No Challenger convertible to be offered
10-08-2008, 04:27 PM
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No Challenger convertible to be offered
From Autoblog.com
"In a recent post about the 2009 Dodge Challenger SE, KickingTires
quotes director of Dodge brand marketing, Mike Accavitti, saying that
there will be no convertible version of the reborn muscle car in Dodge
showrooms. Apparently the platform would require too much additional
hardware to handle the extra flex from cutting the roof off, and the
added weight would push the car too far into the Sumo class. And that
would be with just a simple manual soft-top, not one of them there
new-fangled retractable hardtops that are the top du jour for
convertible buyers. There's also the issue of cost and the fact that
Dodge's market analysis seems to indicate there isn't a huge market for
them. We understand the reasoning and know that even the coupes are
going to be low-volume, but we would humbly like to suggest a limited
run of SRT-8 convertibles at double the coupe's asking price. Say 20 or
so. Buyers will pay twice the sticker price at least and mothball them
immediately so they can be exhumed in 2050 and be the '71 Hemi 'Cuda
convertible equivalents of their day."
Looks like if you want a Challenger convertible, you better get the hacksaw out!
"In a recent post about the 2009 Dodge Challenger SE, KickingTires
quotes director of Dodge brand marketing, Mike Accavitti, saying that
there will be no convertible version of the reborn muscle car in Dodge
showrooms. Apparently the platform would require too much additional
hardware to handle the extra flex from cutting the roof off, and the
added weight would push the car too far into the Sumo class. And that
would be with just a simple manual soft-top, not one of them there
new-fangled retractable hardtops that are the top du jour for
convertible buyers. There's also the issue of cost and the fact that
Dodge's market analysis seems to indicate there isn't a huge market for
them. We understand the reasoning and know that even the coupes are
going to be low-volume, but we would humbly like to suggest a limited
run of SRT-8 convertibles at double the coupe's asking price. Say 20 or
so. Buyers will pay twice the sticker price at least and mothball them
immediately so they can be exhumed in 2050 and be the '71 Hemi 'Cuda
convertible equivalents of their day."
Looks like if you want a Challenger convertible, you better get the hacksaw out!
10-08-2008, 04:49 PM
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RE: No Challenger convertible to be offered
Even though I'd never buy one I still think it's a shame they're not going to produce one - and can't help but feel they're really missing the boat on this one. Ragtop buyers are now going to flock to the Mustang and Camaro. [:'(]
10-08-2008, 09:00 PM
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RE: No Challenger convertible to be offered
yep tell me about it... or used C5 verts with low miles going for 25k...
Wow so for besides the "look" the sun-roof is the only major thing setting this thing apart from a GTO...
A C5 vette with a manual vert top for what seems like a steal now-a-days. Or a life-time warranteed Challenger R/T for what's going to be about 32 or 33k[&:][&:][&:]
Just really does suck man I want this car... but every other week it seems like something else happens that makes me NOT want it anymore... no 3.92 gears no limited-slip... no chance for a 'vert...
Still looks pretty though
Wow so for besides the "look" the sun-roof is the only major thing setting this thing apart from a GTO...
A C5 vette with a manual vert top for what seems like a steal now-a-days. Or a life-time warranteed Challenger R/T for what's going to be about 32 or 33k[&:][&:][&:]
Just really does suck man I want this car... but every other week it seems like something else happens that makes me NOT want it anymore... no 3.92 gears no limited-slip... no chance for a 'vert...
Still looks pretty though
10-08-2008, 09:47 PM
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RE: No Challenger convertible to be offered
mk I think you are confused......... the no limited slip is for the AUTO srt8s. 392 gears are only offered in manual not auto never has since the begining. there is still limited slip for manual rt and srts
10-09-2008, 01:56 AM
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RE: No Challenger convertible to be offered
As much as I would like to see this car built, I can agree with Chrysler's decision not to build it. Just look at the original Challengers. Convertibes were not big sellers at all. That is why they are so collectible today. Convertibles are heavy and require a lot more body stiffening so a lot of engineering has to take place to make the car.
10-09-2008, 03:50 AM
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RE: No Challenger convertible to be offered
I would like to see the Dodge Boys work out a “true” hard-top for the Challenger. Come up with a way to remove the B-pillar and still pass the Federal side impact test. That would help sell a few more cars in 2010-2011 then cut the roof –off late 2011 early 2012.
10-09-2008, 05:09 AM
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RE: No Challenger convertible to be offered
Though never done on the original Challengers, I wonder if they couldn't get around this with a T top? Would still be "open" more than sunroof, would not have as much structural issues and avoids retractable mechanisms...just a thought...
10-09-2008, 05:23 AM
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RE: No Challenger convertible to be offered
ORIGINAL: dodgebrothers
Though never done on the original Challengers, I wonder if they couldn't get around this with a T top? Would still be "open" more than sunroof, would not have as much structural issues and avoids retractable mechanisms...just a thought...
Though never done on the original Challengers, I wonder if they couldn't get around this with a T top? Would still be "open" more than sunroof, would not have as much structural issues and avoids retractable mechanisms...just a thought...
10-09-2008, 05:29 AM
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RE: No Challenger convertible to be offered
That is not good news, BUT it just saved me a bunch of cash and having to sell my car. It would have been a cool but I can see the logic and it was a good choice in these challenging times. I also like the fact that they pulled the plug due to structural integrity issues. Body flex is unacceptable and makes the car difficult to drive and seem cheep.
So I guess I will have to keep what I got and continue to be happy. I do not see how that is a bad thing for me!! So this is a win/win for me and Chrysler!
So I guess I will have to keep what I got and continue to be happy. I do not see how that is a bad thing for me!! So this is a win/win for me and Chrysler!
