Agreed...but then of course, you're pretty much at least $10k over a GXP, making it an even sweeter deal. Sure, the SRT-8 is more hardcore in the engine deparment, but that's serious $$$ to get the handling of a $30k GP

 

Jason E:

Enter roads with 45-50 mph speed limit from a stop, T-intersection on a daily basis. Every FWD I've owned/borrowed/test drove either burned inside wheel, torque steered, or just didn't feel happy getting a large dose of throttle while unwinding wheel to varying degrees.

Driving a RWD/AWD car in the same situation feels a whole lot better, even if the there's a touch of oversteer.

I encounter this kind of driving daily, much more frequently than approaching the handling limits of a car moving thru curves.

At a disadvantage because I haven't had the opportunity to drive both carsin question back-to-back. Maybe I should do that this week and get back to you with specifics...

Give a holler when you get the SRT-4; I've never been in one. Congrats on the new jorb BTW.

 

I can't speak to the nature of the public-at-large, although I agree with your assessment that the vast majority of drivers won't be modifying their cars. All I can say is that if I had either one, I'd be looking to crank up the power - and the combination of the 4T65E and FWD would quickly **** me off.

Stick a nice AWD system under the GXP, and then I'd be humping the fender to show my appreciation.

 

Don't even need the SRT-8, Jason. The Charger Road & Track package Charlie mentioned would probally suffice to make the comparison more interesting. The price puts Charger in the ballpark of the GXP.

I think you stumbled on the same "What makes a car fun" muse that prompted me to write that thread last week. No doubt you find the GXP a fun car over a seemingly more desireable R/T the way I find 5.0 Mustangs more fun over a seemingly more desireable Z28 or how people find the new Mustang GT more fun over a seemingly more desireable GTO.


On the surface, people would think I'd need my head examined if I chose a GXP over an R/T with the R&T package if both were close in price. FWD (no matter how much you brush over it) is inferior to RWD in high performance driving. A Hemi 5.7 sitting longways in the engine compartment making 350 hp sounds much better than an LS4(?) sitting sideways making 300. And a Charger looks a bit more intimidating in someone's rear view mirror than a Grand Prix does. But while I've never heard one person regret buying a Charger R/T (seems they all love it), I keep hearing how the GXP is "fun".

I like the Grand Prix's styling, and I like the added visuals of the GXP (Trans Am like side scoops, fantastic wheels and tires with red "Pontiac" brakes showing through, tap shift), and the interior of the Charger without the R&T package (cool seats), or Daytona (cool seats and color coordinated dash panel) can seem too German-drab. The Charger feels like a very big very quick car (or a small race truck), while the GP feels more like a traditional GM car.


But like Bigdarknfast's steadfast opinion of the GTO despite good points, I'd still favor the Charger R/T despite good points you bring up.

Sure, for 90% of the driving I do I probally wouldn't miss RWD, and both cars are equal to 60. But that 10% to me is worth an extra grand or 2 to get the RWD of the Charger. Despite slightly worse gas mileage, less aftermarket due to less time out, and the fact I'd have to invest in a set of better tires.

I'd buy a Grand Prix GXP if I had to buy a sedan. However, a Dodge Charger R/T would be on my list even if I didn't have to buy a sedan.

.......though the GTO and Mustang GT would be well above it on that list.