ALbeeno, don't fret man, I think you still rock.

I admit I like the new mustangs too and when I think of the Challenger, I can not help but compare the two. (I susppect I will compare the new camaro to both the mustang and Challenger.) My oldest daughter (now 11) loves the Mustangs (of course she has a real pony so I think it is the moniker she love more) but she also loves the Challenger because the old man has his '73 'Cuda 340 pictures on his wall along with every other piece of memorabila depicting old and new Cuda's and Challengers.

For me, I passed on the 2008 Challenger only because it did not come with a manual transmission. I almost jumped on it, (I was #1 in line in Nashua having put a deposit down [in hopes a manual was offered]), it was my daughtet who brought me back to reality, "Dad, if you are going to get this car you have to get a manual transmission." Ok I said, but you wont be able to drive it, I told her. She smiled and told me for that car, she will work hard to learn - That was enough for me (of course there was a lot more dialog but this is the gist of it.) All said and done my daughter and I are going to pick out the colors and options. We both agree we want the biggest baddest engine and extras available (she wants it for bling - actually to be cool, I want it for the tuned exhaust sound and some comforts.)

So I do not fault anyone's opinion of any car - after all, they are just cars (as my cousin who works at Chrysler Corporate keeps telling me.) Of course I wish I could get him excited about cars again. I keep pestering him with questions and his response is always, ok, I will give you a one day head start, then I have to inform the dealers. 8^) Any way I digress. The Challenger is what it is. You either like it or ya don't but it is what it is and that's all it is ever going to be. Personally, I think the interior leaves me wanting, the exterior is fantastic. It could only be improved with some decals and butterfly valves. I would like to see a stripe down its side, but an after market experience can fix that itch.

So now we all wait for 2009. There is a fair amount of information already available. In fact, we know all there is to know except for a few (color facts) but the rest is a given.

People enjoy it, get one if you can. Definitely test drive one. I have been in one, and I think it isn't bad. It does feel remarkably similar to the Charger, but a little more,hmmm, squirly. Of course it was a mule and things could have changed but it was interesting to say the least. My cousin was laze fare about it, but got me a ride and I will never forget the experience - but I have to tell ya; The people who have the "job" of driving them and showing them do not have that gut wrenching desire to "have to" own one. They reflect my cousin's opinion, it is just a car.

So maybe it is just a car. It made me think, "what the heck am I in love with"? I think memories of my youth. Speed, sound, car shows, attention - any of the above. But at the end of the day, it gets parked in my garage, not my bed (and it costs more than my wife, who has very few demands (except horses)). 8^))

I think I will get one as soon as the 2009's become available - but I am still wondering if the 2009 1/2's will be more to my liking. There are some interesting things coming the second half of 2009 for the Challenger - but I do not know if I can wait. My youth is leaving me all too quickly.

I think overall Dodge scored a 8+ out of 10.

Enjoy all,
09Challenger2009