I never claimed to be an automotive expert. I never claimed to be an expert in anything come to think of it. In any case, I do claim to be an automotive enthusiast. I like to drive and I dig cars is what I am trying to say so it was to my glee that the local Dodge dealer was hosting a Mopar muscle car day. I stopped by the day before to prod the Dodge salespeople for any info I did not already read online and to see if they had a Charger I could tool around in to at least get a taste of what the 5.7 liter felt like on the road. I figured no point in continuing the drool fest if the engine was crap. He informed me that the next day was muscle car day so I figured I would go for a ride after gazing at the old Mopar cars of late. This turned out to be a great day.
I don't test drive cars the way I used to which was never enough to begin with. I still feel like I am 17 years old in the dealerships and have to remind myself that test driving cars is not only okay it is encouraged. It is almost as if I am trying to swindle them into letting me do something I am not supposed to do. That's how much I like cars. I figure any normal person would not just hand the keys of a 400 hp monster to people but how else do you sell cars right? People have to drive them. I guess from a business standpoint it is totally acceptable but the theory just boggles my mind. It goes against "you don't get anything for free". Sure you do. With gas at almost 5 bucks a gallon you get even more these days on a test drive.
As the Avalon made her silent approach I could see the array of Mopar colors first. Reds with black stripes, crazy green fluorescents with black stripes and brilliant blues and of course Hemi orange. When I pulled in Kid Rock was blasting from in back a BBQ with a couple of dozen car freaks roaming around munching on hot dogs and talking shop. Even though I was in East Hanover New Jersey I felt like I was outside a diner in the mid west. I parked the Avalon and walked around the old Mopars first. They had Challengers, Chargers, Covair Cudas, Road Runners, and some top of the line models like Super Bees and Super Birds. The new boys were there too in their not as impressive Chargers but they can't be as interesting with 50 years between them and their neighboring vehicles. They did have cool mods like cold air kits and slight body modifications that I am sure in 50 years will be well sought after.
Here are some pictures I took with my phone of the event.
So now I am truly drooling and go for my test drive in a 2008 Dodge Charger R/T with SRT8 trim. The thing was loaded and was actually more than I would want to spend on the Challenger but it also had way more stuff than I would want. First off the trip tonic automatic / manual shifting mode sucks. It takes a good 2 and a half seconds to shift gears which really messes up your timing. The automatic shifts much faster and smoother. The 09's will have manual transmissions so no worries there. My first 15 minutes were spent in solid Rt 10 traffic so I got to experience what it was like as a regular every day car and it was very comfortable. Also very calm except for the slight "blub blub blub" from the exhaust.
Being familiar with the area I got off the main street as soon as possible and after a few turns I was in very light traffic and opened her up a bit. She responded immediately and filled the cabin with a horrific roar that pinned me back in the seat and sent the back end straight toward the ground and the hood bucking up slightly from the power. The red line came up quick but the automatic changes right before things get ugly. Being an automatic your foot is the only real control you have but it was pretty easy to figure out how much pressure at certain speeds it took to get what you wanted out of the engine. I was surprised how fast it calms down and becomes a regular driving car when you are done being a 17 year old. I kind of like that. It is more like the Mustang in the every day driving capability of it. I hope the Challenger is the same. Anyway, after some reasonably fast straights and some tight turns including one sweet fishtail around a little bend, my prognosis was very good. Very good indeed. I did not even get a change to diss the crappy plastic interior because I could not keep my eyes off the road. The car also gripped extremely well and it's road presents is strong and stout. I really enjoyed myself. I think that engine is a great heart for a car that can transform your driving experience from boring to freakin crazy insane.
Here is a picture I scanned from the new "pre-official" Challenger brochure.
Here are the 09 color choices along with your rim and wheel options.
