Just drove an SRT manual prototype

[Go Goody]

I am old....the thought of shifting is romantic, until you get into stop and go traffic.....just about everywhere here in south florida.

While I have a deposit and a price commitment for an 08, (No Vin just an order #) waiting for an 09 seems to be in the cards. I would much rather have a LSD.

And I am leaning toward the automatic.....besides the cupholders are in the %$#** way!

[Venthos]

With the rumors floating around that Bob Frederick is saying Hemi Orange will be a possibility for '09 SRTs, I'd be lying to say I haven't been considering it (My only reason for scrambling to an '08 was lack of Hemi Orange for '09 SRTs).

The Chally will be my 2nd car that is 'mine' (1st and current being my lease on the 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP). I will be financing the Chally and intend to keep it for a long time. I've never driven a car with a manual transmission, but I've always wanted to try. Figure by the time an '09 Arrives I could get some solid practice in on a beater.

At the same time, I-275 and I-94 here in metro detroit make me want to kill people daily and I have a 40 minute drive each way to/from work, 95% of which is time spent on those two highways. It's usually crappy traffic and the thought of having to fumble through gears for almost an hour isn't enticing, let alone dealing with snowy conditions.

I keep telling myself that for a daily driver I'll want an automatic, and that if I'm ever in a position to have a 2nd "for fun" car I would try out a manual.

However with the constant barrage of "Manual rules!" that I see there's that tick in the back of my mind that considers it.

Transmission aside, I don't know if I could wait it out for more months for an '09 given that I'm already flipping out that I might get my Challenger this month.


Hmm..

'08 Pros: Carbon Fiber Hood Stripes as opposed to matte black paint, numbered plaque, Hemi Orange

'09 Pros: Potentially cheaper if less gouging going on, manual is a possibility, potentially Hemi Orange SRT8 if rumors are true.

What are the other differences? I keep hearing conflicting information that the '08s do not have LSD yet the '09s do, then that they BOTH do but the '09s are getting a different version/model LSD that's a bit better, then that they both have the same... so many rumors to sort through.

Any advice in the manual tranny department? Is it *that* much more fun to drive, would I want to shoot myself in the face during rush hour/crappy michigan winters? Would you advise the automatic over the manual for a daily driver? I'm already wondering how it'll be with me swapping from a 240hp FWD V6 to a 425hp RWD V8.

And here I thought I was done being indecisive....

[Kelsey73]

I've only had manual transmission cars. an 04 SRT 4 then the 07 Shelby GT. Man that was a switch! When I was younger I didn't mind stop and go traffic in the manual, but I wouldn't mind an auto at all now. I get angry easily at people who can't drive!

That switch will be weird itself (w/ or w/o the manual). the FWD to RWD is one that takes some getting used to. A whole different kinda driving going on there. I had some surprises going around a few corners, but an hour or so in a parking lot will get rid of those!

I was set on the six spd, but I knew the first time I saw one going down the road I would absolutely lose it! That's why I chose the 08.

If this is a second car though and not being driven all the time the manual is the way to go! So much more fun to be had. This is only if you can wait though! I'm weak and couldn't do it. That's why I'll probably end up with 2 challengers in the next year.......

[425hpChargerSRT8]

With the autostick feature you really get the fun of a manual tranny without the hassle of HAVING to shift. If you are even questioning getting the manual, i would go with the auto. It shifts really firm, and crisp and on top of that you can buy a diablo tuner to improve it even more so. The ONLY downside is that it doesnt kick down as far as it should sometimes. but you can just slap it over into manual mode and do it yourself. Im going for the 6speed for the second over drive because i do a lot of highway driving.

[RoostKing]

Theres no other feeling than performing a well executed speed shift. Manual all the way for me.. But then again I dont have stop and go traffic to deal with.

[425hpChargerSRT8]

Originally Posted by RoostKing

Theres no other feeling than performing a well executed speed shift. Manual all the way for me.. But then again I dont have stop and go traffic to deal with.

Im with you man. The auto is very nice, but dang a stick shift with 425 hp is just awesome. I do about 80% highway driving, so shifting gears will no prob for me

[SRT-6]

I've had both manual and auto transmissions in the various performance cars that I've owned through out my life and have liked them both.Manuals are cool but don't dismiss autos to quickly.Years ago I owned a 71 Charger with a 383 and a 727 automatic that screamed off the line when I punched it.My 05 Crossfire SRT-6 only came in automatic and its Mercedes made 5-speed auto stick is one of the best transmissions I've ever driven.Lastly does Dodge allow who's ever driving that black Chally access to a car wash and vacuum cleaner, I could never drive a car with that filthy interior..LOL

[moparrockSRT8]

[SIZE=3]I rarely post a reply but I am an avid reader of several challenger forums. I want to way in on this topic. My ’08 VIN is 2B3LJ74WX8H302115, D status. I’ve owned a ’71 383 Challenger 4-speed for 11 years (sold in ’07). Currently own a ’73 340 Dart Sport 4-speed (for 18 years) and a ’72 340 Challenger slapstick automatic (for 4 years). 4-speeds are a lot of FUN………for a little while. TIRE CHIRP……. I love it, nobody is ahead of you as you approach a red light, at a 100 yards before the stop, nail the clutch to the floor and take you foot off the gas. Then let the cars engine rpm’s drop to the bottom, yank it into first gear and right before you need to stop, CHIRP. Wait on a green light, roll away like you Grandma is driving and then CHIRP second gear, if you are good and will never get over the 30 mph speed limit. I have converted both of my 4-speed cars, (didn’t change the trans tunnels or the pedals) to automatics with aftermarket valve bodies and converters. [/SIZE]
Basically, I converted my cars to AUTO STICKS. I can do exactly what I described above or cruise like a Cadillac. I changed the ‘71 Challenger back to the 4-speed prior to selling for the added value however I and currently still operate the 340 Dart with an auto. STREET RACING… I’ll wax almost every 4-speed car coming out of the hole on a city street. There are a lot of the Mustang guys that are REALLY good at managing the clutch slip/wheel spin/ rpm’s combo that it takes to rocket off the line BUT we are then simply going to be leaving the line together because a refined automatic setup is ALWAYS going to launch hard. PERIOD. The tuned automatic set-up isn’t going to go up in tire smoke or bog the engine; it’s going to launch hard EVERY TIME. Opinion of an old school guy.

[PlymGTX]

I want to try the manual as soon as I can. I have an 06 Daytona that I love. The lease is up in the fall and I am thinking about the Challenger.. As another member stated, the Autostick is great for daily driving... I will give the manual consideration however. Of course I can always "Row The Gears" with a real pistol grip in the GTX...

[RoostKing]

Originally Posted by moparrockSRT8

[SIZE=3]I rarely post a reply but I am an avid reader of several challenger forums. I want to way in on this topic. My ’08 VIN is 2B3LJ74WX8H302115, D status. I’ve owned a ’71 383 Challenger 4-speed for 11 years (sold in ’07). Currently own a ’73 340 Dart Sport 4-speed (for 18 years) and a ’72 340 Challenger slapstick automatic (for 4 years). 4-speeds are a lot of FUN………for a little while. TIRE CHIRP……. I love it, nobody is ahead of you as you approach a red light, at a 100 yards before the stop, nail the clutch to the floor and take you foot off the gas. Then let the cars engine rpm’s drop to the bottom, yank it into first gear and right before you need to stop, CHIRP. Wait on a green light, roll away like you Grandma is driving and then CHIRP second gear, if you are good and will never get over the 30 mph speed limit. I have converted both of my 4-speed cars, (didn’t change the trans tunnels or the pedals) to automatics with aftermarket valve bodies and converters. [/SIZE]
Basically, I converted my cars to AUTO STICKS. I can do exactly what I described above or cruise like a Cadillac. I changed the ‘71 Challenger back to the 4-speed prior to selling for the added value however I and currently still operate the 340 Dart with an auto. STREET RACING… I’ll wax almost every 4-speed car coming out of the hole on a city street. There are a lot of the Mustang guys that are REALLY good at managing the clutch slip/wheel spin/ rpm’s combo that it takes to rocket off the line BUT we are then simply going to be leaving the line together because a refined automatic setup is ALWAYS going to launch hard. PERIOD. The tuned automatic set-up isn’t going to go up in tire smoke or bog the engine; it’s going to launch hard EVERY TIME. Opinion of an old school guy.

Im certainly not dismissing the automatic! I had an 440/727 that was converted to a manual valve body and i LOVED that transmission. And like you said, If I knew the other guy had a 4 speed, the race was half won before the hands dropped. But, I haven't had a manual for so long that im leaning towards that and Im not sure how much racing ill be doing..I will drive an automatic just to be sure, and if it feels like the autostick would be the best of both worlds, so be it.. It would take a lot to change my mind over the 6-speed at this point.