Automobilemag.com has these comments about the Challenger R/T:

"The joy of this endeavor, then, lies in the surprises. And fortunately there were plenty of those, too. Consider the case of the Dodge Challenger R/T.
I wasn't excited to drive the Challenger at all. The Challenger, to me, seemed like nothing more than a cynical attempt to squeeze a few more sales out of Chrysler's LX platform. I've driven the Dodge Charger, and this is a two-door Charger, right?

Why should I care?

Well, between the loss of two doors and the addition of a six-speed manual transmission, some kind of freaky alchemy took place, I tell you. I fired up the 376-horse Hemi, the Doobie Brothers' "China Grove" came on the radio, and within half a mile I was Wooderson from Dazed and Confused, asking rhetorical questions about high school girls and wondering where to find the next keg party. My sideburns started growing like a Chia Pet doused with Miracle-Gro.

This car isn't about finesse, because it's pretty obvious that it wouldn't keep up with a BMW 128i on any back road. This car is all about the Rice Krispies exhaust note, the six-speed pistol-grip shifter, and the way it lights up the tires through third gear in the rain. I love it. It's not a sports car, and neither is it very practical. The Challenger is whimsical, and it makes me nostalgic for an era that I don't even remember.

The high point of my day was probably when I ripped a donut in the Challenger, slewing sideways while I blasted "Space Cowboy" on the stereo. Eventually, I pulled into a parking spot, but I didn't get out of the car until the song ended."

 

That about sums it up for me! Yes there are lots of cars that will "blow it away" or "own it" but I really believe this was Dodges intent on the Challenger. Hell we all know they can make a world better (Viper) but this car is the one that we had or got away back in the day and now we've been given a 2nd chance to have one of the coolest rides around today. This guys gets it![sm=gears.gif]

 

Here's something that occured to me, today. It isn't just that the car pays homage to the original. It certainly does but that still doesn't explain all of the GRIN factor this car has. The way I see it is that over time, our brains held on to the best lines and characteristics of the early 70's cars. As time passed, our imaginations smoothed out edges and brought proportions into more complimentary relationships. We were all walking around with romanticized images of the original legend and suddenly, THERE SHE WAS! Perfected. Complete with all the improvements we had added in our imaginations.

It's like remembering the finest girl from your senior year in high school. She had a great figure, smooth skin and a smile to die for. Then you see a picture from your high school days and you realize how really skinny and under-developed she was. And the acne you never really noticed before. Oh yeah, she needed braces, too. Jump to today and you see here 20 year old daughter who is a knock out and looks a lot like her mom. She's everything you thought you remembered her mom being (but actually wasn't). That's the new Challenger: Everything good you remember about the original but better in every detail.

 

indeed

 

Great analogy. I still have the girl from high school (71 Challenger) and I brought home her daughter the other day (09 Challenger) and boy does the 09 pay out to its heritage. This car is all we wanted the 70s to be and then goes farther. I have what I would call the best car I have ever had the privilidge of owning. Looks great and drives like I always wish my 71 would. The 6-speed is so close and it pulls hard in every gear No sign of running out of pull. Pulls right to fuel cut. And the people who take pictures and ask about the car make me blush. The folks at work have stopped me all day and want to know about the car This car is what I have dreamed about as a daily driver. I can't wait to find another reason to drive somewhere. And I find myself driving more careful and doing the speed limit. Must be the great sound system that keeps me calm and cool I can find no fault with this ride. My review is to go get one and have the time of your life. Its what it was way back when you loved to drive. Both my sons have the grin and all they do is ride with me.

 

The R/T is amazing!! It is not only a really nice retro car, but it also has an amazing engine. I saw this website that has a review of thr R/T. Its really good! Check it out http://www.topspeed.com/cars/topspee...ge/ke3166.html This car is sick! great job by dodge...