Joined
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7 Posts
Hello Everyone: First off, I want to thank all of you for the posts, the information, the encouragement, and knowledge you have exhibited over the 2 plus years I have read the forums. I asked several questions while I was researching (and somewhat agonizing over) my decision to acquire my Challenger. I have never owned a new car before in my life. I always had used ones, as that was what I could afford.
I had wanted a Dodge Challenger or Charger from back in the early 70s when I helped others build up their Mopars and make rocket ships out of them. Of course gas was cheap, engines were big, and the sound would almost trigger an earthquake. I lusted after one of those for years, but never ended up with one. I can remember doing some pretty trick stuff to get the power out of the 440s, the 383s, the occasional 413. Fast forward a bunch of years, (and more than a bit of growing up on my part) and I was in need of a replacement vehicle. My old police car decided it was about done. It got where I was spending a car payment trying to keep it running. Of course 200K miles didn't have anything to do with it....
I saw the ad on TV for the Challenger. It rekindled my old lust, like an old high school crush that never happened. I saw that and just said, OMG look at that. So I started doing research. I researched for months--checking performance, reliability, problems, pluses and minuses, and all of that. I saw that most complaints were either minor preference things that people just didn't like, or they were minor issues that really don't amount to much for the most part. I read about the timing chain issues that some have had (due to the multi displacement feature) and things like that. I was nervous about committing the funds to purchase new. I certainly didn't want to buy used since people run hell out of these. So, I decided to get what I really wanted, and do it once. I said on this forum that I would report back eventually about my experiences.
I have rarely made a decision in my life that has pleased me as much as this one. I got my RT, 5.7, 6 speed manual, 20 inch wheels, in Jazz Blue Pearl. I have a nice option package, with the 730 and Nav. The manual avoids the multi-displacement feature. I have the leather seats, too. I could not be more pleased with this Challenger. I have had it about a year and almost a half. I am reporting my experiences in the hope that some other person is doing what I did and researching. I can report that I have had zero problems with it, and it has performed much better than expected. My mileage beats EPA to bits as well. I have gotten no worse than 22 ever, and average around 24 in local service. I have gotten 27 on a trip. I am not an abusive driver, but I am not a slow driver either. How could you drive one of these slow? I have driven stick all my life, and I have a lot of miles under my belt. I used to drive truck, and still do (not over the road any more--but fire trucks regularly). The point of that is that I know how to drive them efficiently, but this thing makes it SO easy! Shifting is easy, the power band is broad, and the thing has no bad habits at all. It handles like it is on rails, and that sound--the engineers got that just right! It does an old man's heart good to hear, drive, and feel!! Buy your Challenger with confidence, and feel good about the decision. There is nothing I can think of to improve it. This 5.7 Hemi makes the power of those old beasts, but does it from idle onward. Drivability is great, with no temperamental nature like the beasts had when we got done with them. That power, that we had to work hard for, right out of the box!! The factory did a great job---Thank you Dodge!!
A word about the Hellcat. Of course it is all the buzz right now. I cannot even imagine driving one. Of course the lust factor is there, but having almost twice the power of mine--I can't even imagine it.
So, this is my story on my Challenger. My first, and probably last new car ever. I have no reason to trade. Mine is garaged when not in use, and should last as long as I do. After that, I won't care anymore. Well, maybe my ghost will care..... my heirs better be nice to it!!
If you made it this far, thank you for reading my thoughts. If you are researching, I hope this is helpful to you in your decision making. It amazes me just how far the technology has come. Yahoo!!
Take care, everyone, and have a great day!!!
I had wanted a Dodge Challenger or Charger from back in the early 70s when I helped others build up their Mopars and make rocket ships out of them. Of course gas was cheap, engines were big, and the sound would almost trigger an earthquake. I lusted after one of those for years, but never ended up with one. I can remember doing some pretty trick stuff to get the power out of the 440s, the 383s, the occasional 413. Fast forward a bunch of years, (and more than a bit of growing up on my part) and I was in need of a replacement vehicle. My old police car decided it was about done. It got where I was spending a car payment trying to keep it running. Of course 200K miles didn't have anything to do with it....
I saw the ad on TV for the Challenger. It rekindled my old lust, like an old high school crush that never happened. I saw that and just said, OMG look at that. So I started doing research. I researched for months--checking performance, reliability, problems, pluses and minuses, and all of that. I saw that most complaints were either minor preference things that people just didn't like, or they were minor issues that really don't amount to much for the most part. I read about the timing chain issues that some have had (due to the multi displacement feature) and things like that. I was nervous about committing the funds to purchase new. I certainly didn't want to buy used since people run hell out of these. So, I decided to get what I really wanted, and do it once. I said on this forum that I would report back eventually about my experiences.
I have rarely made a decision in my life that has pleased me as much as this one. I got my RT, 5.7, 6 speed manual, 20 inch wheels, in Jazz Blue Pearl. I have a nice option package, with the 730 and Nav. The manual avoids the multi-displacement feature. I have the leather seats, too. I could not be more pleased with this Challenger. I have had it about a year and almost a half. I am reporting my experiences in the hope that some other person is doing what I did and researching. I can report that I have had zero problems with it, and it has performed much better than expected. My mileage beats EPA to bits as well. I have gotten no worse than 22 ever, and average around 24 in local service. I have gotten 27 on a trip. I am not an abusive driver, but I am not a slow driver either. How could you drive one of these slow? I have driven stick all my life, and I have a lot of miles under my belt. I used to drive truck, and still do (not over the road any more--but fire trucks regularly). The point of that is that I know how to drive them efficiently, but this thing makes it SO easy! Shifting is easy, the power band is broad, and the thing has no bad habits at all. It handles like it is on rails, and that sound--the engineers got that just right! It does an old man's heart good to hear, drive, and feel!! Buy your Challenger with confidence, and feel good about the decision. There is nothing I can think of to improve it. This 5.7 Hemi makes the power of those old beasts, but does it from idle onward. Drivability is great, with no temperamental nature like the beasts had when we got done with them. That power, that we had to work hard for, right out of the box!! The factory did a great job---Thank you Dodge!!
A word about the Hellcat. Of course it is all the buzz right now. I cannot even imagine driving one. Of course the lust factor is there, but having almost twice the power of mine--I can't even imagine it.
So, this is my story on my Challenger. My first, and probably last new car ever. I have no reason to trade. Mine is garaged when not in use, and should last as long as I do. After that, I won't care anymore. Well, maybe my ghost will care..... my heirs better be nice to it!!
If you made it this far, thank you for reading my thoughts. If you are researching, I hope this is helpful to you in your decision making. It amazes me just how far the technology has come. Yahoo!!
Take care, everyone, and have a great day!!!
