http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eInLIqFwSjU

 

Yet another R/T vs GT test in the new Car & Driver magazine.

This was a much better test than the usual because they got a Dodge Charger R/T that had the competition package which makes for a more accurate matchup. The G8 GT is made for performance handling out the box while the Charger R/T is simply a route to get a V8 engine in a family sedan... soft family suspension and all. The R/T "Comp Package" is what a person who'd consider a G8 GT would want.

The short of it:

* The Charger had seats that challenged the best from BMW (the R/T had the comp package which includes the Viper-based SRT seats)

* Charger had the higher speed governer (145 mph versus the G8's 133)

* Both cars had the same interior quality, but the Charger had harder surfaces while the G8's materials looked better.

* The Charger is apparently under-tired (I had the same observation after renting a Charger Daytona last year). It's performance was substandard considering it's tune and the size of it's Brembos.

* The G8 is quicker.

* The Charger is quieter.

* The G8 has unusually strong brakes but has long pedal travel next to the Dodge.
* Charger has better ergonomics.

* The G8 dissappears parked next to the Charger.

* The Dodge Charger R/T has gotten expensive. Base price of $31K is nearly $2K more than a G8. Loaded, the G8 GT maxes out at $32K. The Charger: $36.5K.

* Both the G8 GT and the Dodge Charger R/T get the same fuel economy!

* Dodge Charger beat the G8 in Car & Driver's "Vehicle Points".

* Pontiac's G8 beat the Charger in "Powertrain", "Chassis" and "Experience".

* G8 won overall.

 

they said this in the video about the Charger not the G8 at 2:27:

* The G8 has unusually strong brakes but has long pedal travel next to the Dodge.

 

Yea, the Charger has become long in the tooth for only being out a few years, but no one would have really said anything if the G8 not come over. I think it will be more interesting to see how the cars compare once the Charger gets the new 5.9 HEMI in it and new interior. Also would like to see the new re68 (I think is the name for the new A6), but I don't think that will show up until it gets a remodel for 2010, I think thats when it is.

 

I thought it was rubbermaid?

 

The SRT-8 cars are REALLY under-tired in my opinion. Switch the ESP off and the 245/20 Eagle F1's are dead meat.

 

I think the GTO had this problem, too.

The car had a 400 hp LS2 and only 235 or 245 series tires.

 

The thing is, as we all know that run wide tires, is that with wider tires you come across tramming a lot more. That would be a bad thing to have in a sedan type car. Maybe not so much in a sports car. Plus the added weight of the wider wheel.

 

I was waiting until the G8 came out to buy our more door, but after seeing it in person, the lack of availability of the orange, and the price they were going for just didn't do it for me.

We picked up a sublime '07 Daytona and I love it. The car and driver article is spot on- interior panels are a little cheap, seats are awesome. It feels more like a decal GT from the 70's (Can Am/Cobra/Z28 etc) than anythign else to me. .It's quick enough to be fun and slide around a turn but it sure isn't going to scare anybody.

For the price I am extremely happy with it.

 

The Dodge Charger Daytona was discontinued after the 2007 model year.

When new, the Dodge Daytona has a starting MSRP of over $32,000.

The Pontiac G8 went on sale for the 2008 model year (a year after the Dodge Daytona was killed off), therefore you bought your Daytona used. Dollar Rent-a-car purchased a gaggle of 2007 Charger Daytonas.

New, the G8 would not only be cheaper, but it would be quicker, and even more dramatic, handle far and away better.

I've driven a G8 in Holden Commodore Calais form, and I've driven almost the exact Dodge Daytona you mention and posted my observations about it: https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...hlight=daytona

I liked the Daytona, but it is seriously under-tired, the stability control is way too aggressive in keeping control, the driving position discourages spirtied driving, and the traction control not only makes it impossible to do anything but chirp the tires when turned off, but makes the car feel incredibly slow until it passes tirespin speed when you floor it and keep it floored.

Although I'd also buy a used Charger Daytona if the price was right, if both cars were on sale the same year, the G8 would be the smoking bargin of the 2 cars.

 

NO! Rubbermaid is too good for Dodge, it was tupperware. Cerbpar interiors are by far the worst overall in the auto industry, minus the 300.

I'd take the G8 since its less over the top then the charger. The clean lines will look good years later rather then all the bulges of the mopar. Big hits make for big falls. Good job Pontiac.

So how is the G8 selling??? We were all over it when it was released making guesses. I have yet to see one on the road since I saw one in Dec. I bet they only sell 6,000 in MY08 now. 12,000 in MY09.

 

Eeeeaaaaaasy.....

I did buy mine used, it was a deal, but that's not the only reason I chose the charger.

I'm one of the few that like the big spoilers, bright colors and gadgets that helped identify Pontiac through the 70's and 80's.

I simply meant that I really wanted a G8, waited on a G8, planned on buying a G8 but when it came out and I saw them on the street they were a nice car but didn't jump out at me as something I HAD to have.

I have an Aussie GTO and it's a great car but it had it's problems (gauges, door locks, strut rub, radio) and the G8 just wasn't cool enough for me to buy it on cool facor alone for 32K.

Not sure why you are suggesting my car may have been a rental...

I know that you are more in the loop on this than I, but didn't they just change the graphics on the Daytona for 2008 and bring them out in orange?

 

No slam or disrespect intended.

As I wrote in my post about it, it was a car that had both good and bad qualities. The Daytona will make you instantly popular & gain you plenty of attention. Despite the "tupperware" and "rubbermaid" jokes you're reading on this thread, I found the front seat area to be actually pretty good with seats that were as close to perfect as anything I've sat in outside of a GTO, though the rear seating area seems to have been designed on the cheap. Really cheap.

The reason I suspect your car was a rental is because first, most Daytona owners are holding on to the cars expecting their value to hold because they are very limited and low production cars. The other reason I suspect your car might have been a rental is because Dollar Rent-a-car purchased a pretty good number of Daytonas, and a majority of them have been turning up on the used car market over the past few months.

You can easily find out if your car was one of them by doing a check on previous registered owners.


As for Dodge Daytona production, the lime green version you bought is a 2007 only color, of which only 1500 were made (as it has on your dash plaque). For 2008, the only Daytona in production is the Orange one.

The original 2006 Daytona had 3 colors, yellow (4000 made), Mango (4000), & Red (only 2000 made). 2007 had only your lime (1500), and purple (only 1400 produced) as colors. There were only 1600 Hemi Orange Chargers made this year.

I mistakenly said production ended after the 2007 model run, but I forgot the current Hemi Orange version whose run was finished earlier this model year.