This post was written by Rob, known to you as sk8nsanta, who drives a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic in a much brighter color than our black beauty. Here is what he had to say:
In March of 2009 I placed a factory order for one of my dreams cars, a Dodge Challenger. Like many Challenger lovers, I instantly fell in love with the modern interpretation after seeing the concept sketch in the summer of 2006. What I didn't realize at the time was that just three short years later, I'd have one of my own.
I wanted a Challenger that was as close to the originals as you could get, and when I found out about the classic edition, I knew it had to be. After an almost unbearable six-month wait due to all the problems Chrysler ran into last summer, my very own muscle car finally arrived. And a new chapter in my life had begun.
This January, in the middle of what felt like never-ending snowfall (for the DC area at least), we got what seemed like a miracle at the time, a three-day weekend (honoring Dr. Martin Luther King) with temperatures in the mid 50s. I could not pass up the opportunity to get a little adventurous and see where the road would take me. Turns out, I-95 took me south down into North Carolina in search of BBQ. Over the next day and a half I racked up 880 delicious, southern hospitality miles traveling back and forth across the state sampling some our nation's finest cuisine.
More after the jump...
There couldn't have been a car better suited for this trip than my R/T Classic, complete with a pistol grip shifter, heritage wheels, side body striping, and "please don't mind me officer" HEMI Orange paint. There are good road trips, and then there are great road trips. This, my friends, was a GREAT road trip. Blasting down the highway in that tall 6th gear, rocking out to AC/DC, Skynyrd, and Boston, stomach filled with pulled pork and hushpuppies left little more to be desired.
The break from the hustle and bustle from the Northern Virginia/DC area was some much needed therapy, and I couldn't have asked for a better therapist than that rumbling HEMI V8 listening to my every command. The ride is plenty comfortable (yet still firm) with the 20" wheels rolling over little bumps and potholes with ease. No ricketing coming from the dash, no squeaking coming from the doors, this thing is just solid and ready to be driven -- and drive it I did. I even managed a pretty respectable 25 mpg taking full advantage of cruise control and all six gears...Okay, you got me, it was only 24 mpg. But who am I to not lay some rubber down at the request of some hootin' and hollerin' fine southern folk? That simply wouldn't be polite!
In a country still recovering from financial hardship, the Challenger brought a smile to many faces, and reminded them, if only for a moment, that this is still a beautiful life. A beautiful life filled with possibility, adventure, excitement, and...BBQ!
Rob Stratton @ 7,200 miles
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Rob. Rob also maintains his own blog at http://aslivedbyrobstratton.blogspot.com/
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
theodore2 says:
05:11 AM, 05/25/10
Hey way to go Rob representing the Z forum! Dave
sgude says:
05:54 AM, 05/25/10
Nice. This guy gets it.
captainvw says:
07:47 AM, 05/25/10
Gotta love 95 through VA, 3 lanes of fast moving, smooth traffic. I take 95 when traveling from ODU in Norfolk VA to my home in Nova and its rarely congested or truck-filled. Awesome
ed124c says:
07:50 AM, 05/25/10
Hire him!
I saw an '08 (I looked at the registration sticker on the windshield) Challenger SRT at the mall yesterday-- metallic black outside, black inside. Really impressive, much more so than a Camaro. Nice job, Chrysler. Make more cars like this one, only a little less expensive.
tslbmw says:
08:10 AM, 05/25/10
Just a great post. Thanks Rob. I think I might have heard the rumble of your Hemi as you passed right through my hometown of Richmond VA.
If you ever get the chance, hit Pierces Pitt BBQ (www.pierces.com) right off I 64 in Williamsburg...incredible food & service...
rick8365 says:
08:12 AM, 05/25/10
Thanks for takin' us along on a fun road trip.
Good luck (and continued enjoyment) with your Hemi R/T, Rob.
smudge12 says:
08:32 AM, 05/25/10
Captainvw,
I also go to Old Dominion and live in NoVA!
Beautiful Dodge btw.
kingkhalas says:
09:18 AM, 05/25/10
great post.
This guy can write.
exnevadan says:
09:50 AM, 05/25/10
that was a good read.
who doesn't love a road trip, especially in a great car on great roads with great food along the way? doubt the two Honda owners had the same experience.
auto4fun says:
10:53 AM, 05/25/10
Wow, that was some great writing! Sounds like you had an awesome trip, with arguably one of the best road-trip cars available.
ms3omglol says:
11:11 AM, 05/25/10
For the musclecar lover who realizes he won't ever see track time, the Challenger is a sweet daily driver and cruiser with just enough muscle and looks to keep him satisfied. My brother owns a 2009 Challenger RT. I was very suprised at the level of luxury when riding in the car. The road noise is totally absent. The ride is smooth without feeling wallowy. My Mazdaspeed 3 rides like a nervous teen in comparison. If I was blindfolded, I'd swear I was riding in a European luxury sport sedan.
wrinklebump says:
12:09 PM, 05/25/10
Gorgeous car. The 20s look real sharp. If you're ever in Michigan, gimme a ride.
stephen987 says:
12:49 PM, 05/25/10
Terrific car. Wish they'd also make a 3/4 scale version with a 300hp all-aluminum V6 for those of us who prefer a slightly more snug fit.
roadburner says:
01:00 PM, 05/25/10
The Challenger is the best street machine/cruiser of all the ponycars. Wicked bad. I'd like an SRT8 if I could justify having a car for just that purpose.
93aero says:
02:25 PM, 05/25/10
hes cute!!!!! <3
tomm250 says:
03:10 PM, 05/25/10
Nice post Rob! Of all the new "retro" muscle cars, the challenger is by far my favorite. I sat in a black one at the NY auto show last month, nice.
Fellow Guest Blogger,
Tom M
MINI-E #250 @ 31,400 miles
http://minie250.blogspot.com/
sk8nsanta says:
07:22 PM, 05/25/10
All,
Thanks very much for all the kind words and comments! I just got to see this post now since I was driving home from Boston all day long. I know I don't comment here much, but I do read this site....a lot, and it's been a pleasure getting to share some of my thoughts with you.
Glad to see this one didn't turn into another comparison pissing match, cause if it did, well then the point was missed to begin with!
I had a lot of fun writing this one up, and hopefully the kind editors here at IL will let me write some more and some point! :)
Thanks again everyone!
chuckg says:
06:26 AM, 05/26/10
Rob just captured one aspect of what life is like living with a Challenger. Need to clear your head? Hop into that big honking Dodge and take off to nowhere.
Nice job!
charlesb says:
11:37 AM, 05/26/10
When your "toy" is a chopped-down Chrysler 300 with two doors you know you've arrived...in hell. Loving the retro styling, I get, but the dynamics of these cars simply don't hold up their end of the bargain.
gspfan says:
05:14 PM, 05/26/10
Very cool car! I bought a new Mustang GT convertible last year but seriously considered the Challenger. If my budget allowed and garage were big enough I would certainly own both. The Challenger is a great looking modern Mopar muscle car. If only they'd bring back Plymouth so the 'Cuda could join the lineup. Enjoy your ride!
r1chwa1nwr1ght says:
04:41 PM, 06/ 1/10
I love it rob... same story here, got my 2010 rt 6spd manual last fall, epic!
Rich w