2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: Zeitgeist

non-practical? ego problem?

Maybe but you could say that about every sports car (as well as most luxury cars and a lot of crossovers and trucks). At least it has a useful back seat and trunk.

Ugly? You're in a very small minority there.

That car looks awesome. Get the black wheels!

A lot of that SEMA concept's bad-assedness derives from its lowered ride height, I think. The "dead cat hole" (space between the tires and fenders) is rather excessive on our stock R/T. The slammed SEMA concept is a huge improvement.

But the black wheels are definitely cool. In fact, let's just imitate that concept, minus the snowplow front spoiler thing (not badass). I'm in.

-JS

I don't see that particular grey/ black color combo
on the Challenger website.

Slightly lower would be nice, but I'm over the black wheels fad.

I think the Challenger is an awesome car. I wish the stock car was a bit lower, had better steering in the corners, was lighter, and had better fuel economy. However, beyone all that, it looks like a great car, and from what I hear, is a good driver.
I've never been a huge car guy. That was until I saw this THING! Now, we'll, I didn't realize you could get addicted to a car.
If anyone needs a kidney, lung or any other body part, I'm willing to trade for an R/T with a stick and sunroof.

It is a badass looking car, and I guess that's whey they call it Challenger.

BTW, not all Corvette drivers are in a mid life crisis. I've been driving Corvettes since I was 20, and now in my mid-30's, I'm still not mid life crisis material... yet.

Love the black/black/black SEMA car. I would be proud to drive that.

Is there a way to get a car with that exact color scheme?

Black wheels sound nice.

Speaking from experience, black rims are nice, but that chrome shell is so hard to clean.

I'd also like to point out that that SEMA car has flat matte paint. THAT is what makes it look so badass.

"Intellectually, I know the Challenger R/T isn't the fastest car"

It is a nice looking car, super fast or not... But I don't know that it could hold its own with this group:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/24/exotic.speeding.oregon/index.html

Your so right about the feeling of driving this car.
The fact is that this car is an American Icon and an ambassador of goodwill!! Its like driving a Harley, or a 69 GTO. Its a kin to driving around in an American Flag. That why mine is always spotless.

Lovin My Black RT

Black wheels? Nope, they do nothing for me. They disappear, or if you notice them they just look dirty.

Don't go with all black wheels. Blacked out cars convey a lack of imagination to me; I mean anyone can do that. If you're set on the black wheels, at least get a different color where the wheel meets the tire.

I agree with SadButTrue, lowering the ride height would go a long way in making the car look that much more badass. Plus, it could improving the cornering character of the car.

"Badass". That pretty well sums up this car. This is the only Chrysler LLC product that I wouldn't be ashamed to own.

I don't believe in the term "mid-life crisis." It has been overused and is completely played out. Seeing it in this blog makes me think that you don't have any imagination and resort to tired cliches to fit whatever description you're trying to get across.
This car, the Corvette and other sports cars are not "mid-life crisis" cars; they are performance cars that men and women in the 40-50 year old age group can afford. Please stop categorizing cars like that. I've been digging Vettes since I was 7. If you want to categorize it, call it a performance car, pure and simple.

I don't think it's a car for people in their 40 to 50's either.

Everyone I see has grey haired driver who is much older then "mid life"

I'd say they are for aging baby boomers who are trying to relive the glory days of the 60's.

looks great - do it! get flat black wheels (no chrome lip), flat black racing stripes, and flat black front lip and rear diffuser, and this car will be mean with the polished black paint.

i'm running flat black LTW5's on my Alpine White E36, and it look great. there's something understated yet menacing about the flat black rims with a lowered suspension.

The Challenger is a hot looking car..it just is. With a little after market tuning it could be even better. It has great lines and looks its best (IMHO) at dusk. As far as being for the 40+ crowd...if you think thats what its for then you certainly arent a car person maybe you are a rice tuner and just dont get american muscle. I can say that when I was 18 I would be annoyed at the "old" guys driving around in vettes, camaros and mustangs. It was clearly a case of jealosy and my father summed it up when he told me, "Son, they can afford them...you cant". Now that Im 40 and have a v8 mustang convertible in the garage I can look at the guys like hola_dan and think "yep ...hes just jealous"

Nobody cares to challenge this car because nobody wants to race a two ton porker with a truck engine.

If I wanted something that weighed two tons and had a truck engine, I would just get a truck.

It's a fun ride. If the Edmunds team is going to customize, I would one-up the Mopar concept by painting the car FLAT Black w/ gloss black stripes and gunmetal or flat black wheels.

You want intimidate? This would make Mad Max pull over and let you by!