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2010 Dodge Charger SRT8 vs ???, looking at $600 a month or so for a payment

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I think the Charger makes more sense than a Challenger. If you're buying a 4200lb car, it might as well be a 4 door vs a HUGE 2 door
 
alkemyst said:
dude WTF are you talking about...the Charger does outperform the Challenger in many things.

also like I said, I'd love the LATEST CTS-V, but I am not going to pay $1500 a month for a car. The older ones have weak rear ends...

The other things for a daily driver is visibility...the Challenger and Camaro have craptasic rear visibility.

what are you driving?
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If the rear end of the older CTS-V is the only thing holding you back, and you're going to mod the car anyway, I think I see a solution! :hmm:
 
There is more to the older CTS-V I don't like as well. I'd have to find a car 3 years older than what I am looking at and the interior is more or less unsporty for lack of a better term.

the 2009 and later really kicked out the 'old man look'...but $50k for a 2009 is ton more cash than the 2010 Charger SRT8 at around $35k
 
So, are you getting the Charger then? Have you driven it and what did you think of it? Have you driven the M3 in comparison?

I haven't driven the Charger but I have driven the 300C which I believe shares the same platform. My only complaints about that car was the lack of grip at the front, it just understeers like a pig, and the outward visibility is horrible. I'm sure the SRT8 has much better rubber than the V6 rental car I drove so that would certainly help with the handling woes.

I've driven the M3 and there is really nothing I can fault about that car. It is just about perfect.
 
alkemyst said:
dude WTF are you talking about...the Charger does outperform the Challenger in many things.

also like I said, I'd love the LATEST CTS-V, but I am not going to pay $1500 a month for a car. The older ones have weak rear ends...

The other things for a daily driver is visibility...the Challenger and Camaro have craptasic rear visibility.

what are you driving?
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You know you're right. I stand corrected. I would have thought the Challenger would smoke the 4 door Charger. I always thought the Challenger was overweight, but damn, that's pretty sad when you get beat by a 4 door.

And listen, you doesn't have to defend your stance on the CTS-V. I understand it is MUCH more expensive than the Challenger, Camaro, Mustang and Charger. I just threw it out there because I think that is one of the few 4 door car that can do it all, performance, great ride and is beautiful looking. BUT, it comes with a MUCH higher price tag.

And I completely agree with you about the visibility on the Challenger and Camaro. I didn't even have to test drive the Challenger to realize that. I sat in one at the Auto Show and that was the first thing I noticed, well, and that it was HUGE on the inside.

As far as what I'm driving, I don't think that's important. My intention wasn't to compare cars. I just threw out my opinion, because you created this thread asking for opinions on the car you were looking to buy. I think it is awful looking, but if you LOVE it, that's really all that counts. I'm not paying for it, you are. So get whatever you like.
 
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exdeath said:
A few that can pull it off? There are hardly any choices in that category to begin with. All the cars the Charger competes with in it's price and class are 2 door only.
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Oh, I agree. That is why I don't like it. It doesn't do anything great. If you want to pull it off, you'll have to spend a lot more money. So instead of compromising, I'd either get a car that performs great, OR rides great. That's why I mentioned the standard CTS. Not a great performer, but it definitely is a nice ride. And looks great too. A BMW 3 series is a nice option too. The Charger, not so much. Awful looking car IMO.
 
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JulesMaximus said:
So, are you getting the Charger then? Have you driven it and what did you think of it? Have you driven the M3 in comparison?

I haven't driven the Charger but I have driven the 300C which I believe shares the same platform. My only complaints about that car was the lack of grip at the front, it just understeers like a pig, and the outward visibility is horrible. I'm sure the SRT8 has much better rubber than the V6 rental car I drove so that would certainly help with the handling woes.

I've driven the M3 and there is really nothing I can fault about that car. It is just about perfect.
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? yes I have driven them. I will be re-test driving again as well.

Visibility in the Charger is excellent...the SRT8 is nothing like a base model 300C at all.

M3 is nice, the E46 though suffers like the earlier CTS-V inside...although the materials are better...it feels more like a lexus than a performance vehicle.

The Charger I really like which is why it's on the top of my list. Drives well, handles and brakes well, sounds awesome and very comfortable.

The 2009+ CTS-V is great as well however, it doesn't sound like a performance car at all. It's definitely a more upscale look outside and the materials inside are much better. Of course for $200 more a month in payment.
 
JackBurton said:
Oh, I agree. That is why I don't like it. It doesn't do anything great. If you want to pull it off, you'll have to spend a lot more money. So instead of compromising, I'd either get a car that performs great, OR rides great. That's why I mentioned the standard CTS. Not a great performer, but it definitely is a nice ride. And looks great too. A BMW 3 series is a nice option too. The Charger, not so much. Awful looking car IMO.
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Based on your postings above, until you drive these vehicles your thoughts are pretty worthless.

One of the important things for me is visibility. I have driven too many cars that make it are real guessing game for a quick lane change especially if you are worried about a motorcycle sneaking in. Most don't have the proper mirrors to fix that situation.

The Charger and the CTS-V were great to know what was around you.
 
alkemyst said:
Based on your postings above, until you drive these vehicles your thoughts are pretty worthless.

One of the important things for me is visibility. I have driven too many cars that make it are real guessing game for a quick lane change especially if you are worried about a motorcycle sneaking in. Most don't have the proper mirrors to fix that situation.

The Charger and the CTS-V were great to know what was around you.
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So if I said to you, I've test driven the Camaro and Mustang, does it make my thoughts any less worthless? 🙂 Granted, I've only driven the V6 Camaro, but the visibility is the same as the SS. It was so bad that I couldn't see past the interior. 🙂 It's just awful looking. And this is coming from a guy that had his heart set on getting the Camaro when it was re-released. 🙁 Also, the V6 is just pitiful!! I wouldn't even consider it a real Camaro. It felt like I was driving a shitbox with a Camaro shell. AWFUL! I know the SS performs much better, but I still can't get by the interior. I think Chevy did a great job on the exterior though. Very nice. And although, I'm not big on the Camaro, I can see why people would want one. I've also driven the Mustang and loved it (2010 & 2011). I've never driven a Challenger because I've never REALLY considered buying one. I think it looks great and the interior is not bad either, but it's just too big of a car for me. However, like the Camaro, I can see why people would buy one. It is a nice car. Just not for me.

The Charger on the other hand is just awful looking. And I have to like how the car looks before I test drive it. I mean what is the point of test driving it if you can't stand the way it looks? I'm not going to buy it.
 
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If visibility is a major sticking point you could go at this another way. Get a sub $30k luxury sedan that has the comfort and view you like right off of the lot and plan on an engine swap, suspension upgrade, wheels, etc with the rest of the budget. Maybe have some tasteful body changes done or just go for maximum sleeper factor to surprise those kids. ()🙂

Granted it'll be more legwork to pick an engine you would want to swap in and then pick the right car to have the best base to work with, but it'll give you options if you're not satisfied with your short list. If nothing else spending time looking at putting together your own Frankenstein will help you appreciate nabbing a nearly perfect car for about the right price.
 
JackBurton said:
Oh, I agree. That is why I don't like it. It doesn't do anything great. If you want to pull it off, you'll have to spend a lot more money. So instead of compromising, I'd either get a car that performs great, OR rides great. That's why I mentioned the standard CTS. Not a great performer, but it definitely is a nice ride. And looks great too. A BMW 3 series is a nice option too. The Charger, not so much. Awful looking car IMO.
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And that is why Dodge stepped up to the plate with the 4 door Charger and why it's a success. The realization that there is a market for 4 door performance cars that don't cost $70,000+, and they have no competition really. If someone can't afford or doesn't want to "spend a lot more money" then there is no comprimise, the V8 Charger is pretty much it.
 
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Guys to do an engine swap with any decent LSx and having it done right is at least $10k.

Not to mention lately I have no time to screw around with a car...paying a pro would add about double that budget to the mix.

The kids you read about doing it for $5-6k are buying beat up parts, stolen engines and the installs are terrible.

If I was going to do a swap, I'd keep my 240SX and get a commuter. That's not what I want to do.
 
The Charger seems like a strange car to cross-shop with an M3. Personally I can be a bit of an interior-fondler, and the Chrysler products are just not of a standard I can tolerate. They start out bad and get much worse (i.e., rattlier and nastier-feeling) fairly quickly. I just bought an E46 M3 so I admittedly have a bias, but to me it's just a far more interesting car, and one that will hold its value better than a Charger. I don't really care about rarity but it surprises me there are so many E46 M3s where you live - they've been comparatively rare everywhere I've lived. The bigger concern I had when shopping was to get a good M3 with a clear service history - that took me a long time.
 
exdeath said:
And that is why Dodge stepped up to the plate with the 4 door Charger and why it's a success. The realization that there is a market for 4 door performance cars that don't cost $70,000+, and they have no competition really. If someone can't afford or doesn't want to "spend a lot more money" then there is no comprimise, the V8 Charger is pretty much it.
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Just because Dodge sells quite a few of them, doesn't make it a great car. Vizio sells a shit load of TVs, but they are FAR from being great TVs. And there is definitely a compromise when buying one.

In the end, it really comes down to what the OP wants. If he wants a Charger, have at it. It's not my money, so my opinion really doesn't matter.
 
alkemyst said:
That's why I am targeting 2010. 2009 would work but I want 10k miles or less. That's looking at about $32-35k in car. 2010 had minor changes only...I am open to either.

$35k to me is still a ton of money for a used car, but I like it. My wife's NEW GTI will be less than $30k out the door.

There are cars I'd like to own, but they are on the $60k+ side...friends say I should just go for it...I could afford it, however; there is so much more to do with my money esp putting it away so one day I can just stop working.
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Thats a good ball park, I got my 2007 with 12k miles on it back in November 09 for 27.5k. I love the car but gas mileage sucks lol. I wish I had the 2008 or newer cause the Mygig is nicer than the older units on the 06 and 07. It still does the job though

One thing to not forget is that the SRT8s do not come with a spare tire (which is plain retarded). I had to buy a spare tire kit on ebay cause this is my daily driver, was not cheap but I was thankful when I had to use it. Its nice to have a daily driver that will run mid 13s stock.

Dont worry about 60k cars, dude you will love the SRT8 charger. I was going to get an RT until I test drove the SRT8, SRT8 won hands down. 425hp NA is no laughing matter. For a full size 4 door car with speed you cant beat the price.

Btw I like the challenger but there is no reason that it should be 8-10 thousand dollars more than a charger
 
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