Knowing all the pros and cons of the Dodge Challenger before purchasing one is a smart move. After all, nothing is worse than spending a lot of money on a car only to realize two weeks later that it isn’t what you really wanted.
- Na jedné ruce, the Challenger is a fairly good looking alternative to a boring daily driver. It’s fast (even the V6 models are kind of quick), generally reliable, and the interiors of the latest models feel very sporty.
- On the other hand, “generally reliable” may not be good enough for daily driving. It’s also very heavy, uses a lot of gas, and is difficult to park in small spaces.
But good on you for feeling the need to read this guide. Most people (especially when it comes to muscle cars) tend to throw caution to the wind on purchases like this, and are willing to say “f*** it” without doing any research.
All the pros and cons of the Dodge Challenger
I’ve had the opportunity to drive a handful of Dodge Challengers over the years. Even though I’m a Mustang guy through and through, I’m not afraid to admit that I always look forward to getting into one of these things. If you don’t believe me, be sure to check out my 2018 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Review. That thing was a bestie.
I’m not ready to replace my Mustang with one however, and this pros and cons list will give you a better idea of why.
Klady
- Although this is purely objective, I find the Hemi V8 in the Challenger to be the best sounding V8 of any current vehicle sold in the US. The exhaust note is darn near perfect.
- Another nice thing about having such a great exhaust note is that you may not feel the need to spend extra money on an aftermarket exhaust for this car. It sounds so good in stock form.
- The Dodge Challenger has been in production (largely unchanged) since 2008. Some may see this as a con, but for me, it tells me that they’ve had lots of time to work out all the bugs. The latest models are proving to be very reliable.
- The interior of the Dodge Challenger is opravdu good. It feels tight and sporty, and the newest version isn’t as cheap and plasticky as the original.
- The Dodge Challenger is an extremely common car here in the US, which means parts are cheap and plentiful. You won’t have a problem getting your Challenger serviced anywhere you go.
- The Hemi V8 models are ridiculously fast. It’s quicker than it looks!
- Aftermarket parts for the Challenger are plentiful. If you’re the type of person who likes to modify cars to your own taste, the Challenger will be a good choice. I wouldn’t go as far to put it on my best project cars list, but still.
- It’s inconspicuous. In a large parking lot full of other cars, the Challenger is common enough that it won’t stand out and draw attention. Flamboyant types may see this as a con, but for introverted people such as myself, it’s a blessing.
- It’s safe (relatively speaking). One of the benefits of the Challenger being so large is that its crumple zones do well to protect its occupants in collisions. It’s not the safest car on the market, but when it comes to hitting immovable objects, having more car around you to absorb the impact is always better.
Nevýhody
- Every time I drive dodge challenger, I always find myself cursing about the doors. They’re huge. Good luck trying to get in and out of this car with any amount of grace in tight parking spots.
- It’s a gas guzzler. Even if you opt for the more economical V6 version, it’s still going to drink more fuel than your wallet may be comfortable with. Prepare to spend lots of money if you opt for the V8, as you’ll no doubt be tempted to dip into the throttle whenever possible. It’s just so much fun.
- Although the more recent model years of the Challenger are proving to be more reliable than the ones from years past, it doesn’t mean that it’s a high-quality car. Every challenger that I’ve ever driven made weird clunking noises from the chassis and suspension when going over bumps.
- There’s no way of saying the delicately, but there’s a “redneck” stigma associated with these cars that will be instantly applied you the moment you pull up in one. If this doesn’t bother you, rock on and enjoy your car.
- Po stejných liniích, if you opt for the V8, you are going to be “that guy” to your neighbors. It isn’t a quiet car, especially on cold start ups. On the other hand, if you hate your neighbors, then by all means, have at it.
- Outward visibility is challenging (pun totally intended). The windows of the Dodge Challenger are very short, and I guarantee you’ll be hating life the first time you pull up to a stoplight and you have to duck your head down in order to watch it turn green.
- The rear seats are so small that they’re essentially useless. Even with the front seat moved fully forward, they are very difficult to get to. If you like the vibe of the Challenger, but need a bigger car, I’d highly recommend a Chrysler 300 S (read my Chrysler 300 pros and cons list before buying one though).
- The interior is very small for a car of this size. I personally don’t mind this, but I would imagine that there would be a lot of potential buyers who might be bothered by it.
- It’s really expensive for what you get. As mentioned earlier, the Challenger has been in production since 2008, and everything about it is becoming somewhat dated. There are many newer cars that you can buy for the same amount of money that will give you better tech and safety features.
Dva dobré důvody, proč právě vy by buy a Dodge Challenger
Despite all the negative things that I’ve said about the Challenger in this pros and cons list so far, I still think it’s a really great car. I certainly wouldn’t be hating life if I was forced to daily drive one. Here are two good reasons why:
- With a Hemi V8 under the hood, the Challenger just série of “muscle car” (something I touched on in my Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang comparison). It sounds incredible, it’s insanely fast, and it has an intimidating presence on the road. And even though it’s one of the most common cars here in the US, people still turn around and look whenever they hear one rip away from a stoplight.
- Even though I don’t like big cars, the interior of the Challenger is so small and compact that it feels like a sports car. This may be a con depending on what you need in a daily driver, but I like the feeling of a tight cockpit over spacious interior with cushy seats.
Dva dobré důvody, proč právě vy by neměl by a Challenger
Is the Challenger a bad car? No. Not by a long shot. However, having driven so many of these things over the years, there are some significant issues I have with it (which may be a dealbreaker for some). Zde jsou dva z nich:
- The Challenger is ne a car for city driving. I live in San Diego (where the freeways are packed, and the parking lots are always full). The Challenger is a difficult car to drive here, since I always feel like I want to go fast but I can’t. Parking is always difficult as well because the spots are almost always small. I’d be much more tempted to daily drive a Challenger if I lived way out in the suburbs.
- The Challenger isn’t very economical. Sure, parts for it may be cheaper compared to other cars, but you’ll offset that cost savings at the fuel pumps. This is a very large (and heavy) car. It takes a lot of power (fuel) to get it moving, and if you like to drive fast, you’ll spending a lot of money on gas.
I am really considering this car based on its size as I am 6 foot three and 250 pounds. I love the looks and I would definitely get it with the new automatic eight speed. For winter driving I would be getting a set of dedicated wheels with winter tires but on the worst days I could always use my wife’s car.
I would configure it to look just like this.
The 5.7 L engine should do me just fine for every day driving as I have the Shelby GT500 as my fun car.
Anybody here daily Drive a challenger and if so what are your opinions? I know this is a ford site so flame away if you must but I respect peoples opinions on here.
LS2GTO
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Joined Jun 20, 2008 Messages 1,405 Location where dem hoes be
If you’re out on the Cape with their weather, you could probably be ok with a nice set of all seasons. Besides fuel economy, that should be a very nice and peppy daily driver and the insides of that thing are miles above the usual Mopar stuff.
Ibleedblue13
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Joined Apr 26, 2011 Messages 1,150 Location Boston
Bad choice if you’re still in Brockton, decent choice if you’re on the Cape. Either way though I would honestly rather have a capable winter vehicle as opposed to a RWD muscle car, all depends on preference but something just never feels right driving on crappy NE roads in bad winter weather
ON D BIT
Dokončit jako první
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Připojen 7. července 2003 Zprávy 16,212 XNUMX Umístění V současné době v Sonoma County
For three four thousand more the scat pack 485hp 6.4 is better bang for buck!
VegasMichael
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Joined May 31, 2010 Messages 6,076 Location Empire State
For three four thousand more the scat pack 485hp 6.4 is better bang for buck!
I was thinking that too. Not only for the OP but for myself.
BrunotheBoxer
PUREBLOOD MASTERRACE
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Joined Jan 27, 2012 Messages 10,224 Location Born and raised Brockton. Living in Naples.
Bad choice if you’re still in Brockton, decent choice if you’re on the Cape. Either way though I would honestly rather have a capable winter vehicle as opposed to a RWD muscle car, all depends on preference but something just never feels right driving on crappy NE roads in bad winter weather
I agree about the roads but my commute to work is three miles and the challenger from what I’ve read has a little softer of a ride to accommodate it.
For three four thousand more the scat pack 485hp 6.4 is better bang for buck!
I’m thinking the same thing but in all honestly I think it’s just overkill for what I’m using the car for. Never going to track it and I have the gt500 so Ill probably settle for the 5.7 but if it were my only car I’d definately get the scatpack or srt for sure.
ThomasL
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Připojen 21. prosince 2013 Zprávy 2,102 Umístění Florida
Challenger RT would be a fun and comfy DD
Stang Lover
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Joined Jul 19, 2004 Messages 3,631 Location Mid GA
I would their very nice cars and comfy as mentioned above.
Danosti
Chci jít rychle
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Joined Jun 2, 2013 Messages 1,011 Location Texas
My old man has the SRT8 and its nice, quite and has lots of head and leg room. I’m not a very big guy 5’10 170 but we drove it on a 5hr drive and it was great. Lots of curvy roads and we were driving 80 or 90 on some nice back roads.
Plus I hate to admit it but they look pretty tough rolling down the road and have a lot of cool colors like the one your looking at with some cool decals to. Its a heavier car so it rides good and his is all stock. Mileage seems like its ok don’t remember but maybe 16 to 18 mpg on the hwy.
BrunotheBoxer
PUREBLOOD MASTERRACE
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Joined Jan 27, 2012 Messages 10,224 Location Born and raised Brockton. Living in Naples.
My old man has the SRT8 and its nice, quite and has lots of head and leg room. I’m not a very big guy 5’10 170 but we drove it on a 5hr drive and it was great. Lots of curvy roads and we were driving 80 or 90 on some nice back roads.
Plus I hate to admit it but they look pretty tough rolling down the road and have a lot of cool colors like the one your looking at with some cool decals to. Its a heavier car so it rides good and his is all stock. Mileage seems like its ok don’t remember but maybe 16 to 18 mpg on the hwy.
Dobrý příspěvek.
Not sure if your dad has this feature but on the new 2015 the eight cylinders have cylinder deactivation.
