2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Long-Term Road Tests Archives

This one is from the cutting room floor, as I actually made this trip back at Thanksgiving. But the fact remains that I crammed the Challenger full of stuff, proving you don't need an SUV to haul a golf bag, 3 tons of laundry, a suitcase wrapped as a Christmas gift, a boxed Canon printer, a few suitcases, various groceries, three curling brooms and a partridge in a pear tree. No, all it takes is some creative packing while the Tetris song plays in your head.

All the bulky items went in the back seat, since it was easier to stack them. I still had enough visibility out the back -- well, as good as can be expected in the Challenger at least. This big Dodge's size seemed like a detriment at first, but once again, an extended time with the Challenger has revealed its virtues.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 15,562 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Below are the fuel economy numbers for January 2010. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.

As usual, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments. You'll see a couple of newcomers on this list as well.

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Continue reading Big List of Fuel Economy: January 2010.

Categories: 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid,2010 Honda Insight EX,2010 Mazdaspeed 3,2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

When the 2009 Dodge Challenger first came out, it seemed that only those that grew up with the old Challenger gave it a second glance. That's how it seemed when I drove our long term test car the first couple of times, anyway. This theory was given extra credence by the chorus of "mehs" and "I don't get its" that issued from some of the younger staffers in the office.

But this weekend was markedly different. At Ruby's a little boy pulled his daddy by the arm to "go see" the car. Dad seemed proud, perhaps, that his son saw something interesting there and wanted him to tell him about it, so he did. It was parked between a new Mustang and a New Beetle, but neither of them earned the slightest glance from this pair.

 A young dude outside another restaurant walked all around our black R/T and peered inside it during his smoking exile. A teen girl walking through the Home Depot parking lot with her mom broke ranks and did the same thing, except without the cigarette. She was actually giddy and I heard her mutter the word "cool" under her breath.

Then there was the guy who manages Ranch Enchilada, the local Mexican food joint I frequent. He took off his apron and headed outside for a closer look as we walked out to the car.

It's almost as if they'd never seen a Challenger. They certainly have, I'd wager, so I'll put forth another theory. People recognize goodness when they see it, and now that the Camaro has made it's much ballyhooed appearance, the Challenger stands alone as the best-looking most authentic modern interpretation of the original of any retro-themed car out there. It has staying power, it has presence. It looks cool. People of all ages get it.

Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 19,383 miles

Photo by: Scott Jacobs

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Frankly, I find it ridiculous, and a little sad, that a V8 muscle car like our 2009 Challenger R/T doesn't have an analog oil pressure gauge. Instead, Dodge has included this digital gauge which can be called up on the information screen with a few jabs at the steering wheel buttons. Better than nothing, but about as interesting and artistic as a sheet of plain white paper.

At least it actually works. Watch the video and marvel how the Hemi's oil pressure rises and falls with its rpm. There was a time when manufacturers stopped such function because ignorant owners were bringing their cars into the dealer because it was broken.

"It seems to run fine, but the gauge goes down to 30 psi every time they stop at a red light. Something must be wrong."

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 19,172 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Last night I broke bread with Jim Sassorosi. Who, over hunks of red meat and enormous bacon-covered baked patatoes, told me that the Dodge Challenger recently surpassed the Ram truck as the vehicle Chrysler Corporation customers accessorize the most.

He should know. Jim is the Director of Mopar Parts Sales and Marketing which means he's in charge of selling you everything from Hemi crate motors to fancy floor mats. And according to Jim, Dodge dealers are now selling more Mopar stuff for Challengers then they are for Rams.

I think we need to get in on the action.

Of course our dinner conversation turned to our long-term 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, which I of course brought to the restaurant to show Jim.

"Jim, ol' buddy ol' pal, I think our Challenger can use a little love," I said as we exited the Manhattan Beach bistro for the parking lot. "Maybe some of those parts you were showing off at SEMA back in November."

"Sure, what do you want," he replied. "Lower suspension? Torque Thrust style wheels? How about a strobe stripe down the side and a Challenger T/A style hoodscoop like we used back in 1970."

"Um, okay," I replied before he could reconsider. "And how about some floor mats."

"No problem."

So what do you think? Should we start throwing parts at our Challenger?

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief   

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

If you went to this month's Detroit Auto Show, you might have gotten the impression that Fiat executives really aren't as sure about Chrysler's product plan as they claimed to be last November. How else to explain the absence of the 2011 Grand Cherokee (scheduled to go on sale in the second quarter of this year) and the presence of the hideous Chrysler-badged Lancia Delta hatchback?

I hope, though, that some of the Fiat leadership have taken a drive in the Dodge Challenger. From the burbling V8 soundtrack in the R/T to the beautifully executed ride/handling balance, this coupe is easily the best of the cars built off the LX platform architecture.

The Challenger also makes Chrysler look good to the public. When people see our black R/T, they come up to you wanting to talk about the car, not the bankruptcy and government/Fiat takeover. Eighteen months have passed since the Challenger SRT8 went on sale. Yet, even in Los Angeles, where the attention span is short and preference goes to imports, I still hear people say, "Oooh, that's the new Dodge Challenger..." as I stroll through parking lots looking for a spot large enough to fit the beast.

If Chrysler's going to survive this upheaval, the Chrysler-Fiat leadership simply has to do right by the Dodge Challenger. Keep it alive. Keep it interesting. Absolutely don't neglect it.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 19,106 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

This is a good week to drive our long-term 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T. It has rained for six days straight so the roads are damp as they can be. And after almost 19,000 miles, the Challenger's all-season Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires are finally showing some wear. It doesn't take much to break them loose.

Recently, I watched The Beast, the documentary about actor Eric Bana's Falcon GT. It's about a long-term relationship with a '74 Ford Falcon GT. It began when Bana saved up to buy the car in high school after watching Falcons tear around Australia's Bathurst circuit, and it culminates a couple decades later when Bana, the successful actor, overhauls the car to race in the Targa Tasmania Rally.

It's a moving story in the way that stories about long-term relationships with cars usually are. I've been wondering if I should start a long-term relationship with a Challenger R/T. The more I drive this car, the more I like it. And with a few key upgrades, perhaps I could transform it into a car I'd want to go around corners in...

But first I'd have to deal with the clutch. I've put a lot of miles on our Challenger, and I still cannot stand the clutch takeup. Now I know I've just incriminated myself as the "brother-in-law" who lunched the car's original clutch. I swear that wasn't me. But I do swear about this clutch, all the time, because the vague engagement point, combined with the slightly delayed throttle response, drives me up the wall. I do not abide.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

After driving the Audi S5 all weekend, I thought the Dodge Challenger R/T might be a huge letdown. It wasn't.

Even after almost 19,000 miles, the Challenger still feels tight and well built. The doors slam shut with a solid thud and there aren't any noticeable squeaks and rattles. 

The smoothness of its drivetrain is especially impressive. Sure, the big ol' Hemi is a pretty crude engine compared to the Audi's V8, but it doesn't feel that way from behind the wheel. It pulls smoothly from right off idle and doesn't get the least bit harsh at higher rpm. Other than the slightly rubbery shifter, the Challenger feels every bit as enjoyable in the drivetrain department.

Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line @ 18,822 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Note the chime, the extended display and the two-stage reminder system. The 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T does maintenance reminding well.

Oh, right, it's in for service for this and the key fob. Will post results next week.

Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 18,670 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

I can find the key fob. Can you find it? Our 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T can not.

Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Dodge really nailed it when it comes to the seats in the Challenger. They're super comfortable -- not too mushy, just nicely firm. And the black stitched leather looks amazing -- these photos don't even begin to do it justice. Every time I slide behind the wheel, it's as if I'm settling into one of these things...

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Challenger: The Seats to Beat .

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

One of the things I love about Las Vegas is that valet parking is free -- at all the swank hotels.

The valets at those hotels see just about every high-ballin' car out there. This past summer, during one visit alone we spotted several NBA players by the pool -- you can just imagine what they drive. And at the 2010 CES this past week, a new blacked-out Aston DBS was parked in my hotel's driveway. 

But nearly every time I pulled up in our long-term 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T last week, I was greeted with questions and compliments from the valets.

"I like those," I overheard one valet say to another. "How do you like it?" and "It's nice" were accompanied by envious stares at the Challenger. 

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: Vegas Valets Like It.

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Just the other morning our 2009 Dodge Challenger greeted us with a service reminder. Dodge products are on a 6,000-mile recommended service interval. So it was really no surprise considering our last visit to the dealer came at the 12,000-mile mark.

Expected maintenance for this visit includes new oil and filter, diff fluid inspection and a tire rotation. In our town that runs about 90 bucks. We'll schedule the appointment and let you know how it goes.

Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Manager @ 18,533 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

... or perhaps stubbornly locked. Either way, pressing the unlock button on our longterm 2009 Dodge Challenger's key fob is something of a crapshoot. This morning I gave it a good five presses before it relented.

Maybe the battery's going dead? Dunno about that -- locking and/or trunk-ing works fine.

That, and the Ram's key fob misbehaves in the same manner, too. Could be coincidence, but I doubt it.

Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Forgive me, but the above picture is of the Tremec TR-6060 as it appears in a Camaro SS, but you get the idea. This post, unfortunately, is about our Challenger's own TR-6060.

I had our Challenger about a week ago, and as much as I didn't want to, I parked it outside.

I don't know how cold it got, our thermometers in Southern California only go down to 55 degrees, but at around 9 am the following morning our Challenger was nearly impossible to shift. Any attempt to shift into second was met with a slow, but equally loud, thunk-thunk-thunk-thunk. Eventually, after about four or five thunks, it would slot into gear only to suffer the same ordeal when attempting to shift into third. After a few of these painfully awkward shifts, I decided to dust off my seldom used double clutch upshift.

Amazingly, ten years after I last used did it, the double clutch shift worked and the gear lever slotted into second without protest. Ditto for third.

The thunking dissipated as the car, and the gearbox, warmed up but was still perceptible and occasionally caused a sloppy and abrupt upshift - but only into second and third gears. The other gears worked without protest, even in the cold morning leading me to come to a few possible conclusions.

1. The synchros might be lunched. These are the gears people want to 'power shift' and since that fast shifting goes completely against the grain of this transmission, enough over-aggression has cause the synchros to wear down and cry uncle. Remember, there are 30+ people of varying abilities who have access to these cars and not everybody is as awesome as I am.

2. The tranny fluid might be ill-suited for cooler temps. I find that hard to believe in that this happened in Southern California which never gets that cold. If that's the case, I can't imagine what this car would be like in North Dakota.

3. The floor mat might be keeping the clutch pedal from being full depressed and thus keeping the clutch from becoming fully disengaged. If that were true, the other gears would be just as recalcitrant as second and third.

So basically, I don't know.

What do you guys think?

Kurt Niebuhr, Photo Editor @ 17,630 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T