2008 Dodge Challenger

[Xasthur]

Ford WILL build some nice pieces. GM is actually more likely to drop the ball. It seems they always take a while to get caught up, and this time is no different. In fact, GM has ALREADY dropped the ball. That's as much as I can say about that. But I expect they'll recover their fumble, albeit as slowly as always.

I don't know about the big muslce range you guys are talking about but as far as the performance sedan range goes Ford US is looking at our (Australian) XR range for tinkering over there.

Apparently Ford US is losing out big time in the sedan market and are looking to give you guys more of what you want. I don't know what the deal with the engines will be as I don't know where yours will be made but I think they're a pretty nice car.



The trick with these is that a lightly modified XR6 turbo (turbocharged 4.0L inline) will comfortably make more power than the XR8 version which is more expensive.

They've proven to be very popular over here and I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one. Comfortable daily driver with plenty of power and a solid, reliable engine.

[CAP1]

I don't know about the big muslce range you guys are talking about but as far as the performance sedan range goes Ford US is looking at our (Australian) XR range for tinkering over there.

Apparently Ford US is losing out big time in the sedan market and are looking to give you guys more of what you want. I don't know what the deal with the engines will be as I don't know where yours will be made but I think they're a pretty nice car.

(Image removed from quote.)

The trick with these is that a lightly modified XR6 turbo (turbocharged 4.0L inline) will comfortably make more power than the XR8 version which is more expensive.

They've proven to be very popular over here and I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one. Comfortable daily driver with plenty of power and a solid, reliable engine.

that looks like a cross between a mustang and a taurus 

[DiabloTX]

Virg-
As for the weight of the Camaro, I'd like to see it brought down some more but I don't know how much they could without turning it into a Cooper Mini.  The Z06 is rated right at 3300 lbs., the Camaro at 3800, while the Challenger SRT8 is over 4100 lbs.  I'll take 3800 over 4100 any day of the week.

Also, I don't blame GM for hedging their bets with the new Camaro, gas prices and all, and the finicky nature of car buyers.  For the first year of an all new car being conservative is a safe bet for GM.  If the Camaro takes off, and i'm sure it will, look for a broadening of engines and models available.  I think the LT, LS, and SS model badges are TEH GAY but that is the Chevy modus operandi at the moment for all car models. 

I know going back to at least the 3Gen of F-body's there has been the 1LE option which, I am sure you well know, was the stripped down road racing option available to anyone.  It was basically an AC/Stereo/Unneeded options delete option.  They are failrly collectible today.

As I stated earlier though, I don't really consider the new Camaro a complete tribute to the mighty '69, it more or less nods its head towards it, but I think that if the new Camaro sells well consistantly over it's first 3 or 4 years, and that's the key, you'll see a bunch of refinements and options added to it.  At least you have a choice of more than 3 or 4 colors unlike the 08 & 09 Challenger SRT8; colors for this years Challenger, a whopping 4 to choose from in 09.

[CAP1]

Virg-
As for the weight of the Camaro, I'd like to see it brought down some more but I don't know how much they could without turning it into a Cooper Mini.  The Z06 is rated right at 3300 lbs., the Camaro at 3800, while the Challenger SRT8 is over 4100 lbs.  I'll take 3800 over 4100 any day of the week.

is that curb wieght??

Also, I don't blame GM for hedging their bets with the new Camaro, gas prices and all, and the finicky nature of car buyers.  For the first year of an all new car being conservative is a safe bet for GM.  If the Camaro takes off, and i'm sure it will, look for a broadening of engines and models available.  I think the LT, LS, and SS model badges are TEH GAY but that is the Chevy modus operandi at the moment for all car models. 

I know going back to at least the 3Gen of F-body's there has been the 1LE option which, I am sure you well know, was the stripped down road racing option available to anyone.  It was basically an AC/Stereo/Unneeded options delete option.  They are failrly collectible today.

As I stated earlier though, I don't really consider the new Camaro a complete tribute to the mighty '69, it more or less nods its head towards it, but I think that if the new Camaro sells well consistantly over it's first 3 or 4 years, and that's the key, you'll see a bunch of refinements and options added to it.  At least you have a choice of more than 3 or 4 colors unlike the 08 & 09 Challenger SRT8; colors for this years Challenger, a whopping 4 to choose from in 09.

see....to me, this is the best looking camaro since the 69. i'm not really a chevy nut, but i do like most of the 60's hot rods.   
 the biggest thing wrong with this, is that chevy is a bit late in getting it to market. as i mentioned earlier, chrysler, and chevy are really following fords lead. they saw that ford went a bit retro(i think aiming at us older folks), saw that it's working well for ford, so now they're scrambling to get in on the action. just like in the 60's. 64 1/2 was the first mustang. 66 they made her better, and in 67, ford added the FE block to the lineup. 67 is when chevy finally got the camaro online, and the rivalry started. in the 70's insurance, and a gas shortage(go figure, right?) pretty much killed the factory hot rods. they all pretty much became big fat decal laden POS's. this includes the corvetes(sorry vette nuts) 79 ford re-designs the mustang, 82 they ressurrect the gt, and re-ignite the performance wars.
 chevy was a bit quicker on the draw, as i think i remember some pretty nice camaros from 83 and on. ford dropped the ball in 95 or 96, and built a slow over priced stang, while chevy kicked asss and the camaro was cheap(relativly) and VERY quick. then, chevy drops the ball and discontinues the camaro. now ford goes retro, and lo and behold, here'schrysler copying....and a couple years late, chevy.
 as much as i like my fords, i do absolutley love the lines of the new camaro. i only hope that chevy brings its performance up to match the fords, and chryslers....and to mathc the looks of the car. it will sell well for a few years if they can do that.

<<S>>

[DiabloTX]

According to my research, yes, those are curb weights.  As for Chevy playing catch up, that's been their modus operandi for quite some time.  Ford hit the proverbial "one out of the park" with retro Mustang and well they should, it's a winner.  Chrysler and GM saw this as a good thing and went to work on their replies to this Ford home run.  As for retro, it's all good.  To me they could have made the '69 Camaro for the last 40 years, much as Porsche has made the 911 more or less the same for the last 40 years, but American car companies are all about fresh and exciting, for the most part.  And, like I said, it's a good time to be a car fan, with the big 3 making pony cars now.  It's very easy to focus on the negative and stay on it rather than try to admire the positives.  I'll stick with the positives.

[Furball]

I really want one of those Dodge Challengers...  better start saving.  Anyone need their car washed?

[DiabloTX]

Are you any good at polishing knobs?

[Furball]

It can be a happy ending car wash if the price is right... 

[DiabloTX]

lawlz!