Article Comments - 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 First Drive

18 messages, Last post on Jul 06, 2008 at 9:43 AM

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First Drive: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - First Impressions: It's so worth the money. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - Bottom Line: A true muscle car in every sense of the word. (more)

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#5 of 18 Unimpressive Indeed. by bepperb Feb 07, 2008 (10:00 am)
From the folks who brought you the world-leading Sebring comes the Challenger. All the 0-60 performance of a Honda Accord (5.4 seconds) with only half the miles per gallon! Congratulations on blowing away the 4000 lb barrier holding back most sports coupes! Hope gas hits 1.50 a gallon, otherwise this thing is DOA in anything but SRT guise. Maybe folks were nostalgic for a muscle car comeback, but there could have been an effort made to be in the same ballpark with late 90's cars in terms of weight, fuel economy and comfort. How could Ford get it right, and then with the successfull blueprint and extra years of development we get this? Replies to this message: gmcbob (Feb 07, 2008 6:41 pm) eliminator219 (Feb 25, 2008 4:05 pm) xtec (Mar 05, 2008 9:00 am)
#6 of 18 Re: Unimpressive Indeed. [bepperb] by gmcbob Feb 07, 2008 (6:41 pm)
Replying to: bepperb (Feb 07, 2008 10:00 am) I don't know what you're puffin on dude - but this will absolutely SMOKE a Honda Accord in a drag race. Edmunds' test of the latest Accord Coupe got it to 60 in 6.3 and the 1/4 mile in 14.6. Not bad - but I suspect the 1/4 mile in this car will be very close to the current Charger SRT8, which is about 13.3 or so - we're talking about 2 car lengths. Also, cruising down the highway in this thing at 70 or so will get you mid 20s - probably not that much less than an Accord on the highway actually. Edmunds only got 21 mpg in the test they did on the Accord Coupe. The Accord is also about 700 lbs. lighter - and probably isn't as roomy or nearly as fun to drive. Replies to this message: eliminator219 (Feb 25, 2008 4:05 pm) xtec (Mar 05, 2008 9:00 am)
#7 of 18 Power to Weight Ratio by cap232pilot1 Feb 08, 2008 (6:28 pm)
A little fast math tells us that even with 425HP, the SRT Challenger is bogged down by it's weight. Cheeze , 4200 lbs.- couldn't the Mopar boys figure a way to have it come in about 400 lbs. lighter ? Then, my friends ,we'd be marveling over a high 12 second car ! That aside and the fact that it's an automatic ,it has a dynamite appearance. One more thing, the steering wheel belongs in a Chrysler 300 ! The new Mustang Bullitt weighs 3350 lbs. and the little 4.6 will make 325HP on 93 Octane. Conventional wisdom and some more fast math tells us it should be a damn close match.And it's got a stick, 3:73 gears , big bore duals and a much lower price tag. Replies to this message: cl109508 (Feb 12, 2008 5:13 pm)
#8 of 18 Great another retro car... by ferrarif2008 Feb 09, 2008 (10:58 am)
Every time Detroit does another retro car it just reminds me that they are out of new ideas. Not to mention that this thing has the same boring interior found in the 300, Magnum, Charger. Boring gage cluster, boring shifter, boring transmission, boring suspension, and numb road manners. What a shame having such an attractive exterior with a horrible interior and suspension holding it up.
#9 of 18 Great Looking Car....... by jungster Feb 12, 2008 (12:42 pm)
I do wish it was lighter. I like the styling, its cohesive, instantly recognizable as a Dodge and yet fresh. I haven't driven it but can't imagine any car with over 400 horsepower is going to be boring. Heck, my first fast car was an '84 Corvette with 205 horsepower and, at the time, thought that was fast. This has more than twice the horses. I for one subscribe to the belief that there is no substitute for cubic inches. You simply cannot match the instant throttle response, induction roar, and exhaust bellow of a big V-8. This may very well be one of the last of a soon to be dying breed. It seems everytime Detroit gears up to produce high horsepower machines, and being an enthusiast I support the development of any car with sporting intentions, their timing is off. With the high price of gas these days I suspect the Challenger's days are numbered even before the first one rolls of the production line. Well, perhaps a handful of collectors will appreciate the low volumes twenty years from now when they take their cars to auction.
#10 of 18 Re: Power to Weight Ratio [cap232pilot1] by cl109508 Feb 12, 2008 (5:13 pm)
Replying to: cap232pilot1 (Feb 08, 2008 6:28 pm) Must admit the car is heavy but if the SRT-8 Charger's numbers are any indication with 0-60 in the low 5s the challenger will be anthing but slow. As far as the interior the mustangs leave a bit to be desired in that dept in my opinion mopar materials in that comparo beat out the ford.
#11 of 18 I cant wait to own one by slickwilliedj Feb 19, 2008 (12:25 am)
I will wait till 09/10 to get mine.From the press I have read just the first yr cars are limited to certain options and specs. After the intial introduction the 09's will offer broader options,engine's,and colors and most important a manual tranny (6sp) which should also delete the gas guzzler charge on the auto's (2,000).This was similar on the GTO. The auto paid an the gas guz charge but the manual since it got better mileage didnot have the additional charge..... just wait the manual is coming,,, keep in mind Chrylser has to keep some tricks in the box to meet and beat out the camero in 2010! Replies to this message: eriefishing (May 01, 2008 10:29 am)
#12 of 18 concept vs production car outside and inside by slickwilliedj Feb 19, 2008 (12:30 am)
what happend to the seats on the production car? They were suppose to be ribbed like in the 70's version for a through back look. all the designers talked about this in the videos Dodge had on line about the design development etc..... are the hood scoops functionable? the wheels on the concept looks way better then the production I know there were rubbing issues etc but they could have designed smaller diamenter rims and kept the look.
#13 of 18 Re: Unimpressive Indeed. [gmcbob] by eliminator219 Feb 25, 2008 (4:05 pm)
Replying to: gmcbob (Feb 07, 2008 6:41 pm) You my man must be the one thats smoking something! Read the facts on the concept car that they had at the strip. In superstock form with a crate 525 hp 392, dana 60 rear-end,superstock springs and supension along with slicks with the car weighing in at around 3800 lbs. The best time it ran was an11.54 at 114 mph. At 4200 lbs and one hundred hp less it couldnt run in the 13s if it was dropped out of an airplane!! I will just wait for the chevy.. Replies to this message: xtec (Mar 05, 2008 9:00 am)
#14 of 18 Re: Unimpressive Indeed. [eliminator219] by xtec Mar 05, 2008 (9:00 am)
Replying to: eliminator219 (Feb 25, 2008 4:05 pm) In the April issue of copy of Car and Driver the Challenger SRT did 0-60 in 4.7 and the 1/4 in 13.1.That sounds fast to me.And impressive for a car that weighs 4150.So no need for the airplane,Thanks.