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Daimler's abuse of the Dodge Charger legacy.
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Comments
Me likey! :shades:
You seem more like a CHarger guy than a 300C guy too.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The article is online...good read:
http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102470
To refresh memory - The Marathon pic link http://www.hubcapcafe.com/ocs/pages01/checker8201.htm
Loren
Anyway, compared to the 75-77 Cordoba clone Charger or the Omni one, the "fer der" is way better.
Loren
just saw the "now you're messing with a ...." commercial. reminded me of my old expedition, loved giving it the gas coming out a toll booth.
I like the ad too...who's the band doing the song (Nazareth cover/sample)?
Now I'll admit that it's anything BUT a beauty queen, but it's one of those cars that I'd classify as "ugly, but in a cool sort of way" :P I want one.
Designing a machine that's part legislation, part materials, part feel and all ego is NOT easy. Otherwise we wouldn't be a wash in designs that evoke nothing.
The new technically AMAZING Corvette is still wearing one of the most tired sports car bodies to ever be built. For that matter, GM only has 3 or 4 cars worth looking at, much less spending $$ on... I just can't remember what they are.
I can't even recall what a Ford 500 looks like 10 seconds after I see it.
GTOhh my god that's so "nothing" to even be called ugly.
Hats off to DC for having the courage to go for a unique look that only whiners & old (& cheap) farts will ever find fault with.
The pusrist may not find much solice in the design aspects of the 05 Charger.
At first look, its hard to find any retro influence at all... I suspect this was deliberate
on behalf of Mr.Creed's design team. If their task was to deliver a rear-drive model that combines technology, current market styling (less retro) with ample hp, then they suceeded.
The disgruntaled pusrist never makes mention of the 340 hp HEMI in the base RT model that delivers both performance and economy with a state-of-the-art drivetrain
that with a switch of a button, will go between burn-out mode and a no-slip, off the line start that will launch the driver off the local traffic light -like they're at the local dragstrip.
Sunday, Sunday , Sunday!!
I suggest the purist must get over his hurdles after an ample raod test.
Mopar nuts and other "purists" can be excluded from that statement (and I guess people who really liked Bullit)!
It is at least 30 years since they made a "real" Charger. At least the ponys lasted until recently (Camaro/Firebird) or are still going ('Stang).
WOnder if there would have been this much uproar if they had produced the '99 concept instead? It almost seems the discussion has shifted away from the classic, and more toward the concept, as the point of comparison.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The '99 style was really a looker, but wouldn't have been a good mass market car. It would've been more of a niche product most likely, and not enough volume to stand on its own. But, even if the actual Charger isn't the looker the '99 Concept was, it could always be worse. They could've gone in the direction of that Dodge Super Eight Hemi concept of a few years ago! Although in some respects, I think they DID go in that direction, with the nose...
And Stickguy, I'd agree that it was probably the Dukes of Hazzard that made the Charger famous. Or infamous...take your pick!
Anyone on the street will say the PT Cruiser has a retro design, but they'd be hard pressed to say what vehicle specifically the design mimics (1940s hot rod? 1920s gangster car? 1930s delivery van?)
The Charger design theme seems designed to evoke the theme of a musclecar rather than a specific vehicle of the past. It's big & blocky, rwd, and made vaguely menacing/ominous through the juxtaposition of a somewhat ordinary design with everyone's knowledge of what's under the hood. The mid-1990s Impala SS had the same idea.
By way of contrast, say "2005 Mustang" and just about everyone says "1968 Mustang." Different design philosophy entirely.
As much as I like the new Mustang, I'm willing to bet the Charger design wears better in the long run. Obvious retro gets stale fast.
Loren
:shades:
Loren
If you're a good negotiator and willing to spend hours haggling with your salesman and his boss, then you can probably have a very similar "bottom line" price to the employee price, depending on how big the rebates are right now for Dodge/Chrysler. The difference is, the employee deal is painless, quick, no haggling...!
It also wouldn't shock me if the employee price wasn't available for the Charger. GM excludes the Corvette. I guess it depends on how well the Charger is selling.
GM offered 0% APR after 9/11 and the rest of the big 3 followed suit. This allowed for quick sales in the short term but hurt GM in the long run which is why they have reverted to this employee purchase plan. Oh well, good for the consumers. GM should have shed Buick a few years back. They have not made a car for someone under 40 since the Grand National.
Someone recently said that GM has to offer incentives to get people to tolerate having one of their cars in their driveway, while companies like Toyota and Honda make cars that people actually want to have in their driveway.
Buick AND Pontiac need to go.
How are the Chargers selling anyway?
G6 and the Aura when they come out. I own a Toyota now, and would have considered a Celica, but Toyota is no longer interested in sporty cars and has dropped it. Honda dropped the Prelude, and the Accord and Civic no longer have the snappy steering/handling of days-gone-bye. The Monte Carlo has some style, love or not, as compared to the standard jelly bean style of most Japan makes. Not saying a Mazda6 or an Altima is not a pretty cool car, but that does not make all GM cars a poor choice. My Dad has had good luck with his Camry, but was informed by Toyota of the possible sludge problem. Domestic cars are pretty reliable since 2002 and worthy of consideration. The Chrysler products offer choices for those wanting something different, from the cool little PT to the ummmm, different Charger, they don't look just like all the rest Japan so-so, boring styled cars. Does a Camry, in the current form, excite you? The new LaCrosse has some fine lines to it. As for wanting something in their driveway, I will take a Corvette - thank you!
Loren
But for most buyers out there, that's just fine by them. Reliability and build quality are way more important to them than cool design or fun driving experience. Those of us who haunt the "enthusiast" forums here on Edmunds are a distinct minority in the automotive marketplace...so it goes I guess.
Chrysler is definitely leading the way on quality improvement, and even GM has its successes now and again. But overall, the big 3 are still playing catch up with rest of the world.
Buick.... I agree! But Pontiac could be the "sports car" division of GM if things are done the right way. I owned a '94 Pontiac Bonneville and loved it! It was a sporty looking car, fun to drive, and a great family sedan all in one. But GM tried to cut corners on the later versions and they just weren't as good and now the Bonneville is just another dead skeleton in GM's graveyard. GM is going down the wrong path. Look what they've done to the Cadillac line. Cadillac's used to be classy cars, but now they all look like they just came from outer space. I hate the boxy futuristic-looking Cadillac designs... yuck! :sick: I don't understand GM's logic these days I guess. As a long time GM customer, no thanks! I'll pass.... even with employee pricing. The new Charger reminds me of my Bonneville with that mean looking front end. I'm waiting for one to show up at the dealer so I can check it out in person. We'll see....
http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0507/05/A01-231963.htm
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=OBR&Date=20050705&ID=49- 40954
It says that GM is extending employee pricing through August 1, and that Chrysler is going to start its program tomorrow. Doesn't mention if it includes all vehicles or just the slow selling ones, though.
In comparison, Chrysler sold 12,958 300's in May, and Dodge sold 5,035 Magnums.
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/07/01/136414.html
Loren
Looks like Andre will have his Charger by August after all!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://www-5.dodge.com/incentives/Startup.jam?Brand=Dodge&SalesMarket=U&language=en&ModelY- ear=&Model=brand
I've seen a few on the road... I saw one a few days ago in Black... looked really good in black, IMO...
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If anyone wants a 2 door Charger buy the classic "original" then.