Talk to me about the modern Dodge Challengers

"I have another burner, try to guess it!" (ihaveanotherburner) 05/15/2018 at 10:30 • Filed to: None

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So I was just thinking about these. Near 400hp, from what I’ve gathered a LSD is standard on the manual, and you can actually fit adults resonably well in the back.

Granted it wouldn’t handle like a Mustang or Camaro. But I think I could live with it, maybe if I had the time and money, throw some parts on to stiffen it up a little. Plus afaik most v8 mustangs have a 3.3 rear end while manual challengers have like a 3.7 standard. Since I’d obviously be buying used, like a good Oppo, it’d be nice to not spend so much time hunting for a car with the “good” rear end.

Realistically I won’t be in a position to buy one, or any car, in the next few years. But just something to think about.

Anyway, anything I should know about them or their competition? Another car I’m fantasizing about for a future purchase is the, currently, new Civic Si. Which may sound weird, Since it has almost half the power and is front wheel drive. But it’s also much smaller, while still being plenty big enough to live with. A LSD is also standard on it, but that obviously wouldn’t be the same as in a RWD car. However it’d probably be fancier inside than a 2010-15 Challenger as well as be more reliable.

Any way, just wanted to hear y’alls thoughts on the matter.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 10:34

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Amusingly I’ve been looking at a Chrysler 300 so I’ve recently done a ton of research on the Hemi powered 300/Magnum/Charger/Challenger family.

2007 is the oldest you’d go. Older than that and the V8 has valve seat issues. Newer than that is typically super reliable as the ‘07-’10 autos are a bulletproof 5 speed Mercedes trans. After that they were ZF 8 speeds I believe. The current-gen are all solid cars all around. Haven’t heard much of issues with them.

Discerning > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 10:35

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The Challenger is OK... Their size is awkward. They are large on the outside but somewhat cramped on the inside - particularly when you consider how wide and long they are. They of course feel big behind the wheel as well. You also fee like you are much higher up than its competitors, but you may like that.

Just drive one, even if it will be a while before you consider buying one. A test drive can drastically change your opinion about a car.

Mergio Sarchionne > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 10:38

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Great car, can’t go wrong. Don’t listen to the haters.

Discerning > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 10:39

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Piggybacking off of my other comment. Read this breakdown of the car by Car and Driver. The space inside isn’t all that greater than its competitors, which is kind of remarkable when you consider how much bigger it is:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-dodge-challenger-in-depth-model-review-2018-dodge-challenger-interior-review-car-and-driver-page-5

kanadanmajava1 > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 10:43

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The rare ones that have managed to find their way to Finland are ridiculously expensive. So I don’t seriously even need to think about buying one currently. But I think I might want have one someday. They are probably quite fun things even though that weirdly high beltline keeps bothering me. Manual, not-V6 and anything but red color would have to be in mine.

Wacko > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 11:00

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after being on the market for over 10 years, Most auto makers should of got it right by then, but this is FCA so.......

I have another burner, try to guess it! > Discerning 05/15/2018 at 11:02

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I didn’t know about the seating position, that’d definitely be a negative for me, but I’ll have to drive one at some point.

Discerning > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 11:07

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It’s about 2 inches higher than the Mustang, 2.2 inches higher than a 2 series, and nearly 4.5 inches taller than a Camaro

Check out this link for all of the details and how they compare to its competitors: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-dodge-challenger-in-depth-model-review-2018-dodge-challenger-interior-review-car-and-driver-page-5

For Sweden > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 11:43

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They aren’t sporty, but they make a great relatively cheap GT car.

Mike > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 12:08

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I have the 09 R/T 6 speed. It is not cramped at all compared to a camaro, plenty of room. Its all arou d nice to drive. No complaints on my end. Go for it!!

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 12:26

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Great cars. Get an 8 speed if you can afford it, the 5 speeds are fine ( I have one ) but the 8 speeds are such an improvement. Newer interior upgrades are really nice, plenty of power, ride nice.

I have another burner, try to guess it! > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 05/15/2018 at 12:36

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Are the automatics noticeably slower with the taller rear end, or does having more gears make up for it?

TechJunky > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 12:39

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Can’t comment on the Challenger since I’ve never driven one (though I am a fan, so I support the decision!). However, I do own a 2018 Civic SI and am a huge fan. It’s a great all-around car. Certainly not the fastest, but has enough power that it’s still enjoyable (thank you turbo for that nice, flat chunk of torque!). It’s a great DD, especially toggling between standard and sport mode. Has all the bells and whistles I wanted, handles very well, they’re priced right, and I’m still averaging ~35 mpg when I run it hard (closer to 40 if I really watch and drive more responsibly).

Nothing > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 12:40

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I really liked the automatic Scat Pack that I nearly purchased. Usable trunk and rear seat were the big reasons I looked at the Challenger over its competitors. The Scat Pack was a really quick car.

TomTheMountainJeeper90 > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 12:56

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Not only is it reasonable size but you can fit 3 people in the back of the Challenger which is pretty cool. My recommendation to another car guy though would be to get the SRT8 model, even if it is the older 6.1. They have the power to really make the car enjoyable in this high power era, and the 6.1, while lacking the power output compared to the 6.4, still has gobs of torque, and not to mention loves boost even more than the 6.4

Briguysrt > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 13:30

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I have owned an SRT for over a year now, with the adaptive suspension it handles much better than previous models and I don’t feel like I’m.missing anything. Creature comforts in all models and big seats are what drew me to the Challenger. They hold there value like a hellcat or demon but you could probably find a post 2015 SRT for under $40,000.

Gruntes > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 13:39

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I have a 2015 and I love it. I use to drive a large 5.4L 150 as an a everyday, now I drive my challenger as my every day and the truck as a work truck. I’m 6'3 and I love how much room I have in this car. No adult can sit behind me but I have had 3 adults ride with me it can for two adult comfortable but the thrid one not so much. One feature that I didn’t see mentioned was the trunk space, the trunk is about a .25 the length of the car and the seats fold down to make half the car trunk space,its huge compared to competitors. I also love the windows they are designed so when they are rolled down the air isn’t loud or directly smacking you in the face. I would get a 2015 or newer and an automatic, since they redesigned the transmission and the gas mileage is improved apon and it drives smooth. I get 23 mpg in the city of aurora. And the 2015 and newer comes with Bluetooth standard. You can probably get one for 14,000 or less

choxsta > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 14:06

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Mine sounded like a Prius, before deleting the mufflers and resonators. They are smooth and the ride is not what you’d expect. Don’t be thinking conservative, this is not the vehicle in that regard. I have two, and they are worth the money. I’m over 6 feet tall. I can drive with people in the back seat, because the steering wheel is telescopic. Go from beat 400hp to over 400hp for not much money. Chargers and 300's are the same, but a little nicer inside, ok much nicer inside the 300. No regrets in over three years

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 14:33

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The 8-speeds are almost assuredly faster than the manuals. Unless FCA did a really shitty job programming it, the 8HP automatic regardless of the car it is in, is always faster than that car’s manual version. I can’t find numbers for the base V8, but the Scat Pack automatic is 0.3sec faster to 60 than the manual.

traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 15:22

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Ive had a ‘13 R/T for 3 years and 30,000 miles.

Lovely car, almost maintenance free besides tires, oil changes...and a faulty wiper switch. Great power, very comfortable, amazing for roadtrips. Sorta hard to park due to size.

CRider > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 16:15

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If you want a Challenger R/T I’ve got two words for you: Scat Pack.

dogisbadob > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 16:17

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I’d suggest a CPO V6 6-speed Accord coupe. They made them through 2017.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 18:40

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If you plan on taking it to the drag strip, burnouts or repeated hard launches, get the automatic.

If you want to just enjoy driving one of these and enjoy shifting yourself, get the manual.

Note the manual has the 1st to 4th skip-shift bullshit.

Lazarus Dark > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 19:17

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09 5.7 V8 manual owner. Zero maintenance issues, had it since it rolled off the factory delivery truck. (Full disclosure, they do have panel fit issues that bug me, buy no one else ever seems to notice) Only needed three mods to make it right: programmer, short throw shifter (the stock is like pulling a slot machine, takes ten seconds to shift a gear), removed the resonators (80 bucks at a shop) so it’s quiet next to a cop and deafening when you put your foot in it. Best of all: it’s paid off. Almost ten years and it’s like new still, I’ll be buried in this car.

I have another burner, try to guess it! > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 05/15/2018 at 19:48

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I really don’t know which transmission I’d prefer. Manual would be more fun for autocross and the like, but I’d definitely take it to a drag strip and see how that is.

NKato > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 20:29

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I have one phrase for Dodge Challengers:

“Prime Target for PIT.”

rostrow416 > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/15/2018 at 21:13

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Go with the auto on this one. It’s a big cruiser, the auto just goes so well with it.

Financially irresponsible > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 05/16/2018 at 00:14

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I have an early production 8-speed and have to say (unless they’ve fixed it in the newer models) they totally screwed up the programming. Shifts are lightning fast under hard acceleration, but it’s useless for everything else. At slow speeds it’s so clunky that I’ve brought my car to three dealers to see if something was wrong with it. Apparently there isn’t. Also, when the mood takes you and you want to open it up or pass someone, it has a hard time choosing a gear, since it probably has to drop four or five. I really think this is a 5.7 specific problem since I’ve driven a 3.6 which was fine and a hellcat, also fine. My guess is all the other engines are hp biased. Where the 5.7 is torque biased and FCA is too lazy to program it properly, but that’s based entirely on my opinion, and I’m an idiot.

pip bip - choose Corrour > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/16/2018 at 07:41

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not sold here in Australia

2-door Chrysler 300C

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/16/2018 at 08:37

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All going to depend on what you want. I’ve briefly driven a 6 speed, easy clutch, fun to shift, nice to drive. The 8 speeds are great all around, smooth, good paddle downshifts, good fuel economy. Both are fun.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Financially irresponsible 05/16/2018 at 08:38

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Calibration changes every year and constantly improves, so the newer ones are much better.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Financially irresponsible 05/16/2018 at 09:23

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I’m not super-surprised that FCA did a bad job programming it. The 8HP is widely regarded as one of, if not the best automatic on the market currently, even Roll Royce uses it, so you know with proper programming it can be butter smooth all the time.

Monkey B > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/16/2018 at 19:52

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I’ve always wanted to resto mod a Challenger...always loved the 70 MY. I’d forego that and just buy a newer one. Same car, better tech.

boxrocket > I have another burner, try to guess it! 05/16/2018 at 21:31

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If you’re thinking about a challenger, just get a 300 instead.

...Or a Mustang, which also seats four (for short drives), or have friends drive something on their own.

If you insist on getting one, and if you decide to get it with a manual (shrug), get a later model where the parking brake isn’t one that’s foot-actuated. Doing a clutch-to-foot-brake every time you park is a weird dance and fairly bass-ackwards.