Gus I know you broke down and bought the Chevy (let's see are you up to 50 recalls now?!!!!?)... You should have waited: Chrysler announces 707 HP Challenger (
https://money.cnn.com/2014/07/02/autos/dodge-challenger-hellcat/index.html).
I'll get back to you in a minute...:dark:
My first new car was a 70 Challenger that I bought off the showroom floor at Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago.
My dad used to frequent Mr. Norms little dealership back in the day, as he was originally from Milwaukee. He always said that's where you went when you wanted to get real serious!
I'm with you there, buddy, having owned several late 60's / early 70's Charger R/T's and Road Runners, actually in the late 60's and early 70's.
Sather! My old friend! I never knew this little bit of your history...I'm sure we will talk for hours now that i know some of it!
NOW.....:dark: Back to "Old Scratch."
In the same amount of time that i owned "Le Challenger" it had been in for two resolved items and, one factory recall..."Le Camaro" has been in for two resolved items...no recalls...*yet*
My inside connection to Detroit comes from a family relation i will call "John"....
John and, i have talked numerous times about his past history with GM and, Chrysler...Seems he still has many friends who still work at both even today.
I've known about a Supercharged version coming ever since they cancelled the idea of putting the Viper V-10 in the Chally. The problem was that last year as i made the move on the Chevy...The word on the inside was that they were only shooting for a 80 horse gain over the SRT 392...meaning 550hp. That would have been easy and, still stout.
Things have changed.
John feels that the loss of Mercedes as the primary owner and, the change to the new owner Fiat was a big boost to morale. Before with Mercedes it was: "This is how were going to do it and, you stand out of the way...."
Fiat: "Ahhhh.....ummmm.....listen were starting too make back some of that capital we threw at you guys...lets have some fun...what do you think American buyers REALLY want?"
So Ralph Giles (Head of SRT) NOW had a blank check and, a clean slate!
Better late than never.
I was almost right on the horsepower...I've been saying (looking at the volume of the Supercharger) that it would be around 650hp. Guess they put a smaller pulley on it and, cranked the boost up.
For a guess on the price. I'll be honest, your NOT going to touch the Hellcat for less than $65k. My guess is 65-70k out the door.
Several people are saying that it's run into the high 10's. Nah.....Not unless they put a "Race Gas" tune on it and, Drag Radials...expect 11.5 in the quarter.
Speed? It has the power to just crack 200mph...Something NO Shelby GT500 has been able to do when tested by ANY auto magazine...Close but, NO cigar.
Of course i have been proven wrong. :confused2:
I'm sure it will be a GREAT car!
I still love Chrysler but, things weren't looking so good last year....
IF...IF...i still had my old Challenger, i would still be dealing with selling/trading in a car only worth about $30k now...long way from 70k huh?
As a matter of fact the dealer that bought my car still has it and, its selling for LESS than they gave me on trade in....hmmmmm.....
Let me compare the two since i've now owned them both.
1. Fit, finish, quality of interior materials: The Challenger wins. (Remember Mercedes really put a little of themselves in that car.)
2. Interior room: Hands down the Challenger. Very spacious...but, you can still *bang* Momma in the front or back of the Camaro-PROVEN.
3. Ride, handling: The Camaro. You can't beat that Magnetic Fluid Suspension and, the handling it has in all FIVE moods. (Heck, even Ferrari borrows the patent on it for their cars. YES! American engineering borrowed by Ferrari *under contract* for their top cars!)
oint:
4. Stereo: The Chally was slightly better.
5. Fuel Mileage at 70mph on the Interstate: The Chally-20mpg with 425hp. The Camaro-21mpg with 580hp.
6. Stand out from the crowd ability: The Challenger always drew stares and, on lookers! When people realize that the Camaro is that one out of a hundred Camaros with that "Supercharger Thingy"....The Chally loses.
7. Acceleration: HOLLY MOTHER OF GOD! That ZL-1 flat out books...When you press down your right foot..."It's like the floodgates to Hell just opened up!" I've owned older cars with more horsepower than this but, never this kind of *hook* to planet earth.
8. Noise: The Chally had a very quiet demeanor to itself, on the highway, under throttle, at idle...The Camaro is more noisy...as i expected.
9. Comfort on a long trip: Hands down the Camaro! The BEST seats i've EVER sat in! Feels like your sitting on GEL! I don't know what Chrysler was thinking of when they designed the "High Bolster" seats on the Challenger and, i'm 5'-9" and weigh 165 pounds but, those seats were VERY uncomfortable to me.
No matter what you buy, someone will always have something flashier, or faster...They may not be able to use all of what they have but, if you can maintain what you have...good! Would i like to buy a Hellcat? Sure would...It's going to be awesome for sure! Right now though only about 5% of ZL-1 owners can truly take their cars to the limit and, come back in one piece. Trust me its a BEAR and, i AM NOT a professional race car driver.
I can tell you this from personal experience- From 0-150mph is a VERY VIOLENT ride in ANY car.
Above 150mph and, it's like you stepped into another dimension.
A VERY scary surreal world...full of danger.
No matter what you drive.