Dodge Challenger SE/RT/SRT-8 Reviews

[Replica]

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/news/2008/0816/09.dodge.challenger.srt.action1.500.jpg

Behold, the fail machine. (Reviews of all 3 at link)

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=130809?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..3 .*

SRT-8 :Optimus:
Acceleration:
0-30 mph 2.5 seconds
0-45 mph 4.0 seconds
0-60 mph 5.5 seconds
0-75 mph 7.9 seconds
1/4-mile 13.8 seconds at 103.0 mph
0-60 mph with 1 foot of rollout 5.2 seconds
Braking:
30-0 mph 27 feet
60-0 mph 119 feet
Slalom (600 feet) 66.0 mph

R/T :Optimus:
Acceleration:
0-30 mph 2.5 seconds
0-45 mph 4.0 seconds
0-60 mph 5.9 seconds
0-75 mph 8.4 seconds
1/4-mile 14.1 seconds at 100.8 mph
0-60 mph with 1 foot of rollout 5.5 seconds
Braking:
30-0 mph 29 feet
60-0 mph 126 feet
Slalom (600 feet) 62.4 mph

SE :Optimus:
Acceleration:
0-30 mph 3.0 seconds
0-45 mph 5.1 seconds
0-60 mph 8.1 seconds
0-75 mph 12.1 seconds
1/4-mile 16.1 seconds at 88.3 mph
0-60 mph with 1 foot of rollout 7.8 seconds
Braking:
30-0 mph 29 feet
60-0 mph 129 feet
Slalom (600 feet) 59.5 mph

[Drift Gangsta]

13.8 :rofl:

[Replica]

13.8 :rofl:
Sucks sooooo bad. That trap is TERRIBLE too. What's the point of 425hp when it's as fast as a common Mustang GT?

[dantheman]

Sucks sooooo bad. That trap is TERRIBLE too. What's the point of 425hp when it's as fast as a common Mustang GT?
troof.

aparently they run good on the highway, but i fail to believe it.

4100lbs does not a sports car make.

[TXBlackout03]

Sucks sooooo bad. That trap is TERRIBLE too. What's the point of 425hp when it's as fast as a common Mustang GT?



The Alcoa forged wheels on the SRT-8 models seriously weigh almost 30 pounds a piece. Dropping down to a set of 19x9.5's on most dodge forums drops roughly about 35-45lbs rotating mass and allows the car to actually run a 285-295 tire in the back dropping ET's 1.2 or even more, with no exaggeration. The biggest power adder to an srt-8 is a set of rims and sticky tires.


Awesome, right?


lol

[Replica]

The Alcoa forged wheels on the SRT-8 models seriously weigh almost 30 pounds a piece. Dropping down to a set of 19x9.5's on most dodge forums drops roughly about 35-45lbs rotating mass and allows the car to actually run a 285-295 tire in the back dropping ET's 1.2 or even more, with no exaggeration. The biggest power adder to an srt-8 is a set of rims and sticky tires.


Awesome, right?


lol
I'm sure it'd make a difference but stock, it's a pretty lame car given the segment/price/hype. I'd rather buy a new loaded Mustang GT for like $24k after nego.
troof.

aparently they run good on the highway, but i fail to believe it.

4100lbs does not a sports car make.
103 MPH does not = Highway monster. lol. There are also some comments about how the SRT-8 falls on its face in 4th.

[TXBlackout03]

I'm sure it'd make a difference but stock, it's a pretty lame car given the segment/price/hype. I'd rather buy a new loaded Mustang GT for like $24k after nego.

Oh I agree.


Chrysler is just really stupid.

[koolaider]

damn for 42k doing 13.8 haha

[Replica]

damn for 42k doing 13.8 haha
Dealer markup puts them at $63k

[dantheman]

103 in that test. individuals stock as a rock have gone 13.0-12.9 with it up to 108-110 mph. takes playing with tire pressures and things but it can be lowered.

not to defend this wretched piece of crap, but still. plus with a heavy car the hardest part is getting it rolling, once its rolling its easier to accel faster.

[Replica]

103 in that test. individuals stock as a rock have gone 13.0-12.9 with it up to 108-110 mph. takes playing with tire pressures and things but it can be lowered.

not to defend this wretched piece of crap, but still. plus with a heavy car the hardest part is getting it rolling, once its rolling its easier to accel faster.
Just for fun, what are LS1 F-body/3valve GT's/LS2 GTO guys running stock after playing with tire pressure? I had a roomate nailing 13 flat with a stock 01 TA. I can't remember his trap though. I want to say like 106-108mph.

[irvin_lazo]

damn I saw one of these in person and I have to say it was a very nice car. Clean looking ride...

[dantheman]

Just for fun, what are LS1 F-body/3valve GT's/LS2 GTO guys running stock after playing with tire pressure? I had a roomate nailing 13 flat with a stock 01 TA. I can't remember his trap though. I want to say like 106-108mph.
fastest all stock LS2 gto is 12.7@109
fbody i dont know but i would imagine around 12.9@107
3v gt low 13's at 103-104mph

[uneek]

yea, i saw sticker price at 56K...ehh fails.. this car will drop drastically in price. once the hardcore fans buy the first few, after that it will decline and it will eventually go down to MSRp.

[94ExCoupe]

edmunds must have grandmas driving if all they got was a 13.8. the Charger srt8 went faster than that.

[Replica]

edmunds must have grandmas driving if all they got was a 13.8. the Charger srt8 went faster than that.
Maybe. I think they mention that the Charger SRT-8 was faster in the article.

It's still a good prediction of what the average driver, with an average SRT-8 is going to run in average conditions.

My big gripe with this car, if it isn't evident by my line of questioning, is what does the Challenger SRT-8 offer at its superior price, that a current "muscle car" doesn't? Dantheman confirmed my suspicions that the Challenger SRT-8 is still in the realm of mortal muscle cars that cost significantly less. Even if the SRT-8 banged out a 13 flat, I'd still be disapointed, as the last generation of muscle cars barely making 300hp were doing it almost a decade ago.

[94ExCoupe]

meh i was just pointing it out. yelling out "srt8 challengers only do 14s" is pretty biased. Even you mention that "average drivers" wouldn't be making 13s passes. So why do you rave on the last gen muscle cars. Average drivers on those weren't hitting 13s flat.

R&T got a 13.3
MT got a 13.1
Still havent seen a time from an outside source tinkering with a stock one.

Seems more like you just wanted to find the worst possible scenario so you could poke fun at the car.

[Replica]

meh i was just pointing it out. yelling out "srt8 challengers only do 14s" is pretty biased. Even you mention that "average drivers" wouldn't be making 13s passes. So why do you rave on the last gen muscle cars. Average drivers on those weren't hitting 13s flat.

R&T got a 13.3
MT got a 13.1
Still havent seen a time from an outside source tinkering with a stock one.

Seems more like you just wanted to find the worst possible scenario so you could poke fun at the car.
In a previous post I said even if the car hit 13 flats I'd still think it sucks. Let's turn this around. If the Challenger SRT-8, with it's 425HP was running 13 flats, and we assumed all the other cars I mentioned, at best, only ran 13.5's with only 300HP, I'd still think the Challenger is a TERRIBLE performance value.

[3000gtvr4]

at least it looks 100000000 times better than the new mustang or camaro..

and does a fbody weigh over 4000lbs?
its faster in every way than the new mustang bullitt.
they did fail on performance but overall the car looks great

[TXBlackout03]

at least it looks 100000000 times better than the new mustang or camaro..

and does a fbody weigh over 4000lbs?
its faster in every way than the new mustang bullitt.
they did fail on performance but overall the car looks great

I think the new Camaro looks a lot better. But I still love the way this car looks.


Apple to oranges.

[lsej8]

I think we'll be seein more SLAB Challengers than fast challengers...

[skivic]

when will dodge understand that power is good but, weight plays a big factor in a car... 425hp=13.8... lame.....

[MR.BallisticKrU]

when will dodge understand that power is good but, weight plays a big factor in a car... 425hp=13.8... lame.....

all very good arguments...But this car is chuck full of fail

[Replica]

I think the new Camaro looks a lot better. But I still love the way this car looks.


Apple to oranges.
I'd love to sign the praises of the new Camaro, but given current events, and this "Challenger", I think I'll withhold any thoughts until we have some numbers on it.

[efhatch1]

its faster in every way than the new mustang bullitt.
they did fail on performance but overall the car looks great
i'm sure that by now we all know bullitts are just GTs with suspension work, you may as well have just said it's faster that the GT.


and fucking wow at that, how the fuck does 425 to the crank manage to EVER run high 13s. Unless under...3/4 throttle?

yeah i'm with replica on this one. this shit's disappointing.

[dantheman]

at least it looks 100000000 times better than the new mustang or camaro..

and does a fbody weigh over 4000lbs?
its faster in every way than the new mustang bullitt.
they did fail on performance but overall the car looks great


lets assume for a minute that all 3 cars looked identical but with different badges on the front, because after all we arent talking about what you like, or what i like, or what replica likes. we are talking about their performance.

now im taking the camaro out because we dont have any published numbers yet.

so we are just doing the Fbody vs Challenger vs Mustang Bullitt vs gto
car trim msrp engine size hp 1/4 mile
fbody (ss coupe) 31000 5.7 325 13.6@105
challenger SRT8 40000 6.1 425 13.8@103
mustang bullitt 31000 4.6 315 13.7@105
GTO coupe 31000 6.0 400 13.2@106



the challenger is a shitty buy for anyone who spends the money on it expecting performance.

[Replica]

The trap speed is the most disapointing part of it. 425HP and only 103MPH? Jesus, that's stock STi/EVO, 07' 350Z, GTO, 3V GT, LS1 territory. Even an RSX-S with bolt ons and a tune will make a Challenger sweat.

It's so shitty.
the challenger is a shitty buy for anyone who spends the money on it expecting performance.
And I can't see anyone but mostly enthusiasts buying the SRT-8.

Dude, I hope it goes the way of the Prowler.

[efhatch1]

Even an RSX-S with bolt ons and a tune will make a Challenger sweat.
Type S owners rejoice! Your bolt-on K-Pro Type S will kill a muscle car yet!

disappointing. This car gets efhatch1's stamp of disapproval. no bang for your buck, aside from the nomenclature. no bang period. just a lot of buck.


Way to hype up a fucking rock. Dodge, you FAIL. Quick someone send this thread to Dodge.

[Mach_Me]

lets assume for a minute that all 3 cars looked identical but with different badges on the front, because after all we arent talking about what you like, or what i like, or what replica likes. we are talking about their performance.

now im taking the camaro out because we dont have any published numbers yet.

so we are just doing the Fbody vs Challenger vs Mustang Bullitt vs gto
car trim msrp engine size hp 1/4 mile
fbody (ss coupe) 31000 5.7 325 13.6@105
challenger SRT8 40000 6.1 425 13.8@103
mustang bullitt 31000 4.6 315 13.7@105
GTO coupe 31000 6.0 400 13.2@106



the challenger is a shitty buy for anyone who spends the money on it expecting performance.

I think the Mach 1 is more on par with and SS and GTO than the bullitt

[3000gtvr4]

now post the weight of the cars...

im not arguing that its slow. it obviously is. but taking into consideration.. how much room is in the car? how wide is the car? how heavy is the car?
how does it handle on a real track, not just the drag strip?
maybe it handles decent on a road course, they have to do something to make up for the vipers lack of turning.
and did it get a dyno run? how much power is it actually making..or rather losing?

and when did the 6 speed come out to even make a drag time? cuz i havent seen one

[TXBlackout03]

I'd love to sign the praises of the new Camaro, but given current events, and this "Challenger", I think I'll withhold any thoughts until we have some numbers on it.

8:02 around the ring in preliminary testing so far.

[Replica]

8:02 around the ring in preliminary testing so far.
Has anyone had a deathwish and taken an SRT-8 out there yet?

[TXBlackout03]

Has anyone had a deathwish and taken an SRT-8 out there yet?

i dunno.

[MoToHeAd125]

companies need to quit putting old school classic names on their new shit boxes and hoping they will sell because of the nostalgic name. Its retarded.

[TXBlackout03]

companies need to quit putting old school classic names on their new shit boxes and hoping they will sell because of the nostalgic name. Its retarded.

Why?

[dantheman]

now post the weight of the cars...

im not arguing that its slow. it obviously is. but taking into consideration.. how much room is in the car? how wide is the car? how heavy is the car?
how does it handle on a real track, not just the drag strip?
maybe it handles decent on a road course, they have to do something to make up for the vipers lack of turning.
and did it get a dyno run? how much power is it actually making..or rather losing?

and when did the 6 speed come out to even make a drag time? cuz i havent seen one
fbody 3400lbs
challenger 4100lbs
mustang bullitt 3500lbs
gto 3700lbs.

of the 4 the GTO has the most interior room.

the car doesnt handle worth a shit. the first one wrecked was on the one lap of america at road america race track. it couldnt slow fast enough for the turn and slid off head first into a tire wall.
the Fbody admittedly doesnt handle very well but it was never designed to
the bullitt handles pretty well from what ive read
and the gto handles really well, ask me, i know.


also your statement about the vipers lack of turning means this is the last time i will respond to you because you are obviously a moron.

[Corrosive]

companies need to quit putting old school classic names on their new shit boxes and hoping they will sell because of the nostalgic name. Its retarded.

They made it look pretty close to the original.... why not re-badge it?

I agree with everyone and think the car is a failure. Its an attractive slow car that cant handle. I really wish dodge just threw the viper engine in there instead of the v8.

[3000gtvr4]

fbody 3400lbs
challenger 4100lbs
mustang bullitt 3500lbs
gto 3700lbs.

of the 4 the GTO has the most interior room.

the car doesnt handle worth a shit. the first one wrecked was on the one lap of america at road america race track. it couldnt slow fast enough for the turn and slid off head first into a tire wall.
the Fbody admittedly doesnt handle very well but it was never designed to
the bullitt handles pretty well from what ive read
and the gto handles really well, ask me, i know.


also your statement about the vipers lack of turning means this is the last time i will respond to you because you are obviously a moron.



oh wow??? A moron??? i didnt know this was middle school and we were calling people names cuz we had a debate.

every one knows the viper handles like shit.
and according to road and track the challenger handles better than the bullitt. I was just saying maybe, I dont know all the details. just want facts, not opinions.
next time you want a name calling contest, argue with someone who actually cares.

[A769]

oh wow??? A moron??? i didnt know this was middle school and we were calling people names cuz we had a debate.

every one knows the viper handles like shit.
and according to road and track the challenger handles better than the bullitt. I was just saying maybe, I dont know all the details. just want facts, not opinions.
next time you want a name calling contest, argue with someone who actually cares.


I dont want to be the berrer of bad news, but vipers handle well, and the ACR's Outhandle The 997 GT2, the GTR, and the z06.

sooooooooo QUE?

[seinkonnen]

1/4-mile 13.8 seconds at 103.0 mph
HOLY BISCUITS! It's as fast as an LS1 Trans Am!!!!! Jumpity JEEPERS!

[seinkonnen]

I just read the article. The automatic SRT8 did the 1/4 in 13.2 seconds at 107.5 mph. The six speed had the 13.8 pass. Maybe some just can't drive?

[3000gtvr4]

I dont want to be the berrer of bad news, but vipers handle well, and the ACR's Outhandle The 997 GT2, the GTR, and the z06.

sooooooooo QUE?

i thought the corvette, and ford GT out handled the ACR, last time i checked.

Dont get me wrong, dodge viper is by all means my favorite car.

[TXBlackout03]

i thought the corvette, and ford GT out handled the ACR, last time i checked.

Dont get me wrong, dodge viper is by all means my favorite car.

The Viper handles better than the GT and 'vette.

[Mr. Stone]

i thought the corvette, and ford GT out handled the ACR, last time i checked.

Dont get me wrong, dodge viper is by all means my favorite car.

Negative. I posted stats in the Car Talk forum an article that showed the Z06 consistently placing 5th or 6th against several other cars including the R8, GT2, and the Viper ACR- to name a few.

I love this car. It looks and sounds like a true muscle car. There is more to a car than what it runs in the 1/4 mile.

Being a GM/Euro guy, I think Dodge did well with this car.

[3000gtvr4]

Oh well the i retract my statement.

I just thought i remembered a newer road and track test where the viper didnt do so well as far as handling.

I really just like the look of the challenger, i will probably buy the RT 6 speed when it comes out

[85notch]

the new Challenger looks cool.... but my Magnum SRT8 kills it (and the other muscle cars) because it is a wagon and can carry a butt load of stuff....

[Replica]

I love this car. It looks and sounds like a true muscle car. There is more to a car than what it runs in the 1/4 mile.
Oh? Is there something great the SRT-8 does that I missed? :Goofy: For $53,000, the Challenger is an absolutely terrible car. Even when the prices adjust and it's $30,000 or so, I'd still be mildly disgusted with it.

I hate to say it, but I'd buy a Mustang instead.

[dantheman]

Oh? Is there something great the SRT-8 does that I missed? :Goofy: For $53,000, the Challenger is an absolutely terrible car. Even when the prices adjust and it's $30,000 or so, I'd still be mildly disgusted with it.

I hate to say it, but I'd buy a Mustang instead.
i would as well. and when the camaro comes out, it would be no contest.

challenger is just a terrible car.

[Replica]

i would as well. and when the camaro comes out, it would be no contest.

challenger is just a terrible car.
I'm still waiting to see if the Camaro actually delivers. I'm not doubting it will be great, but, yeah, hype sucks.

[ThaJokaa]

it looks nice but not worth the hype

[projectsupra22]

I'm a buy me one..........














so in the morning b4 i go to work i can cuss and throw things at and tell it how much of a piece of shit it is...............:hsugh:

[dantheman]

I'm still waiting to see if the Camaro actually delivers. I'm not doubting it will be great, but, yeah, hype sucks.
updated GTO chassis with stylish lines and good powerplants.

i dont see how it could go wrong.

[Replica]

updated GTO chassis with stylish lines and good powerplants.

i dont see how it could go wrong.
I still haven't driven a GTO. I wanted to buy one for a bit. Must be the 6.0, the 5.7's look a bit too ordinary for me.

[ThaJokaa]

I still haven't driven a GTO. I wanted to buy one for a bit. Must be the 6.0, the 5.7's look a bit too ordinary for me.

:wrd: i dont like the 5.7s

[Mr. Stone]

Oh? Is there something great the SRT-8 does that I missed? :Goofy: For $53,000, the Challenger is an absolutely terrible car. Even when the prices adjust and it's $30,000 or so, I'd still be mildly disgusted with it.

I hate to say it, but I'd buy a Mustang instead.

I just feel that you'd be buying a lesser car. SRT versions offer more in terms of interior trim, features, etc than a Mustang GT.

I think this Challenger offers more purity than many of the retro muscle cars that have been popping up everywhere.

My biggest complaint is that the SRT doesn't come in a manual. I will be buying a 5.7 because of this.

Only opinions. As I've said before, there is more to a car than it's 1/4 mile time. A better set of tires would be a relatively cheap and very effective way of correcting it's handling.

[3000gtvr4]

according to road and track it seems to handle ok everywhere besides the strip..

66mph slalom is decent for a 4000+lb car.

[JHizzleX]

13.8 wtf :rofl:

i can do 13.5 with granny launch

[dantheman]

I still haven't driven a GTO. I wanted to buy one for a bit. Must be the 6.0, the 5.7's look a bit too ordinary for me.

if you drive one and you are thinking about getting a new car you will likely leave with one.

6.0-5.7 is a preference thing. i think the 6.0 looks cheesy with that hood on it but its all a matter of preference. ill be switching my bumper to a 6.0 bumper soon just cause i need the monaro rear with easy access to a trailer hitch so i can pull a track trailer to the track.

13.8 wtf :rofl:

i can do 13.5 with granny launch


have you done it?

if so vids or ban.

if not stfu.

[JHizzleX]

if you drive one and you are thinking about getting a new car you will likely leave with one.

6.0-5.7 is a preference thing. i think the 6.0 looks cheesy with that hood on it but its all a matter of preference. ill be switching my bumper to a 6.0 bumper soon just cause i need the monaro rear with easy access to a trailer hitch so i can pull a track trailer to the track.




have you done it?

if so vids or ban.

if not stfu.

go on edmunds..their test is at 13.5 and they dont even push the cars..

[dantheman]

go on edmunds..their test is at 13.5 and they dont even push the cars..



have you done it?

if so vids or ban.

if not stfu.

[Replica]

I just feel that you'd be buying a lesser car. SRT versions offer more in terms of interior trim, features, etc than a Mustang GT.

I think this Challenger offers more purity than many of the retro muscle cars that have been popping up everywhere.
Yeah, muscle car purity that only comes from an outdated Mercedes chasis it rolls on. True MUSCLE CAR! :Goofy:

[94egg]

there alot of people that don't take advntage of a cars full potential (when the car has it), they just have one becuase they love how is looks and rides nicely around town, this is a car perfect for those kind of people, im sure it will sell ok if they hurry up and put a decent drive out price tag