Charger causes "hate mail" to Chrysler

[DMAG]

The Chrysler group's revival of the Charger name on a Dodge sedan is generating "hate mail," says a senior executive. Production of the 2006 model starts in January, but correspondence is voluminous opposing the name on a four-door, says Trevor Creed, Chrysler senior vice president of design. The naysayers, writing primarily via e-mail, champion various Charger coupes that ran FROM 1966 through 1978 and FROM 1982 through 1987, Creed says. "They all think their Charger is the real thing."

Autoweek Article

[Rev.Hammer]

The name "Charger" is an idea, a mode of concept about something. The name Charger meant to elicit a general feeling of power, speed, and masculinity or maleness when in context with a car. I think this is the root of this hate mail. These people have a preconcieved concept as to what THEIR idea of "Charger" should be and this mis-mesh of concepts is what is causing this headache.
Personally, I love the name.

[shiltz]

I pretty much agree with the people who are sending the hate mail, I love the name, I love the car, but the car certainly isn't a charger and the charger name is about as fitting on it as it would be if they stuck on an SRT-4, the car should have just been called the magnum or intrepid, if they want to use the name charger they should put it on a car fitting of name, aka a coupe, real chargers don't have 4 doors IMO.

[Fred]

amen

[E8502]

Ah, well... It's still a Charger, and this hate main isn't going to change it.

[chicano]

Personally i don't care that the name Charger is going to be used on a sedan but i guess i could see why it would bug some people.

[E55 KEV]

A 4 door Charger is not going to fly. Just like if Ford, Chevy and Pontiac change these cars to 4 door - they would get even more hate mail.

Mustang
Corvette
Firebird

I don't really believe we will ever see any coupes on the LX platform. It is just wishful thinking - the wheel base is just too damn long.

[SRT84me]

What do the number of doors have to do with the naming of a car? It doesnt matter whether this thing had 2 doors, 4 doors, or is a 5 door hatchback. Its a Charger because DC says so. Everyone that keeps using this bogus excuse of doors should remember that the 99 concept that everyone loved had 4 doors, so there.

[E8502]

A 4 door Charger is not going to fly.

You're wrong, the Charger will soon account for more then 40% of LX sales.

Who said a SWB LX isn't coming?

[SRT84me]

So what do you guys think we will see at NAIAS. I am thinking a SRT8 version and hopefully, myabe, just maybe, a coupe version of the Charger.

[67alecto]

As long as the car is representing the "name" well, I'm fine with it.
Here's a couple off the top of my head:

Bad representations:

80s Duster - yikes

2004 GTO - I actually thought this was a honda accord until I got up next to it


Good Representations

2005 Mustang - wow, if I was ever going to go back to Mustangs (owned 3 at one point, and have had a total of 4), this would be the car that would do it

Current Thunderbird - looks like it drove off the '55 showroom floor

I like the new look of the Charger, and I don't care how many doors it has. If it's that important, weld the doors shut ala the Chevy IIs FROM the mid 60s. Put it this way, would they prefer it to compare like this:

[E8502]

No Charger coupe, sorry.

SRT-8's, and the production Charger. This season is looking to be very good.

[Ramrod]

A 4 door Charger is not going to fly.

You're wrong, the Charger will soon account for more then 40% of LX sales.
:

The only reason I will agree to this prediction is the rumors the Charger will get a real transmission and not force people INTO a leaky slushbox.

Ramrod

[E8502]

A 4 door Charger is not going to fly.

You're wrong, the Charger will soon account for more then 40% of LX sales.
:

The only reason I will agree to this prediction is the rumors the Charger will get a real transmission and not force people INTO a leaky slushbox.

Ramrod

Well, I wouldn't go that far...

But yeah, the 4 door Charger will sell. :!:

[bigjim]

In my case it sold a Magnum. When I saw the Charger I lost all interest in one. Thats the reason I own a Magnum instead of waiting for the Charger. I have followed it since '99 thru contacts in DC.

Jim