Test drive: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8
Monday January 5, 2009
This SRT8 is the fourth Challenger I've driven -- first there was the automatic SRT8, then the Challenger SE, then the Challenger R/T, and now, finally, the manual-transmission SRT8. I'll tell you what: The more Challengers I drive, the more I love the Challenger -- and that's saying a lot, considering that this is, to put it less than bluntly, a car riddled with flaws. Get the details in my 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 test drive. And for those who would rather just look at pictures, you'll find about a dozen and a half in my 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 photo gallery. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Comments
Great review. I like to hear about cars that keep ya grinnin. My Jeep Wrangler is that way too. In some ways these two vehicles share that ability in common; Both aren’t very practical; Both are retro; Both gather attention; And, no doubt, both have some hard-core detractors. They are the cure for the rolling blahs. Sort of the anti-Volvo (sorry Volvo guys).
Funny that Chrysler has these icons (amongst others like the Viper–even the 300 to a lesser extent) yet fails to provide the appliances that the masses want to own (especially in the all-important compact and mid size categories). They make awesome halo cars. But this looks like an example of huge halo; puny head. Is this the “last blaze of glory”?
Say it aint so.
You’re so woozy from the love that you’re having a hard time typing. “The more I drive Challengers I drive”?
A very neat car and FINALLY with a stickshift, but man, is it pricey! They need to lose a bunch of weight, shrink the entire car, stiffen the suspension, and drop the price. Yeah, I know that most of those will never happen for a variety of reasons, but it’s just too big and heavy for my tastes. 425hp should be faster than it is. If I want something that big and floaty, I’ll get a proper old Mopar muscle car.
Chrysler just doesn’t get it. They charge more for a stick and don’t even offer it on the SE. I agree with Aaron that a car like this needs a stick. I’m disappointed that it has the same dash as the 4 door charger. I rented one and thought it was a very boring car. Also not excited about the 1-4 shift bypass. I had a Z-28 with that “feature”. It’s supposed to increase mileage, but it really dogged the Z and thus encouraged you to rap out 1st or drive faster thus worse mileage! One of the dumbest ideas in my opinion.
Love the styling, but the price is up there, and if it’s based on the charger under pinnings, I would really hesitant.
Because I’m also an old mopar fan, I would consider an SE (my price range) but not with an automatic.
$45,000 for a Chrysler product? Just goes to prove how numbered the days are for Chrysler.
@Tom: you also get a 3.92 axle ratio (instead of the 3.06) with the manual transmission, which helps justify the cost.
@brent: I wouldn’t dismiss the car simply because it comes from Chrysler… It feels solidly built and you cant find over 400 horses for much less (if at all)