2015 Dodge Challenger

  • Thread starter Slash
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I am definitely not a fan of the big three, but to me the Challenger is the best looking and most like a proper muscle car. This is a very subjective discussion, and it comes down to personal preference. For me, the Challenger looks like it came straight out of the muscle car era, while the others simply don't. People complaining it is a boat should try to recall all those old muscle cars. Dodge is doing the same thing now as it did back then - just add power. And I like it.
 
Benny44
I am definitely not a fan of the big three, but to me the Challenger is the best looking and most like a proper muscle car. This is a very subjective discussion, and it comes down to personal preference. For me, the Challenger looks like it came straight out of the muscle car era, while the others simply don't. People complaining it is a boat should try to recall all those old muscle cars. Dodge is doing the same thing now as it did back then - just add power. And I like it.
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I respect your opinion, but with new technology of today why would you want a modern muscle car to drive and handle horribly like back in the 60's. Keeping the retro looks is fine, I like the looks of the new Challenger, it could be less massive though. But leave the horrid handling back in the 60's and 70's where it belongs. Just because a muscle car looks like it's from the good old days doesn't mean it should handle like it too.
 
Benny44
I am definitely not a fan of the big three, but to me the Challenger is the best looking and most like a proper muscle car. This is a very subjective discussion, and it comes down to personal preference. For me, the Challenger looks like it came straight out of the muscle car era, while the others simply don't. People complaining it is a boat should try to recall all those old muscle cars. Dodge is doing the same thing now as it did back then - just add power. And I like it.
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We are recalling the past, the point is why should it run and act like a car from the 60s and 70s. As Ford and GM have shown you can build a Muscle car in looks and power and still have sports car handling capabilities and speed.

I mean if you like reliving that era but with new skin, I agree go buy the Challenger. If you believe the world evolves and isn't stuck in motion then you're probably not going to buy this car. We remember, that time frame, and due to it we'd buy a car from that actual era, not one emulating or postulating as one in Today's world.
 
Dodge, or I guess technically SRT, makes a Viper. That corners quite well. Challenger is a throwback, and judging by their popularity, a good idea. Some older guys prefer an old style muscle but with creature comforts. I wouldn't buy any American car if I had the money, but it all depends what you like
 
Chevy makes the Corvette Z06/and the outgoing ZR1 and they corner well(understatement). They also make muscle with the Camaro, while isn't a throwback it still handles good. Ford with the Mustang that handles decent. I don't think just because it uses the throw back retro look its excusable to handle like a boat.

But I suppose you're right and those buying the Challengers aren't really concerned about the handling. Especially with the Hellcat, cus you know ITS GOT 707HP BABY, what da hell I need to turn for!!!

I'm not hating on the Challenger, I like it's retro look, I just wish it lost size, weight, and took more importance on handling. The Hellcat is a pretty good bargain at 707hp if straight line only is your thing, and there's plenty of those types of buyers. So props to Dodge in that aspect. Still need more rubber in the rear though.

By the way I am a big MOPAR fan from the 60's, early 70's.
 
-Fred-
The problem with that is, back in the 1970s big power and little cornering ability was fine... but the yardstick has moved. Cars are expected to do both, and do both well.
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Especially if they plan to carry 700+ hp on tap.

Benny44
Dodge, or I guess technically SRT, makes a Viper. That corners quite well. Challenger is a throwback, and judging by their popularity, a good idea. Some older guys prefer an old style muscle but with creature comforts. I wouldn't buy any American car if I had the money, but it all depends what you like
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Judging by their popularity compared to what? We've shown sales figures here before compared to the challenger models and the other two makes competing cars. The Challenger fails in that area, which would constitute popularity to a degree. Also what does the Viper have to do with this? I didn't know it competed with the ZL1 and GT500, because compared to the cars in its class (Viper) it handles only slightly better than the Challenger does to it's competition which isn't all that great to start.

IT's only when TA edition cars comes out does Chrysler seem to throw money at it and do well. Viper TA or ACR
 
Benny44
People complaining it is a boat should try to recall all those old muscle cars. Dodge is doing the same thing now as it did back then - just add power. And I like it.
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The Camaro Z/28, AMC Javelin, Shelby GT350, and Boss 302 would like a word with you.

Muscle cars handled like boats. Pony cars were much more nimble. You're repeating an inaccurate stereotype.
 
Not any more inaccurate than the racy homologation ones being used to represent the entire spectrum of pony cars. Pony cars with big blocks (which were undoubtedly far more common than the Trans Am-esque ones) were even more boat-like than the bigger cars with those engines.
 
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Batman-Facepalm.gif



Nevermind.
 
In other words talking about the big block engines that were put in smaller pony cars that they weren't even designed for has little relevance to the modern version as the T/A do.

Though I'd say @Zenith using the T/A as an example is only better placed due to Chrysler releasing a car for T/A competition after releasing the Hellcat. Which would indicate to some that what they're currently doing is track worthy enough to be represented in a trans am form.

Also not sure why the face palm, I get your post but that isn't an excuse for Dodge when one they're not using a big block and two if they were it doesn't mean they couldn't have done a better job.
 
Tornado
Not any more inaccurate than the racy homologation ones being used to represent the entire spectrum of pony cars. Pony cars with big blocks (which were undoubtedly far more common than the Trans Am-esque ones) were even more boat-like than the bigger cars with those engines.
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This is true, I never meant to say that all Challengers and pony cars could handle well. They couldn't. I was saying that not all Challengers and pony cars were boats.
 
To be fair, this Challenger has as much to do with the old one as the Viper has to do with the 70's Challenger. It's more of a modern Charger.

As for the idea that the Challenger is supposed to capture the spirit of older muscle cars, I don't think people think of muscle cars as cars that are supposed to handle poorly. More like they have enough power to do stupid things with. You can have a car like that without designing it to collapse or trip over itself mid-corner.

The biggest benefit of throwing a huge engine in a soft car is that you get to go fast (in a straight line) for little money. The Challenger isn't all that cheap though.
 
So my Father plans on getting a Hellcat next Spring to my surprise. He's getting the 8 speed auto so I guess I'll be able to get some impressions when that time comes. Funny thing is I absolutely love the refreshed look now and seriously considering a Scat Pack... All this performance junk aside unless you plan to track it if its comfy goes fast and makes great noise what else do you want?
 
Blackbird.
So my Father plans on getting a Hellcat next Spring to my surprise. He's getting the 8 speed auto so I guess I'll be able to get some impressions when that time comes. Funny thing is I absolutely love the refreshed look now and seriously considering a Scat Pack... All this performance junk aside unless you plan to track it if its comfy goes fast and makes great noise what else do you want?
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The car not to be so heavy that it sinks until it beaches itself on fresh asphalt?

:lol:

In all seriousness that's been the 'ole Murican muscle car argument for a while. It works just fine in many places where the only way to find roads that bend more than twice in a mile is to actively seek them out.
 
Zenith
The car not to be so heavy that it sinks until it beaches itself on fresh asphalt?

:lol:

In all seriousness that's been the 'ole Murican muscle car argument for a while. It works just fine in many places where the only way to find roads that bend more than twice in a mile is to actively seek them out.
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While I agree it could shed some weight it is what it is. I give kudos to Ford for what they've been able to acheive with the new Mustang although personally I'm still not 100% with the looks. Beyond what these cars are capable of its really up to what the buyer wants. I suppose in this case if you want a capable sports car with loads of power you go with a Mustang GT. If you want a cruiser with even more power who's focus isn't on tracking but more on just hooning in you could go for a Challenger Scat Pack. Until Dodge suffers in sales because their Challenger isn't a track capable car it won't change.
 
This car makes zero sense in the UK, but right now, it, the new Mustang and F-Type R are the only new cars I desire.

I find myself thinking about the Cat daily.
 
Slash
Hellcats. Hellcats everywhere.

1617680_10152328550467077_6400436700294345770_o.jpg
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Holy Hellcat, Batman! One question though, how many colors are there supposed to be? I see....six? Seventh car deep in that front row may be blue, but I can't tell. Seems that silver will be the low option color at the moment.
 

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