[skippy]

Was never a Dodge man until I bought my 05 Hemi Ram 1500....and then the new Challenger came out. Now I'm looking for a summer toy for the wife and I. Iowa winters get long..nice to have something fun in the shed to look forward to come spring!

Looking at used, I think an R/T is all I need. Cheaper to buy and I assume cheaper insurance vs. an SRT8? I want a 6-speed but the wife would prefer if it was an auto.

I know the auto has some issues with MDS, timing chains and bad exhaust drone if you modify the factory stuff. I feel with a manual I can get about the same MPG as an auto and have more fun!

Any years to look for or avoid? I want to stay in the 20-25K range which rules out most SRT8 anyway. Thanks!

 

[jkelly16]

Welcome to the Z from NC! Glad you joined, enjoy the site!

 

[bad8nti]

Hello from Strasburg, VA

Hello and Welcome to the 'Z' from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. :4-wavey: Enjoy your Ride(when you decide to get it!) and the Site! You'll find some knowledgeable and friendly people to answer your questions or just entertain you. Glad you could join us!

Now would be a good time to be looking for a Challenger. The 2015's are out, so there is a lot interest there. A lot of good pre-14's are being traded in. The dealers are also trying to trim down their inventory. Just do your homework while shopping. The MDS/timing chain recall is calming down as most have been fixed.

 

[Coyote]

Welcome to the Z from New Mexico! You have found the absolute best spot for a Challenger lover to be except for behind the wheel! Enjoy the ride!

 

[jklotz10]

Hello & welcome from WI!

 

[BAD GRANDPA]

Welcome, and X2 what bad8nti posted.-:smileup: As far as the timing chain recall, if you're looking at a 2009 thru 2012 automatic, the dealer can run the VIN.# to verify the recall was done.

 

[TikiMan]

Welcome to the Z from FL. Lots of great info here. Enjoy !

You can obtain excellent gas mileage from a 6-speed due to the 3.92 rear. Hwy cruising in 6th at about 2k rpm should yield you close to 27-29 mpg. Good luck in your search. Insur would be negligible regardless of RT or SRT.

 

[paladin1001]

Welcome to the Z from AZ! As for your question, IMO get the six speed, I have one and the mileage is better with the six speed than the auto if you keep your foot out of it and upshift as quickly as you can to keep the RPM's low. I have gotten in the thirties with mine several times and normally when I am driving for economy (which is rare cause it's so much freaking fun to drive fast) I am in the high twenties. The best mileage I ever got was 42, I have never repeated that anomaly, but it happened once and was just driving down a long straight mostly flat interstate stretch between home and the first potty break for the kiddos.

There is no year to be wary of, mine is a 10 and has 58k, with ZERO problems and way more triple digit runs than I should have gotten away with. My point is I don't baby it, I drive it the way it was made to be driven. I do all the owners manual recommended maintenance right on time though including trans oil and differential oil. I know four other Challenger owners and not a dog in the group. Good luck and happy hunting!

By the way the clutch is easy to manipulate and the shifter is smooth and fun, try to sell your wife on a stick, you won't be sorry!

 

[Northernhawk]

you can't go wrong with a challenger....do some shopping and see what's available in your budget and do it!!!

 

[MIDNITE RT]

Welcome from NJ.
Glad to have you here !

 

[oilslick]

Welcome to the Z from Pa.! A few great dealers advertise here on the Z too! Give them a call, they can most likely help you out. Enjoy the site too!!

:4-wavey:

 

[HemiMetal]

Welcome, and X2 what bad8nti posted.-:smileup: As far as the timing chain recall, if you're looking at a 2009 thru 2012 automatic, the dealer can run the VIN.# to verify the recall was done.

+1 :smileup:

You can check all recalls by VIN# before you buy at Chrysler's Mopar Owner Connect site. If the used Challenger you are considering needs the timing chain repair, this link should be able to tell you.

 

[TJGS]

:Racing: Hello and Welcome to the "Z Family" from Wyandotte Michigan !!! :Racing:

 

[KeysB5Blue]

Welcome to the Z from Key West! Enjoy!

 

[AutoAnything]

Welcome!

AutoAnything is the one stop shop for mods! We price match and offer forum member discounts.

PM me or select the CHAT option if you have any questions!

AutoAnything

 

[Dirtkicker]

Welcome to the Z from South Carolina.

 

[70barcuda]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[challengerfan56]

Hello and Welcome to the “Z” from Pittsburgh, PA!

 

[Bane]

Welcome to the Z from Maryland. Enjoy the site.