Due to being under the weather for the last few days, I haven't exactly been a happy camper. I was, however, thankful for the Challenger's split personality. Sure, reliving my muscle car days ('69 and '70 Chevelle SS396s) by ripping through the gears is a blast (especially with the windows open so you can hear the engine's wail). But when you just want to kick back and get somewhere in low-stress comfort, the Challenger is equally up to the task.
The plush, heated seats, compliant suspension, quiet cabin and effortless low-end power were soothing amid the chaos that is known as driving around L.A. And it all also reminded me what a great daily driver this car is. The only thing missing is a reverse park sensor or back up camera to make parking this beast on my increasingly crowded street easier.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 21,658 miles
charlesb says:
11:58 AM, 03/16/10
The Challenger looks really good but I don't think driving one is particularly rewarding.
hybris says:
12:02 PM, 03/16/10
If you want a heavy muscle road cruiser I agree this one of the best out there.
I'll take a black one with a auto please.
mlh says:
12:56 PM, 03/16/10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangling_modifier
hybris says:
01:03 PM, 03/16/10
@mlh
Thanks for noting my mistake.
*Heavy cruiser
This what I get for trying to multitask.
mlh says:
01:19 PM, 03/16/10
Oh, actually, that was meant for the author of the post. (See his first sentence.)
Little mistakes in comments are to be expected -- but not in the articles themselves!
johnnyturbo says:
01:42 PM, 03/16/10
mlh,
Thanks for the catch, the edit has been made. I guess my sore throat and stuffy head have affected my grammar...
badblackrt says:
03:11 PM, 03/16/10
Anybody, please name another car anywhere near that price that can do that.
There is none, certainly not Camaro or Mustang or any of the import crap.
Like I like to say about my Challenger I love her cause "She cruises like a Cadillac when I want to and Hauls-Ass when I need to.
Challenger is in a class of her own for sure.
mlh says:
09:12 PM, 03/16/10
johnnyturbo, I guess must have caught it because all the sudden I'm posting snarky comments! I'll try to be in a better mood tomorrow. : )
rtblues says:
09:34 PM, 03/16/10
I am compelled to post a comment regarding the challenger, normally I just read. Thank you for your time.
I purchased an R/T auto in Nov of 09'. Looked at a new Camaro, very nice car, however dealer would not let me test drive so that ended that. Next door was the Dodge dealer with a Challenger out on the ramps, I said let me just look. Never owning a Dodge product I was highly suspect, however I continued on. A hemi orange R/T caught my eye and again asked the salesman for a test ride. "No problem" she says and fetched the key. The car seemed very well built, handled quite well, and had ample power. I struck an OK deal and took my new R/T home.
I put 34K on the car, drove it every day, 122 miles round trip to work, rain, 118 degree heat, and 4 miles of washboarded gravel road. Every day. Living in rural Arizona I routinely cruised in the triple digits for half the trip, car never pulled, swayed, tracked like it was on a string. On top of all the abuse, (many,many, 1/4 mile blasts) there wasn't a squeak or rattle to be found.
While leaving work one day, I went to start the car and nothing, the vehicle had power, but the starter would not engage. I instantly reminded myself of the Dodge quality issues and thought I should have re-thought the camaro deal. Towed to the dealer, they found the problem fairly quickly, a rabbit or some vermin chewed the solenoid wire, which I insisted on seeing for myself. Something chewed it thats for sure. Took less than an hour to fix, no charge for the tow or repair.
Almost a year to date from my purchase, I traded the R/T on a gorgeous B5 blue R/T Classic, which I actually take care of now. The car is just as rock solid as the first, void of all squeaks, rattles, and again the build quality was quite good.
I must admit from my observations and ownership standpoint, Dodge builds a hell of a car, at least the challenger anyway.
I truely enjoy everyone's comments, I have learned quite a bit from them.
Thank you again for your time.
thedream21479 says:
12:59 AM, 03/17/10
Add me to the list of people who thinks it looks cool, but boring to drive. It's too big, bulky, heavy, no steering feel (and a too-big steering wheel to boot), cheesy interior.... this list goes on. But it has a nice V8.
chuckg says:
07:04 AM, 03/17/10
I parked my Challenger in my non-heated garage this past winter. That was the first week of December. During the next three months I never started the car or did anything else to it. The first week of March I started the car and took off like it was only parked there over nite.
On April 27 I will have owned my Challenger for one year. The car has never been back to the dealership except for an oil change. Like rtblues stated, I have no squeaks or rattles in mine either. I have never owned a vehicle that felt so solid.
It is a pleasure to own and drive a Challenger. It's like no other car I've ever owned.
jeepsrt says:
09:21 AM, 03/17/10
I don't understand the comments about the interior, it may be plain but it has pretty much all soft touch materials. I would say the Camaro is cheesy, hard plastic and horrible design.