Hey you new Challenger owners!

[moparstuart]

You have to also remember that when our old muscle cars where new just a years or two later the market dropped out on them also !
 Gas prices and insurance killed there resale value . It also killed muscle cars .  So these cars may drop in value but they will come back up especially if the bad market kills them and make them rare in the future .  I love the new challenger been paying for a 2dr RWD chrysler for years.   

[Chris G.]

New cars fast for 40 000+ stick 40 000 into an old one and ul see 8 second quarters.

Even Shiloh found your whole statement a little kooky.

Find me an 8 second car that you could drive from Jersey to California with the A/C blasting all the way there. Your comparison is non-existent.

[68RT4ME]

Of course the new Challenger will lose some value initially but just like the classic Muscle cars, they will over time become sought after. You cannot compare a 40 yr old classic car to new one just yet as for collectability but for performance, which is what a classic muscle car was suppose to give you back then, todays version can out do those in every way. That surely makes them "Muscle cars" but with so much more comfort and convenience. Don't you think if they could have done it that way back then they wouldn't have? We can't predict what a car's worth will be in the future but, to simply say it won't amount to much is not smart. No one thought back then that todays classics would be just that. They were just cars to beat on and thrash. Very few saved them for what they may have become. todays cars won't be any different.

[charger_fan_4ever]

Just seems that since that the last cars to be worth something was like 73-74. Chrysler,gm,ford has made some rare cars since then, but simply didn't hold the value.

76-80 Volare rr,apen r/t, kit car for example value?......

79 ford mustang pace cars value ?...... 93 mustang cobra rare less than 2000 built worth 10-12k now if they are original and mint.

early 80 camaro Z/28 camaros with the cross ram intakes value...... 86 monte aero coupe like 1000 built for nascar value now $8k for a nice one.


I just can't see how the challenger will be any different.

[68RT4ME]

Those cars you mention were really nothing more than decal packaged cars with very low HP and overall performance. Decals alone won't ensure a collector every time. The New Challenger however is a preformance car and can back it up. It's currently not all dolled up with decals and such but rest assured, it will have them before long in keeping with it's retro styling but, will also still be able to back up the talk.

[hemigeno]

Wait for 5 years then ul see the prices of the new ones and old ones, then remember what I said here.

Don't forget what the value of our beloved musclecars were when THEY were 5 years old cars.  EPA/Insurance regulations effectively ended the musclecar era, and the gas crisis made sure it wouldn't come back anytime soon.

No political intonations meant here, but two of the same three major factors (you can guess which two I am thinking of) could play a role in eliminating any "modern musclecar" era.  Add 40 years of time, and the value of that SRT Challenger could easily approach Returns On Investment levels of the fairly common Challenger R/Ts of the heyday.

Personally, I'll still prefer the old stuff since I enjoy turning wrenches on stuff more than watching the stealership guys plug in a computer diagnostic machine.  My wife?  She'd trade either of my two cars for an SRT Challenger in a heartbeat.  To each his own.

 

[charger_fan_4ever]

I will say though finally Chrysler is back in the game. While gm and ford were battling and selling 100's of thousands of camaro's and mustangs from mid 80's on up threw chrysler was perfecting the shadow and other 4 cyl tin .

I wonder what the price tag is going to be on the new camaro? As it sits the challenger is a fair chunk more than a Gt mustang.


Only thing i don't like about the challenger is how thick the back end is from the top of the lid to the bottom of the bumper. Sitting beside the aar at the show it looked overweight compared to the early e bodies.

[moparstuart]

Wait for 5 years then ul see the prices of the new ones and old ones, then remember what I said here.

Don't forget what the value of our beloved musclecars were when THEY were 5 years old cars.  EPA/Insurance regulations effectively ended the musclecar era, and the gas crisis made sure it wouldn't come back anytime soon.

No political intonations meant here, but two of the same three major factors (you can guess which two I am thinking of) could play a role in eliminating any "modern musclecar" era.  Add 40 years of time, and the value of that SRT Challenger could easily approach Returns On Investment levels of the fairly common Challenger R/Ts of the heyday.

Personally, I'll still prefer the old stuff since I enjoy turning wrenches on stuff more than watching the stealership guys plug in a computer diagnostic machine.  My wife?  She'd trade either of my two cars for an SRT Challenger in a heartbeat.  To each his own.

 

I was thinking the same thing if these are a limited 4-5 year run like the first challengers they could be rare in 40 years . But dont bet on it just buy it because you like it and keep it if you fall in love .

 

[1969chargerrtse]

Those cars you mention were really nothing more than decal packaged cars with very low HP and overall performance. Decals alone won't ensure a collector every time. The New Challenger however is a performance car and can back it up. It's currently not all dolled up with decals and such but rest assured, it will have them before long in keeping with it's retro styling but, will also still be able to back up the talk.

Ba Da Bing!  I agree with all your points.  Here's one not mentioned though.  I've said it many times.  GM's volt is short of 2 years away, and behind the volt will be other plug in cars.  The future is going electric then Hydrogen SOON!  GM's big issue was battery life and strength.  Well I just read a great article how it has been resolved with an awesome new type of battery that will do the job.  Electric cars are coming and that Challenger will be known as a Muscle car for sure, one of the last.   There is no question at all the next gen cars coming by 2010 will be plug in electric, but Hydrogen is going to be powering not only your cars, but your homes.  Hydrogen is already powering some new high tech factories at a great savings, and doing it clean.

[moparstuart]

Those cars you mention were really nothing more than decal packaged cars with very low HP and overall performance. Decals alone won't ensure a collector every time. The New Challenger however is a performance car and can back it up. It's currently not all dolled up with decals and such but rest assured, it will have them before long in keeping with it's retro styling but, will also still be able to back up the talk.

Ba Da Bing!  I agree with all your points.  Here's one not mentioned though.  I've said it many times.  GM's volt is short of 2 years away, and behind the volt will be other plug in cars.  The future is going electric then Hydrogen SOON!  GM's big issue was battery life and strength.  Well I just read a great article how it has been resolved with an awesome new type of battery that will do the job.  Electric cars are coming and that Challenger will be known as a Muscle car for sure, one of the last.   There is no question at all the next gen cars coming by 2010 will be plug in electric, but Hydrogen is going to be powering not only your cars, but your homes.  Hydrogen is already powering some new high tech factories at a great savings, and doing it clean.

  thats why i'm thinking 4-5 years max for this new challenger just like the first challenger ( Energy crisis )  chicken little the sky is falling   

[Wango Mango]

I drove my 70 Hemi Chally over 1300 miles along side a pre-production SRT8 Chally for the Vanishing Point Revisited article in the july iissue of MC Enthusiast & Mopar Enthusiast & was very impressed w/ the new Chally.  We had it up to 165 at 6,000, pushing a headwind & w/ the AC on.  We hit the brakes hard @ 155f & it settled down perfectly straight.  We also averaged 21.4 MPG over the trip from Denver to LA.  I still would rather have a 70 Hemi Chally or a T/A over the new one, but for comfort, speed, looks & new technology, the SRT8 is hard to beat.  Expecially for a 4200 lb car that can run 12.9 out of the box.

I had my 70 Hemi Chally on the showroom @ Reno Dodge to help auction 2 new SRT8's & they got over $60K for them. 

[1969chargerrtse]

   Oh WoW your 70 is gorgeous.  Stunning, but this whole thing started with, that the new Challenger wasn't a Muscle car?  It is for sure.  Nothing 40 years old can be the same as something new.    He meant well though.   I agree that nothing will ever replace the love for the classics.

[68charger383]

I like the new challenger. I was to young to buy one of the muscle cars new, so I consider this my chance.

I'm waiting for the price and the top to drop (vert) before I buy my car....a shaker hood option would be nice as well.

[Foreman72]

those r 2 beautiful cars...and whatever tag gets put on the new one doesn;t matter...its just straight up gorgeous...ur 70 is insane 2...

i greatly envy all of you who own a new chally...greatly

I like the new challenger. I was to young to buy one of the muscle cars new, so I consider this my chance.

I'm waiting for the price and the top to drop (vert) before I buy my car....a shaker hood option would be nice as well.

u mean a shaker on the new one? do they have that? did i read that wrong?

[Wango Mango]

Thanks for the compliment.  The new SRT8 Challenger was a petty bold move for Chrysler & inspite of carrying almost 4200 lbs, it preformance is stellar as it mimics its big block grandaddy.  I still prefer grandpa with all the history & music of his historical hemi.  I wish Chrysler had the bucks to give the new car its own, smaller chassis, but considering costs, the new SRT8 w/ its independent suspension & monster small block, is a chip off the old block & a great way to preserve some Mopar History.  It'll never replace its predecessor, but wasn't intended to.  IMHO, imitation is the best form of flattery.  C'mon Chrysler, give the '09 Chally a 6.4, 392 with a Shaker.  Then, it'll be a real muscle car.

[firefighter3931]

New cars fast for 40 000+ stick 40 000 into an old one and ul see 8 second quarters.

Even Shiloh found your whole statement a little kooky.

Find me an 8 second car that you could drive from Jersey to California with the A/C blasting all the way there. Your comparison is non-existent.

Chris....i'm sure the new chally will run 8 seconds....in the 8th mile   


Looking forward to seeing the 09's....the R/T's are supposed to have smaller 17in wheels which (to me) appears visually more correct. Not a fan of big hoops on musclecars. 

Thanks for the compliment.  The new SRT8 Challenger was a petty bold move for Chrysler & inspite of carrying almost 4200 lbs, it preformance is stellar as it mimics its big block grandaddy.  I still prefer grandpa with all the history & music of his historical hemi.  I wish Chrysler had the bucks to give the new car its own, smaller chassis, but considering costs, the new SRT8 w/ its independent suspension & monster small block, is a chip off the old block & a great way to preserve some Mopar History.  It'll never replace its predecessor, but wasn't intended to.  IMHO, imitation is the best form of flattery. C'mon Chrysler, give the '09 Chally a 6.4, 392 with a Shaker. Then, it'll be a real muscle car.

Hey Buzz....that beast of yours is no lightweight either !  I remember lifting the front end as you were loading it up into the trailer to keep the Milidon oilpan from getting torn off.  You did put the hemi repro pan back on it didn't you ? 




Ron

[Wango Mango]

Hey Ron, good to hear from you & yes, I did replace the Milodon w/ the factory pan.  Much better now!  Don't have to fear dips & speed bumps.  I sure remember you lifting the front of the beast to clear the headers from catching on the trailer door.  That required a lot of horsepower on your part!  The iron headed beast is all of 4200 lbs, but handles pretty well for its weight.   Can't wait to get the T/A stroked to 416 & finally completed.  I was informed that the T/A cars had their K frames moved back 2" & the driveline shortened 2" for better handling.  That means the small block T/A should be a blast to drive.    Hope your Charger is doing well & can't wait for a ride.   

[1969chargerrtse]

I Just saw my first Challenger in the wild.  I was heading South bound on RT 15 in Ct and a brand new silver Challenger was heading North bound.  Cool.  Now I can move on with my life, until the new camaro pops up anyway.

[Mopar2Ya]

Hurst Chally. http://chryslercorporationllc.blogspot.com/2008/08/2009-hursthemi-dodge-challenger-srt8.html

[moparstuart]

Hurst Chally. http://chryslercorporationllc.blogspot.com/2008/08/2009-hursthemi-dodge-challenger-srt8.html

  how cool