Ok, I think we've all read, or seen, or driven the Challenger car and know it's big. It's bigger than the original Challenger. A car that came to life in 1970, the grand era of land boats.
Maybe it felt bigger than it actually was because I drove my Mazda 3 before getting into it. It didn't matter once I hit that start button. When the engine came to life in the confines of the garage Friday night with a meaty growl, I was glad I had the keys to this beast.
It was raining out, so I turned off the stability control to have a little fun. It's stupid high school fun to spin out the tires on a slick surface or let the back drag out a touch when making corners, but it's even more fun when you have that Detroit motor revving loudly.
Precision is not the Challengers cup of tea. I thought it felt sloppy, it doesn't corner well, it's heavy and the skinny steering wheel doesn't give me a good feeling of control. But it does do big burnouts and it's meaty engine get nice 'n loud. For bonus points, its old school street machine looks still turns plenty of heads.
@nbsp;
With the weekend over, the only size related negative I came away with were its large doors. The long and heavy swing can catch you unaware if you aren't prepared, and judging by the lack of paint at the edge of the door several editors have had this problem. However, size does matter when you're going to Goodwill in the morning. Its massive trunk accommodated two big boxes of donations!
Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer
hybris says:
11:22 AM, 03/ 8/10
That door looks terrible no doubt about it.
redliner says:
12:31 PM, 03/ 8/10
I would hate to have one of your editors park next to me.
Thats why I generally park WAY way WAY over in a corner by myself when I go to mall/store/office.
desmolicious says:
01:50 PM, 03/ 8/10
Seeing that damage to the door, and all the other scratches/dings/dents the other fleet cars have, one wonders how any mfg is willing to provide test cars...
Edmunds' LT vehicles are treated worse than rental cars. Not cool.
e90_m3 says:
03:34 PM, 03/ 8/10
Ouch! Better touch up the paint before the door starts rusting.
badblackrt says:
07:40 AM, 03/ 9/10
You guys should fire who ever did that to those doors. They are obviously pure hacks...
You have to be a pregnant by your daddy back woods hack to do that to the doors.
You show that like your proud of it. You guys are truly idiots. And we are supposed to trust your opinion and you can not even take proper care of a door. Sad!
Its not the size of the door its the size of your brains, very very small..
Your momma would not be proud.
theodore2 says:
11:51 AM, 03/20/10
What a stupid statement kinda like a sloppy Joe you don't try to spin tires on a muscle car when it's wet out! Unless your asking for trouble! Not a smart statement from a auto tester!