Dodge seeking your input...

[Grim Jhaixus]

I'm going to earn alot of hate here, but please KEEP the modern Charger, just call it something else, like "Intrepid", that was a cool name for a full sized 4-door. Please do stop stamping HEMI on on a combustion chamber that is not. I say bring us more Neon/SRT-4s and other affordable domestic Honda eaters. Stop putting truck front ends on cars, and never make anything as ugly as the Magnum wagon again!

It really is cool that you'd come to us for our  .

[BigBlackDodge]

I'm going to earn alot of hate here, but please KEEP the modern Charger, just call it something else, like "Intrepid", that was a cool name for a full sized 4-door. Please do stop stamping HEMI on on a combustion chamber that is not. I say bring us more Neon/SRT-4s and other affordable domestic Honda eaters. Stop putting truck front ends on cars, and never make anything as ugly as the Magnum wagon again!

It really is cool that you'd come to us for our  .

I'm no fan of the current Charger but I agree with you 100% on calling it Intrepid! My daily driver is a 2000 Intrepid with the dreaded 2.7.............but with 173k I feel pretty lucky it's still running!

Mopar has killed it's reputation by not fixing known problems (like the 2.7 sludge issues) leaving the customer high and dry. These people won't return and niether will their friends and family.


BBD

[Akron_Charger]

I agree too, I love the new Charger and actually want to get one! but i wish it had a different name

[Tilar]

Howdy and welcome to the site. If you spend more than 10 minutes browsing the forums you'll see that you are among probably the single most knowledgable group of classic mopar muscle fans that can be found. The amount of information found on this site is amazing.

That said, Are you actually wanting to know how people feel about the companys car designs? Or are you wanting to know where we want the next car show to be held at and how many caps you need to bring? From your email address I'm guessing you work for a company that has been hired by mopar as a propaganda machine to help prop up freefalling sales figures. If that is the case then I'd say before you can do your job, Dodge needs to go back to the drawing board and finish their job.

[SG1022]

Howdy and welcome to the site. If you spend more than 10 minutes browsing the forums you'll see that you are among probably the single most knowledgable group of classic mopar muscle fans that can be found. The amount of information found on this site is amazing.

That said, Are you actually wanting to know how people feel about the companys car designs? Or are you wanting to know where we want the next car show to be held at and how many caps you need to bring? From your email address I'm guessing you work for a company that has been hired by mopar as a propaganda machine to help prop up freefalling sales figures. If that is the case then I'd say before you can do your job, Dodge needs to go back to the drawing board and finish their job.

Tough love, but soo true

[runningman]

I always thought they should have called the new Charger the Stealth..

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Bring back the magnum! I dont know about everyone else but I like them.

[rick.d]

Welcome to the site. For a number of years now us loyal Mopar fans have been wanting Dodge to build a modern muscle car like the Challenger, but all we got was the Viper, which is great, but way too expensive for most of us, then you came out with the Prowler, and the PT Cruiser. I could never understand how Dodge could go and put so much time and effort into building those cars, but yet completely missed out on a "musclecar". That being said, the Charger is a great car....but the extra doors have to go. Or at least dont call it a Charger.I think that point has been quite clear already.

As for the Challenger, it is perfect, except i have a hard time justifying the price for, lets say a decently equiped R/T compared to the base model. It is such a huge difference in price, and for what? It is not like it has a 426 Hemi, it is a 5.7 Hemi which is not rare, there are tons of those out there in trucks, and cars..so what gives?

Lastly, there are never and deals, rebates, special financing on the Challengers. Everytime i turn on the T.V. all i see are comercials for Toyotas, and they are practically giving the things away. So more financing options would help sell the Challenger, if you compare it to the Mustang GT, and the Camaro as far as pricing/bang for the buck. I honestly think the Challenger should be a few thousand dollars less than they are right now when you compare it to the competition. Your dealers have been making your customers walk away too, when it comes to the Challenger, im sure you can find some threads on this site and others about some Dodge Dealers. We want the cars, but the dealers are greedy. Very greedy.

[john.v]

Hmmm.... a redesigned Chager   I would knock off 2 doors and make it look more like the 69 design pretty much what Ford did with the mustang and Dodge did with the Challenger. 

But again, that is only my 

[Silver R/T]

If you build anything that looks even close to this, it will be a success.

[skip68]

I hate to say it but it's true.   We are all wasting our time with this.     Nothing will come of this.  We all know what the problem is with the new "Charger", it's the wrong name.  Dodge builds cars for a living, not us.  And yes, I'll say it.  If we know it's wrong, then those damn idiots at Dodge have to know.      Dodge could care less what we think.   Now, if this IS about free t-shirts and caps, a better web site or free hot dogs and some B.S give away then I'll pass....  Take the free hot dog and give it back to Dodge.       They could put wheels on it and call it the new   tasty / bee.       But that's ok Dodge boy's, don't listen to us, what do we know....        You guys are already doing such a fine job of keeping the company up and running on your own.        I'm sure Fiat has some good plans for you.            I wonder if Fiat gives free hot dogs...   

[rt green]

all the new dodgers have the same grill in one form or another. too many doors on the hi pref cars. with that said, i remember a few years ago i was driving down I 90. far ahead in the distance i could see a mustang. i couldn't tell if it was an older one or a new one till it got way closer. lo and behold it was a new one. you can see the point.
another thing i think about is back in the day you guys sold the same models in different classes. what i mean is, one had a slant six, one had 440 one a 318 etc. different prices on different stuff. same looks, but different cars. i hope you can see that point too.
don't stop with the challenger. if you guys offer say a dart swinger,[that doesnt look like a neon] or bring back a roadrunner [ you guys could put plymouth badges on it ].
what the hell, bring back plymouth and just run a performance line of cars the everyday Joe could afford. it worked back in the day, so why wouldn't it work now? bare bones performance cars. well, as bare as you can nowadays.  
kids love the new styles of everything, however, a kid shows up with with his moms new mustang, he is the shit. even though the parking lot is full of tuners.

us older guys are who you guys should be marketing to. kids have no money for the most part. they never did back in the day either. its us you gotta sell to.
just my 2 cents. I'm an auto mechanic and i have to really look at these new cars to see what i have to drive into the shop, because they all look the same. i bring in something that looks like a muscle car everyone including customers have to come over and and have a look. try that with the new charger or chy 300.        my rant for the day.

[b5blue]

I think he asked about the "clubs".....and there interaction with Dodge, I new this would happen. SRV can you bring some cheese to go with our whine?  Guy's who here would like to win a new car? Have you got any Scat Pack stickers I can bum off ya? (mine are getting old) Welcome Newbie 

[72gator]

Hello Scott,
I will say that Pandora's box has been opened. I say send the Dodge Engineers over to take a long hard look at these posts,and they should interact with this forum in their marketing,we are the people. I couldn't agree more with what the members on this forum say about the Charger's design since it's rebirth in 2000,Frankly it blows. It was promised to have 2 doors which never came to fruition.It was initially designed to have bodylines like the 68/69 again that didn't happen. Broken promises leave a bad taste in the mouths of the consumer.

[vancamp]

like alot of others i dont particularly like the current version being a charger its a nice car just not what a charger is supposed to be, the challenger is also nice but but could use a little more style in the interior its kinda bland compared to the offerings from gm and ford, also chrysler or its dealers have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot on any popular new model that comes out by overpricing due to demand, if the challenger was competively priced they would be almost as many on the roads as the mustangs. the dealers around here are asking $40,000 for an R/T version come on price it in the mid to upper twenties and sell the things use the same philosphy that was used with the road runner 40 years ago it would still work, as far as the clubs go do a parts giveaway or sponsor a mopar related site ive seen mustang and camaro ads running banners on several mopar sites am i the only one that sees a problem here. 

[MGBRingo]

Thanks for coming to this site and asking for our opinions.  Someone should have done that long before that sad excuse for a new Charger was designed.

Go purchase a new Mustang GT 500.  Make some clones of it as Challengers, Cudas, Chargers, etc.  Don't think you can use the old names that were popular/famous and put them on a car that is totally on the other end of the spectrum from the car that made the name famous.  What would you expect buyers to do with that situation?  They drive over and buy a Mustang.  Ford got it right and their sales and success follow.  

Dudes it isn't that complicated but never ceases to amaze me how the designers miss the boat over and over again.

And actually the most important thing of all that you can not run from is QUALITY.  That needs to come first.  Take a look at Toyota and clone them from the quality aspect.

It all seems so simple to me but I am amazed how mnay big companies get it wrong over and over again.  Dodge is one of the worst IMHO.

[RD]

...That said, I am trying to find out what exactly Mopar clubs want from Dodge?  In particular, Charger and Challenger fans everywhere.

It could be any number of things:
-Is it a centralized Official website dedicated exclusively to the clubs?
-Is it a special event held exclusively for the clubs?
-Would you want more opportunities to interact with Dodge engineers and marketing reps?  Focus groups?
-Or is it a vehicle giveaway that you desire?

Bottom line:  What can be done to make a true impact on the clubs?  Something specific and unique that you would all enjoy!

Also, what is the best way for us to communicate with all of you in mass?  What is the quickest, most direct way of getting in contact with EVERYONE?!!!

This is your opportunity to voice your ideas.  We want to hear what's on your mind.  Be inventive.  Be honest.  Be yourselves.

I WANT DODGE TO ACTUALLY REALIZE THAT WE EXIST TO A POINT OF NOT LOOKING DOWN ON US WITH CONDESCENDING BADGING AND PROMISES OF YESTERYEAR.

Trevor Creed (personally the guy disgusts me) stated when he was in the designing of the charger (aka chagnum) that any reference to past chargers was pretty much ludicrous and not needed (paraphrased).  Yet after the charger came out and sales were not great, you began seeing superbee's, daytona's, high impact colors, etc.

How does that example relate to what you are asking?  This is how and I will answer it by asking you a question:

"How do you expect us to provide you with legitimate ideas, to increase a partnership with a car maker, that has viewed its most loyal supporters as nothing but distant 4th cousins who shouldnt be invited to the family reunion?"  WE represent what was great with this company.  The passion, the love, and the excitement of why everyone who thinks of the Dodge Charger, will sway with respect and animosity.  The Charger.. a car you love to hate.  Why, because only the badass guys own them.

I want to help you, I do.  I would love to say hey:

1) more representation with local car clubs at shows by
    - GOING TO THE CLUBS INSTEAD OF ALWAYS HAVE THE CLUBS PLAY "OLIVER TWIST" and asking "please sir, may I have some more?" support from either Dodge or their dealerships.

2) more support with local drag racers who, on a very limited budget, can pull their dodge's into the 10's, 11's, and 12's without nitrous, and then drive the damn thing home.

3) EDUCATE the dealerships on what the history of Dodge / Mopar brought to this country (B-17's, tanks, rockets) and let them know there is a heritage and a pedigree that should not be taken lightly

4) Have representatives from Dodge show up at car club meetings and try and become an integral part of the community, rather than a corporate bystander

5) Help support the car clubs through raffles or giveaways that will actually ATTRACT more participants and viewers.  I HAVE NEVER SEEN A MOPAR BRANDED ENGINE AS A GIVEAWAY OR A RAFFLE FOR A SMALLER MOPAR SHOW.  Sure, go to Carlisle or Columbus and you may see it, but not the little guys.  You all do understand, not everyone can afford a trip to a nationals event.. there are millions of mopar owners who DO NOT go to those shows.  Why reward the local mopar owners and those that are well off enough to go there... hit the other people too!

6) How about Dodge actually sponsor their own ALL MOPAR SHOW.  Have it in 5-7 different locations around the United States (Hell, even in Europe and downunder.. them boys/gals lover their mopes too!).  It can be a rapid transit tour (akin to a HR power tour, but nothing but mopars.. OMG.. I would do that!).

there are some to chew on... hope it bodes well and comes across awake eyes.

[stripedelete]

ESave your breath(or fingers).  This guy is not a CHRYSLER PRODUCT MANAGER.  He doesn't work for Chrysler. He is an event planner looking for ideas to use the enthusiast/car club sector to show Chrysler niche marketing opportunities and sell his companies services to Chrysler.   He's doing his job. Give him credit for creativity and initiative, but he isn't going to get close enough to Chrysler product development, planning, or a product manager to hit'em with a grenade, let alone influence them with product suggestions. 

Car shows, donuts, tee shirts, banners, an occasional appearance by a zone rep - Great! But as for financial assistance for DC.COM, be carefull, it WILL come with sensorship.  Anyone familiar with the "Blue Oval"?

Check out this link http://www.eventsolutions.net/whats_new.html or google Scott.

Just my

[Lennard]

Like Dodge is going to start listening to us now...............

Make it easier for the after maket guys to repop the classic stuff so we can keep the oldies looking good, because after all we are the onltyones who care about mopar's heritage it seems. Ever wonder why there are so many GM and Ford classics at shows? New parts available goes along way! Mopar dropped the ball on this decades ago...........think of the lost cash that could have been made.

BBD

[bull]

ESave your breath(or fingers).  This guy is not a CHRYSLER PRODUCT MANAGER.  He doesn't work for Chrysler. He is an event planner looking for ideas to use the enthusiast/car club sector to show Chrysler niche marketing opportunities and sell his companies services to Chrysler.   He's doing his job. Give him credit for creativity and initiative, but he isn't going to get close enough to Chrysler product development, planning, or a product manager to hit'em with a grenade, let alone influence them with product suggestions.  

Car shows, donuts, tee shirts, banners, an occasional appearance by a zone rep - Great! But as for financial assistance for DC.COM, be carefull, it WILL come with sensorship.  Anyone familiar with the "Blue Oval"?

Check out this link http://www.eventsolutions.net/whats_new.html or google Scott.

Just my

If that's the case than Scott is wasting as much time as any of the members here because Chrysler just doesn't give a crap. Why would Chrysler bother paying an event planner to do PR work for them in the classic car circuit when for the past 30 years they haven't given a flying rip what their loyal customers think?

Scott, there are two factions at work in this industry as it relates to Chrysler. There's the old school niche that is loyal to the old Chrysler (which the new Chrysler has completely forsaken) and there's the new product advertising niche which only stops ignoring the loyalists long enough to mock them, impede them or frustrate them. This project is a monumental waste of time as far as most of us are concerned. We've been burned too many times to willingly drop our drawers again. As it relates to loyalty, when Chrysler starts acting like Chevy we'll start acting like loyal Chevy owners. Chrysler should be kissing our butts, not vice-versa. I'd like to think the Italians would fix the mess but it seems they're planning on taking the wrecking ball to whatever the Germans haven't already destroyed.

[skip68]

    Soooo, does this mean we won't bee seeing the new HEMI R/T Tasty/Bee   ?      
I new this was a waste of time.  We have nothing in common with the new Dodge/Mopar.      

Well, it was fun while it lasted....

[bull]

Yup. Basically we're like AMC owners. No more AMC, no more Chrysler. Except the good thing about being an AMC owner is that (I assume) there's no parent company continually trying to quash the reproduction parts market. Or maybe since Chrysler enveloped AMC those poor bastards are getting the same treatment we are.

Oh, BTW, if Chrysler wants to do something for it's "loyal customer base" right now they can start by calling all the Dodge dealerships (what's left of them) and telling them to shove those Challenger $10k dealer markups sideways. What sense does it make to pay $10k-$20k more for a Challenger than a Mustang or Camaro? The overpriced Challengers sit collecting dust while the Ford and Chevy pony cars are running wild in the streets. Did every Chrysler exec ride the short bus to school when they were kids? Did they all get those $500 on-line college diploma mill degrees?

[elacruze]

Sincerely, thanks for asking.

First let me add my opinion on Chargers-if you do a legacy design, it needs to look like what it's supposed to be reminiscent of. PT Cruiser was great. 90's Dodge pickup was great. Challenger was great. Charger sucked Hiney, because it doesn't even look like the '66-'67 cars enough. The new Charger makes me feel like I did in the '80's when Shelby sold out to the Dodge Omni (Charger). You've mutilated the name long enough, do it right or bury it forever.

Yeah, about Chrysler in general. Your dealer network has been on the bottom of the customer service pile for a long time, in my opinion, which extends through Florida and Michigan. The Company lost all it's credibility with Americans when they sold out to the Germans, and credibility evolves over a catastrophe surface-you can rarely become what you were before such a break. If Chrysler ever wants to be a significant player in the U.S. again, you're going to have to do some very special things, which are probably at odds with Corporate short-term profit and stockholder interests. Make some cars that people want. I'm spending $45,000 + or - $5k to restore my '68 Charger at least in part because there is no car made for $50 grand that I care to drive. Neither Chrysler nor anyone else has built anything which compares with this 40 year old beauty. I'll give props for the modern engines, but every manufacturer has something on par with yours-only the Hemi name differentiates.

If you're serious about establishing Customer loyalty, do your homework and study Harley-Davidson. They are second to nobody, and if you don't already know that you're not paying attention.

Whatever your position or intent, take that for what it's worth to you.

[skip68]

I just found out why the Challenger is so over priced.   Did you guys know that the test car Scott was driving has 13 speakers ?        WHO THE F**% NEEDS 13 SPEAKERS ? ? ?       The carbon fiber sh&$, navigation, sound system, ect. ect. ect....     Now I understand what was said about engine price groups.   The only way to get the fast (power) car is to pay for all the other B.S.     

It would be nice to go back when you could buy a base model car and just pay extra for a bigger engine.
Let the guys that have the money buy the fully loaded cars but also let the guys that want bang for the buck get more "car" with less bling bling.       

[bull]

Wouldn't you guys just love it if a genuine Chrysler design and marketing executive came on this site asking for our opinions? Oh man, pitchforks and torches.