Challenger SRT8

[wd40]

My buddy came in from out of town and showed up at my front door with a new Challenger SRT8 (900 miles). Beautiful car, I loved the 20” black chrome wheels-really nice looking wheels-definitely reminded me of the good old days-my first hot rod was a 396 Camaro. I drove his car and he drove the Genesis. I was surprised the car did not feel much faster than the Genesis and he also confirmed this when he was driving my car. He thought they were pretty close in acceleration. I did not realize the Challenger weighed 4200 pounds, so that explains why when I researched performance the 0-60 times were about a half second apart according to Road and Track. (I tried to look for unbiased performance tests done by independent sources). On the freeway the car was a very nice driver, comfortable, quiet with a reasonable ride, unlike the first SRT8 Charger I drove in 2008 which was bone jarring at best. His vehicle was equipped with the three-mode Active Damping Suspension. This car could easily be a daily driver.

Forget the apples/oranges-well, these cars can’t be compared vitriol. Just a motor head enjoying something a little different. Would I buy one? Doubt it. Cheap, cheesy-and I mean really cheap plastic interior. Five-speed auto-Dodge should get in the game with an 8 speed or maybe dual clutch for this caliber of car considering the price. MSRP for his car was north of 51K. I think he paid somewhere around 47-so my Genesis was a far superior deal money-wise. Exterior styling and wheels are eye-catching-nicely done. I was looking for a hot rod when I bought the Genesis and I found it-no regrets.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Holy price batman! For a cheap ass dodge? No thanks. I will say that they do look good though!

Also, what's his MPG?

 

[Vermillion3]

Great write-up. I had to chuckle a bit about the cheapness of the dash as that was the main reason keeping me from getting a newer Mustang big turn off at least for me.

 

[dg_moore]

Holy price batman! For a cheap ass dodge? No thanks. I will say that they do look good though!

Also, what's his MPG?

Chrysler has built a lot of great looking cars. Historical problem has been that they fall apart before the shiny wears off.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

They also cant pass a gas pump without needing a sip....

 

[EXBMWGUY]

And be careful of that large piece of metal debris you're about to hit on the road! It's part of a Chrysler! Ouch!!

 

[landtuna]

I looked at a Challenger SRT8 before deciding on the Genny. Main reason was space, as in none in Challenger and plenty in Genny. Visibility was also a problem with a giant blind spot in passenger rear but even front-looking it was restricted in comparison.

Genny is a much more polished car and much more practical than the SRT8 to say nothing of the difference in MPG.

Even with the recent electronic gremlins I am still a happy camper.

 

[DRS]

+1 on the great write up.

Two tails.. 1.) buddy has a first gen SRT8. We both agree speed, Genny wins. And the other items mentioned regarding interior bits, features, and overall quality. 2.) ran a second gen SRT8, was not close. Genny wins. Wrote that up in another post. I do like all the SRT platforms. Great vehicles... The sleeper Genny is the preferred ride for me.

 

[shagnat]

Chrysler has built a lot of great looking cars. Historical problem has been that they fall apart before the shiny wears off.

+1 x 10000000 lol

 

[Gunkk]

Chrysler has built a lot of great looking cars. Historical problem has been that they fall apart before the shiny wears off.

My first and last experience with Chrysler cars. Ladies and Gentlemen, the 1976 Dodge Aspen Wagon!

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[Southern Boy]

Chrysler has built a lot of great looking cars. Historical problem has been that they fall apart before the shiny wears off.

Not to mention that the resale value just doesn’t just fall off, it avalanches off.

 

[NSXNEXT]

My first and last experience with Chrysler cars. Ladies and Gentlemen, the 1976 Dodge Aspen Wagon!

I drove an 80s LeBaron with the rich Corinthian leather (in my best Ricardo Montalban impression)

 

[dg_moore]

I drove an 80s LeBaron with the rich Corinthian leather (in my best Ricardo Montalban impression)

I was *this* close to buying a LeBaron with rich Corinthian leather around 1978, but had a premonition that maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea. I told myself I really couldn't afford it, but I think the real reason I backed out was an intuitive sense that I'd be sorry in a few months. And now I learn that the phrase "Corinthian leather" was invented by Chrysler's advertising agency to describe upholstery material sourced from New Joisey.

 

[Epiphany]

Not to mention that the resale value just doesn’t just fall off, it avalanches off.

I'd say the Genesis had the same problem. I bought my 09 V6 Sedan with tech+premium package for $16500 with 60000km. This car was almost $50000 out the door 4 years ago.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

I'd say the Genesis had the same problem. I bought my 09 V6 Sedan with tech+premium package for $16500 with 60000km. This car was almost $50000 out the door 4 years ago.

I completely disagree. My 2012 R-Spec with 36,000 miles I bought in October 2011 for $40,000 + tax etc. The car had 2,000 miles and was the dealer GM's car. So I drive it 34,000 miles over 2 years, and today the trade-in/private party sale values are $31,000-35,000.
respectively. If I lived in a warm-weather climate it would be worth even more.

Hardly a resale disaster!

 

[stuofsci02]

I'd say the Genesis had the same problem. I bought my 09 V6 Sedan with tech+premium package for $16500 with 60000km. This car was almost $50000 out the door 4 years ago.

I assume since you are talking kms, that you are like me and in Canada.

I doubt your car ever sold for near $50k out the door. That might be the MSRP. I have a `12 tech and never paid near that out the door. While your car has low kms it is a 4+ year old car. With typical depreciation it would be worth at most 50% of the original cost.. You might have got a good deal (Im not sure if 16,500 is with taxes in), but I would think $18-19K would be typical range...