I'm not much impressed with the Charger's "feeling bad A**". While I did not drive an SRT8 (just a regular Hemi), I came away from my Hemi test-drive underwhelmed by the Charger's extreme torque mgmt during shifts, it's too-chopped side windows, its kangaroo-hip quarter panels and its milk-jug plastic spoiler. That said - the Charger (in all its forms) is undeniably a hit for DaimlerCX and is making a lot of buyers happy.

It's odd you compared it with a CompG Prix, when the GXP is a much more accurate comparison. I have a feeling the GXP stacks up a lot better against the various Charger variants, especially in four-season locales.

 

I only compared it to a Comp G because, as I said in the opening post, I OWN ONE. I haven't driven a GXP in about 9 months, whereas I drive a Comp G a couple days a week.

You cannot even begin to understand the SRT experience by driving an RT. It isn't even close. It is, in a way, like comparing a Comp G to a GXP. Indeed, quite some time ago I wrote a post on here of a comparison I did between a GXP and an RT....IMO, the GXP eats an RT for overall experience, performance and value.

But I'm talking about performance and cost that is significantly greater than a GXP. An SRT-8 completely trumps a GXP in every measurable number, and obviously cost. The "feeling bad ***" comment you disagree with simply is not there in an RT...not even close.

If you drove it, you'd possibly see what I mean...

 

Comparing a WS6 to a Charger is like comparing an apple to the proverbial orange. One's an all-out sports car, one's a sedan. I don't think you'd WANT to hear the exhaust all the time in a car like a Charger. My 51 year old father HATES that his '02 Formula shakes at idle...he honestly believed there was something wrong with it until I proved to him every LS1 I had on the lot back in 2002 did something similar. And someone like him is far more in line to buy a Charger SRT-8 than most people on this board.

In the end, again, I hope Pontiac can make a bad *** 4 door like this car. A GXP trumps an RT, but doesn't give anywhere near the thrill of an SRT-8.

 

Which makes sense to me due to the price ranges involved (as you pointed out).

A GXP is priced similarly to a Charger R/T. The SRT-8 cars are really in a slightly different league, and they are priced accordingly.

 

Dude........ We're talking about a large, 4 door, somewhat luxurious, muscle sedan... not a sports car........ and definately not a pony car.

You're the 1st person I've known to use a Z28 and WS6 as a yardstick to measure a fulls size sports sedan, let alone being the 1st person I've ever known to slam a car because it doesn't shake or vibrate.

 

I totally know what you mean and even as a GTO owner I will readily admit that looks wise, the SRT-8 Charger is more badass than a GTO. And I just looked at the weight of the SRT-8 on dodge's website and we were both off on the weight even though I was slightly closer It comes in at 4160 lbs.

 

Couldn't agree more. Too bad they couldn't do something more with the GP GXP to compete with the SRT8, but then again, pushing too much power through the front wheels may be too much for some.

 

DCX has TSBs out to reflash the tranny and TCM. It made a HUGE differnce on my SRT8. The difference between the RT and SRT8 is quiet pronounced. The SRT8 flat hauls. I can't wait to go to the SRT8 experience.

 

Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought...thanks for the back up

 

From the reports I've read, it sounds like the 6.1L Hemi is underrated maybe its closer to 450hp than 425hp?

Your first drive of a SRT8 reminded me of my first drive of a 1994 Impala SS back when the Impala SS first come out. The whale that the B-body was felt so light on its feet with the LT1,sports suspension, and 17" sticky tires. It doesn't sound like much now, but back in '94 a 260hp sedan at $24K that went 0 to 60 in 6.5 sec and topped out close to 150 mph was unheard of, and 17" wheels on a sedan was unheard of too.

Can't wait for GM to get back into the performance RWD sedan market again.

 

Very true. I've been driving our family's Saturn Aura XR, and it really is amazing how far progress has marched. My 2000 GTP was really king of the hill in its day. If you read some reviews from 1997, the writers were all left dumbfounded and speechless by its ferocious acceleration, its unsedan-like handling, and its go fast styling. The Aura makes my GTP feel like it's riding on leaf springs, and sucking hot air. The mighty L67 engine is outclassed and outmuscled by the 3.6L, which quite insultingly, never even sounds like it's working hard.

And of course, the Aura hardly leads its class in performance. We live in a world of 280 hp Camry's. Remember when Corvettes had less power?

 

It seemed like only yesterday that high powered LT1 Camaros had that. Very soon we'll be able to find that type of horsepower in 4 cylinder Cobalts.

 

Muscle sedan? First I've ever heard the phrase.......and it feels.....wrong.

I guess I just don't understand the segment, then. Charger (initially at least) was described by Chrysler as being the return of their muscle car. When it came out and was more of a sedan, they backed off of that. The Charger initially was supposed to be more of a sportier car, since the 300C was the sedan in the lineup - they even described it as a 4-door muscle car. It's not that, IMHO.

Also, per the SRT group's charter (or name) they are supposed to embody performance vehicles. When I drive a Charger SRT8, I don't feel like I'm driving a performance vehicle. When I just RIDE in a BMW sedan, I feel like I'm in a performance vehicle. There's a way to do a sporty sedan and BMW is far more the benchmark than Charger. To me that's what Pontiac needs to shoot for. And FWIW, a BMW sedan has a LOT more in common with my WS6 and my wife's 350z in terms of feel and fun than it does with a Charger - vibration, shake, noise and all.

 

What?! Are you talking about an old 2002i sedan or something?

BMWs are known for being very refined but communicative driving machines. They are not crude, brutish fast cars like the F-cars were (relatively speaking). I've not driven an SRT8 yet, but I've driven a few BMWs and several different F cars, and the BMWs did not feel like F cars. Maybe in terms of quick steering or something, but the overall feel/ambience of the car is much different.

I'm not quite following you here.

People plunking down $40k for a muscular sedan do not want some unrefined beast like something out of the sixties that has been modified with a big cam, headers, etc. They want to have their cake and eat it too. That means they want the refinement that is expected of a modern vehicle, but with throw you in the seat acceleration, good handling, braking, etc. Most reviews I've seen of the SRT8 cars really praise the sound effects of that 6.1L Hemi. Sure, it is probably muted just a bit to keep some level of refinement there, but the music is apparently pretty nice. Which is also how it is in a BMW, by the way...

 

Charger SRT8s are selling in the high 30s here in Hawaii. You get 425 hp, 420 ft/lb of torque. One piece forged aluminum rims, 4 piston brembos, great seats. You can't get a BMW anywhere near that for that price. If you remove the resonators, they sound REALLY NICE. Great idling, easy to drive (great turn in). Whats not to like. Drive on, then give us your opinion.