Parted ways with my SS last night. [Archive] - Dodge Challenger Forum: Challenger & SRT8 Forums

: Parted ways with my SS last night.


newmoon
06-01-2012, 07:04 AM
Well I finally pulled the trigger and parted ways with the SS. First let me say the Camaro was a great car and I really enjoyed driving it. My problem is I think I got a bit carried away with modifications and I found myself dropping way too much money into a car that was losing value quickly due to the mods. It was a no win scenario, the car needed upgrades because of the mods. After going through the stock clutch, wasting money on a garbage replacement clutch, I was faced with dropping another 2k in a quality clutch; I still needed axles, and a drive shaft. Then it was how long would the transmission and rear differential last.

I started thinking that I had done all these mods, spent all that money for what, to gain a few tenths at the track. It really didn’t matter because near stock 5.0s were just as fast. It was time to cut my losses

When looking for a replacement car the Wife had urged me to please get something that our whole family could fit into for a weekend cruise, she missed that experience she had as a kid. Since I have 3 children and needed seating, the only muscle car choices were Challenger and Charger

I’d been going back and forth on several Challengers only to have one deal not work out after another. First issues was the lack of any reasonable trade in offer on my modified SS, next Challenger I was set to purchase the dealer told me at the last minute that it was a dealer demo with 2800 miles on it, no thank you.

I had been tempted by a school bus yellow 2013 Boss mustang for sale, I never did take the car on the road as the dealer wanted a firm commitment first but it was nice. At that point my Wife reminded me she wanted a car for all of us.

Yesterday I received a call from the original Dodge dealer. They felt badly that our deal fell through on the first Challenger because they failed to disclose the mileage. He said he had another car he wanted me to look at and he would make it worth my while.

Upon getting to the dealership he pulled out a beautiful header orange 2012 Challenger SRT automatic car. It was loaded with just about every option, and had 8-miles on it. Taking the car on the test drive with a very cool salesman, gearhead. I stomped the car from a red light and ran her hard for a 1/8 mile. I said to him this thing will take my modified Camaro down. The car was a beast. The only thing missing was something to offset the Orange, the dealer agreed to stripe the car for me for nothing, flat black rally stripes. My deal was approx. 4k below MSRP, which I thought was very good. The trade on my SS was 26.5k but there is another $700.00 in tax savings vs. a private sale. Since I purchased the Camaro new for 28k I was essentially out my mod money.

Driving the car home was a joy; it doesn’t have the sport feeling of a Camaro or Mustang but runs harder, if that makes sense. The pull of the 470hp / 470 tq is fantastic, power and torque band perfect. I have no doubt this car will run 12:50s immediately, and I will widdle it down from there. In a stop light to stop light race this car will be hard to beat, traction and automatic transmission get this car off the line quickly. I would say my cammed Camaro would have it’s hands full with this car.

My only planned mods for this car is a CAI and a stickier larger set of street rear tires, it really doesn’t need anything more.

I’ll miss the thumping crackle of my cammed Camaro for sure, but if you have to have 5-seats in a car how can you wrong in a SRT Orange 392 Hemi car.

Pictures to come this weekend, got in to late last night.

SSABAD
06-01-2012, 07:17 AM
Congrats on the new ride!

I had a 2010 Camaro SS as well when we bought our Challenger. If I had to pick between the two though, I'd go with the Challenger everytime. It's a different kind of car than the Camaro even though they are always pitted against one another.

Both are great modern day muscle cars but the more comforable, better styling, and much, much, much better interior...Challenger wins in my book.

I don't have the Camaro SS anymore...I still have my Challenger! Granted I lost the Camaro in a wreck but I didn't buy another one with the insurance money.

GreatAmerican
06-01-2012, 07:24 AM
Congratulations on the upgrade! :D

sublime 781
06-01-2012, 07:31 AM
welcome to the dark side........

OmahaRumble
06-01-2012, 07:37 AM
Proof that you can buy a practical car that will fit your family, and have gobs of fun with a big, torquey V8. Welcome! :bigthumb:

70barcuda
06-01-2012, 07:45 AM
Enjoy your new Challenger.

bhayes335
06-01-2012, 08:00 AM
enjoy the new car! glad to see you made the jump from the camaro. also a good thing you only want a CAI and tires...cus Dodge/Fiat really boned us on the computers

SRT8Tech
06-01-2012, 08:44 AM
You wont miss the Camaro one bit!!!!

tomdoggie
06-01-2012, 11:27 AM
Glad you drank the kool aid:rocker:

JS23V0B
06-01-2012, 11:36 AM
Congrats and welcome! No real comparison between the SS and the SRT8, my wife has an SS, it is a great car, but the SRT8 is something else!

newmoon
06-04-2012, 10:38 AM
Thank you folks. Had a chance to spend some time in the car over the weekend. I can say this car attracts attention, I find old and young looking at the car constantly. Been getting many thumbs up on it also.

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m41/newmoonfishing/016.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m41/newmoonfishing/017.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m41/newmoonfishing/020.jpg

Thrlls
06-04-2012, 12:01 PM
Congrats!

Nice car, and the family looks happy! :clap:

Start saving you $$$ now for the CTS-V Wagon...you'll need it in about 5yrs when the kids are older. :icon_lol:

sitedrifter
06-04-2012, 01:33 PM
I could be wrong and if I am, I apologize! :up_to_something:

R/TCLASSIC
06-04-2012, 05:25 PM
congrats on the new car,i too really liked the new camaro and wanted to get a synergy green rs.after setting in the back seat for the test drive and seeing the size of the trunk,and along with the take it or leave it attitude of the dealership,we went to dodge,and fell in love with the challenger.we now have 3 challengers so i guess i should go back to the chevy dealer and thank them for treating us like trash

Big Daddy's R/T
06-04-2012, 05:59 PM
You done good!!! If I had not already been enjoying my Hemi Orange R/T Classic for the last two years, that's the car I would be driving today. Enjoy!

Richmonddjs
06-04-2012, 06:05 PM
Thank you folks. Had a chance to spend some time in the car over the weekend. I can say this car attracts attention, I find old and young looking at the car constantly. Been getting many thumbs up on it also.

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m41/newmoonfishing/016.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m41/newmoonfishing/017.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m41/newmoonfishing/020.jpg

Bet you didn't get compliments or gestures like that in the Camaro.

Hell Ride
06-04-2012, 06:19 PM
Congrats on the car! Wait until you hit 4000 miles. You will want to make love to it and have red headed children ha ha.

robo5555
06-04-2012, 07:31 PM
Congrats on ur awesome ride!!! :burnout:

mdlfcrsis
06-04-2012, 07:34 PM
Congrats! Mine is my daily driver, take all three to school, get groceries, Costco trips etc
"practical"

WYFSKAAR
06-04-2012, 09:06 PM
No more plastic saddles.

..Be well. That is all.

Litos
06-04-2012, 09:16 PM
awesome.

Header Orange is MONEY !!!!!!!

great to see a Challenger as a family cruiser.

mine has two permanet booster seats - kids ride in it more than i do HAHA !!!!

Raygun
06-04-2012, 09:19 PM
CONGRATS!!! Welcome to the Mopar Family!!

RoostKing
06-05-2012, 01:00 AM
Right on! You nailed it too, the Challenger is somuch more car that the SS and Mustang.

skeety
06-05-2012, 03:26 AM
You've chosen wisely! ;)

Beautiful ride!! Congrats!

KS-SRT6spd
06-05-2012, 03:08 PM
Great car choice! The 3 kids is exactly why chose the Challenger as well. But honestly even with no kids it is my choice. Still love to take all the family out!! I love that orange!

mdlfcrsis
06-05-2012, 04:34 PM
See
No need for CTS-V (tho it's a nice car) for a long while