Serious question for new Charger Owners...

[Dave22443]

Okay, this is a serious question for new Charger owners only please. 

I currently own an aging Chrysler Town & Country mini-van.    The van has served us well over the years, but it currently has over 100,000 miles on it and we are beginning to consider its eventual replacement.

So the wife called last night (she's on business travel) and says that the rental company gave her a new Charger (only 27 miles on it!) to drive.  Her initial reaction was that she really liked the car and that it had lots of room in it, and that got me to thinking.  With my family of four and all things that go along with that, would the new Charger be a suitable replacement for the mini-van?  (Family car / Daily Driver)

So here's my questions for any of you who own one or have actually driven one.

What are your real world impressions of the car? 
What do you really like?
What do you really hate?
Is the V-6 a better daily driver choice over the 5.7?  (Not even considering the SRT)
How reliable is the car as the miles build up? (How many miles do you have on yours?)
Is it comfortable on a long trip?
What kind of gas mileage do you actually get vs. what is advertised?
Is there anything else you think I should know?

-Dave

[plum500]

You might want to check out a board that is specifically intended for discussion on that vehicle, and LXs in general. Not that you won't get some responses here, but these might be a more direct source of feedback.

LX Forums
ChargerForums

[zerfetzen]

I own one.

> What are your real world impressions of the car?
My first impression when it came out was it shouldn't be called a Charger.  Ok, so Dodge is mis-using the name for marketing purposes.  My second impression is that it's pretty practical for a modern car.

> What do you really like?
I love the 345 CID (5.7L) semi-Hemi motor.  The trans and rear seem fine, as long as you don't start modding the motor.  It is very roomy.  The fact that they have a lifetime warranty for the drivetrain impresses me, but I bought mine before that offer 

> What do you really hate?
I'm forced into an automatic, when I vastly prefer manual.  The 2.82 rear ratio is great for the highway gas mileage, but not the best for highway acceleration.  The brakes could definitely be improved, but I have a 2006 and think they improved them for 2007.  Let's see, my steering wheel squeaks when it's cold.  That's annoying, I've got to take that in before 36,000 miles.

> Is the V-6 a better daily driver choice over the 5.7?  (Not even considering the SRT)
Can't answer that one.

> How reliable is the car as the miles build up? (How many miles do you have on yours?)
I have 33,500 miles on it.  No problems except I'm not too confident of the brakes.

> Is it comfortable on a long trip?
Definitely.

> What kind of gas mileage do you actually get vs. what is advertised?
21 MPG, I think it's pretty close to advertised.  I do about 50/50 city/highway.  I generally drive easy-going, but at least twice a day I open it wide from 0-60 and practice my launch, and I still get 21 MPG.

> Is there anything else you think I should know?
The address of your local Dodge dealership.  I'm pretty happy with it, even though I don't really like modern cars.

[draftingmonkey]

Since you are moving from a mini van you might check out the Magnum (before it goes out of production).  Same platform as the Charger/300 but a little more room in the back.  I have an '05 R/T which I really like (just my  )

FYI I also rented a 300 a couple years ago with the V6 and drove from Seattle to Spokane over the Cascades both ways and I was surprised that it had plenty of power.  Up and over the passes and never lost my speed (cruise control set at 70).

[bull]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3Jgf9M4gyA

[dodgecharger-fan]

I have an SE model with the 2.7L. It's a company car, so I had no choice on the specs and options

I really didn't like this new Charger thing until I saw one in person.
The name aside, it's a really good car. Like others, I think a different name should have been used.

However, to answer your questions:

What are your real world impressions of the car? 
I love it! I don't know if it could replace a minivan if you do anything more than haul people. If it's only passengers that you are concerned about, then it's great. 3 adults can sit in the backseat without much trouble. Compared to the other cars available through our company car program, the Charger is the roomiest.


What do you really like?
After driving a Taurtoise around for about 3 years, it was great to get in to a car that I actually fit in! I never realized how hunched over I was when driving until I got in the Charger and found that I wasn't... At 6'2" I usually have to crank the seat all the way back in most cars. In the Charger, I can move it up and get teh steering wheel closer to my body and still have all the leg room that I need. I can actually drive with my elbows bent!!! I think the last car I could do that in was an LTD. My brother-in-law, at 6'3" sat behind me while I was in the passenger seat. I moved the seat up to give him room but I could stretch out very comfortably and he could do the same.
The turning radius is great. It's better than my Taurus and the Charger is bigger! (Damn. I hated that Taurus for that reason alone.)


What do you really hate?
That it's not a HEMI. The 2.7L is relatively gutless, but better than what I had just moved from. So, I can't complain.
There are some quirks and issues with the car overall. You can read a lot about them over at www.chargerforums.com
My dealership. I need to find one that has a "quick lube" type of service. Mine doesn't and while the mechanics do a great job, the counter people act like I pooped in their coffee.

Is the V-6 a better daily driver choice over the 5.7?  (Not even considering the SRT)
I get great mileage with the 2.7L. Last long trip, I actually kept track: 610 Km used just under 59 litres - that's about 23 mpg - not as great as I thought, but I wasn't dilly dallying most of the trip  and that includes a long run on smaller highways that slow down as they go through towns. What got me was the fact that I've made that trip before and had to fill up along the way just to get there. With the 2.7L I filled up at home, drove there, drove around all week, and filled up just before coming home.
I do often wonder how the MPG on the HEMI is with the MDS. If you kept your foot out of it, you could run on 4 cylinders a lot of the time. I'd think that'd do as good if not better than the 6 cyl engines - but I really haven;t looked in to it. A lot of the guys over on chargerforums.com post their mpg ratings.

How reliable is the car as the miles build up? (How many miles do you have on yours?)
So far so good. I'm at just under 16000 kms since April

Is it comfortable on a long trip?
ABSOLUTELY!!!!

What kind of gas mileage do you actually get vs. what is advertised?
Oopps I didn't read all the q's. See above

Is there anything else you think I should know?
Ponch drives one. Does anything else matter? 
There's lots that you can add/change, in terms of afermarket parts, on these cars and it adds up quick. You don't HAVE to do it..... but you will. It's like the borg.
Just don't "upbadge" your V6 to look like a HEMI car. Upbadging is different than cloning. It's considered cheesy in most circles..

[bordin34]

My family rented one in Phoenix,AZ and drove it all the way to the Grand Canyon. The car has a very smooth and quiet ride, you barely realize you are going 90, and that's with the 2.7l. It comfortably fits 4 people also with a big trunk.

[terrible one]

FWIW, I read in one of the Mopar mags that Keisler, I think, made a manual conversion for the new Chargers.

[zerfetzen]

FWIW, I read in one of the Mopar mags that Keisler, I think, made a manual conversion for the new Chargers.

Good eye.  I was watching that too, and Keisler has had that on their site since April, but still don't have it out yet as far as I know.

[Sendero]

I have a 07 RT with the R/T package( yep separate package    ) ...I have 5 kids and I think it is a very well made car. My kids love it. My 16 year old thinks it cool.
The R/T package seats are great and the steering, brakes and handling will put a smile on your face. The car is quiet driving around normally but ya can't mistake the hemi when she is floored.
The one surprise I had is how many people have complimented the car.

[Sendero]

What are your real world impressions of the car?  Very well put together...beats my VW Jetta in quality
What do you really like?  The agressive stance of the vehicle.
What do you really hate? Right now...nothing. I am very happy with it.

Is the V-6 a better daily driver choice over the 5.7?  (Not even considering the SRT).  I drive 84 miles a day for my commute and like a bit of fun driving so I got the 5.7l engine...it shuts down to 4 cyl  when your crusin and punches back to 8 cyl without a hitch.

How reliable is the car as the miles build up? (How many miles do you have on yours?) I have 15k. No problem. I was surprised that the hi-perf brake pads did not wear out..I drive down a steep mountain every morning.

Is it comfortable on a long trip?  Maybe the best part...but do not be fat if you order the R/T seats. It is designed for trim athletic types.

What kind of gas mileage do you actually get vs. what is advertised?  25 is advertised on highway and you can get that if you get your foot off it and drive rationally on long hauls. My commute runs 19.6 mpg (mountain climb/decline, highway, backroads and small morning commuter jams)

Is there anything else you think I should know? The big brakes on the R/T package and SRT8 means that your wheel size requirement is an impediment to putting on cheap rims and snow tires!  The cab is so quiet that with some music on you may not hear the fact that you should shift if you are in manual mode with the automatic tranny.

[Dave22443]

Great feedback guys.  Thanks!

So I've hearing mostly positive things about the new Charger.  I'm impressed.  It also sounds like the gas mileage is not significantly different between the V-6 and the 5.7 Hemi  

[RT DAVE]

Great feedback guys.  Thanks!

So I've hearing mostly positive things about the new Charger.  I'm impressed.  It also sounds like the gas mileage is not significantly different between the V-6 and the 5.7 Hemi  

I have a hemi mag.  Gas mileage on the highway has been 23 at best at 70mph.  Around town is 15-16.   There is not a significant difference in MPG between the 3.5 and 5.7.   I've also heard that there is only a few mpg difference between the 6.1 & 5.7.   I love my mag, so I assume the charger would be a similar experience.  Make sure you get a 3.5 and not a 2.7.  The 2.7 is junk...