After seeing the reveal is anyone impressed by the base model? While it may not have everything I have liked, it still had more than I expected.

Base Challenger

Pros:

Overall look is virtually the same as SRT8; sans stripes and wheels
front and side spoiler
Optional leather interior
My Gig option
Loads of std stuff (AC, side curtain air bags)
Low 20's base price (according to release vid)

Cons:

Hi impact colors, what High Impact colors?
The fact the gave the base challenger the SE trim, just call it a Challenger
four speed auto, comeptiton will be 5-6
somewhat dissapointing fuel economy compared to the 5.7 hemi
possibly no fuel cap, even as an option

What do you think?


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better images
http://www.redletterdodge.com/2008/0...r-full-lineup/
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-...e/708551/full/

seat pics
http://www.dodge.com/en/2009/challen...erior/seating/

 

Here's my list of pros and cons:

Pro:
equipped with good standard options while keeping off the standard luxury area to keep the price under control
experienced V6 engine that feels strong in slightly heavier models
4-speed auto instead of a 5-speed that would be a lost cause
Better fuel economy than automatic V6 Mustang

Cons:

No manual transmission option (big mistake)
No 5 or 6-speed (that would be worth using)
No 4.0L V6 to compensate for the Challenger's extra weight
SE nameplate (it causes logical problems, plus why on earth do they need a nameplate for base models, what fool came up with that idea anyways)

Overall, good but I want to test drive one first. Having the different leather options is a good move. I'm glad also that the R/T will not come standard with Leather, that might help the pricing issue.

 

I actually like the interior on the base better. The center console has that aluminum trim that adds a bit of brightness to the all charcoal interior. Also very happy that they're calling it an SE and not SXT. Makes me hopeful that the pricing will be somewhere in the 22,900 range as opposed to 26k. I'm also surprised the chin spoiler is on all models. . .guess I'm gonna have to get used to it. I still forsee A LOT of complaining about the lack of a manual on it though.

 

I can see where your coming from since SXTs are generally more expensive than SEs in recent history (even though they started life as a premium bargin package that was priced similar to the SE while having extra luxuries). Since the SXT on the Charger is quite a bit more expensive than the SEs, you believe this will help the base price of the Challenger will be more reasonable. Calling it an SXT and making it more standard would water down the SXT badge. My issue is that the SE nameplate used to be a higher end trim level on the Challenger and causes logical problems for people who know that. I just would rather them refer to it as a base level, but to each their own. I think your right about the complaining about a lack of manual for the V6. Big mistake.

 

thats probably cause it is gonna cost 27 grand about the same as a mustang GT so it is gonna have to have some decent features

 

Yesterday, I would have said, I doubt that will happen, now I think it might be closer in price to GT than I thought. Manual levels generally are cheaper than autos (especially when autos come from European luxury car makers), cloth is less expensive than leather interiors, it seems like they are trying to compete against the Mustang's price more than I thought originally. They did price themselves below the GT500 and they seem to want to compete well against the base level Mustang in the price. It seems as though they are trying to have a penetration price to get people to consider them as opposed to the Mustang. They aren't as out of touch as many of us thought they were.

 

Isn't 250 HP pretty weak for a 4,000 pound car?
I would think that would take the performance down to the level of your average minivan for soccer moms.

 

SE Model do you reckon that is a acronym for Standard Equipment or Edition? just va thought

 

Could be Special Edition?

 

I'd need to see the final pricing. For Justinec's $22.9k figure, the SE works. For $27-28k, I'd just step up to the R/T if I were potentially torn between the two. I thought the SE's wheels were just too small (and I'm not sure I'm ok with wheel covers), 250HP + 4,100 lbs. = bog slow, and like Joey said, a 4-speed auto is last-gen technology. In a perfect world, I'd have liked to see the base's engine have at least 300HP.