1. The Magnum RT is PDQ when it comes to acceleration. Admittedly, it's not as quick as my LS1 Z28 (A4, 2.73), but LT-1 owners would be pleased.

2. Throttle response is pure Mercedes. Expect what feels like half-second delay from the drive by wire throttle while the electronic brain second guesses you right foot. I find this "hurry up and wait" approach to be slightly annoying, but at least the transmission is responsive by domestic norms. Sadly, the shifts seem to take the slow but smooth route, but the result is far better than any Ford slushbox I've ever driven. They say AMG shift quicker than "regular" Mercedes and I can see where they found room for improvement.

3. There sure is plenty of body roll with the Magnum RT. I took the car around a sharp corner that was banked the wrong way and discovered that the car has very low handling limits. There's also is plenty of brake dive in evidence. Of course the ride quality is excellent - far better than a Buick Park Avenue - but on a superficial (and very subjective) level body control feels worse than a Park Ave. Overall, the dynamics of my half-a-decade old Camaro are far better than the Magnum RT. Admittedly, any LS-1 F-body is far worse in terms of ride comfort, but what do you expect?

4. What the Magnum RT really needs is some more aggressive engine management software, an upgraded suspension, and wider/stickier rubber-on the-road. I'm sure the aftermarket will eventually oblige, but Daimler-Chrysler has missed a huge opportunity by not offering a BMW-style "Sport Package" from day one.

5. While I might buy into the idea of the 2005 Magnum RT being the best domestic product currently on the market, and perhaps the best performance value in the world, I didn't buy the car itself. Still, I was offered a Magnum RT for a couple hundred over invoice and there's a grand in cash if you finance through D-C...

 

you do realize it's a station wagon not a sports car.

 

What??? I thought the handling limits were pretty good for something its size. I did not feel much body roll at all. Granted, I was not driving it like I wanted to wreck it but it impressed me. If they get some decent aftermarket support for that engine, it will be one bad *** ride. It could use a performance style hood and maybe a few body mods though.

 

1. Yes, surprizingly PDQ!

2. TBW is annoying. I didn't notice it much on the "C" I got a short drive in, but the "Touring" 300 I rented last weekend, it was there in force. After a few days I didn't even notice it, but it still was a weird sensation when I 1st got it.

3. I didn't get a chance to toss the "C", but I tossed the living daylights out of the rented Touring. It leaned slightly, and it's tires broke traction with the anti skid off. But the car was still a blast. I think you're right, the LX needs better tires, but it has good feedback (perhaps I got used to FWD) and it's steering response is near excellent.

4. As said above, you gotta remember you are running a family station wagon, not a sports car. It's a very quick station wagon, but it's still a station wagon.

5. I buy into the Magnum wholeheartedly because for one, it's an alternative to SUVs. Secondly, it's the Impala SS wagon that GM wouldn't build 8 years ago. I agree it (along with the 300) is probally the best vehicle sold in the US with more than 2 seats as far as a combination of value, quality of materials, performance, and price.

I think anyone who gets married, has a family, and is forced to sell their f-body, the only vehicle on the market that's friendly to the home morgage, can be used for most all household needs, can clear the wife's veto, and keep the performance side of us happy is the Magnum RT.

 

You guys sure its TBW?

My parents have owned two Ford expeditions (both generations) and an F150 SuperCrew...All with the ~245hp 4.6L. (I cant remember the rating) And they've all done exactly the same thing. The throttle pedal seems more like a suggestion to the engine than any kind of physical link, and those dont use TBW.

 

how would lt1 owners be pleased yet not ls1 owners?
we have a broader torque curve down low and an lt1 can hang with an ls1 up to a certain point anyways
just curious as to why you said that

 

Yeah LT1s often feel as fast or faster anyway...and alot of them are just plain faster

I got to hand it to the Magnum RT, definately a great alternative that the market has needed to offer for a long time

 

I think any car can hang with another "up to a certain point"

 

Off topic but Lt1 guys crack me up. As fast or faster then a car that puts much more to the wheels then LT1's have at the crank. Obviously GM completely screwed up when it put the more expensive engine int he fbody. Obviously there was no gain in performance but in most cases a loss of performance. Lt1's are as fast or faster then Mustang GT's not the ls1's.

 

Hey!

 

Yes....the computer is your co-pilot. You know the power is there, but off the line...for example...the computer is mighty stingy with the horsies ( or rather the foot pounds). I've driven two R/T's, the first ( with afew hundred miles on it) was a rocket...feeling much faster than an LT1 Camaro.....in fact, my butt dyno thought it was approaching LS1 levels. The second was comparitively pokey (only 34 miles on it). I understand that the ECM limits engine output for the first 150 hours, to aid break in. At any rate, the difference was marked.

As far as handling goes...I think it handles just fine. I wasn't expecting a Z/28 or M3. For what it is....I think it has a great balance of great ride and adequate handling.

 

That would explain the wildly different numbers everyone is getting from these cars. I've seen times of 5.3, 6.2, 5.8, & 5.5 seconds to 60. And that's just those I remember.

 

well, i just want to point out that aren't lt1s 0-60 in 5.7 seconds or so and ls1s are like 5.2 or something in the camaros atleast
that's not too far off really

 

OMG, another one of these guys joined the board. Someone mentions an LT1 FEELING about as fast as an LS1 (which some actually do, especially down low), and they have to start ragging on LT1 owners, talking about how they crack them up. The person you quoted even said that they can only hang with an LS1 up to a certain point (which many can, again down low).

You're the kind of person that I can't wait to see how they react when LS2 motor owners start ragging on them. Get off your high horse.

Sorry for even responding to this comment.

Back to topic.



If you could have gotten an RT for a couple hundred over invoice, you should have taken it. I sell fleet, and I still wouldn't be able to sell you one for MSRP without getting lynched!

 

A hotcam and exhuast on stock heads with stock internals nets me mid 12s, bottle into the 11s. Ive seen plenty LS1s do less with more. Anything can be fast, I wouldnt dream of bringing this argument up. Ive had both and there is a reason there are only iron blocks left in my cars But whatever it takes to beat the imports and to get us to have rwd station wagons with hemis, its all good with me

If I had the justification to get a car like it, there is nothing competing with the magnum for its purpose, and there wont be any time soon