Visit to a Dodge Dealership...

[04Ram2500Hemi]

So as an owner of a Dodge Ram, I get all sorts of junk mail from Dodge all the time. I got a deal in the mail a while back to take a test drive in a new Ram HD and get a $50 Pre Paid Mastercard, so I figured I'd go down yesterday.

After doing the test drive (loved the truck by the way) we went inside so they could get me a code so I could go online to get the card. While waiting I see they had two Challengers in the bright orange sitting next to eachother. One was the SRT-8, and the other was the RT with the regular Hemi. I was looking at the RT and noticed it was cloth interior, and it was missing some goodies my 2SS Camaro has. I decided to sit in it, and while it was a nice car, it just didn't feel as nice. The car salesman comes up and asks me what I think of it. I'm not sure what came over me, but I told him "To be brutally honest, I'll keep my 2010 Camaro 2SS."

So what did I learn? A Challenger RT with cloth interior cost the exact same as my 2SS/RS Camaro, while the SRT-8 cost $10,000 more than my Camaro. I think I made the right choice.

[guiLT]

Smart move sir!

[Andro]

[ViperTomcat]

Originally Posted by 04Ram2500Hemi

So as an owner of a Dodge Ram, I get all sorts of junk mail from Dodge all the time. I got a deal in the mail a while back to take a test drive in a new Ram HD and get a $50 Pre Paid Mastercard, so I figured I'd go down yesterday.

After doing the test drive (loved the truck by the way) we went inside so they could get me a code so I could go online to get the card. While waiting I see they had two Challengers in the bright orange sitting next to eachother. One was the SRT-8, and the other was the RT with the regular Hemi. I was looking at the RT and noticed it was cloth interior, and it was missing some goodies my 2SS Camaro has. I decided to sit in it, and while it was a nice car, it just didn't feel as nice. The car salesman comes up and asks me what I think of it. I'm not sure what came over me, but I told him "To be brutally honest, I'll keep my 2010 Camaro 2SS."

So what did I learn? A Challenger RT with cloth interior cost the exact same as my 2SS/RS Camaro, while the SRT-8 cost $10,000 more than my Camaro. I think I made the right choice.

It must have been heavily loaded with other options, because My cloth interior R/T was 31,585..way under a 2SS

[YLWJKT]

Depends on the trim level, but you're correct, MSRP for the SS and a comparably equipped RT are close. An SRT8 will run $6-7k more than a 2SS/RS. Whether it's really worth that much more is a matter of perspective.
Both the SRT8 and the 2SS are awesome cars, and each has their own pros and cons, I recommend driving them both.

[zerox]

Why is the SRT8 much more? Is it just way more luxurious

[zebra]

i love test drive incentives
dodge paid me the same to look at a truck last summer & the year before that, ford gave me $25 to show the salesman what a Mustang GT could do

[Thrillz]

Said it before said it again dodge really dropped the ball on the pricing on there challenger. I mean seriously u can get a GT500 for the same price as a SRT8 challenger thats laughable. Fine tune that dash bring the pricing in line with everyone else they will have a hit on there hands. Guess they dont like to make money

[ViperTomcat]

Originally Posted by zerox

Why is the SRT8 much more? Is it just way more luxurious

No, it and the Camaro 2SS are very similarly equipped. The only thing the SRT8 has is a full Sat. Nav suite, Hard Drive based stereo and phone combo as well as the Kicker sound system, etc. Essentially it has a much better equipped sound/entertainment system than the Camaro.

The SRT also has a slightly better stock suspension than the 1SS/2SS, hence its better times through the slalom.

But there is really no real valid reason for it being 7-9,000 bucks more. Dodge is not being the brightest on setting it so high, it really should be no more than 40,000

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Originally Posted by ViperTomcat

It must have been heavily loaded with other options, because My cloth interior R/T was 31,585..way under a 2SS

It didn't seem all that loaded, but I didn't look to close either. The two things I do remember were the cloth seats and the sunroof (which I hit my head on). I just thought it was priced kind of high compared to my Camaro 2SS.

[YLWJKT]

Originally Posted by 04Ram2500Hemi

It didn't seem all that loaded, but I didn't look to close either. The two things I do remember were the cloth seats and the sunroof (which I hit my head on). I just thought it was priced kind of high compared to my Camaro 2SS.

The Challenger with a sunroof has more headroom than a Camaro with one.
It's why I decided AGAINST a sunroof with the Camaro.
My SRT8 with sunroof has almost the exact amount of headroom my 2SS without sunroof has.
The seat in the car you were in may have been al the way up.

Originally Posted by ViperTomcat

No, it and the Camaro 2SS are very similarly equipped. The only thing the SRT8 has is a full Sat. Nav suite, Hard Drive based stereo and phone combo as well as the Kicker sound system, etc. Essentially it has a much better equipped sound/entertainment system than the Camaro.

The SRT also has a slightly better stock suspension than the 1SS/2SS, hence its better times through the slalom.

But there is really no real valid reason for it being 7-9,000 bucks more. Dodge is not being the brightest on setting it so high, it really should be no more than 40,000

They're similar but the differences are there.

The Brembos are larger and have more power. The aforementioned Nav/Sat radio with Kicker comes with a sub and has good sound. The only reason i can think Chevy didn't include a sub with the 2SS is because of limited trunk space.

The suspension performs very well and the forged Alcoa wheels only weigh 27 lbs. each.
The interior on the SRT8 is nicer than the 2SS imo, and the seats are more supportive but I believe the leather in the Camaro is better quality.
Is it worth the additional $7-8k? Hard to say. The wheels, upgraded Brembos and suspension, Nav / sound system do have a cost associated to them, but I'm not certain if Dodge have their numbers right.

I hope they step up their game to be able to keep up with the latest offerings from Chevy and Ford.

[dmax86]

yeah maybe the RT, but its the measly 5.7..... try to match it with SRT-8 so you can compare similar cubes and that changes the game!

[IDMTfirefighter]

Originally Posted by Thrillz

Said it before said it again dodge really dropped the ball on the pricing on there challenger. I mean seriously u can get a GT500 for the same price as a SRT8 challenger thats laughable. Fine tune that dash bring the pricing in line with everyone else they will have a hit on there hands. Guess they dont like to make money

Good post and unfortunately true.
While the rareness of the challengers is nice...5:1 for Camaro to Challenger and what about 50:1 for Mustang to Challenger...low sales numbers mean less options/suppliers/availability for aftermarket parts.

[1bad65]

Originally Posted by IDMTfirefighter

low sales numbers mean less options/suppliers/availability for aftermarket parts.

That's one of the reasons I didn't trade in my Mustang for a Challenger. I always mod my cars, and aftermarket parts were a good bit more than aftermarket parts for my Mustang.