"WWTD," right? Isn't that what those bracelets say? Well, in any case, I know what I'd drive if I were a Texan: a Challenger R/T. No question about it.
The Challenger is frankly out of its element in the concrete jungle, as you might expect from a coupe that's longer than a Pontiac G8. Parallel parking is a particularly harrowing experience. But on the open road, are you kidding me? Short of maybe a Benz CL65 AMG or something comparably ridiculous, what would you rather be driving? The Challenger R/T is extraordinarily smooth and quiet at speed, its looming visage reliably scares the hoi polloi out of the fast lane, and its sonorous V8 delivers a burly low-end punch that's conspicuously absent from the Camaro SS. Oh, and it also seats four adults in comfort and swallows everyone's luggage with ease.
Forget full-size pickup trucks -- this thing should be the official vehicle of Texas.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor @ 13,366 miles
texases says:
02:49 PM, 11/13/09
Challenger? HA! We drive Veyrons! Just not well:
http://jalopnik.com/5404403/exclusive-video-of-bugatti-veyron-crashing-into-texas-lake
estreka says:
02:59 PM, 11/13/09
As a Texan, I think the Mustang qualifies as the official car of Texas. I definitely see your point, though. It's big and you sure as hell don't want to mess with it. Plus, gas is far cheaper in Texas than anywhere else in the US.
shaddai says:
03:41 PM, 11/13/09
Every time I see the outside of this car I wonder why Chrysler didn't work harder on the interior. I might be driving one if they did...
badblackrt says:
03:59 PM, 11/13/09
Great Post!! The Challenger is a Truly unique and fantastic car. Your so right on the comparison because its ride can only be challenged by cars costing 3X as much. Everyone tries to compare this car to Camaro and Mustang but in reality it is much more sophisticated then that!!
bodyblue says:
03:59 PM, 11/13/09
Still a hell of a lot better than the Camaro's interior.
greenpony says:
05:41 PM, 11/13/09
Amen!
hybris says:
08:31 PM, 11/13/09
The overall vehicle of Texas is the Truck
But in the muscle car contest then I have to say the Mustang with the Challenger in a close 2nd.
eclogite says:
05:56 AM, 11/14/09
I'm a Texan and I wouldn't drive a Challenger. Further, if I were given one, I'd sell it for something better. I didn't realize that places like the DFW Metroplex, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin weren't concrete jungles. Well, maybe not Austin, though the traffic here is often worse that in some of those other cities due to poor infrastructure planning. Nevertheless, you'd have the same concrete jungle problems here as in CA. Unless you lived in a rural area. In which case, you'd probably want a truck.
cr_driver says:
09:14 AM, 11/14/09
badblackrt says:
Your so right on the comparison because its ride can only be challenged by cars costing 3X as much.
Oh really?? ...... How so?
hondacura4 says:
10:42 AM, 11/14/09
A Texan would probably drive a Ford F350 dually.
As far as the Challenger is concerned I think it's a bit too expensive. I saw a SRT-8 Challenger sticker in the mid 50's. I don't care if it had a 700hp Hemi this car isn't a $50K+ car and that's evident in its overall finish inside and out. I know there are cheaper models available but they are already outclassed in terms of performance by the Mustang and Camaro.
bodyblue says:
08:00 AM, 11/15/09
In the above photo the Challenger looks so fantistic.....about a zillion times better than the cartoon Camaro. I own a 2005 Mustang and I like it better but not a lot better. Who cares if it is not quite as fast?? How many times do you need .4 seconds more down the 1/4 mile. How many times do need 3 more seconds on the track? The Challenger is a big GT type car and it does that job virtually better than any car on the road dollar for dollar. Looks, comfort, power and so far reliability...what more can you ask for in a GT car?
powell_jr says:
07:54 AM, 11/16/09
I'm a Texan and this would be on my short list of a second car. A jeep Wrangler is my daily driver right now, and I would love to have a Challenger as my second car.
Good Post.