A damn tough decision...

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Well put.   

This new Challenger is the most fun I have ever had with a daily driver. I don't regret buying it one bit.

[72hemi]

You know i have been called a narcissist twice in my life and both times by you, so I find that interesting. But aside from that I never said the Challenger was a bad car and people shouldn't buy it. Everything I have said about the Challenger has been based on facts and reality (taking those facts and then calling the car bloated, fat pig, cow, whatever yes is an opinion).

I know a lot of non mopar people who think the challenger is too big and out of proportion and when they tell me this I show them the pictures of the old and new side by side and they really understand the issue with the body. Ford and Chevy understood the need to get the body proportions right and they did both the camaro and mustang are shorter in height than the challenger, yes that compromises the interior size but the challenger is suppose to be a muscle car and not a sedan like the charger and CTS-V which are oversized as well but should be because they are sedans and not muscle cars.

Everyone has an opinion (which of course they are entitled too) and not everyone is going to agree all the time. But just because you don't agree with me doesn't mean you should attack me, but if you feel the need to go ahead, i have a thick enough skin i can take it. I am the member of a Challenger club that other than myself all have new Challengers and we all joke about how much larger their cars are compared to mine and how out of proportion theirs are, but we still agree that the new Challenger is a good car despite that.

So with that I will say again if you purchased a Challenger and are happy with it, I am honestly happy for you, and hope you enjoy it for years to come, adn the fact still remains that Chrysler needed to remove 3-4 inches from the lower body and made the interior more like the original to have really been an awesome and successful car, and no I was not looking for an exact copy of the 1970 Challenger as I was very pleased with the concept car except for the crosshairs in the grille which I figured if that was in the final production model I could have modified.

[JH27N0B]

Look John, I don't take any pleasure attacking people online or elsewhere, I'm sure if we lived in the same neck of the woods we'd know each other through local car shows and cruises and become fast friends.
But you got into a sore issue with me several times in past threads, you talk up some Raybestos rotors you bought because they are made in the USA.  I try to clarify that Raybestos has shut down US and Canada production and moved it to China in recent years, that your rotors were probably made here but I was trying to clarify to everyone that they shouldn't think they are supporting a US manufacturer by buying Raybestos, and you go on acting like I don't know wtf I am talking about since your rotors say made in US.  I go on trying to educate, but you just can't seem to get it, I know you are smart, you have to be to get through engineering school, I know that myself having been there done that.  So I attribute it to narcissism.  Narcissists only see what is front of their face in the mirror and won't be bothered by anything else going on around them.  Seriously, I wasn't trying to argue with you there, just educate.  And yeah, I am passionate about the subject, because me and thousands of my colleagues and friends, and the economies of many towns in the US and Canada were were hurt by this decision to shut down domestic production, and many other people like myself like to avoid doing business with companies that have done things like this in recent years.  Heck, I bought some Vice Grips last year and they were made in US.  Does that mean I should get all arrogant and know it ally with some former Nebraska employee of Vice Grips who got fired in 2008 when they shut down the plant and moved production to China suggesting he doesn't know what he is talking about if he tries to clarify when I boast I bought a pair of Vice grips "made in the good old USA"?
If you can't understand that, it is narcissism IMHO.  And if it isn't narcissism, what is it?
Same with a thread on someone wanting to know if its a good idea to get a mechanical engineering degree.  You with your whole 2 years experience out of engineering school say that it's great, and blow me off with the concerns and warnings I posted about the career based on my 22 years in the field and networking with many engineers today who can't find work.  You seem to think your little corner of the world is the way it is for everyone, and again, that to me seems to be narcissism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism
So the same thing here talking about new Challengers, you can say "I looked at them, but it wasn't right for me, too big whatever", that is fine, but to go and rip on them just reflects your own little corner of the world, which only reflects you and doesn't mean if has anything to do with anyone elses own needs and passions in what they want in a car.
So sorry for playing armchair shrink, but really your "what I see in front of my face reflects the reality of the world and anyone who thinks or sees anything different is stupid" attitude really ripped some scabs off some of my wounds with those threads on engineering and where Raybestos manufactures parts sparring we've done in the past and some of this new Challenger debate seemed to be more of the same.
I hope this all clarifies where I am coming from with my ire.
Peace.....

[72hemi]

PM sent. 

[JeffAARy]

Boy did this thread get off track.  I realize there is a lot of Mopar pride on this forum, no one has it more than I do.  But the fact is the Challenger is expensive compared to the competition, and it is significantly bigger/heavier than the original.  For many people, neither of these facts matter and I am very happy for you all.  However, for the same or even less money, if you like performance driving (turns, downshifting into corners, etc...) there are more enjoyable cars out there.  To the poster who said those slamming the new Challenger are doing so because they can't afford one and are jealous, I think there is some of that but that isn't completely true.  I had an SRT-8 Charger.  I went to the dealership when the six-speed Challengers became available with full intent to make the move.  I made a move, but it was to trade the Charger in for a new SRT-4 Caliber.  I made that decision based on how much more I enjoyed driving the Caliber than the Charger or Challenger, not because it cost 1/2 as much.  That was just a huge bonus.  If Dodge had never made the SRT-4 Neon or Caliber I'd be right along with all the Challenger advocates saying how great the car is.  But they did, and I know better.

[72hemi]

Those Neon's sure are fun aren't they Jeff.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Jeff,

  Besides price, what did it for you? The handling of the Caliber, or what? 

[Rare_T_A]

I swore this tread off so I know I'm going to probable regret this post.

I'm not blind, I know there are people that don't like the new Challenger, some that like it some and people like me that love it. I've been waiting since the early 70's for Ma Mopar to make a car to be proud of again. Lets face it there has been not much since the late 70's through the mid 2000's to be proud of. That's why I had Corvettes! If you wanted anything fun and with style and didn't want a Mustang, GM was the only game it town. I've had my share but Mopar has always been the brand for me. Every car I own now is a Chrysler product. That hasn't happened in a while. One thing I did take offense to was the way Mr. HEMI felt the need to consistently call it down. What kind of a reaction would you expect? To come on a Cuda & Challenger forum and say the things he did. If I went to his Corvette board and began telling everyone what a POS I think his vette is and how great my Challenger is, how long do you think it would take before I got bounced on?  Times up...we all know it would take less than a few seconds. I didn't say anything at first because he is entitled to his opinion and thoughts about the car. What I did take offense to was the consistent bashing. After the first couple times we got the picture.

I promise this is the last post  here for me.

[72hemi]

So using some of my subjective words to describe the Challenger size and proportions struck some nerves, my bad. That was not the intent, the intend was to illustrate the fact that Chrysler missed the boat on a huge opportunity that GM and Ford got right, and Chrysler had right in the concept car (minus the cross hair grille).

If I didn't like the Challenger, then why would I be a member of www.challengertalk.com, a member of a Challenger club that is mostly new Challengers (actually I am the only member with an original generation Challenger) and why would I constantly be going to my local dealership to see the new colors and option packages as they roll in? Because I do like the Challenger, and am glad that Chrysler built, however they missed the boat in key areas that stopped me from purchasing the car, and I let people know that, along with many other people I know, including owners. Yes Chrysler probably picked up a few sales from Ford and GM for making the car larger with a larger interior from people that are bigger and need more room, but I will bet that they lost a lot more sales to Ford and GM because they made it larger. I also understand that there is a good possibility that Chrysler may not have been able financially to produce the Challenger in more correct proportions (whether by making greater alterations to the Charger platform of which it is based or by putting it on its own platform), in which I am glad they did produce the car because Chrysler needed a car like this to help shake things up, but in doing so they did lose a fair amount of sales.

[Rare_T_A]

There, see we can have a good discussion of our like and dislikes without dragging each others cars in the mud.  I totally appreciate your opinion and welcome it. There are far better ways to get the point across then to have to get nasty with others tastes.  As far as I'm concerned we both got our point across and it's done.

Again I completely apologize if I offended you or anyone else.   

[73Chally]

1967 Camaro:

Wheel Base: 108.1
Overall Length: 184.6
Width: 72.3
Height 50.5
Weight: 3,175 lbs

2010 Camaro:

Wheel Base: 112.3
Overall Length: 190.4
Width: 75.5
Height 54.2
Weight: 3,910 (SS Model) lbs

It sure seems like the Camaro grew quite a bit, too.

[JS27N0B]

I think the new Challenger is fantastic! I appreciate it's size. I can remember reading road tests of the original cars and seeing how the journalists were complaining about room!  This car was never intended to be a copy of the original, it was meant to produce a 2dr that showed its heritage. The price is high while Chrysler can make some money selling them, if they can't make money they won't be around much longer. The only negative I see is the dealers that are charging above MSRP for them.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

there is No Way I will complain about the first V8 RWD With a STD trans in about 30 years , yeah it is bigger but the propotions are the best of the 3 repops & it is comfortable & handles wicked , it is not a 70 in many ways some bad & a lot of good ways , Your Call , I just need an extra 40K

[hpe600rt]

you say the challenger is over priced mabe so mabe because their hasent been a challenger in 30 years,ther has been mustangs and camaros all that time.i bet the challenger will be worth moure then they are in ten years or so because of that,and it probley coust a ton to make one from nothing.i think the vette you got is over priced also at 79k and so do you that is why you got it used to save cash.i wish i could have got my car used to or alot cheaper but i would buy it again if i had to

[72hemi]

  Why do you think that?  FYI, you are wrong again.  I am a member of both forums also, and own both a '70 and an '09.  I'm sure there are many others on Challengertalk.com who own an original as well, some of us just don't advertise everything we have, do, or know, don't know.  Can't really see how you know so much about a car (new Challenger) you don't even own.  I love both of them, they are different but alike in many ways.  Chrysler nailed it for me.  Like Chryco, I too have waited since 1979 for another V8 RWD performance Mopar.  That one was a '79 Dodge Magnum XE GT, the last B body Dodge made.  Unfortunately, I sold that one after 200K miles, BIG mistake.     BUT...fortunately, I kept two other '69 B bodies. 

It seems you and your "facts" are in the minority here concerning the new Challenger, but I also agree that you are entitled to your own opinion.  Just remember that it is "yours" and don't try to force it on others.  There are many members here and on Challengertalk that have many more years of experience both in Mopars and in life than you or I.  The more I learn, the more I realize how little I really know.  I think we need to keep ourselves "open" to all ideas and perspectives to grow as individuals and not become too focused on our own perceived "reality".  Hope you all enjoy your rides no matter the brand.  Our one commonality is that we are all "car guys".     Nothing wrong with that. 

Ok, first I was not referring to members of challengertalk.com only owning new challengers, I was referring to Nor Cal Challengers. Second maybe I know so much about the new challenger because I have been researching it since the first spy photos of it came out, have driven them and have tracked cars that its based on (Chargers, 300s, Magnums), because I want to know as much as I can about a car before I just dive into purchasing one. Which is why I spent a year learning about the Z06 before I bought one. Yes my opinion of the Challenger is just that my opinion, and I may be in the minority in this thread there have been other threads on here where my opinion of the Challenger has been the majority, and most people I know have similar opinions of the car, so whatever.

you say the challenger is over priced mabe so mabe because their hasent been a challenger in 30 years,ther has been mustangs and camaros all that time.i bet the challenger will be worth moure then they are in ten years or so because of that,and it probley coust a ton to make one from nothing.i think the vette you got is over priced also at 79k and so do you that is why you got it used to save cash.i wish i could have got my car used to or alot cheaper but i would buy it again if i had to

I say the Challenger is overpriced because the SRT8 gives you Camaro SS level performance and options for close to $10k more, if that's doesn't mean its overpriced in your eyes, fine but for me that's overpriced. While the Mustang and the Camaro have been in continuous production both the Mustang and Camaro are built on new platforms and not existing ones, compared to the Challenger which is built on the existing LX platform (so by that logic the Challenger should cost less), but whatever.

As for the price of the Corvette mine is a C5 and new was just over $50k, so not much more than a fully loaded SRT8 Challenger, but whatever. As for the new Z06 costing $79k being overpriced, well all other cars that are in its class (Dodge Viper, Porsche 911, Ferrari F430, etc) all cost a far amount more with the Viper being the closest in price at $90k, but whatever. Most new cars lose value (except for Mini Coopers, they tend to hold there value really well), and sports cars are no different, but the different with sports cars is that the majority of them are still in almost new condition when you find them used so buying a Z06 used saved me a ton of money and its like a brand new car. Now I'm not saying that people who don't own sports cars don't take care of their cars, so don't go twisting my words. All I am saying is that there is a much greater chance of finding a used sports  car in like new condition that probably hasn't even seen rain than most types of other cars.