Long-Term Road Tests

I have yet to get tired of looking at our 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T. Yeah, I get that its stance is too high with the stock suspension, and I'm not a huge fan of the wheels, but look at this rear-quarter panel -- it's luscious. I also have yet to get tired of driving the car. It rides like some kind of personal luxury coupe, yet it makes all kinds of wonderful, noisy sounds when you accelerate hard or execute a heel-and-toe downshift.

However, I do not like the steering wheel in our Challenger R/T. I also didn't like it our long-term Magnum R/T, nor have I liked it any Charger or Chrysler 300 I've driven. It's not that it's too big. The steering ratio is not quick in this car (it's listed at 16.1:1 in the specs), so turning the front wheels is a leisure activity anyway. It's the squared off spokes that ride up too high for a comfortable grip at 9-and-3.

The Challenger's steering wheel only gets a pass because we have a Camaro to kick around.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 13,040 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Below are the fuel economy numbers for October 2009. 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.

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

Continue reading Big List of Fuel Economy: October 2009 .

Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,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 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX,2010 Mazdaspeed 3,2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

Over the weekend, I ran into the same issue on our long-term 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T that we've had with our Evolution X MR and Evo GSR. The "distance to empty" meter stops counting down the miles once you drop below a certain threshold.

In our Challenger R/T, that threshold is 30 miles, and it seems to be timed with the low fuel warning light. That light (off to the left) came on at the 347.5-mile mark in this trip.

On the upside, the lack of DTE functionality isn't such an annoyance in the Dodge, which actually has some fuel range, thanks to its 19-gallon tank and respectable 25-mpg highway rating (though of course it rates only 16 in the city).

I ended up with 19.8 mpg on this 365.8-mile tank and I put in 18.468 gallons. I have to think, though, that the 19-gallon "capacity" is a rounded-down estimate. Hard to believe I was really a mere half-gallon from running dry fewer than 20 miles after the low-fuel warning light illuminated. Still, this tank bodes well for my upcoming road trip in the Challenger: Our longest tank so far is 396.8 miles (as driven by Brent Romans), so 400 should be attainable.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 13,007 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

The exhaust note in our 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T is pretty special, but after that there's the horn. This video doesn't do it justice (maybe we'll put a real mic to it one of these days), but it's one of the loudest and most satisfying horns I've ever used in anger. It's perfect for a large black coupe. "You will respect my authoritah!" I've been heard to quote...

Erin Riches, Senior Editor

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: My 2nd Favorite Sound.

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Every time I open the trunk of our long-term 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, I get a bit of a shock. It's a wider and deeper hold than I've been conditioned to expect in a coupe, and published capacity is an impressive 16.2 cubic feet.

Still, a few cargo tie-downs, or grocery bag hooks, or a cargo net would greatly improve its functionality. As it is, I end up stuffing grocery bags (and, yes, melons) into the cabin since there's no way to corral anything. I checked the Mopar accessories site and came up dry -- the only extra you can get is a trunk mat. So real owners might have to use some creativity here.

Just seeing the trunk, though, makes me wonder why I haven't taken our Challenger on one of my road trips. Plenty of room for my stuff here, and I certainly like the way the big coupe rides. I also like the way it moves out in traffic (with a downshift or two) but then settles back into its customarily serene cruising demeanor (with an upshift to 6th). So, no reason for delay: I'm planning a road trip for November.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 12,842 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Yeah, I didn't think I would. The Camaro has all the right specs on paper and it looks pretty good in person. But I got in the Challenger last night after driving the Camaro for a couple days and it simply suits me better.

You don't feel like you're sitting so low in the car and the controls all work together more naturally. Sure, the Challenger feels huge from behind the wheel, but the Camaro is no Caterham either. I like the power delivery of the Hemi too, comes on stronger out of the hole. I know the Camaro is faster and all, but it doesn't always feel like it.

Strangely enough the Challenger's interior works for me too. There's nothing very retro about it either . It's just simple, not gimmicky, it works.

I'm not saying that the Camaro won't grow on me in the coming months, but for now I'd take the  Challenger instead.

Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line @ 12,761 miles
 

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Last week we had our 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T serviced at La Brea Chrysler Jeep. We were a little off schedule, so this appointment satisfied the 12,000-mile maintenance interval and put things back on track. As expected, it included an oil and filter change, air filter replacement, tire rotation and various safety inspections. But it was pricey.

Total cost: $179.47

Days out of service: 0

Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Manager @ 12,411 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Perhaps it was an overzealous vacuum-wielding car-wash employee. Maybe the seatbelt has been waiting for just the right set of circumstances to pluck-off the cover. Whatever the case, the seat-bottom adjuster cover has gone AWOL. I checked under the seat, in the glove box, in the center console and found Bupkiss. I also noticed the linkage on the 6-speed manual shifter has a bunch more slack and wiggle in it than last time I drove the Challenger.

Chris Walton, Chief Road Test Editor @ 12,695 miles

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

What do you want to know about the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T?

Have you driven one, sat in one, seen one on the road? Write your review in the comments section.

Any details you want us to take photos or video of?

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Plum Crazy pearl coat paint will be available for the 2010 Challenger R/T and Challenger SRT8.

It's a traditional color that will bring back fond memories for you original Challenger lovers out there.

Now, how about the other oldies like Sublime and Go-Mango. We want them all.

Read the full story on Inside Line's News section:

2010 Dodge Challenger Gets "Plum Crazy" Paint Job

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

As a child of the 80's, I was struck by the visual richness of Miami Vice. One scene in particular stuck with me through the years. It was from the pilot episode, a Tuxedo-black Daytona Spyder zooming down the streets of Miami, with Phil Collins' In the Air Tonight playing in the background.

Here is my photographic homage to that scene with our Challenger R/T.

And here's the original scene, complete with kitschy 80's style and weak dialogue. Click through to see the other two shots. I really wish I had a stronger camera rig to get the nose back shot that Michael Mann had on the Daytona, though. And for the record, yes, I was listening to In the Air Tonight as I shot these.

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: In the Air Tonight.

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Our Dodge Challenger's number is up again. It's getting another turn as car of the week.

You know, one of the best parts of Inside Line's redesign, IMHO, is the photo galleries feature.

Go back to the Introduction of the Dodge Challenger and look at all the photos in full-screen mode. Follow this link. You won't be disappointed.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

Everyone likes to think "the old days" were better. In many ways they were -- common courtesy was actually common, gas was under a buck a gallon and the musicians who made the Billboard Top Ten actually possessed musical talent.  But in others they weren't better; there was civil unrest, more pollution and no internet.  But I digress...

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: Looking Back.

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

In L.A., there a strip of pavement that runs from Hollywood to the beach called Sunset Boulevard. It's a straight four-lane cruising run as it runs through Hollywood, then turns into a serpentine snake as it climbs up and over Beverly Hills. On an evening dinner run on both sections of Sunset, I learned quite a bit about our big black Challenger.

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: More Hollywood Than Beverly Hills.

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

I ran into my old journalism professor this past weekend and inevitably got to chatting about cars. After decades of buying Buicks (he owned the last Riviera when I met him and owns the 1951 Buick Eight pictured), he finally gave up and bought a pair of his and her Priuses. Well, he no longer likes his. He was about to explain, but judging by intonation I already knew why he didn't like his Prius. It was the same reason I wouldn't like my Prius.

Any way, we chatted about the new LaCrosse and the upcoming Regal. He mentioned he always wanted a Jeep Wrangler, but then I explained that his bad back would disintegrate if he got one of those. Then I asked, "Hey Dr. J, do you know what a Dodge Challenger is? Yeah, want to see one?"

I took him out to see our Challenger, told him to press the ON button and letter fly. He loved it.

"Maybe this is what I should get. Doesn't an old muscle car seem perfect?"

When he told this to his wife, she laughed saying in a very wifely way that this car was more for young guys like me rather than 60-year-old professors. After a second of thought, I then laughed and said, "Actually, this is exactly the type of car for 60-year-old professors. Big, comfy, easy to drive, stonking fast and he can remember the original one."

She still wasn't sold, but I know he'll be liking his Prius even less now.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 12,457 miles

UPDATE: Since so many of you noticed and complained about my little Photoshop job/error above, please see new and improved version after the jump.

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Challenger: The Choice of 60-Year-Old Professors.

Categories: 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T