AutoWeek (6-6-05) Likes the Charger

[Blue03]

"For a rear-drive sedan with this much room and power, you either pay a lot more for a European import or you get a less exciting vehicle from the Ford stable. The Crown Victoria's dynamics are underrated anymore (nowhere near as soft and sloppy as in the old days), but neither is it as driver-oriented as a Charger. Even Mercury's short-lived Marauder wouldn't make the grade against the Dodge :( , which draws on the strengths of engineering done for Mercedes-Benz."

Well there ya go...part of page 22 left column... at least I like the grill vs the wagon or 300's and that copper color is nice. Still think they should have built the 99 concept version.

[rayjay]

Well there ya go...part of page 22 left column... at least I like the grill vs the wagon or 300's and that copper color is nice. Still think they should have built the 99 concept version.[/QUOTE]
I liked the looks of the Charger until I saw one in person. The front end still looks like they slapped a truck front end on it.

[metroplex]

Dodge styling all draws from the 1500 Ram, which has the POS Hemi that everyone and their brother raves about. It's a powerful gas engine but the 5.9L Cummins I-6 in the 2500/3500 makes 600 ft-lb of torque (almost flat as y=0) and doesn't get noticed.

As they say with Chrysler nowadays, German engineered, American built. I'm not sure how much of the "Hemi" V8 is German engineered other than the Multi-Displacement System which doesn't seem to work right (either get decent gas mileage and not the advertised power, or you get the full power w/ horrible gas mileage).

A Ford Crown Vic may not be exciting but it's been around for more than 2 decades. The Dodge Charger, 300C, and Magnum have just been introduced. AFAIK, Chrysler has a spotty track record.

In addition, if the 300/Magnum/Charger do make it into the police market, it will be the V6 model due to cost.

[Shaft333]

What's wrong with the Hemi? How is it a POS?

[Bluerauder]

... but neither is it as driver-oriented as a Charger. Even Mercury's short-lived Marauder wouldn't make the grade against the Dodge :( , which draws on the strengths of engineering done for Mercedes-Benz."

Well at least we are getting some honorable mention. A year ago they were ignoring us completely .... now that's progress !!! :rolleyes: For a car that doesn't stack up ... it seems that GM and D-C sure put alot of effort into competing head-to-head. Unfortunately, F/L/M was asleep at the switch or waiting to Open Some New Doors. :D >>>> Like for the Emergency Exit !!! :rofl:

[bigslim]

If these dummies check their numbers they will find out that the MM out handles the Chryslers.

[RF Overlord]

AFAIK, Chrysler has a spotty track record.Yeah, just ask anyone who's ever owned a Chrysler with an UltraDrive...
In addition, if the 300/Magnum/Charger do make it into the police market, it will be the V6 model due to cost.Agreed, although I can't imagine what possessed DCX to put a 2.7 litre V6 into a car that weighs 4100 lbs...if people think the Ford Police Interceptor is a pig (no pun intended :P ), wait 'til they try chasing a 'vette in a 2.7L 300... :eek:

Having said all that, if I HAD to replace the Blackbird tomorrow, I'd look at the new Charger SRT-8...I like it better than Pontiac's rice-goat...

[twolow]

I wonder what a new Charger would look like painted orange and with all the General Lee stickers on it.

[grampaws]

Just gimme a Marauder with a 6.0L engine and it would be the better car...
Ford just needed some muscle in their Muscle car...:burnout:

[USN_Lifer]

..and I absolutely despise the new Dodge Charger front clip in Nascar. In no way shape or form does it even come close to the factory version. The stock nose is as upright as a Peterbilt truck, unlike the Cup version with recessed headlights that slope backwards and a grille that drags the ground. It's so out of proportion! I think Nascar gives them special advantages to make them competitive...which directly results in more sales. :down:

[GodOSpeed]

I agree with RF the SRT-8 is a definate looker in black. Mercedes electronic stability and traction control would have to be the selling point for this car.

[jstevens]

What's wrong with the Hemi? How is it a POS?

I believe they say that because most of us can smoke'em.

When DCX made the HEMI, they convinced everyone that it is quicker than it really is. My .02

[Vortex]

I assume another unibody? No thanks. The hemi motor is fine but man, I think its ugly in either the station wagon, gangster car or studebaker lark form. IMHO if Ford had any brains theyd figure out a way to shoehorn a monster motor in a stripped down CV, poverty caps, plastic flooring, crank windows ect...

[Ezbok58a]

The Hemis' a POS Because it has nothing in common with any engine that had that distinction (boss 429 was more hemi than this, and it was known as a SEMI-HEMI!)

It a over rated glorified V8, thats it.
The only chargers that looked appealing to me were the Daytona RT and the SRT8.