Dodge seeking your input...

[xx29440charger]

.

[jeryst]

What I dont understand, is how the company who gave us the Viper, Prowler, Crossfire, PT Cruiser, etc, could come up with a travesty like the new Charger. The 68-70 Chargers were the sexiest, meanest, most unique looking cars on the road, and the new ones captured none of that. Not even the tiniest bit. You could have gone a long way with the new Charger by just using a straight black grill with hideaway headlights, but you couldnt even manage that.

You have to look at others as well. Pontiac came out with a new GTO, that looked nothing like its namesake. Result: No excitement. Dodge came out with a Charger that looked nothing like its namesake. Result: No excitement. Ford came out with a new Mustang that was true to its heritage. Result: They are selling like hotcakes. That should tell you guys something.

One of the things you need to do is stop putting that stupid crossed grill on everything you make. Look at the cars of the 60's and 70's. The cars were stylish, individualistic. A Charger grill did not look like a Coronet grill, which didnt look like a Challenger grill, which didnt look like a Dart grill. Get it? People want something different, unique, not vehicles that are just clones of each other. If people need to use your grill design to know your cars, then you are obviously not doing something right. People can spot a 68-70 Charger in a 10,000 car parking lot, and know exactly what it is. When that happens with the new Charger, then you've gotten it right.

I will give you credit on the new Challenger. Could stand to be more retro, but a great first try.

[Lennard]

I found this on the web the other day...

[skip68]

 "Dodge seeking your input"      

I think that with what dodge has done with the new Charger, how dare they come here asking for support.   

They lost my vote.  I don't ware Dodge hats or shirts.  I have them but I'm not proud of what they have become.   I'm proud of my car but like the new Charger, all my car has in common with Dodge today is they share the same name.   If Dodge want's to come to a classic Charger fan site and ask for support then they better give us something.       And I don't mean a t-shirt, corndog or some B.S giveaway crap.....   Your car sucks ass as a Charger.   And I'm spent.....

[Todd Wilson]

I wish they would make a 4 door Challenger!


Todd

[RCKSTR]

I wish they would make a 4 door Challenger!


Todd

If the new charger cant be a 4 door, neither can the challenger.

[G-man]

Hi

Dodge has made the best muscle cars IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, and that means that DODGE no matter what IS A LEGEND Company. Having said that... Legends are past events.... so considering the new design.... I suggest we keep it past before someone goes flying into the middle of LAST week.

[Tilar]

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?

You know, that bolded one could be good IF it were between the group of engineers and marketing reps that actually have the power to listen, and this group right here on this board.

Oh and yeah the giveaway would be nice. I'll take the new 2 door hemi Charger R/T that comes out of this discussion. 

[Mike DC]

  Another "thanks" for coming here and asking us this stuff.  Welcome to the site.



--  As you've gathered, the feelings about modern Mopar have gotten pretty bad in recent years.  Our dissatisfaction about the modern Charger (styling and extra doors) is an obvious complaint, but the deeper reasons aren't as easy to fix.  I think a lot of us have abandoned Chrysler buying in recent years because we just don't feel like we can trust the company anymore.  We don't trust the car/truck to work right when it's 4 years old, and we don't trust the dealerships to play fair with us even when the car/truck is 4 weeks old.




--  ANYTHING you can do to help the aftermarket support for our old classics would be much appreciated.  Licensing more reproduction parts, cheapening crate motors, etc.  Quality does matter.  The internet means we're gonna get the word out amongst ourselves very quickly when something is good or bad.  

For example, most of us would love to be using the classic-era Hemi motors more, but they're prohibitively expensive.  Some of the high prices are justified by the smaller market for a given part, but I still think some of it is just price-gouging by the aftermarket for any engine part with that famous four-letter word in the name.  There are lots of parts that apply to the 426-type Hemis that are closely related to the cheap & common 383/400/440 engines, but the Hemi stuff invariably costs a lot more.  (The whole 426 Hemi thing is very chicken-and-egg.  We're not using them more, because they're too expensive, because we're not using them more.)



--  We do read the various enthusiast magazines for old cars.  Their writers can do a lot in helping shape our perceptions about things so it pays to be on friendly terms with them whenever possible.  We do get a kick out of seeing the oddball stuff like factory-modified versions of new Challengers too.



--  Product placement in the entertainment industry can be a waste of money, but it can also be a huge lasting gift when the stars line up just right.  Around here some of us are still building clones of the cars in "Bullitt" and "Dukes of Hazzard" and "Vanishing Point" and "Dirty Mary Crazy Larry."  (Personally, "Dukes" is what single-handedly got me into Mopars.)

PP is a very hit-or-miss kind of thing, but it pays off big in some cases.  Ford put a Mustang in the recent modern "Knight Rider" TV series that didn't last very long and probably won't do much for them.  But on the other hand I think Chevrolet's yellow Camaro in the "Transformers" franchise will be a HUGE success if you could measure the effects indirectly and long-term.  The movie was a hit and the car seemed like it belonged there (everybody knew it was a product-placement deal but at least the car felt reasonably suitable for the spot it was in).  The image was exactly what the Camaro needed a dose of right then.  That movie's target audience of 10-14yo boys aren't old enough to rush out of the theaters and go buy new Camaros  . . . YET.  But that's how product placement really shines in the auto industry, in the long term.  The biggest impressions are made on kids that are still 5-15 years away from possibly purchasing any new cars & trucks.  


 
--  With Mopar having been out of NASCAR for so long in the 1980s and 1990s, many of us are not as into that sport as some of the other fans at GM and Ford.  You could see that as an opportunity or you could see it as an area to limit efforts in.  I think either argument has some merit.  If this was 1985 then I would tell you to enthusiastically dive back into NASCAR support, but now I'm not so sure.  The modern race cars have lost essentially all links to the production car models they supposedly represent, and even the casual 12yo NASCAR fan knows it these days.  Just my opinion.  IMHO the modern Mopar fan at a NASCAR race enjoys waving your flag but they know perfectly well that it's not your product out there on the track.  

[charger500440]

First of all, it's nice that a you are looking for some input. I can appreciate that. My main objection to what Chrysler has done has everything to do with pricing. The price of the Chargers and Challengers is simply ridiculous. I know this gets away from the input you may be looking for but it is the main reason I will walk right past a factory display at a show or racetrack. $38K for a Challenger R/T? I doubt I would pay $28K for it. And I love the new design, love it. No way I can see it being worth the price. I won't even discuss the Charger R/T price, which is nearly double what that is worth.

Chrysler has missed the boat on this. Look at the auctions, eBay or other sites and see what $38K will buy you in today's economy. I'd love to own one but it will never happen. The other failing of domestic car manufacturers is the dealer network. I work for an insurance company and work with dealers all over CT and NY from all makes. Most domestic dealers are pathetic. Absolute crooks that I can't imagine buying toothpaste from, much less a $38K car.

Lastly, Chrysler is making a big mistake pulling back their Nascar and NHRA marketing. I know with TARP and the economy, these are extraordinary times. But letting Ford and GM push Mopar off the racetrack won't help. Not to mention, gulp, Toyota. This is a management decision that will bite Chrysler in the long run if they continue. Just my opinion, I hope you can understand the passion we have and appreciate our frustration...

Mike

[daytona71]

Scott
Welcome to the website. I dont want to repeat some of the previous points in this topic, so please forgive me if I do. As past President of MOPARS UNLIMITED CAR CLUB, I have seen the numerous changes in the automotive world and how they affect the car hobbyist and enthusiasts. Chrysler has a great history both in the USA and here in Canada, and if the New Chrysler would just take a look back at a few years of great sales maybe history can repeat itself. Look at the sales numbers of the 2nd generation Chargers when they hit the market. Yes, this was the time of the muscle car wars, but sales were great. What hurt the industry was the oil crisis and the governments (insurance companies)idea to drop horsepower which would equal less collisions due to excessive speeds and conserve fuel. Partly that was true, and the industry engineers got working on more fuel effecient engines and passenger safety.
The technology to build new "muscle" cars which still get better fuel mileage is already here. The industry seems to be in a "retro" style trend at the moment with the new Challenger(made in Canada, eh) A safe fun great looking car. Even Ford with their retro Mustang has had great sales.
So, listen up Chrysler design team! If the Viper went from drawings to production in 18 months( a first in the industry), maybe a NEXT Generation Charger could roll off the assembly line in a short time as well. But if the retro look trend is to be maintained, the 2nd generation Charger should be the major influence of the design. The sales will be there if the Next Generation Chargers are 2 doors, and resemble the "coke bottle" lines of the 68-69 Chargers. Its time to break away from the corporate branding(cross hairs grille)and return to a recessed grille c/w hideaway headlights.
As far as support from Chrysler goes, we have been fortunate to have Chrysler give very much appreciated support to our major car show and shines, as well as a local dealer is an active member in the club. Possibly a free members only webpage could be linked to Dodge.com so all hobbyists could get first hand info from the New Chrysler, as well as a place for us to give our feedback. They say that communication is the key, so lets open the doors to 2 way online feedback.
Look forward to more posts from you . You probably know we will always be around to give feedback/suggestions to Chrysler
Paul

[66chargerkid]

Welcome to the site,
I think your marketing of the Challenger is terrible. I would have built the Challenger campaign much like Fords Mustang campaign. Not only would I have built an affordable generic v6 Challenger for the general public, I would have built a Challenger convertible with the same aspects in mind. I would have taken the Mustang market away. I know a lot of Dodge people who bought mustangs over the Challenger merely because the Mustang was affordable fun. The Challenger is too much of a rich mans toy.
Another thing I would do is get rid of sticking old name plates on all the new cars. Slapping a nameplate on a car doesn't make it anymore different. People want the options, not the name. So please don't insult the name to church up a package.
Other then that, I think you need to stress to the remaining dealers and customer service that you are working for the American people. I hear great things from all the people that have Toyotas about there awesome customer service, great service bays, and quality of work. I don't hear the same thing from the dodge Dealers around here. I know Dodge has killed a lot of enthusiasts will to stay with Dodge products just for that reason alone.
I hope you truly do take some of these opinions into consideration because this is your market calling to you for what they want and if you don't listen (like whats self evident) then thats just foolish
Q

[Nacho-RT74]

is this FOR REAL?

WHY DIDN'T ASK US ABOUT 5 YEARS EARLIER ? How many of us sent letters about the Charger name abuse by Dodge ?

I allways have thought that when you are owner of a commercial product you own also the mark, the name and you have the rights to keep the product on the same line it was when you got it. What I mean with this ? I would want to be compaired with a TOTALLY DIFF PRODUCT with same name, you know ? make the mark, KEEP THE MARK STANCE.

Charger name is and was allways associated with muscle world, not family sedan or luxury car ( making reference to Cordobas/Chargers ) I have known the 80's Charger was the best 4 cilinders car ever produced in USA, so in some way at least those got the earliers legend, if we can say that. I know never like the first one.

I think I would it be one more of the same pettitions:

-a REAL CHARGER! dunno if 1st, 2nd or 3rd gen reminiscense, I think 2nd gen will be the winner but who knows. Maybe more modern but something that make us to still feel proud about the name. FORGETT ABOUT THE CROSS GRILL FOR GOD!!! is not a RAM

-a HARDTOP CHALLY!!!, maybe also convert, but please, not a Coupe with fixed quarter glass anymore... the hardtop is a real cool factor that NOBODY is taking in mind to get it back. I still got LOT OF WOOOOWS when I'm riding my car with 4 windows rolled down. They can't believe it it was posible.

-RESTORATION LINE SUPPORT!!! PERFORMANCE SUPPORT!!! for all of us. Mopar Performance is coming down day after day in quantity and QUALITY. Well these last two years maybe we got some increasing on resto parts, but is not still enough ( I know is not easy ). Please KEEP THE QUALITY!. Performance parts are being decreased

thanks for your contact. I hope will get some effect.

greetings from Venezuela

( BTW, will be great get acces to Performance parts and get a real customer service too outside USA )

[Nacho-RT74]

Oh and also a support to fan owners, websites like this, etc... dunno how, but somehow. maybe some Fan Discount card, or something like that

[BB1]

2010 Charger is perfect don't change a thing.  

[Nacho-RT74]

2010 Charger is perfect don't change a thing.

[Arthu®]

Welcome to the site, in my opinion brand loyalty in the car industry is something of the past. I mean it's a nice effort to try to get it again through these events but it's probably going to cost you a lot more than what it will pay later on. The people these days don't care for new cars anymore, they buy the best bang for the buck so to speak. I would rather see Chrysler's money go to R&D and possibly reorganizing a little further and actually becoming a strong running organization again than for it to try to get back in touch with its roots. Because honestly how many of the people here do you actually think going to buy a new Chrysler in the near future, my best guess is not even 25 of the 1000's of members here. Also in reality these different brands are not realistic anymore, make a choice pick either Chrysler or Dodge, but kill one of them...

I know this sounds weird on a Charger enthusiasts forum but personally I don't care much for modern cars or the companies and I think the general public thinks the same. I love the old heritage of Dodge, but you know that will always still be there.

Anyways good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Arthur

[Khyron]

A Dirty Mary Crazy Larry tribute Charger..... but first, redesign that thing.

I must convey what others have said, The Challenger is a great representation of the old girl. but much like the original time around, it came too late. Dodge could have been there with the Charger, but my god. Charger was a flagship, there was no plymouth counter part, it was an upscale version of the Chrysler lineup. her stock trim package was greater them any other of the B body line. People had to pay for options that the Charger came with stock..... That Magnumcharger needs to be changed, and yes, lop off 2 of those doors.

Coronets, and others had a 4 door option, Charger never did....... ever. Until now 

[Back N Black]

You guys crack me up!, getting all irritate at some guys first post. Just hoping maybe, that this guy is someone that actually will be able to make a change.

[b5blue]

Lets hope he is thick skinned at least. 

[BigBlackDodge]

You guys crack me up!, getting all irritate to some guys first post. Just hoping maybe, that this guy is someone that actually will be able to make a change.

There's always hope!


But I have a feeling he wont' be back.


BBD

[SG1022]

You guys crack me up!, getting all irritate to some guys first post. Just hoping maybe, that this guy is someone that actually will be able to make a change.

There's always hope!


But I have a feeling he wont' be back.


BBD

Yeah, he could start by making a second post 

[Khyron]

You guys crack me up!, getting all irritate to some guys first post. Just hoping maybe, that this guy is someone that actually will be able to make a change.

whos irritates?

[skip68]

You guys crack me up!, getting all irritate to some guys first post. Just hoping maybe, that this guy is someone that actually will be able to make a change.

There's always hope!


But I have a feeling he wont' be back.


BBD

Yeah, he could start by making a second post 

This really got me thinking...  crazy huh.
Is Dodge really this far gone, stupid or so far out of touch with the public ? ? ?
If they are this clueless and sent this guy to get our input then I think there is nothing that we can say to help them.  I would love to meet the guy that busted his ass off to design the new Charger...  What a great job he did to make that car stand out like no other. WOW !  Pure art.       The other thing that is sad is how we all for the most part feel about Dodge.   So, not only do the Ford and Chevy guys laugh at Dodge, we do to.  So I guess we have more in common whith the Ford and Chevy guys than we thought.   This topic needs to be moved to the lighter side.  

[Hemidoug]

The Chrysler that we knew and loved died when Daimler "merged" with them.....The only thing we got back was the carcass.