73Cuda340

mopar2ya - meaning 8^) even bad publicity is "good"?! hehehe I don't know if I would want the kind of affection the RLD subscribers are dishing out. If I were the Dodge, I would come down from my throne and talk to the people. I think Dodge needs to say something.

On a similar note, I had a long conversation with my cuz today. I think he had a long day on a plane or the road. So while he was still conscious, I ask him what he thought were leading to the delays in the Challenger. He mentioned there has been a number of little inconveniences (dissappointments) leading to the delays. One thing of note was a comment about some (number? of) suppliers that may not have been able to deliver required parts either due to cost, timing, or bankrupcy. He said it is becoming more common that x-tier suppliers are folding up faster than others can be found, or unable to meet shortened time schedules and/or at specific cost points (leading to negotiation and hence delay). What really is difficult is when parts are just plain wrong - not that it happens often, but it can happen. I guess everyone has a bad day once in a while.

What I found most interesting about the whole conversation was the fact he did not think Chrysler would turn a profit on the Challenger. Isn't it odd? To think a car company would willing make a car knowing they may not turn a profit on it? What would compel a company to do that? He said - ethusiasts, you and me. Wow - just to capture a little mind share, in "hopes" it will draw more people into the show room. However, with each loss, they do less, which is why you see so many common pieces on the Challenger (sic Charger interior). Business is still business. So his mood rubbed off a little =
One thing came to me immediately, - that I was acting foolishly in ordering a '09 Challenger so quickly. I should have waited, - waited for the prices to fall as they inevitably will. Foolish because I settled rather than held to my ideal. Foolish because an SRT8 with these rising fuel prices are going to impact me more than I may be currently thinking.

Then he said something a little consoling, the SRT8 does not get all that much less fuel economy than the R/T. Having had many SRT8's and R/Ts, he noted the MDS on the 5.7 litre does not really come into play much. Usually only when coasting or "cruising" on a highway (and physics [motor power versus drag] plays a role in keeping the car at a constant pace and that means having to put out some ponies, so the MDS may not kick on at all.) All in all, he said in his experience he thought the 5.7 did roughly 21 and the SRT8's did roughly 19+ yet one gets bagged with a gas guzzler tax and the other doesn't - go figure.

I sure hope the Challenger starts popping off the line. We need some high enjoyment energy infusion to offset all the bad news we are hearing lately about rising fuel...and if only Dodge would say something, and only, and only....