= 375 HP,      2012 R/T 5.7 L=370 HP
there was a comparison test recently done by one of the auto mags that shows these same results.

[Cooter]

Dollar for Dollar, Perf. To Perf. a 318 1969 Charger will cost you one helluva lot less than a NEW SRT8...I beg to differ that the old 318 Charger won't at least hold it's own, if not hand you your ass in that newer one with the difference in purchase price TODAY, spent on mods to the older one.

[chargerjy9]

Chargerjy9, as a stylist how do you feel about the crosshair grille that Dodge wants as "trademark" look?

I HATE it. I hated the Ram badge on the hood of Dodge cars, too. the crosshair and the badge are marks of Ram trucks, they did / do not belong on cars. Once again, a product of  Daimler Marketing group, IMO  was meant to cheapen the brand to distance it from Mercedes cars. Glad that group is gone. I believe that the crosshair grille will slowly disappear from the car line.

[Ghoste]

Does the new one TRULY out accelerate the old one?  I've asked this in another thread hoping to get some real world times not magazine ones but so far no luck.

[Cooter]

Does the new one TRULY out accelerate the old one?  I've asked this in another thread hoping to get some real world times not magazine ones but so far no luck.

See, that to me is a "loaded" question and response. Tell you why...See, a 5.7 today making 370 HP, well by that thinking/technology, what would a 7.3 make at those power levels? 345 C.I. @370 HP would be like a 440 @ 900 HP..THEN, we'd see who outperformed who.(Just ask Ron) Yet the older cars engine wasn't even 1HP Per C.I.

[chargerjy9]

Dollar for Dollar, Perf. To Perf. a 318 1969 Charger will cost you one helluva lot less than a NEW SRT8...I beg to differ that the old 318 Charger won't at least hold it's own, if not hand you your ass in that newer one with the difference in purchase price TODAY, spent on mods to the older one.

NO WAY a 318 keeps up with a SRT8,  318 0-60 probably 8-9 seconds,  SRT8  4.5 seconds. you can't compare dollar for dollar, that 68-69 cost just as much relative to 1968 dollar ,( cost of living, etc.) as new car today.

MY premise says stock to stock. of course, if you throw money at the 69, you can make it perform relative to how much you put in to it.

[Ghoste]

All I'd like to know are some stock 1/4 miles times.  

Why on earth would anyone compare a 2318 with the SRT?  Compare the 318 with the V6 and the SRT with a 426.  The base model Hemi in the new one should be held against the 440 in my opinion.

[bill440rt]

I think there's a bigger picture than JUST concentrating on straight line performance, and/or on the engine alone.
IMHO, the older ones still will have the "cool" factor, but the new models have 40+ years of technology to their advantage. If you're comparing them out of the box, even let's say an 2nd gen R/T, the newer models WILL outperform the classics. You'd have to upgrade many things just to get them to keep up: suspension, brakes, fuel injection, body stiffening, steering, etc. And when you're done, you'd still have a gas mileage disadvantage.
There's just more to it than stuffing in a huge engine & going fast in a straight line.
Having said that, I can appreciate the new models but I still prefer the styling of the older ones.

[chargerjy9]

I think there's a bigger picture than JUST concentrating on straight line performance, and/or on the engine alone.
IMHO, the older ones still will have the "cool" factor, but the new models have 40+ years of technology to their advantage. If you're comparing them out of the box, even let's say an 2nd gen R/T, the newer models WILL outperform the classics. You'd have to upgrade many things just to get them to keep up: suspension, brakes, fuel injection, body stiffening, steering, etc. And when you're done, you'd still have a gas mileage disadvantage.
There's just more to it than stuffing in a huge engine & going fast in a straight line.
Having said that, I can appreciate the new models but I still prefer the styling of the older ones.

AMEN, my point exactly

[Ghoste]

My reason for only bringing up the straight line performance was because I don't think the new car bests the old one in EVERY category. 

[1974dodgecharger]

new charger will kick the old chargers butt in straight line, but like I said though new charger is gonna run you 45k or so vs old charger 4k or so..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXCOiY-BNto

[Ghoste]

Oh God, you don't actually consider that to be representative do you?  The "pre-game" drama interview has him hoping for anything less than 20 seconds from the 68 and voila, it turns 19.5.

[skip68]

I don't think anyone would buy a new Charger just for performance.  They buy it because it's a new car.  Far as performance goes, I'd be disappointed if it didn't out perform the old one.   We've got 40+ years of improved technology so it should be better.   The real complaint here is the overall style (look) not performance.   Like I always say, "I don't care how fast it is, I still have to be seen in it and look at it"  
It is getting better though.    

[Gary42]

Think about it this way, why spend the 40-60 thousand dollars on something you will "not" be driving every day, and looking "cool" as someone said on here, (remember, parts are getting much harder to replace or come by with "old" school cars) if they cannot possibly "out preform" today's muscle cars! Point well taken and I agree. Then the reliability becomes an issue.  I guess its just my 

Simple.....It's gotta SUCK when you roll up in your 2010 Charger and Someone rolls up in a 1969 Charger and the old one is WAY cooler even getting 10 MPG, 2 Drs, unreliable, hard to find parts for, can't take it to your local Mechanic, won't/can't drive everyday New Charger is....

I agree with you on that one TOTALLY 

[Gary42]

Straight line performance? Yes, the new @#$* Chargers will out preform the "old" school Chargers. Yes it is way cool to have one (we all agree on that aspect), but here is the solution I had come up with when deciding to build my Rally. I am going to buy a $9000.00 crate 6.1 ltr Hemi with the PCM, set the 340 Mag aside (it is a numbers matching car), and then see what "new" concept car will do against it. Yes, I will even see if my 2010 Rally R/T Challenger will hold up to it. A few changes to the braking system ($2200), the "old" school Charger needs new shoes' to stop on a dime like the new ones do. I figured that after all that is added up, I will still be "under" the $30,000.00 mark I had previously set for this build. The way I see it.....problem solved and no new #%&# Charger will out preform it. And just think, it will have the "cool" factor way beyond that new thing they call a Charger. Just my  on this problem.

[skip68]

I wonder what the mustang, camaro and Corvette folks think about the changes in their cars over the years.   Then again, those cars still are produced and keep the status of a true performance car not a sedan.   Dodge is making baby steps in the right direction with the Charger and that's great. However, I doubt we will ever see it loose the 4doors.  I for one don't care as long as it looks good.  If I was looking at buying a new car it would have to have 4 doors.  Hell, any truck would have to have 4 doors also.  I like the room.  

Correction, I'd definitely drive the new Challenger with it's 2 doors no problem.   

[1974dodgecharger]

Oh God, you don't actually consider that to be representative do you?  The "pre-game" drama interview has him hoping for anything less than 20 seconds from the 68 and voila, it turns 19.5.

sheit is funny though......

[sanders7981]

I love this pic!  Too bad it will never be produced.  It would make a great stable mate to my 69 Charger.  In the mean time, I will enjoy my wife's 2010 Challenger R/T...even if it IS Furious Fuchsia colored.