On the cover of MPH Again - At $38K?

[Dilliam]

The Challenger, Camaro, and Shelby Mustang are on the cover of this months MPH. The Challenger has a blurb on it stating that it is estimated at 425hp and 38k. WTF? How do they expect to compete as a "pony car" when the Camaro is 400 hp and estimated at 30k.

[shiltz]

That is the one thing I am worried about with the Challenger, that since it's based off the LX frame they are going to price it the same as the LX which simply won't work for what the car is targeted at, for the Challenger to really be sucessfull they need to drop the price significantly from the Charger/Magnum, around the the 20-21k range for the base 3.5L, 25-26k for the 5.7L and maybe in the 30-32k range for the 6.1L, high price could very easily kill off the car regardless of how good it is, that's what killed the firebird/camaro, they were better performing cars than the mustangs but a mustang was cheaper so that's what people bought.

[Dilliam]

I absolutely WON'T buy it at 38k. I would buy the Camaro instead, in a heartbeat. And before everyone starts GM bashing in this thread, check out the problems I am having with Dodge before you start calling GM crap.

[Jaak]

GM makes crap. GM also makes good cars. Unfortunately the ratio is slanted the wrong way.

DCX makes crap. They also make good cars. Fortunately, I'm driving one of them.

This means nothing until we actually see what they produce. With the Challenger, we have an idea because of the LX. With GM we have the Corvette and the GTO to base things on? Don't know how good the Camaro is, until they make one.

[Northern Rider]

The Challenger, Camaro, and Shelby Mustang are on the cover of this months MPH. The Challenger has a blurb on it stating that it is estimated at 425hp and 38k. WTF? How do they expect to compete as a "pony car" when the Camaro is 400 hp and estimated at 30k.

First off, there is no Camaro - just a static concept. There is no platform on which to build it. One could die holding one's breath for this puppy to roll out.

The Challenger can be built on the existing Brampton line on an LX platform shortened by 4 inches (to be called the LY). It can also come out with a base V6 to compete with the base Stang.

Expect a "pricey" 6.4 liter 500 hp HEMI with a 6 speed manual to compete with the 07 Shelby Stang.

As to a mid ranged V8 - My guess is for the 5.7 HEMI - with a price of under $35K.

And - expect the Challenger to roll out within the next 12 to 15 months.

[Dilliam]

The mag specifically says the Camaro would be on the Goat's platform.

[shiltz]

The Camaro is no more of a static concept currently than the Challenger is, both are built off existing cars and drive trains, about the only thing that would make the Challenger more likely to be built is Chrysler isn't having financial problems like GM is.

Also the Challenger wouldn't be able to be built at the Brampton plant as that plant is already at max capacity, they would have to build a new plant or retool an existing one to have the capacity to build Challengers, and if the mid level with the 5.7 was $35k it wouldn't do well at all, why would someone buy a $35k Challenger that wouldn't keep up with a $25k Mustang, heck at that price range you may as well spent $995 more and get an SRT-8 Charger.

[Dilliam]

GM makes crap. GM also makes good cars. Unfortunately the ratio is slanted the wrong way.

DCX makes crap. They also make good cars. Fortunately, I'm driving one of them.

This means nothing until we actually see what they produce. With the Challenger, we have an idea because of the LX. With GM we have the Corvette and the GTO to base things on? Don't know how good the Camaro is, until they make one.

How can we have an idea about the Challenger and not the Camaro? We have -EXACTLY- the same information about each one. Both are built on platforms of existing cars, both have prototype engines, etc. You can't say you have an idea about the Challenger, and not the Camaro. If anything, we know MORE about the Camaro, as it is on a Goat frame where the Challenger is on a CHOPPED LX frame.

[darkrebel]

First off, there is no Camaro - just a static concept. There is no platform on which to build it. One could die holding one's breath for this puppy to roll out.

The Challenger can be built on the existing Brampton line on an LX platform shortened by 4 inches (to be called the LY). It can also come out with a base V6 to compete with the base Stang.

i thought the camaro was going to be built on the vette platform. Thats what i have heard of several times. not sure about the validity but its what i believe is going around.

[Northern Rider]

i thought the camaro was going to be built on the vette platform. Thats what i have heard of several times. not sure about the validity but its what i believe is going around.

That would be great if it happens. Very expensive platform for a pony car.

[Dilliam]

The article specifically listed the Goat as the donor platform.

[adaptabl]

Also the Challenger wouldn't be able to be built at the Brampton plant as that plant is already at max capacity, they would have to build a new plant or retool an existing one to have the capacity to build Challengers, and if the mid level with the 5.7 was $35k it wouldn't do well at all, why would someone buy a $35k Challenger that wouldn't keep up with a $25k Mustang, heck at that price range you may as well spent $995 more and get an SRT-8 Charger.

The 300 is yesterdays news(sales are starting to slip). There will be lots of capacity at the plant in 12 months. Charger and Magnum sales have not been that great. The lots are full of unsold Daytonas. If DC can sell a $30,000 V8 Challenger they can spark another sales boom. At $38,000, well there will always be rebates.

[shiltz]

Huh? their sales aren't starting to slip, they sold more 300's just this past nov (05) than they did back in nov (04) and the Magnum and Charger sales are holding pretty much right around where they always have been.

The lots are probably full of Daytonas because they have a small market to sell to with those, most don't want all those decals all over their car or a banana yellow sedan, I know I don't, i'd take an R/T with the road and track package over a Daytona anyday.

[Jaak]

You can't say you have an idea about the Challenger, and not the Camaro. If anything, we know MORE about the Camaro, as it is on a Goat frame where the Challenger is on a CHOPPED LX frame.

I look at Daimler influenced DC designs and I like what I see. I don't care much for the non Daimler influenced designs, because they're not up to the standards I want in a vehicle. Well, OK, I'd take a Viper any day.

I look at the GM designs and for past two decades the only vehicle I've ever taken a real interest in, is the Corvette. I grew up in a GM family and loved their vehicles for the longest time. But I've long ago given up on them.

When Daimler stepped in and brought their technology knowledge, things changed. Unless the Camaro bleeds Corvette technology, I'd be much more interested in the Challenger.

[E8502]

Seems high from what I've heard.