Anyone else slightly disappointed?

[Fiveoh]

I'm not a young man and seen vehicles transform from awesome looking concepts to mediocre production vehicles, but...I did expect the Challenger to buck the norm. From the concept to the production, Chrysler really dropped some great features that would have pushed me closer to buying it.

Interior: I did expect the more retro look in the interior. Instead...it is a rehash of the current LX vehicles. The dash board is updated, but still has the cookie cutter LX look. The concept's version inspired the feeling of retro and uniqueness. The concept's seats, although a bit not to my taste, were better looking than the "is it a SRT 8 Charger or Magnum?". Maybe it isn't as functional, but definitely highlighted the feel of being in a true retro vehicle.

Exterior: In this area, Dodge kept true to the concept's design. Slight design changes were needed for safety and federal compliance. No real complaints here other than...is the hood air scoops actually functional?

Engine: OK...the 6.1 is a great engine and, if the various dodge fan websites are correct, we can expect a bigger engine. However, I doubt it. This is a 4200 lb vehicle and the other competitive vehicles i.e. Mustang and the upcoming Camaro weigh less. A 425 HP (which isn't to the wheels) 6.1 liter isn't going to compete with comparable vehicles. Sure, there are mods that will increase the power, but Dodge should have lowered the weight or increase the base HP to 500. Turbo charge it, tune it straight from the factory. Make the Challenger a true challenge to the Mustang and Camaro owners...but more importantly to the ones who might want a Mustang or Camaro.

Again, I'm slightly disappointed in Dodge. Since the LX vehicles were released, lovers of these vehicles made their complaints about performance well known to Dodge. Instead, they seem to enjoy making heavy vehicles with the same restricted power. I'm sorry, but when a smaller engine comes out...the Challenger won't be anything of a Challenge. It seems to me, that if I were to drive the Challenger...I wouldn't know if I was driving it or a SRT 8 Magnum/Charger/300...that is...until I step out and see it is a different car.

Don't misunderstand me...I wanted this car bad. Actually, I wanted this car to shut down the competition of other car manufacturers and make me feel proud to drive a Dodge. Instead, Dodge is selling us nothing more than a new exterior with the same under rated performance. The Challenger IS supposed to be a performance vehicle, but once again...Dodge is confused and thinks performance stops at the exterior.

[dchemi]

I totally agree. It is time for the 6.4 to make it's way to the SRT line-up.

My biggest disappointment with the production car was the lack of the functional hood scoops and the CAI.

[dakotar/t]

since when are the hood scoops not functional, the press kit says "dual hood inlets forcing cold air into the engine compartment"...................

[MikeEast]

I gotta say that since I've seen the production car pics, if the Camaro looks anything at all like the concept, that would probably get my vote.

But then I'm not buying /anything/ for a long long time...

Mike

[Guest]

The hood scoops ARE functional, but they do not have butterflies as the concept did. They are large open ports.

I have been back and forth on this car. I had one ordered, but then about a month ago the first preliminary 'production car' photos hit the net and I was hugely disappointed. I promptly canceled my order since I didn't want to pay $42k+ the $12k markup I had agreed on for a car that wasn't 100% what I wanted.

Then the ACTUAL production photos came out of the black one, and my mind changed back again. Now I do plan on buying one, but since I have now missed out on the initial run I can sit back and see what gremlins pop up on the first run cars and await the ones that should have all the kinks ironed out.

I am not a fan of the interior. Still more metal inside there than most modern cars, but they really did make it feel like any other LX on the road. I have been staring at my Magnum interior for over 2 years now and want a totally different view when I buy a car as visually different as the Challenger is... for God's sake, at least a different steering wheel!

I do not like the Hemi Orange or Silver AT ALL, and will be sticking to the black. It looks 10X better, especially with all the bolted on black stuff like the rockers, spoilers and splitter... it blends in on the black ones.

I still think it is worth more than they are charging for it (after you review the standard options list), but still for $40k I did expect more diversity and instead we got a very rehashed interior. Oh well, nothing can be perfect. I will be looking heavily towards the aftermarket in that area however.

It will be much quicker and faster than a Mustang, and no one knows yet what the Camaro will be so making that comparison isn't really fair or right.

[Super T]

It's weaker... the rear end is more subtle... the overall shape of the quarters seems more everyday car with some kinda cool taillights stuck on the back, but they're nowhere near as good looking as the concept. I'm still OK with the front. The dash is waaaaay different from concept, it's still OK, but nothing to make you drop your jaw. The biggest disappointment for me is the powertrain. They beat the Camaro to market, but when the Camaro does hit the streets it's going to absolutely decimate the Chally until the bigger engine and the 6-speed become available. Right now it's just a 2-door LX with some stripes on it... not good for its image!!! It's still faster than any Mustang that's a "standard offering"... but any Stage III Roush will walk it around the block too. I dunno, I think they rushed it to get it out this year and cut some important corners. I hope they work those bugs out quick!

[Guest]

You guys give way too much credit to the Camaro.

As of right now it is rumored to weigh nearly as much as the Challenger, and last report is that it will get the LS2 motor. So it will end up being just like the current SRT8's vs the LS2 GTO... about dead even. If the plans change and the Camaro gets the LS3, they'd get 30hp extra and only be slightly ahead.

With the Challenger coming out first that means that if there is to be a hp war, Dodge will beat GM to the punch again, so we should always be one step ahead.

[miplank]

You guys give way too much credit to the Camaro.

As of right now it is rumored to weigh nearly as much as the Challenger, and last report is that it will get the LS2 motor. So it will end up being just like the current SRT8's vs the LS2 GTO... about dead even. If the plans change and the Camaro gets the LS3, they'd get 30hp extra and only be slightly ahead.

With the Challenger coming out first that means that if there is to be a hp war, Dodge will beat GM to the punch again, so we should always be one step ahead.

Yes, but the camaro is going to have a pltehora of aftermarket parts available for it. That is where I give the camaro the advantage.

Both look great IMO tough.

[MikeEast]

and no one knows yet what the Camaro will be so making that comparison isn't really fair or right.

Totally true comment there, I agree 100%.

Which is why I qualified my statement when I made it..

if the Camaro looks anything at all like the concept,

To me the Challenger looks more like a fat 2-door Charger than anything else, at least from the side.

Mike

[AFMagnum]

Yes, but the camaro is going to have a pltehora of aftermarket parts available for it. That is where I give the camaro the advantage.

Both look great IMO tough.

Why wouldn't the Challenger have the same plethora of parts available? In fact, since the Challenger is out first, it should have more aftermarket parts available because they have more time to design/impliment. IMHO

[Slicer]

One area not covered so far is the wheel and tire package. I really did like the look of the concept wheels and the idea of the 21" rears mated with the 20" fronts. This combo made the car seem angry. Now with production being 20" all around with some kind of I don't know what looking wheel package... I'm terribly dissapointed in this area along with the smaller cubic inches and all.

The fact is anyone purchasing this vehicle is basically getting the same SRT8 features with a different body style... not much to inspire spending another $45,000 grand for.

[Dr Teeth]

since when are the hood scoops not functional, the press kit says "dual hood inlets forcing cold air into the engine compartment"...................

If I remember correctly the Charger SRT8 hoodscoop is billed by Mopar as functional too, however their version of functional is to force cold air into the engine compartment to cool the coilpacks. It's not intake air. (If I'm wrong about this someone please correct me). Judging by the pictures I've seen the Challenger's scoops will be "functional" in the same way.

Personally I'm happy with everything on the Challenger except the interior. It's way too similar to the other LX lines!

[dchemi]

since when are the hood scoops not functional, the press kit says "dual hood inlets forcing cold air into the engine compartment"...................

The hood scoops may very well provide cool air into the engine compartment on the production car but the air does not go directly into the air box like it did on the concept car. I guess I need to be more specific on what I consider functional. On the concept car the scoop valves opened and closed with the throttle and the air was ducted directly into a CAI. On the production car the big open air filter in the center is gone and it has the same closed air box that the other SRT8's have and the hood scoops have a honeycomb grill insert where on the concept they were solid and closed when the car was at idle.

I suppose the hood scoops will help with the overall air temp in the engine bay, but it does not appear that they will have any effect on the temp of the air coming into the air box.

[TorRed]

I guess I'm the only one that thinks the Challenger came out exactly as I thought it would.

Exterior: I think everyone agrees that concessions had to be made for safety reasons. Hence the rear deck re-do and the B-pillars. I'm quite happy that the car retained it's look after being Federalized. Let's face it, the designers did a great job in designing an almost production-ready car in the concept. I give them kudos for that.

Interior: Did you really think that the concept interior would make production? I never did. It only stands to reason that as many LX-based components would be used as possible. For Chrysler to tool up for a specific interior for the Challenger, when they already had the parts in the LX parts bins, would not have been cost-effective. You have to keep in mind that Chrysler is losing money, laying off employees, and shedding dealers. They don't exactly have a boatload of cash laying around to come up with a spiffy interior for what will basically be a low production car.

Power: A new or changed engine means more EPA testing and certification. And that ain't cheap. Since the most popular (in sales volume) engine of the Chally is likely to be the 5.7, it makes more sense to bring it up to speed first. Especially since it is also used in other models besides the Challenger. The EPA cost can be spread over more production that way. 380 hp out of a 5.7 liter engine is not too shabby. I can remember when Corvettes had 200 hp or less from that displacement. It looks like we'll see a 6.4 Hemi in the near future. But remember, with the new CAFE regs on the horizon, big Hemis aren't going to be in the picture for very long. Chrysler is going to have to weigh the cost of designing, building, and certifying that engine against projected sales volumes.

Weight: Yeah, it's heavy. But to me, that's OK. If you want a Mustang, buy a Mustang. I have one. It's more nimble than my Charger, and is more fun on the track and in the twisties. But the ride quality can't compare to the Charger. We want to think of the Challenger as the pony car it once was, but it's not. It's grown up, it's more refined, and it rides better than the original. Plus, it has 10 times the safety of the original, and that adds weight. Next time one of your buddies with a Mustang comes around, take it for a spin. You'll appreciate the Challenger more. Not knocking Mustang, but just saying the Chally is a different animal.

Overall, I'm very happy with the way the Challenger turned out. Considering the sale of Chrysler to Cerberus, the upcoming CAFE regs, and the state of the economy, we should be lucky we even have it at all. No, it's not absoutely perfect, but what car have you ever owned was? I've modded every car I've ever owned to make it "mine".
The Chally is going to be powerful, roomy, comfortable, stylish, and overall a very good package. I don't think you can ask for more.

I can't wait to get mine.

[coldh20rt]

Why wouldn't the Challenger have the same plethora of parts available?

Sure, like the LX's already have...?