"I've got the Challenger tonight. It was that or the 2010 Camaro and I'll take this one every time."
I'm in our parking garage with Oldham and I press on, "It's the kind of car I just want to get in, roll the windows down, plug in my iPod and drive north on PCH until the highway stops or time does."
The pistol grip shifter isn't the most accurate, nor does it have the smoothest motion, but there's no shifter that's more fun to manhandle. Each shift is like opening the floodgates on a dam or flipping the switch on Old Sparky; it's mechanical and raw and when you grab it the muscles in your forearm get all veiney. You shift the Camaro as fast as possible to avoid touching that knob for any longer than is absolutely necessary. The Challenger's shifter belongs in a factory, the Camaro's belong in a kitchen stirring soup.
And then there's the Challenger's seat (which I'll get into in another blog later this week), steering wheel (slightly too wide, but still...), legible gauges, and super-smooth ride (18's > 20's).
There is no competition when it comes to engine, though. The 5.7 here pulls hard and sounds good, but the Camaro trounces the Challenger from the V6 to the SS to the hopefully-someday Z28. The 2010 Camaro might need more aggressive gearing, but there's no denying the merit of that mill.
There are two cars in our fleet I feel this way about. Two cars that whenever I see them I want to hop in, pack some clean clothes and just drive until I'm out of road: One of them is the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, the other is the 2009 Ford Flex.
What that says about me, I'm not sure.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 11,090 miles
lvranger says:
11:23 AM, 10/ 6/09
That you like to look like nothing else on the road? Nothing wrong with that.
dougtheeng says:
11:32 AM, 10/ 6/09
A car doesn't have to be statistically perfect to still be desirable. I'm glad to hear you think so highly of the Challenger.
carlisimo says:
12:32 PM, 10/ 6/09
The Challenger and the Flex? Do you like big butts? Do not lie!
1487 says:
12:45 PM, 10/ 6/09
Mike has more complaints about the shifter than all other reviews I've read combined. No one else seem to have such a problem with the shifter or the car as a whole.
isellcars00 says:
12:55 PM, 10/ 6/09
1487 has more complaints about Edmund's issues with the Camaro than all other comments I've read combined. No one else seem to have such a problem with these posts or this website as a whole.
CaptainChaos says:
12:57 PM, 10/ 6/09
I think what does it for you about the Flex and the Challenger is that they are right balance between fun and uniqueness. Sure, the BMWs you have in house currently are (or were, *sniff*, 135i) great, but you can't go a block in Southern California without encountering a 3 series or a UCLA/USC emblazened M3. The GSR and GTR are fun, fast cars, but they attract way too much attention.
jerome81 says:
01:20 PM, 10/ 6/09
Sometimes some cars are far more than their sum (on paper).
The Miata is another one. Small, wimpy 4 cylinder, kinda girly (in the earlier generations especially), noisy, not fast, but when you drive one, its just magic.
I used to own one...still miss it. I know exactly what you're talking about. A BMW or a Porsche or S2000 I should want more, but I'd take the Miata just about every time.
ergsum says:
01:38 PM, 10/ 6/09
It means that you're drivepolar. Take your meds.
prince34 says:
01:44 PM, 10/ 6/09
This actually made me think that all of yall should do the same thing.
Just one big entry like parting shots, but what each person's favorite 1 or 2 vehicles in the fleet right now are, and why.
They don't have to be this long, but I think it would be interesting to see.
DCuerpoJr says:
01:46 PM, 10/ 6/09
+1 @ergsum
crowb says:
02:24 PM, 10/ 6/09
+1 isellcars00
bodyblue says:
03:44 PM, 10/ 6/09
Makes sense to me....the Camaro is a cartoon. The Dodge is so good looking, it does not need the crazy styling. The Flex is simply the best vehicle in its class. You are right on the money, Mike.
stephen987 says:
04:22 PM, 10/ 6/09
I know a lot of folks think the Challenger is too sedan-like, and that its interior isn't all that special. But I suspect it's a lot easier to live with than the Camaro long-term, and a lot more fun in the real world.
redliner says:
06:54 PM, 10/ 6/09
Hey now, 1487 needs some love too! Mostly you guys just dump on him. Even if he is a little misguided sometimes (ok, lots of times ;P
wrinklebump says:
09:35 PM, 10/ 6/09
A lot of the Challenger's appeal comes from the fact that the people most likely to buy one are less likely to be complete wastelands. Average M3 owner? Scum of the earth. Average Mitsu driver? Stealing my air. Random S5 owner? Be sure to thank daddy for the shiny new car.
Dude driving around a Challenger? Let's go play darts. First round of beers on me.
hybris says:
10:15 PM, 10/ 6/09
Its especially strange of me to say this but I'd take the Challenger over the Camaro any day. In the Challenger since its so close to the original you feel like your driving a piece of history.
The Camaro is more concept car-ish.
If Dodge can do more cars like the challenger I might actually consider their vehicles more.
hondacura4 says:
07:01 AM, 10/ 7/09
"If Dodge can do more cars like the challenger I might actually consider their vehicles more."
That's not going to keep the lights on at Chrysler. Chrysler needs to get their core models (small/ midsize cars) up to par (quality, reliability, drivetrains ETC ETC) and then after that maybe look at developing cars like the Challenger and other high performance machines. Their priorities or lack thereof is what got them into the current mess. Bad business practices and lackluster products will eventually catch up with you.
As for me, Id take the Camaro over the Challenger without hesitation. It looks better, its not visually over bulky, its more compact, more direct, has better performance and it talents aren't limited to straight line performance. I know everyone is entitled to their opinions and preferences but when you fully examine both cars the Camaro is obviously the better executed product.
sabre52270 says:
07:13 AM, 10/ 7/09
Thank you! I agree with your comments and feel the same way. The appeal of the Challenger are those things you mentioned, not that it does (or doesn't) do everything a sports car should do, plus what a pony car should be, plus hall people. A Challenger is a Challenger, just as a Camaro is a Camaro. You like what you like, for whatever reason.
bodyblue says:
08:17 AM, 10/ 7/09
"Camaro is obviously the better executed product."
HUH? It is a differently executed product. better ...like in visibility? nope ....trunk space....nope.....power...yes.....seat comfort....tie.....looks...nope......interior.....Dodge by a mile......ergonomics.....nope
The drivetrain is better in the Chevy.....thats about it.
GT5000 says:
10:10 AM, 10/ 7/09
I really like the Challenger. it's a good looking car, but I have a bad feeling that it is going to end up being PT cruiser Part.2.
Chrysler comes up with a car that is very popular... at first, but overly retro styling keeps them from offering any significant updates. Eventually they pull the plug a decade later after trying to figure out why people don't want it any more.
I really hope Chrysler doesn't let that happen to the Challenger because it's a really nice car.
misterfusion says:
01:11 PM, 10/ 7/09
"There are two cars in our fleet I feel this way about. Two cars that whenever I see them I want to hop in, pack some clean clothes and just drive until I'm out of road: One of them is the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, the other is the 2009 Ford Flex."
Once again, Magrath's sneering anti-domestic bias is on full display. It's really shameful how -- oh, wait... :P
I have not driven either one, but something about the Challenger makes me more willing to forgive its apparent shortcomings (vast size being the main one). It just seems more "honest" and no-nonsense to me.
However, in order for me to make a fair judgement, you will have to deliver both vehicles to my home for a long-term test of my own. And leave the Flex with me when the test is concluded.