[SunsetHawkSelena]

so with my incessant need for Camaro information in high gear and no new information to be had... i decided to check on one of Camaro's competitor's--the Challenger.

now, since the Camaro concept has been around i've really blown off everything to do with Challenger, and i really haven't been paying attention to what Chrysler is doing at all. the only stuff i know is from tidbits that a few people that have followed both cars have posted up on Camaro sites.

today, i decided to go scope it out... now, i'm a librarian so i'm not a newb when it comes to research, but i confess i didn't look for very long as the interest waned fast... however, i was very surprised to see that even with it hitting the streets almost a year before the Camaro that there's not really any more info on Challenger than the Camaro.

heck, they aren't even advertising a date when it willl be in showrooms. at least GM has already said 1st quarter of '09 for the Camaro. the best info i can get is that the "production" Challenger will be unveiled Feb 6, 2008, production at thr Ontario plant will begin in the Spring of '08, and cars are supposed to be hitting showrooms sometime thereafter.

i can't get any info on Challenger options, pricing, colors, etc. which means two things to me: 1. boy, Scott S. was right when he said everyone's being tight-lipped about product in this dog-eat-dog world, and 2. will this mean we will still not have this info on Camaro when it's 6 months out? hmmmm...

it's also funny that the Dodge guys had a similar reaction to their "b-pillar issue" ...and that Dodge really doesn't have much Challenger info on their website ...

i also found it interesting that the Challenger designer (or one of 'em) drives a '70 Camaro that's his pride and joy. lol http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=108756

 

[Luwinkle]

Dodge tends to be pretty tightlipped anyway. Look at the SRT Caliber. I had NO idea it was coming until I looked on their website one day and saw it sitting there, GM announced the new Cobalt SS instead of just popping it in there under the radar.

 

[Devryn]

The only thing Chrysler has really done is make it LOOK like they're releasing the Challenger as much as two years earlier than the Camaro, which just isn't true. They have said that the first Challengers will ALL be SRT-8s (and supposedly have all been spoken for). I doubt any "joe schmoe" is going to be able to buy a Challenger for at least 2 years, and by then, the Camaro will be dominating the market.

 

[Jinx]

The only thing Chrysler has really done is make it LOOK like they're releasing the Challenger as much as two years earlier than the Camaro, which just isn't true. They have said that the first Challengers will ALL be SRT-8s (and supposedly have all been spoken for). I doubt any "joe schmoe" is going to be able to buy a Challenger for at least 2 years, and by then, the Camaro will be dominating the market.

+1 on that

 

[Chuggernaut]

Given Chrysler's latest layoffs (10-12k last I heard), I wonder if plans for the Challenger have been hampered any. Multiple reports are citing that the layoffs will result in the demise of four models -- Pacifica, Crossfire, PT Cruiser and Magnum. Except for the Crossfire, I was under the impression that these were all actually decent sellers. The claim was that the Crossfire was too much of a niche vehicle... wouldn't the Challenger be considered the same? Or is it that they had to kill one to make room for the other?

 

[CUONCRS]

My guess is that GM may be waiting to announce information until after the Challenger is in production. They don't want to announce, and then have Dodge throw in extra hp right before they start producing, and then have to change again. In this game, coming out first is good and bad. But coming out best is always coming out a winner. I hope they know that.

 

[Luwinkle]

I actually LIKE the Crossfire..except the tiny engine and incredibly high pricetag. But it's made in Germany, how would 10000,12000 layoffs axe it?

 

[DaILLestWun]

As of Nov. 1st, they had a press release saying that they are stopping production of the Crossfire, Magnum, Pacifica, and Pt Cruiser Convertible only.

They just weren't selling.

 

[dshane]

Hey DaILLestWun I see you on LXForums on occasion I am on, there mostly lurking, as newchargerguy. See you around.

 

[DaILLestWun]

Cool man, see you there!!

 

[$¢'s 5th Gen]

Just letting yall know

http://jalopnik.com/cars/muscle-car...ger-srt8-pricing-to-start-at-37995-327843.php

 

[brandonppr]

;

http://jalopnik.com/cars/muscle-car...ger-srt8-pricing-to-start-at-37995-327843.php

Octane beat us to it:
http://www.5thgen.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3627

 

[AJC]

WoW 38K They also said they will have the complete line-up pricing later. I would think "If Dodge is smart" they would price the Challenger competitive to the Mustang. They will not sell many at 38K.
I love the front seats.

 

[Devryn]

Considering the SRT-8 is the "premium" badge for Dodge and Chrysler vehicles, I would say the pricing is about right. Especially with around 425 hp (Mustang is at gargantuan 300 hp). The Shelby GT500 has a base price of $41K and produces 500 hp. All in all, I'd say the Challenger is competitive.

 

[dshane]

I would say compared to what my Charger Daytona cost:BangHead:, $37000 for an SRT8 is a steal.:thumbsup:

 

[$¢'s 5th Gen]

^^^I agree. The RT versions i am sure will be around the mustang and camaro. The more competition the lower the price......I hope

 

[brandonppr]

WoW 38K They also said they will have the complete line-up pricing later. I would think "If Dodge is smart" they would price the Challenger competitive to the Mustang. They will not sell many at 38K.
I love the front seats.

They are only making SRT8s the first year and it is limited production. I am sure they will probley sell most of the SRT8s for above MSRP.

I am sure they could sell more volume if they released 6cyl and RT versions this year.

 

[AJC]

Here's the latest with some info on all the line-up

http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html

 

[Jinx]

They are only making SRT8s the first year and it is limited production. I am sure they will probley sell most of the SRT8s for above MSRP.

I am sure they could sell more volume if they released 6cyl and RT versions this year.

I agree. I think volume should be the goal the first year then luxuries of a top dog the next. I like to see the Challenger survive (because I gonna need more targets to practice on with my 5th gen); but with Dodge gameplan I think its going to make the Challenger a harder path (in turn screw over the Mopar guys who been wanting one).

I think GM is has a better plan by doing the opposite; making good marketing foundation to insure the nameplate stays around. I would love to have the top dog the first year, but I wouldnt like the price or the decreasing chance of owning one. I mean, the camaro would prolly be hard pressed to stay in GM's lineup if the first year only consisted of SS/Z28s with autos. Same with Ford and using a GT500 only. It prolly wouldnt work too good. No different for the Chally.

But then again Im no marketing expert.

 

[Luwinkle]

That Hill Start Assist sounds like a badass thing, would be nice if GM started putting that in their manuals, the few manuals they still have anyway.