This post was written by Rev. Marcus, better known to you as Revmarc. Here's what he has to say about his 2009 Challenger R/T 6-speed. -- Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
After reading about the transmission issues on the Camaro and the clutch issue on the Challenger, I thought I would offer my report on 19 months and 23,000 miles of 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T ownership.
I took delivery of my 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T on October 2, 2008. I had ordered the car at the beginning of June, and had waited anxiously for months for its arrival. As a husband and father of a growing family (three kids), I had to find a performance car that would seat five--no more Camaros and Mustangs for me. When I confirmed that the Challenger was going to be a five-passenger, I was sold. That, and the fact that I had always loved the looks of the original 1970-74 cars, and the new one nailed it. The fact that it was bigger than the Mustang (and coming Camaro) was exactly why I bought it.
I ordered it with the 6-speed, leather (mostly so my wife would have heated seats), Sound Group with the steering wheel controls and EVIC, no sunroof, no nav, and the 20-inch wheels. I immediately fell in love with the car. It was much larger than the Mustangs and Camaros I had previously owned, yet was far more powerful and fun to drive. Go figure. It reminded me of the 1994 Impala SS we had--massive, but fast and fun.
More after the jump...
I did a few appearance and performance modifications: American Racing wheels with Goodyear Eagle GTs in 265/35/22, Mopar coilover suspension, flat black "T/A"-style stripes, Mopar Go-Wing spoiler and T/A hood (long before the current appearance packages were available), Mopar cold air intake, Magnaflow exhaust, and a Diablosport Predator tuner.
I have done plenty of burnouts (a few are on YouTube), I have run it at our local 1/8 mile track, and have even run it at Road Atlanta (more fun than I could have imagined, especially with professional driver Randy Pobst giving me "lessons").
With 23,000 miles now on the clock, I have never had one mechanical or functional issue with the car (I had to have the grill replaced under warranty due to warped plastic, but that's it). The clutch is still perfect, the transmission doesn't grind, the rear doesn't whine, no switches have broken off.
I purchased a car with a performance group called a "Trak Pak", and I have driven it as intended. I have always maintained the car as it should be--synthetic oil changes every 3,000 (overkill, but that suits me), all the work done by a mechanic I trust at the dealership where I bought the car who treats it like it's his own. At 23,000 miles , I can consistently run 0-60 5.20-5.22 every time (4.9 with 1 foot of rollout, as you guys point out) and my best 1/8 mile is 9.1 @ 81 mph (coilovers and 22s are not good for traction at the dragstrip, but great at Road Atlanta).
Are there faster cars? Of course. I did not buy the modern Challenger because it would be the fastest. I bought it because it was not a pony car, but a muscle car. In all fairness, the new Challenger is more on the scale of what the Charger was back in the late '60s-early '70s as compared to the Mustang and Camaro. It's more like the Regal Grand National of the '80s being compared to a 5.0 Mustang or IROC-Z. But that suits me just fine. I can do smoky burnouts with my wife and three kids in the car. I've attached a couple of pics, too, so you can see what I've done.
Thanks for a great Web site that is always informative and fun without being insulting. That's rare for an automotive blog these days. Keep up the great work.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Rev. Marcus.
lostboyz says:
04:04 AM, 07/ 2/10
thats a beauty, congrats
pat1usmc says:
05:11 AM, 07/ 2/10
Awesome. Great write-up. One day there will be a Challenger in my driveway! Its nice to see someone so passionate about theirs.
Just a question though. Why go with the 20" wheels and Track pack if you replaced the suspension, wheels and tires? I'm guessing the mod bug hit as soon as you got her home.
txdave13 says:
05:35 AM, 07/ 2/10
Wow, sweet car. Probably my favorite car being made right now.
Congratulations. You've got a great ride and it sounds like you're digging it.
throwback says:
05:47 AM, 07/ 2/10
Nice car. Although i consider myself a Mustang guy, these cars have serious road presence. Even the V6s look good out in the real world.
crowb says:
06:26 AM, 07/ 2/10
Dude, that car looks bad ass. Very nice.
fundango says:
06:45 AM, 07/ 2/10
Nice color scheme on the car, looks great.
breadwagon says:
06:49 AM, 07/ 2/10
So CLEAN! This car looks pure evil in black. This writeup reminds me of when I used to beg my dad to do burnouts in our old Mustang. Epic fun.
jeepsrt says:
07:26 AM, 07/ 2/10
Nice car, I love the stance with the new wheels and coilover suspension, I'm waiting for the '11 6.4 SRT and may sell my Jeep for that.
powell_jr says:
07:44 AM, 07/ 2/10
That thing looks mean. I'm not a huge fan of big wheels, but those look great.
ed124c says:
07:48 AM, 07/ 2/10
Black stripes on a black car-- very subtle, very cool.
Sounds like this car is the perfect fit for you (and the family!). My advice is to not ever sell it.
I made a big mistake ove 40 years ago when I sold my '68 Z28.
Hindsight is 20-20-- remember that.
audisport says:
08:06 AM, 07/ 2/10
LOVE the flat black stripes on the black. Love the wheels, but I would have done 20's with bad Michigan potholes.
Awesome ride!! Nice pics..
The pic on the road course looks sweet. Nice stance, stock car needs to be lower like yours.
captainvw says:
08:57 AM, 07/ 2/10
You, sir, have an amazing car.
Words cannot describe the badass-ness this car exhibits. easily the best New-Age muscle car I've ever seen
May God smile upon you always
subytrojan says:
09:44 AM, 07/ 2/10
I LOVE the Road Atlanta photo! I wish a high resolution version was available!
God bless you, Rev. Marcus! I hope you and your family have a blessed Fourth! John 8:36
felonious says:
09:50 AM, 07/ 2/10
Great car, great write-up! I especially liked that last pic. I bet it's your favorite too! :D
sgude says:
10:01 AM, 07/ 2/10
I looked up "swagger" in the dictionary and saw a picture of this car. I didn't even need to read the definition.
half_ton says:
11:12 AM, 07/ 2/10
NICE looking vehicle!! How is the ride with the wheel/tire package you have?
roadburner says:
12:09 PM, 07/ 2/10
Great car! And kudos for taking to the strip AND the track- you are driving it like it should be driven!
wrinklebump says:
12:42 PM, 07/ 2/10
Easily the sweetest ride that's ever been in these write-ups
lautomobile says:
02:39 PM, 07/ 2/10
Very nice car, sir. It does my heart good to see that it gets some track time as well.
revmarc says:
03:26 PM, 07/ 2/10
Thanks for all the kind words, everyone.
Pat1USMC, I wanted the 20" wheels so that I could get the 3.92 rear end; the 18" wheels only come with a 3.73 gear. And yes, the bug bit early and hard LOL! I had a planin my head for what I wanted the car to look like, though, and it has turned out exactly like I hoped. Although one day, if I can ever scrounge up the money, I want a supercharger...really badly LOL!!
Breadwagon, our kids just love this car. our 3-year old son is always saying "Go faster, Daddy!" I've created three little car-loving monsters. (And no, I don't drive recklessly with the kids in the car. Well, maybe a burnout in the parking lot or two...:D
Ed124c, I know what you mean. I'd like to keep this one in the family.
Subytrojan, I can email you a hi-rez shot if you'd like. Email me at marcusbuckley@bellsouth.net.
sgude, LOL, thanks!
Half_ton, the ride is actually really good...not much different from stock, although the handling is worlds better. We just took a trip from Greer, SC to Orlando, FL in it, and we were all surprised at how comfortable we actually were. And we got 26 mpg!
Wrinklebump, thanks.
All of you have said some really nice things, and the compliments mean a lot coming from the crew of readers here at Inside Line. Thanks!
westys_4_ever says:
06:18 PM, 07/ 2/10
The thing I like is this is a family car that also happens to run like crap from a goose. I love the accessories you have added, gives the car an even more menacing look.
makakio says:
07:44 AM, 07/ 3/10
Revmarc - nice! I think these look good customized with either retro (read: relatively high aspect sidewall) rubber, or the very-low-profile rubber you're running. How does the ride (esp with the family on board) hold up for you going from the track pak 20s to 22s?
revmarc says:
09:59 AM, 07/ 3/10
Thanks!
And makakio, the ride is still very good on the 22s, even fully loaded.
gts09 says:
08:52 PM, 07/ 3/10
damn
exnevadan says:
04:39 PM, 07/ 4/10
that looks great - not a fan of the hood scoop, but otherwise outstanding
my dad had six different Camaro's when i was growing up, so i couldnt' wait for the new one to come out, but the Challenger is so much better looking than the new Camaro
the track pic is interesting, it actually looks small in front of the Porsche's, and i think of it as a big car
06flying_spur says:
07:36 AM, 07/ 5/10
WHATTT you can not Really think The Challenger is Better looking then a NEw Camaro!!!!!The Base ones and this one all look like cheep cars
Trying to look like what sick mustangs really look like
bearsdkills says:
10:38 AM, 07/ 5/10
FINALLY!! A challenger done right! Great choice of rims, and thanks for not destroying it by throwing 24s on it.
sk8nsanta says:
10:24 AM, 07/ 6/10
Nice right up brother! Way to represent!
revmarc says:
06:20 PM, 07/ 8/10
Have you seen the new "Mopar '10" Challenger? I feel like they owe me a royalty check for their "design" LOL.