Hey dodge owners/fellow Jalops

"AM3R" (AM3R) 12/30/2013 at 20:34 • Filed to: Dodge

0

40

I have a craving for 2 Dodge cars. I also have a craving for 3 pedals because I settled on my E90 and got an auto. Big mistake but it's still a wonderful car. I'm shopping for another car (still keeping the E90, it's fantastic regardless of the gearbox)

The two cars are A Challenger R/T because I need 3 pedals and the V6 stupidly doesn't offer it, and an SRT10 because depreciation and 3 pedals. Any owners out there or really anyone with some experience with them? I remember seeing a chart showing that Dodges are crazily unreliable.. My families 2000 Dodge grand caravan Sport was pretty shitty... But that was a while ago. Thanks!

AM3R > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 20:36

0

A better picture for your trouble...

oldirtybootz > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 20:40

0

All our R/T Challenger/Charger customers love their cars. My boss even has an SRT8 Challenger.

Skif6996 > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 20:40

0

I think most of their troubles were with auto gearboxes. They are notorious for poor build quality though. And hard plastic everywhere.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 20:42

0

I drive a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. I just had the trans rebuilt, but besides that it's a fine automobile. Anything specific that was faulty on yours?

AM3R > Skif6996 12/30/2013 at 20:43

0

Yeah but the pistol grip shifter in the challenger... Oh man.

But as long as I can get leather, a sunroof, decent speakers, and an aux cord I'll be fine.

AM3R > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 12/30/2013 at 20:46

0

I was young but I do remember the AC was very troublesome.. My dad ended up trading his Pathfinder in on a new Odyssey in 2005 and DD'ing the Grand Caravan. After the AC broke for the 3rd time ($2k repair I believe) he just gave up on it. Sold it for a pretty good amount and bought an Accord. I can ask him what else was wrong with it though, I liked that van as a kid.

lucky's pepper > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 20:50

0

A Ram SRT10 is without question one of the most idiotic vehicles ever built. I mean that in a "idiotic=awesome" way. Other then destroying $200+ a piece tires they can't be good for anything. I'd buy one in a heart beat if the price was right.

I know plenty of guys that had regular Rams of that era. Build quality seemed on par with other domestic products so I wouldn't worry to much about that.

AM3R > oldirtybootz 12/30/2013 at 20:50

0

Nice to hear. What's the take rate on a 6MT vs an auto?

AM3R > lucky's pepper 12/30/2013 at 20:53

0

I mean as long as I could put some Home Depot shopping sprees into the bed of the truck that would be a little more useful than my E90.

And 6MT and autocross truck. And yes, it is idiotic (love it) depreciation is our friends. They go sub $20k if you search

GRawesome > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 20:56

0

I've had a '12 R/T Classic for just over a year now. Only issue I've had so far is a bad wheel speed sensor, and they replaced that under warranty. They didn't offer it when I got mine, otherwise it would have been in the running, but did you check out the SRT Core?
I highly recommend the Challenger if you are interested, been a great car for me.

Nibbles > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 20:59

0

As someone who has owned (or been part of) a number of Mopars, I can say the weakest link has been the automatic transmission. Their engines are notoriously reliable. Fit and finish has always been hit and miss up until late, but that's a feature all American makes have had. Electrics have never been a real issue for my Mopars.

1991 Shadow ES turbo 'vert 5MT - vacuum lines
1993 Voyager Sport 3.3 - 3 auto trans replacements
1996 2500 Cummins 5MT - nary a fault
2000 T&C - 2 auto trans replacements
1999 Caravan ES - 2 auto trans replacements, 3 fuel pumps, 2 condensers
1997 Dakota 5.2 - 2 auto trans replacements
1998 1500 5.9 - 3 auto trans replacements
1995 Dakota 5.2 5MT - see "Project Thanks Obama" but no defects to speak of lol

AM3R > GRawesome 12/30/2013 at 20:59

0

Very good to hear, glad you're enjoying it. Does it feel too heavy or not handle all that well? Those are really the only complaints I've heard.

AM3R > Nibbles 12/30/2013 at 21:01

1

Hahaha just another reason to get a Manual!

Nibbles > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:01

0

Indeed

AM3R > Nibbles 12/30/2013 at 21:03

0

Also I admire your loyalty to the brand.. If it was me I'd probably just be driving beige toyotas for the rest of my life

Nibbles > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:08

0

Lol no loyalty here - I'm rather brand agnostic. That's just the list of Mopars that have been in my life. I've owned nearly 30 vehicles (myself) so far

jmgadget > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:09

0

Newer Mopars seem to be doing fine reliability wise except for the Auto Transmission problems. The Challenger is from the pre-meltdown era so it has the hard plastics and not so nice interior finishes (they did do some changes in the mid-cycle refresh to bring it up a little). If you are going for the MT you should take out the auto transmission problems that others have mentioned.

It is the heaviest and biggest of the retro-coupes but the test drive I went on it felt fine to me. I like big cars so I was most comfortable in it then the Camaro/Mustang. Keep in mind this is a straight-line car so its not going to be quite as nice in the corners.

Did you look at the SRT Core? Gives you the fun motor without the luxury options of the full-blown SRT

JGrabowMSt > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:10

0

SRT10? Why not get the Viper SRT10? The clutch is actually surprisingly comfortable (I have bad knees, it's nice to not have a heavy clutch). No experience for the SRT8 Chally though, but I do love them so.

More importantly though, no offense, but a lot of people I see with SRT10 trucks are assholes. I don't know why, but many of them just have that "holier than thou" attitude. I do like the Challenger R/T though...I'd love to swap the trans into a Magnum for extra fun....

AM3R > JGrabowMSt 12/30/2013 at 21:14

0

The whole asshole factor is probably because of the depreciation... And the truck is still a long shot. The bmw makes me look like enough of an asshole hahah. I'm mainly looking at challenger r/t's. A 6MT magnum would be sweeeeeet though!

GRawesome > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:20

0

It's a very heavy car, around 2 tons I think. But it doesn't feel heavy when driving, feels much smaller than it is. I did add a front strut brace to firm it up a little but it wasn't a necessity. I don't think it will ever feel like a bimmer, but they are different cars with different purposes.
Only other mods I've done are:
Hurst Short Throw - highly recommend though kind of noisy
Exhaust - also recommend if you like to hear that V8 rumble, especially at idle.

AM3R > jmgadget 12/30/2013 at 21:20

0

I really like the SRT core. How much would a used one be though? R/T's aren't that expensive and are much more common so the used market has plenty of them. The SRT core is my kind of Challenger though...

AM3R > Nibbles 12/30/2013 at 21:21

0

What's your favorite car that you've owned?

JGrabowMSt > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:23

0

Hopes and dreams. I'm eyeing RT magnums for next year, and a 6MT is something I'm going to *try* and make happen...I just need to figure out the computer situation first, and I need to get the car before I can figure that out.

Depreciation is such a stupid thing to get your panties in a bunch over with a car though....I mean, why buy a car not to enjoy it for everything it's worth? That's why my boss's SL600 has 95k miles on it, and it made the trip down to AC today. Hood latch wasn't retracting all the way either, so it was a bit of a struggle to get the hood back down after taking a quick look underneath to make sure nothing was going bad.

AM3R > GRawesome 12/30/2013 at 21:24

0

My ideal mod list for an RT would be:
Exhaust
Coilovers (partly for the wheel gap and partly for the improved handling)
That'd pretty much be it. Maybe stronger sway bars and other bits to improve handling. The bimmer handles great, I love it. Hopefully the challenger will be different in a good way

AM3R > JGrabowMSt 12/30/2013 at 21:27

0

The last thing I worry about when I've bought my last car was depreciation. Especially because I tend to buy used. I like depreciation because I get the option to buy cars that wouldn't be in my price range a year or two ago. And I feel like I've read a 6 MT magnum build thread, I'll try to find it.

jmgadget > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:30

0

Used Core is probably slim pickings if any are available. It just came out this year and is usually a factory order. R/Ts will give the best bang for the buck. There are quite a few different options for them as well with wheels/interiors/option packages.

If you get one of the newer ones you should be able to fit the new Mopar Shaker Hood that was just released if you are interested in that.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:31

0

That's help enough. I live in MD, yet I have the windows down almost all year; 100 degrees or 40. I just don't use the AC. I became used to it since my other car doesn't have it at all.

AM3R > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 12/30/2013 at 21:34

0

Now that I'm driving, I almost always have the windows down in my car. In the winter I obviously keep them up, but I rarely use the heat. Seat warmers are a must!

JGrabowMSt > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:34

1

There are a few that I've read about...even a couple SRT10 swaps (using 3rd gen viper parts).

Depreciation is what's going to let me buy that SL600 next year...Oh hot damn the original MSRP vs what it's worth now is disgusting, but wonderfully so for me.

GRawesome > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:35

0

Suspension is next on my list, just saving up some dough and deciding which one to get. Heard a lot of good things about the Eibach setups so will probably go with one of those. Like you said, the handling improvement is nice and the improved appearance is icing on the cake.
After that it will be brakes, wheels, and tires.

AM3R > jmgadget 12/30/2013 at 21:36

0

My ideal RT would be blue.. Like the one in the OP but without the stripe. I've only seen black cloth or leather interior on my various autotrader searches.

AM3R > GRawesome 12/30/2013 at 21:39

0

Yeah the challenger is a pretty appealing car from the factory. If I ever have some extra cash laying around I'd try to buy some lighter wheels and do some weight saving mods if possible.

Skif6996 > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:40

0

Shouldn't be a problem. Love the pistol grip!

AM3R > Skif6996 12/30/2013 at 21:42

0

Oh yeah! Don't think any other new cars can be had with one, that's pretty cool

Skif6996 > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:50

0

It's a Chrysler-only option, and the Challenger is the only one deserving that comes with a stick.

AM3R > Skif6996 12/30/2013 at 21:53

1

A charger would be pretty sweet with a pistol grip 6 speed... For the family man hahaha

Nibbles > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:53

0

My favorite was my second vehicle. A Golden Unicorn of a pickup. It was a 1987 Toyota SR-5, 2WD with the 22R-TE and 5 speed. The thing was fun as hell, and a great way to learn how to drive stick! Also a gateway to the drug that is forced induction. It was totalled by a 1978 Mercury Marquis and I have longed for it ever since.

oldirtybootz > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 21:53

0

We order more autos so we sell more. Personally I don't know how you'd choose that awful 5 speed auto over the 6MT with the pistol grip shifter.

jmgadget > AM3R 12/30/2013 at 22:07

1

Dodge has 3 blues: (Blue option was not available for Launch 2008)
2009-2010 B5 Blue Pearl - Lighter Blue
2009-2011 Deep Water Blue - Darker Blue (this is the one pictured)
2011-2013 Blue Streak Blue - Right in between B5 and Deep Water (My favorite)
2014 Jazz Blue - Very Dark Blue

Interior was limited up until 2012. 2012 introduced Radar Red interior. Otherwise its Dark Slate only.

Good luck on the Stripes. Seems that everyone likes either the hood stripes or the side stripes on the R/Ts

If you are looking for the higher trim packages (leather) R/T Plus was designated for Leather Trim levels.

Good luck in your search.

*I know entirely too much about the Mopar line-up. I need to stay away from my D/C/J/R dealer. Thank you for making me realize this.

*The one pictured is a SRT btw so Rims are going to be different.

AM3R > jmgadget 12/30/2013 at 22:59

1

Haha thanks this is really helpful! And trust me I was even worse when I was in the market for my BMW.. I shouldn't of been allowed near any BMW/Audi/Benz dealer. I probably STILL should stay away from them!