He captures everything I think about this car quite well. These cars are basically like your favourite dopey dog who eats 6 cups a day, isn't great at playing fetch or hunting birds, sheds everywhere and has a lazy eye, but you love them anyways.
A very accurate Challenger review
RatFink
He captures everything I think about this car quite well. These cars are basically like your favourite dopey dog who eats 6 cups a day, isn't great at playing fetch or hunting birds, sheds everywhere and has a lazy eye, but you love them anyways.
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Wow...I might give you the Mazda finish. But thank you for clarifying.
Yeah, well. You can't get 700hp and a 6L+ V8 for 80K CAD anywhere else, so that's a big selling point. Not really surprising that they've had to compromise elsewhere really.
On the Challenger, I guess there's only so much you can do for the budget, and if it's all gone on drive train everything else is bound to suffer. Same story with a Mustang or a Camaro in terms of fit / finish / refinement / interior, albeit slightly more focus on handling.
As an example, that Audi A7 for HC money comes with a 335Hp 3.0L V6, so not exactly competitive in 'fun' factor, soundtrack or power. If Audi made an A7 with HC power and a V8 I'd be guessing more like $150k US...
Can't say I'm unhappy with Dodge's focus really, even if it does land me with a $30k US interior!
You’re not wrong.
These days in Canada, hellcats and red eyes are going for $150k+, which puts it into the realm of M5 and RS6 territory thanks to dealer insanity.
While both other cars have less power, they will use their power far more efficiently and just be “better cars” (objectively).
My boss has had both of the alternatives and they’re simply in other leagues.
I'm sure we all have stories but mine is special... not really.. LOL. I put a 327 with a 671 atop in a 1953 Willy's Wagon. It had a 8 track stereo and a radio that took a few minutes to warm up. Of course, the only time you could hear either of those was when I was parked with the engine off. I had close to 11,000 wrapped up in it including the 1970's crazy paint scheme. She was fast but you couldn't drive her very fast or you'd lose control. Anything over 70 was a white knuckle ride. The vehicle itself was never intended to be a muscle car but no one doubted that it was. It was really hard to find anyone willing to race me light to light.
I'm not saying that this is what makes a muscle car, certainly that term seems to be reserved for something that comes off a production line. What I am saying is that if you're going to ridicule a muscle car because of its lack of amenities or even quality control, you're sadly misinterpreting the term "Muscle Car".
I'm not saying that this is what makes a muscle car, certainly that term seems to be reserved for something that comes off a production line. What I am saying is that if you're going to ridicule a muscle car because of its lack of amenities or even quality control, you're sadly misinterpreting the term "Muscle Car".
Fair, but if we really want to go back to what a "muscle car" is, then it is the biggest engine in an affordable package (see 1964 GTO), and an $80k-$150k ($CAD) car is no longer that I'm afraid.
The fact that Dodge offered cloth houndstooth seats in Scat packs and Hellcats instead of just leather harkens back a little bit (blending what would have been the Road Runner v. GTX packages), but these cars are well past that original concept.
I used to say the Hellcat was a $28k car with a $35k engine option. Well that was 2017. With inflation, it's still a $28k car...
Very true, I always gravitated towards the sleepers. I could of had a GTO or a LeMans but I went for the Grand Prix (twice). First time around it was with the small block 400 (basically a stroker) and the second time it was with the 428 model SJ.
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Some of the things that stand out in relation to newer designs
the LA series dates from 2015 model year and now its the 9th year and save for the wrapped / stitched dash and door panels (since '21) - its the same design
Chrysler stopped putting any development into the model - aware that the 2024 replacement was in the future. Earlier future product plans had '23 as an anticipated update...
Go back to the earlier 5 year plans dating from 2009, 2014, then 2018 they had in their press presentations and it kept getting pushed out
-after the merger with Peugeot and becoming Stellantis, even more changes to future product plans that changed the entire line ups with the parent organization saying no to purchasing carbon credits to offset falling below CAFE standards
One analogy I can make - I remember the final year (1981) of the 2nd Gen GM F-body (Camaro / Firebird) - which was the 12th production year
- essentially the same body shell from MY '1970 (rear window got larger for MY 1975) - the interior had the same huge gaps and 'casual' fit and finish of the early 70s.
-there rear 3 piece spoilers on those...they never aligned properly off the assembly line. The only other model longer in production was the C3 Corvette MY '68 - '82
in light of the competition, the Mustang S550 - '15 - '23 is replaced with the S560 for '24 and the Camaro dates from '16 and will sunset with an abbreviated '24 production run
- but they've had some styling refreshes along the way during their runs.
Challengers have remained the same - the major change was the widebody that first appears on the '18 Demon and has continued for Scat Pack and Hellcat models
I enjoy my '16 SPS, but realize that in light of the newer designs the '23s are what first hit the roads in fall 2014. Very long time in automotive design
That's good to remember and keep in mind, but I was of the opinion way back in 2017 with my first Challenger that the fit, finish, paint, interior, and tech were dated and on the lower end. That was back then, 2 years after the refresh. The base H3 that I traded for that Challenger had a nicer interior, and it was already a 10 year old vehicle at that point.
I agree with the article; it explains what hooked me from the moment I began driving my Challenger, although my own is a 5.7 A8 car.
Particularly this paragraph (since I run straight pipes):
"Theatrics and weight are the two biggest things you notice when you’re driving the Challenger Swinger. Every day is a show in this car, and whether they like it or not, everyone within one city block of you is the audience. This thing is loud. It doesn’t matter what gear you’re in, what your throttle position is, or how fast you’re going. Cold starts are also loud enough to start an incident that ends up on your neighborhood’s Facebook page. People will hear the Challenger Swinger coming. Then they’ll see its lime green paint and stare at you. If that isn’t good for your social anxiety, then this isn’t the car for you."
When me and the fiancé are out in mine, we continuously invoke the various Tim Allen pig grunts around other Mustangs, Camaros, and yes, other Challengers as well. 😁🤣
Particularly this paragraph (since I run straight pipes):
"Theatrics and weight are the two biggest things you notice when you’re driving the Challenger Swinger. Every day is a show in this car, and whether they like it or not, everyone within one city block of you is the audience. This thing is loud. It doesn’t matter what gear you’re in, what your throttle position is, or how fast you’re going. Cold starts are also loud enough to start an incident that ends up on your neighborhood’s Facebook page. People will hear the Challenger Swinger coming. Then they’ll see its lime green paint and stare at you. If that isn’t good for your social anxiety, then this isn’t the car for you."
When me and the fiancé are out in mine, we continuously invoke the various Tim Allen pig grunts around other Mustangs, Camaros, and yes, other Challengers as well. 😁🤣
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