Car and Driver hates the Challenger

[MaroMike]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

...I was staring past the Challenger at a couple of Mustangs for a few minutes....to be brutally honest....then I saw a G8......but the point stands: The Dodge couldn't hold my attention!!

Truth be known boss, there's gonna be a lot of peeps who are die hard Camaro fans who are gonna complain when it finally hit's the ground and they see it in person.........it's all subjective.

I kinda like the G8.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by MaroMike

Truth be known boss, there's gonna be a lot of peeps who are die hard Camaro fans who are gonna complain when it finally hit's the ground and they see it in person.........it's all subjective.

Let me start off by saying I absolutely respect your opinion on the Dodge. It's not a bad car by any means. And the above, I was just kidding around...I really did walk around it, in it...etc. I paid close attention.

Then...if what you're saying above is that there are gonna be a lot of Camaro fans who won't like the Camaro when they see it in person...then you couldn't be further from the truth. One or two...sure. And if you're looking for pure retro...then the Camaro's not for you. But not a single person on this forum has come back from seeing the car in person with a poor review. Not one. It's a beautiful, aggressive design on-screen...and seeing what they've accomplished in the flesh is absolutely breathtaking.

[kevin2323]

Originally Posted by Milk 1027

It's a boat compared to today's standards.
That is my last comment on this thread

the SS is a boat compared to todays standard as well then....3900lbs
the gt500 is as well...3900+lbs

[TheCaptain]

Originally Posted by MaroMike

...

If memory serves it weighed around 4400 lbs. I put fatter tires all the way around on nicer wheels, and that beast as we called them, would lay rubber with no prob when you stomped on it.

The 9C1 police package was a big step up from stock, that's what the SS was derived from. But even then, most peeps in our club went to Hotchkis springs and sway bars to improve the handling. Still, that didn't make it a track competitor....

Sorry, not to be rude, but the Impala's Caprice's only weighed in at a shade under 4100 lbs (4061 to be exact). The wagons were 4476 lbs though.

[GatorBlue371]

Originally Posted by MaroMike

I respectfully disagree sir, not when cars are sharing platforms. If it was unique unto itself, absolutely a boat. But the Charger and 300 are the same platform.

Regards!!

two whales in a pod

[MaroMike]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Let me start off by saying I absolutely respect your opinion on the Dodge. It's not a bad car by any means. And the above, I was just kidding around...I really did walk around it, in it...etc. I paid close attention.

Then...if what you're saying above is that there are gonna be a lot of Camaro fans who won't like the Camaro when they see it in person...then you couldn't be further from the truth. One or two...sure. And if you're looking for pure retro...then the Camaro's not for you. But not a single person on this forum has come back from seeing the car in person with a poor review. Not one. It's a beautiful, aggressive design on-screen...and seeing what they've accomplished in the flesh is absolutely breathtaking.

I know you were kiding boss, no worries mate. By "a lot" I meant more than you would expect. And not on this forum, I'm referring to peeps who aren't car nuts like us, who don't belong to forums. Just everyday folks. BUT, I didn't mean there will be thousands of them, just more than you and I could believe.

Kinda like " you've got to be kiddin' me man, what's NOT to like?!?!?"

For the record, I'm a die hard Chevy guy who thinks the new Maro is B E A UTIFUL, and can't wait to own one. I went over to Dodge in 05 because I wasn't happy with Chevy trucks or cars at the time, looks wise. I have NEVER said I wouldn't be back. I'm back baby!!

Mikey

[MaroMike]

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

Sorry, not to be rude, but the Impala's Caprice's only weighed in at a shade under 4100 lbs (4061 to be exact). The wagons were 4476 lbs though.

Not being rude at all my friend, I was writing from memory, that's why I said "if" memory serves. Thank you for weighing in. It still was a boat.

Mikey

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Thats what happens when you have multiple writers working at a magazine

It's not just that there are 2 writers at the magazine, although that does play into it. The OP referenced the lightning lap which is a very specific kind of test. The Challenger is just not a good match for that kind of test. However a Challenger is awesome for 'hooning' or whatever Jalopnik calls it. Romping around on regular streets doing burnouts and such.

I guess I feel for the Challenger because I have the opposite problem. I have an 09 Cobalt SS/TC. It clearly fights way above it's weight class in that competition, and it's a solid little daily driver. However on more generic tests GTI's or MS3's always win the competition because they are heavier and more refined, even though I know they'll be sucking my exhaust if there were tighter apex's between here and the grocery store.

[Speedy1975]

Originally Posted by MrIcky

I guess I feel for the Challenger because I have the opposite problem. I have an 09 Cobalt SS/TC. It clearly fights way above it's weight class in that competition, and it's a solid little daily driver.

OFF TOPIC....

I looked at one and was impressed. What's the boost on that little car set to from the factory? You tried upping it any?

Carry on.

[TheCaptain]

Originally Posted by MaroMike

Not being rude at all my friend, I was writing from memory, that's why I said "if" memory serves. Thank you for weighing in. It still was a boat.

Mikey

Yep, nbd (no big deal). Understeer city is all... new GM vehicles definately have this figured out now.

Originally Posted by MrIcky

...
I guess I feel for the Challenger because I have the opposite problem. I have an 09 Cobalt SS/TC. It clearly fights way above it's weight class in that competition, and it's a solid little daily driver. However on more generic tests GTI's or MS3's always win the competition because they are heavier and more refined, even though I know they'll be sucking my exhaust if there were tighter apex's between here and the grocery store.

Isn't that the truth! I love my SS SC! She carves corners like she's on rails!

[Camaroconvert]

Originally Posted by Rallysport

The Challenger represents an American muscle car. That is fact. Thus, Car and Driver will trash it, and ANY American Car. I subscribed to that rag from March 1975 til Jan 2007...I just couldn't take their Euro and Jap bias anymore. To hell with C & D. I could care less what they think.

Couldn't agree with you more, that's all i'm saying.

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

OFF TOPIC....

I looked at one and was impressed. What's the boost on that little car set to from the factory? You tried upping it any?

Carry on.

Hehe, ok, off topic- the boost from the factory varies to maintain 260 lbs/ft. So usually it hits in the mid-teens although I'm told it will get to 21 on a hot day. I have not done anything, I'm waiting for the factory GMPD tuning kit that should be out 1st Qrtr 09.

To Rallysport and Camaroconvert: I don't want to repost it, but I just popped up a C&D quote that's very complimentary and specifically points out the Musclecar history.