I knew the day was coming for a new car. I am not getting any younger, and knew that I needed to do something sooner rather than later if I expected to have a car paid off by the time I decided to (really) retire. I also knew that I was really unenthusiastic about the current crop of new cars out there, so I kept putting off getting serious about replacing something in the aging JPC fleet. (I guess that sentence works whether we think about the aging fleet or the aging JPC).
I see the current crop of cars as reminiscent of, say, 1981. And yes, the SEO tool says that I have started each of the previous sentences with “I”. But unlike most of life, this little essay is all about me, after all.
In 1981 automakers struggled to meet stringent new fuel economy regulations, so that many vehicles with tried-and-true powertrains were replaced with new ones designed to hit CAFE targets. Electronics were more complex, gearing was more about hitting an EPA target than about the way the car drove, and most everyone made do with smaller, peakier engines that lacked the generous torque of the larger cars I had grown to favor. We are seeing similar things today. Do you want your four cylinder engine to come with or without a turbo, sir?
I had concluded that I was all but certain to choose a Mazda CX-5, a vehicle that has obtained the seal of approval of several CC contributors and commenters. It is an older design and has continued to use a traditional automatic transmission instead of the CVTs that have become so common. I wasn’t so much enthusiastic as resigned. A 4 cylinder crossover that was not small but not big is not something in my automotive happy place. Practical, yes – but it would have been the most common new car I had ever chosen and would involve more trade-offs than ideal. Then, two things happened.
First, Marianne has found it increasingly difficult to get in and out of our Sedona because of its high floor, and most of our local driving together had been in the old Honda Fit. So, maybe my next new car needed to be a sedan. This was good news for an inveterate bargain shopper such as yours truly. But the current crop of sedans enthused me even less than the current crop of SUVs and crossovers. The second thing that happened was Aaron65’s new car. A bright neon GREEN Challenger was never the kind of thing I had ever thought about. But when he wrote it up, he said something quite surprising to me – that these leftover 2023 Challengers and Chargers are some of the best new car values going.
I mentioned Aaron’s car at home, but my finance committee suggested that something with 4 doors would be a wiser choice. Which turned out to be a great idea, because the selection of leftover new 2023 Chargers was significantly higher than was the case with Challengers. Which I learned when I was noodling around on TruCar and got a call from a dealer in southern Indiana who had over 30 of them. I saw the deep discounts from sticker on those cars, but realized that I had never actually driven a Charger.
I started looking locally and found this one – a GT model (one up from the base SXT) with all wheel drive, and with markdowns similar to the ones I had seen online. Marianne and I went up to look at it. She found it easy to get in and out of, so one (very important) box was checked. Next, I really loved the way it felt and drove. There are two things in a car that really irritate me – a flexy structure and and engine/transmission combo that shouts its shortcomings with great frequency. This car passed those tests. The body felt solid as a rock, and the car surprised me at how smooth and quiet it was. And then there was the powertrain.
A good powertrain should be like a good English butler – it does its job with dispatch, and never calls undue attention to itself. I had driven some Dodge minivans and concluded that I loved the Pentastar 3.6 V6 engine, but I despised the way the transmission seemed to turn what should have been joy into irritation. The 8 speed auto in the RWD/AWD cars is (as we say in Indiana) a whole ‘nuther thing. This one passes the English butler test, and with great flourish.
We went home and thought it over. I didn’t really feel like I needed the GT model (I could have done without the hood scoop and the 20 inch wheels, for example) or the AWD feature (with many moons of experience in balanced RWD cars). But then again, this thing was priced REALLY attractively and was painted a color.
About that color – Dodge calls it F8 Green, after the color code for a similar color in 1969-70. I was no fan of this family of greens back when the old, old Chrysler Corp. seemed to paint something like 79% of its output that color between 1969-75. Wasn’t a Dodge sedan painted this shade of green the typical “old man car” of the 1970’s? But then again, it was a color. I had previously bought only three new cars in my life, and they were painted black, white and gray. Not by my choice, but because those were the best options given other constraints. There was a deep burgundy (Octane Red) which I preferred, but the only ones I could find had a sunroof. I found myself listening to the voice of my imaginary Uncle Clem, who would say something like “I don’t know why anybody’d take a perfectly good, water-tight steel roof and cut a hole in it. Yer jest askin’ fer leaks.” The green GT lacked a sunroof, which was another point in its favor. I soon decided that the F8 Green was my second choice of all the colors that were offered (out of 9 – yes, 9 colors beyond the normal black/white/gray options), and the more I looked at it the better I liked it.
The local car also came with the cold weather package (heated seats and steering wheel), dual zone automatic a/c, so it had quite a lot of what we wanted and not a lot that we did not. I wonder if the combination of an AWD GT with no sunroof is what made this one stick to the lot for so long.
Experiment: Who can look at this front end and not see a Ninja Turtle?
We went back the next evening and cut a deal. Anyone who has read my COAL series knows that I did not take much pity on the poor salesman, and we got them down about another grand before we signed papers for almost exactly $10k off the sticker price. Coming from the drama-free life of Hondas and Kias, I chickened out and popped for the Mopar extended warranty that takes my bumper-to-bumper coverage out to 7 years. Which will probably insure that I never have a significant service issue on the car. At least until year 8.
I have not driven it much yet – and am struggling to come into the 21st Century with the U-Connect infotainment system. At least I got the programming for the garage door figured out, so I am off and running. And I am having the odd experience of digging for a key in my pocket as I approach the Charger, then expecting the door to automatically unlock for me when I get into the Kia. But I will get there. Because I am really settling into loving this car.
In addition to the retro paint color outside, we get the retro hound’s-tooth fabric on the inside.
After so many years of driving practical cars, I am finding that this Charger comes as close as it is possible to get to my automotive happy place in 2024. It is a large car, around 4k pounds, with a wheelbase in the 118-122 range and enough power to scoot smartly when the pedal on the right is pressed. And it is my favorite flavor of such a car, one that I call “adult sport”. This Charger GT sort of channels the attitude of the Sport Furys, Chrysler (non-letter) 300s, Buick Wildcats and Mercury Marauders of yore. Except that this one has a far more competent chassis than anything from that era when Sinclair dinosaurs roamed the gas pumps (while looking out for the occasional tank with a tiger in it). Also, the F8 Green paint fits this attitude to a perfect “T”. The Hemi V8 might have been nice, but the 300 hp Pentastar V6 is kind of the modern equivalent of choosing a ’69 Charger with a 383 instead of the 440 or the Hemi. It is plenty of engine for me, in any case. And could this be the last V6 sedan at a moderate price that exists? Maybe this car is its own kind of dinosaur, and I need a custom license plate that says BRONTO.
With the Kia being pressed into service as my daily drive-to-work vehicle, I will be surprised if we put 6k miles a year onto this new Charger. If I play my cards right, this car could fulfill a role I once routinely expected of any new car: it just might last me forever and eventually become a made-from-scratch Curbside Classic.
Excellent choice JPC! Congratulations on buying something that wasn’t a purely pragmatic purchase. I love the colour too. I fully understand your lack of enthusiasm for modern drivetrains – I fully agree with you. I regularly rent cars, and there aren’t too many that I have truly enjoyed. That said, when my wife and I went to Hawaii last year, we had reserved a practical Corolla. We went to pick up the car, and as the rental agent went to bring the car to us, I heard the rumble of a V8. She pulled up in a brand new Charger R/T with a Hemi. She apologized for not having a smaller more efficient car, but before she finished the sentence, I said “We’ll take it!”
We drove the entire island with the Charger and it was exactly as you described. Although with the Hemi, it didn’t get particularly good mileage (not that I was driving for efficiency), and the transmission had a tendency to upshift too quickly or lug, but sport mode fixed that. After a short while, I could see the appeal of the cars like the Charger. I thoroughly enjoyed the car, much more so than a Corolla. With the V8, it had a similar feel to an old muscle car, but much more refined overall, with much better brakes, handling, and fuel economy. While I still say it’s not replacement for the true vintage cars, my heart is still with the oldies, the Charger probably scratches the itch for most looking for that old feeling.
I am also a person who likes sedans better than crossovers. In fact, the last time I reserved a rental, I reserved a “full-size” Camry. When I arrived they wanted to “upgrade” me to a Chevy Trailblazer. I refused it and said I have a 7 hour drive, I want a sedan. So they gave me a new Malibu. Boring, but tons of leg room for my long legs and great fuel economy even at 75-80 mph. Enjoy your new Mopar!
Thanks, Vince. I will confess that I thought about the Hemi, but only for about 3 minutes. It would have been fun, but it also would have been another $5k up front plus the extra fuel for the rest of its life. As near as I can figure, the GT is pretty much an R/T but without the Hemi.
I am also enjoying looking out over a long hood – and seeing the paint color.
I will join the probably very long queue of congratulation sayers. Congratulations!
A proper new MOPAR sedan which seems like a real good fit to you (remembering your MOPAR stories over the years). And a nice colour as well!
It seems like a very good deal, you must be very happy that it is still possible to buy such a magnificent machine instead of a dreary SUV.
Well done, please try to keep it in good order for the next 20 years so that your successor can still enjoy a proper American sedan.
Thanks, Dion – no regrets so far. I fear that a car like this is on the brink of extinction, and I feel really lucky to have claimed one for myself.
Great choice!
When I drove one of these for a week last year and wrote it up here on CC, my clear takeaway was that this was a car that I could live with for the long haul. There’s something kind of elemental about it for folks (like us) who grew up with cars from (many) generations ago. It just works, in a good way; and knowing that it’s the end of the road for gas-powered, 4 door, “cars” from Dodge makes it all that more special.
The one that I drove was missing the hood scoop and the awd. Same engine.I too could probably do without the scoop. I’m curious about the awd and how that makes the car feel. I lived with a awd Chrysler minivan for 5 or 6 years and found the drivetrain quite competent. I wonder if it’s more or less the same for your Charger.
After my Charger experience, I came home and fantasy shopped these things for a while. I personally like sunroofs, so that was on my features list. AWD came and went depending on what I was finding for price and inventory. Octane Red was attractive (but I have a fear of red cars…although is Octane is more of a ruby than a real red). But I really liked the blue. Green though …. I knew a Dodge Dart in the 1970s quite well that was pretty much that exact color as your Charger.
Congratulations!!
While it hasn’t happened for the last two winters, it can get snowy in Indiana. Maybe not as much around Indianapolis or more south, but AWD is a nice feature to have when it does.
As to the sunroof, I used to like them in the past but, lately, thanks to windshields getting more and more raked, current sunroofs sit too far back from the front seat to have any real benefit. Worse is they’ve become little more than the size of a mail slot (looking at you, Mazda). With that in mind, I pass on any new vehicle with sunroof if I can. In fact, the last sunroof I saw of a reasonable size and location was on a Subaru Forester, but that was a couple of models ago.
I, too, would have preferred Octane Red color over that shade of green. It looks to be the same dark red shade Chrysler products have had for years.
But, all things considered, seems like a pretty good overall choice, especially with the steep discounts on a discontinued model. I might have went with a 300, instead, but I don’t know if the same configuration is possible. At least it wouldn’t have had the hood scoop.
The only detriment might be that those Pentastar V6 engines had gotten a reputation for a noisy rocker arm problem known as the ‘pentastar tick’, although Chrysler might have fixed it in 2021.
For some reason, the local 300s were not getting the same level of discounts. Which is OK, because I have come to prefer the Charger’s styling.
The Pentastar tick is a thing, but I plan to change oil regularly with a full synthetic. I keep hearing bad stories about carbon buildup in modern direct injection engines and have watched Hyundai/Kia’s troubles, so this engine’s vices seem manageable.
I drove a 300 with the V6 a couple of weeks ago (also in Nebraska, where I drove the Charger). I much preferred the Charger. I like the styling of the Charger more, and the interior as well. There was just something kind of upright, truck-like, about the 300 that the Charger didn’t have.
Can’t argue with that assessment of the 300. For starters, it has those big ‘ole slab sides whereas the Charger has a tasteful ‘swoop’. The 300 emphasizes the slammed roof, gangsta look which, apparently, is still somewhat in vogue, but can’t argue that it does come off as somewhat trucklike.
Then there’s the front end. Ever since Studebaker started messing around with the otherwise beautiful 1953 Studebaker, slapping a Mercedes grille onto the1956 Starliner (the big chromed bumper of the 1955 was no prize, either), I’ve hated that affectation wherever it reared its ugly head. On the 300, the grille is just too ostentatious.
So, yeah, considering the much better price (it’s weird that the 300 isn’t getting discounted as much), I wouldn’t disparage anyone who went with the Charger, instead.
Sunroof is too small? Get a Scion TC, here the word panoramic can be had cheaply
I am surprised by how much I am liking the green.
I am still trying to figure out the AWD. I believe the car is RWD by default and only engages the fronts when it senses slippage. I am looking forward to trying it in slick weather (and watching the front wheels turn red on the cool graphic display).
You’re correct that it’s RWD by default. Not sure if the AWD system on yours is exactly the same as the system on my 2014 RT AWD (I suspect it is)..but on the mine there are several methods of triggering the AWD: 1) activating the windshield wipers for more than 30 seconds, 2) shifting manually using the autostick, 3) anytime the outside temperature is 40F and below, and lastly 4) anytime the system senses wheel slippage.
The temperature trigger is by far the most annoying…as it could be a beautiful bone dry 39 degree winter day but the system insists on making you drive around in AWD. Minor quibble overall….but annoying regardless!
> knowing that it’s the end of the road for gas-powered, 4 door, “cars” from Dodge makes it all that more special.
The new Charger will be available with the Hurricane I6 and 4 doors. Actually 5 doors if you include the new hatchback, which surprised me and I consider a major advantage over mail-slot trunk openings of recent sedans.
I had a feeling it’d be one of these golden oldies.
Now that you mention it, I’m surprised that some version of gold did not make the list of retro-style colors offered. Gold was huge in 1970.
Again a great choice! An American flavored instant classic that will outlast any other car, by not being hybrid.
I’m happy to have played a part in this decision. 🙂 Good choice!
Dodge is sending me quite a few emails lately, and yesterday’s was an invitation to buy their extended warranty. I never thought about it, but maybe I’ll have to take a look; as you said, that will guarantee it will be flawless for about eight years.
If any of the automakers should learn anything from Dodge over the last decade it’s that a lot of people want a choice of colors. As I was shopping for new cars (mostly being resigned, as you said, to something I didn’t necessarily like), the limited color palette was depressing. Toyota and Honda seemed especially limited. I hope Dodge keeps in up (and stays in business) and that the new Charger is a success.
You deserve more than a little credit here. I had really never thought seriously about one of these until you wrote about your new Challenger. Once I started to look, I was amazed how quickly things snowballed. Also funny is how Marianne loves it every bit as much as I do.
Whoa-ho-ho! Well, lookee here! JP, I didn’t know you were also hunting for a 4,000 lb RWD/AWD, 300hp V6 sedan. Beautiful car. Green and mean looking. Makes my Lexus look a bit…staid.
I think you’ll come to find that you don’t regret getting a distinctive color. I’ve never seen a Charger in this configuration. This is a nice looking car and you’ll never lose it in a parking lot. Congrats, and enjoy!
I have thought more than once about your thorough (and entertaining) process to find just the right car. My search was pretty much the opposite: get the idea, drive it, and boom, suddenly it’s in the garage. I don’t often let instinct override thoughtful consideration, but it worked in this case.
Congratulations….And I love the color. I can relate to the experience – while I was still thinking about buying a new car (the last one before retirement), I had rented a Mazda CX-5 for a week-end, and based on what the specialized press was writing, I was expecting a great driving experience. But in reality, it was just another meh cross-over, not that different from a Ford Escape. I finally went the MOPAR route, and bought a Wrangler.
I don’t know what makes those MOPAR oldies so attractive to car nuts like us – maybe it’s FCA/Stellantis’ desire to maximize profits by squeezing all the money they can extract from old platforms – but they end up with vehicles designed in rosier times, and benefitting from 15 years of small incremental improvements. Enjoy!
There are many things from Stellantis that I would not have considered, but these have been in production for nearly 20 years. That and the crucible of police duty have proven this to be a pretty sound design.
Congratulations on your Charger. It does fit the JPC Mopar theme. The 3.6 is, in a way, the modern answer to the 318 – highly versatile and capable regardless of where it’s found although more efficient and powerful. Your 383 analogy is certainly applicable when it comes to the Charger.
May you continue to have many happy (s)miles together.
Foot what it’s worth ive told Mrs Jason about your Charger and shes quite intrigued.
Through the decades, most of my favorite cars have been Mopars. What is interesting is that while I have owned multiple Plymouths, Chryslers and even an Imperial, this is my first Dodge. Now I just need a DeSoto. 🙂
My Dad was kind of the opposite….his first car was a new ’56 Plymouth Plaza stripper, maybe it had a heater but otherwise no options. He never owned a Chrysler (though my Mom’s Dad bought a new ’51 Chrysler Windsor as his only car) but had 2 Dodges, an ’80 Omni and ’86 600 sedan.
When I read about your choice, for some reason I thought back almost 50 years when I was a transporter for Hertz (back then they mostly rented Fords, though I drove several Diplomats and Aspens) but the one car that stuck in my mind I only drove once, a ’78 Magnum. I think even back then I knew it was the end of the line, though I never bought one (I ended up going the economy route, bowing for the uncertain fuel situation and high interest rates, starting with my first of 3 VWs in a row). I almost bought an Omni like my Dad had, but instead bought a used ’78 Scirocco. It seems to me though your Charger might be the end of the line that restarted in 2005, of primarily RWD Mopars (though yours is AWD, sounds like primarily RWD). Back then I also lived up in snow country, and had issues with light RWD vehicle, but now living in the sunbelt, that isn’t the case for me.
I kind of regret not buying something like that Magnum back then, despite the fuel mileage, despite the very high interest rates, as I’ll never get another chance (at least to get a new one). But I can say that at least I did get to drive a fair variety of cars while working for Hertz, guess it scratched my car variety itch at least in terms of ownership as I’ve owned 5 cars in 50 years of driving.
The Magnum at the time was the “new” name for what had been the Charger…hmm, the number of doors differs and maybe the current Charger is still a bit svelte compared to that Magnum (and have features not thought of in ’78)
Wonderful choice, and I too love the color. I was just wondering the other day if, since 70’s styles seem to be trending at the moment, we’d be seeing a resurgence of earth tones and other 70’s-popular shades. What prompted this pondering was that I noticed a new Expedition in traffic, painted in that very 70’s light baby blue that Ford used extensively back in the day. Bring on the color, I say. I’d even be thrilled to see a few burnished bronzes scattered about.
It’s a very pretty car. Enjoy it in good health!
Thanks! These were offered in a color called Cinnamon, but I couldn’t find any in my area. It was another shade that reminded me of 1969-70.
Hey there, nice car in a great color and welcome to the 3.6l Pentastar club! These and the Challenger do seem to be some of the best values currently out there in the market if they fit the bill, and for you and Aaron they certainly seem to. I hope it serves you at least as well as the Fit did.
If it’s like my 300 AWD was, then yes the fronts kick in when the rears slip (but disconnected on a normal drive on a day like today) and I believe also when the temperature drops below a certain threshold. The heated seats and wheel also come on by default (unless you switch it in the settings) when started up at 40degrees F or below and the headlights turn on automatically when the wipers are on.
I have my homework cut out for me, learning about how everything works. I guess this will happen when you stay out of the pool too long after owning vehicles from the old low-tech era. I just found the little pushbutton that opens the trunk last night! Maybe a green Dodge sedan is what I should be driving. 🙂
Congratulations, JP! I absolutely love it, even that throwback color which reminds me of both a darker shade of Chrysler Sherwood Green and a lime Lifesavers candy. Many happy miles to you and Marianne!
Thanks Joe! What’s funny is that as much as we love it, we have only managed to put about 125 miles on it over the last 3 weeks!
Congratulations on your new car! I love the green color and may be one of the few people out there that really liked it back when, as you wrote, 79% of all Mopar vehicles were this color. And the lack of a sunroof is a bonus, too, for the extra headroom…I rarely, if ever use ours anyway.
I rented a large number of Chargers, Challengers and 300s over the past three years, most equipped with the Pentastar V6 and found them to be quiet and competent cruisers with plenty of power and recorded surprisingly high miles per gallon (approaching 30 mpg in one case). Both you and Aaron65 make a compelling case for the Dodge versions of these cars and that means a lot to me, versus a recommendation from one of the buff books or Consumer Reports.
My choice would be a loaded 300 with the V6 (plenty of power for me) and perhaps AWD with an eye towards a northward move in a few years after retirement. And, if the Chrysler comes in that same F8 green, that would be my color!
That AWD is going to present me with a challenge. My normal instinct would be to drive the old Sedona (with the new Michelins) in snowy/icy weather to keep the new car out of the salt baths. But that AWD might change my mind. Fortunately, I have been noticing a lot of older Chargers recently and they seem pretty resistant to body rust.
Excellent. I drove Chargers as rental cars and I did love the ride they provided. When it came time to buy back in 2015, I chose the 300C with the Hemi. It has seasonal AWD, giving me AWD in the winter when temperatures are below 5C, and RWD in anything warmer than that.
I continue to get compliments on it to this day. I love the styling and the smooth ride, a sharp contrast with my compact utility.
I hope someone left a little Canadian flag inside somewhere before it left the plant.
I will confess that I like the idea of buying something that is a joint project of our two neighboring countries. I wonder if those little pine tree air fresheners come in a maple syrup scent. 🙂
I remembered that you had a 300 you liked and wondered if you were still driving it.
Here you go. Not an authorized Little Trees product, and rather inexplicably smells like “salt” (salt smells? who knew?); but at least it’s close to the same color as all of the MoPar products from the 1970s that weren’t green. 😉
WOW! That sure beats a WGB (WhiteGrayBlack) non colored vehicle, especially a SUV!
Good luck with it. The ONLY time I take my wife’s CR-V is in slippery Winter conditions, which can get interesting when we get hit with a heavy “Lake Effect” storm up here in northern Indiana. I’m sure you will find the AWD useful. 🙂
The “retro” styling of your Charger does pick up the flavor of the very distinctive, and now desirable, ’68-’70 Chargers. Nicely done, especially given it is a 4 door! Definitely one of Chryslers’ better creations lately, well….sorta lately!! 🙂
I’ll have to rely on 2.0L of 4 cylinder FWD turbo power. NO n/a V6 Hondas anymore. 🙁 (My grandaughter’s ’07 Accord EX-L has the 3L V6: 269,000+ miles on it…still runs quiet and STRONG!) My 1.5L turbo Accord sure passed gas stations (40+ mpg at times, 36+ average/tank), but the 2L really takes a hit there: averaged 28+ on my first tank, but…it does move and with a 10 spd A/T not a rubber band CVT! 🙂 DFO
That was my problem with Honda today – too few cylinders and CVTs in almost everything.
Yup, cvt was one of the reasons I bought the used ’21 Touring! Her 10 spd AT along with (limited) manual control in the “Sport” mode makes for some driving fun on curvy back roads. The performance of that 2L turbo plus the car’s ride and handling along with a more supportive 12 way pwr. seat than my ’20 EX had (better foam pack???) all combined to make it worth while for me to trade up one while year.
The latest version of the Accord does NOTHING for me compared to this generation with its nicely formed surface development!
OTOH, from the couple of spy photos I’ve seen, Dodge seems to have done a creative job of evolving the design theme on your already very handsome Charger! IF one is a fan of cars not SUVzzz…your car should become quite desirable some day as a “modern classic”. My Accord……maybe at least among we Honda fans….maybe?!! LOL! DFO
Wow–this really looks distinctive and cool! Love the color–I’ve always wanted to have a green car but it hasn’t happened yet. When I was toddler age my favorite color was green.
I’ve posed the question, “What do I replace the Jag S-Type with if I need to?” I can’t think of anything newer that’s as good looking as the Jag with that distinctive élan. Then there’s the fact that newer cars have all these complicated, intimidating hi-tech features like hybrid power trains, touch screens, having to push the brake pedal to start the car, a zillion warning messages but no temp gauge, etc. The S-Type has a very simple dashboard for such a high-end car of 2005.
Also I’ve never paid more than $5500 for a daily-driver car. So I’d have to look in the 2009-2011 range for any replacement. I’ve kind of liked the last Lincoln Continental, and I’m wondering if you ever considered one of those.
Back to your new Dodge–my opinion: Great choice!
Thanks! I am married to someone who has tired of used cars, so we have become buy-new-and-keep people. This and my thrifty nature kept me away from Lincoln dealers. 🙂
Belated congratulations from the Pacific timezone! Though I did sneak a peak at the CC calendar when you mentioned a new car a while back. But the photo’s and backstory are great. And the mid-range package with AWD seems just right. I love the color too. Quite a few years ago I rented a RWD 300 to drive from Chicago to northern Wisconsin on the day after a major snowstorm that closed most airports including O’Hare and Midway. It was comfortable, economical, and even with RWD was excellent in the snow.
I will say though, that I find these cars a bit paradoxical: in many ways, as you have learned, it seems a great all-around car for a mature driver. Roomy, comfortable, etc. But for some reason where I live, 75% of Chargers and 98% of Challengers have loud exhausts, drive 50 mph through our quiet residential neighborhood, and treat stopsigns as an opportunity to make even more noise. If they even bother to stop. The other 25% of Chargers are black and white but unfortunately don’t patrol our city streets.
Haha, I wonder if this is one of the differences between the PNW and the midwest. We have those categories too, but there is a 3rd category that appears to be business guys with a little extra attitude. 🙂
The only time I had ever been in one was in the back seat of one of the SRT/Scat Pack/392/Hellcat versions (they all run together in my mind) for a short sedate drive. I guess I’m glad I wasn’t in the back seat of the other kind.
Wife had a 2018 model that I took on a few business trips when my company Chevy was sidelined by lack of a repair part during the pandemic. Wonderfully comfortable road car that just never broke.
Hated to see her trade it, but she has habit that long predates our marriage of never keeping a car past 3 years. I only logged 2 minor annoyances during the time we had the car – probably a record low.
The 2 annoyances?
1) Dodge located the very small high beam indicator light where it is frequently hidden by the tach needle. Such a small thing, but so annoying.
2) A nice day invites windows down driving. If you like to rest your arm on the window sill, those front door locks pinch when they activate.
Hope your Charger proves to be as good as ours was.
Now I will have to start paying attention to those niggles. On the light thing, I have not even driven it at night yet!
Is that a super convenient storage bin in the footwell on the passenger side? Great idea Ma Mopar.
Unfortunately, that is the plus-size floor hump that accommodates the AWD. The Weather Tech mats make room for it.
Fabulous Jim, a perfect choice! V6s are like the small block V8s of yore but more powerful and efficient to boot. all Our ’71 Fury III was that same Sherwood Green and we loved it, there’s so few greens now but our xTerra has almost the same shade of green, a bit brighter.
We too have concluded a new car is in order, and we’re buying a hyper-practical off-lease Rav4 from our daughter’s business in Denver. Low mile, mint, and n/a big 4cyl with 8spd (no cvt), cloth seats (my preference), heated seats and dual air are bonuses but it’s in that awful and ubiquitous charcoal gray that half of the are, yuck. Maybe a wrap is in order …in F8 Green? But I’d much rather have that groovy Charger! Enjoy!
Used cars always bring those compromises, especially on color. So do new ones that are out of production, but I got lucky.
Another thumbs-up on the color. It’s a nice shade of metallic green that will will really dazzle in different ways depending on the lighting.
It reminds me very much of a Pontiac color from the late 1960s…early 70s called Verdoro Green.
I agree, the paint changes a lot with different weather/lighting. And I agree that the Pontiac Verdoro Green would not be far off.
Awesome choice, JPC. And that color is SO YOU, our resident paint color aficionado. As soon as I saw the picture, I thought that this car was perfect for you having read your entire COAL series.
This color screams that retro green Chrysler color of yore, and unlike back then, now, that color is not ubiquitous. It’ll turn heads for sure.
Ma Mopar did these right, as they are very nice vehicles. An outdated platform? Sure, but that’s the beauty of them. Often here at CC we’ll say things like, “they just don’t make them like this anymore” and having scored one for yourself is huge. And a good deal to boot.
Having rented 2 of this type, a 2015 Charger in Florida and a 2021 or 2022 Chrysler 300 when my Civic was in the shop, I can say that the 3.6L V6 and its 8 speed transmission are a wonderful combination. More than enough power and smooth with respectable gas mileage. In 2015, I wasn’t used to so many speeds in a transmission and felt it was always hunting for a gear, even in flat Florida. But either I got used to cars like this after a while, or by the time I rented the 300, they’d worked out the details better, because that car shifted perfectly.
Anyway, congrats and enjoy your new car!!!
The color does indeed turn heads! And I agree, I think this may be the best vehicle out of Chrysler and its decendandants since the 1960s.
Aha — several of us guessed correctly; the Mopar man returned to his roots! And it’s green (but a different shade) like Aaron65’s new Chally!
Congrats and best wishes! I like that front end actually, not so in-your-face like too many other modern vehicles with their gaping maw grilles.
I was just sure that I was done with north American cars. This one took me by surprise. 🙂
Congrats on the Charger!!! Does the green have a metallic flake in it?? They have offered a few different shades of green over the years. Ive seen one that was a darker, more drab non-metallic army green. I like this color a bit better.
If I may be so nosy what does your insurance run?? The hood rats love to steal these cars, but I dunno if they target the V8 models, or if they are that smart/care. I was looking at Chargers/300 a few years ago but decided against it. Theft/high insurance costs were one consideration. Bought a Lexus ES350 instead. This was a used purchase as well, so if I did get the Charger it wasnt going to have much(if any) warranty left. I knew the Toyota would be rock solid, like the charger it was a very proven/durable design with a fantastic V6 under the hood.
Yes, it’s got a lot of metallic going on, and direct sunlight really makes it dance.
I would have to look on insurance, but the increase was surprisingly mild. The Mrs and I are in the prime demographic for this, and with clean records. I can probably drop it more if I jump through the hoops to prove low miles. The Sedona (which previously occupied the “good car” role didn’t see 4k miles last year.
A (mostly) RWD non-turbo green Mopar sedan; truly the perfect car for you (given the choices these days). And of course a screaming deal; the icing on the cake. I’m very happy for you.
And welcome to the Pentastar club.
I guess it was bound to happen: by the time they built something that really appeals to me, the market for such a thing has mostly evaporated and the model goes away. Oh well, all I can do is enjoy the one I found.
Your happy experience with your 3.6 Promaster helped to nudge me along.
Nice set of wheels (though 14 wheels short of the daily driver), congrats! Good color too.
Haha, the Charger has all the tires I want to maintain!
Since I’m dreading eventually having to buy a new car – for many of the reasons you’ve mentioned here – I sent this article to my own Finance Committee. She picked up on your line that “Coming from the drama-free life of Hondas and Kias, I chickened out and popped for the Mopar extended warranty…” and noted that we didn’t buy (or need) extended warranties for our Hondas or Kias. So, I think convincing my better half to spring for a Mopar sedan might take a bit more effort.
But I love this car. Excellent choice, and rationale. The best buys are often those overlooked by most people. I admit I haven’t followed the various Charger iterations, so I wasn’t too familiar with the GT package. Looks like a good package, though I’m not a big fan of 20” tires.
The color’s what first jumped out at me. In today’s gray world, this is outstanding. And it wasn’t until I read farther that I made the association with the color I associate with, say, a 1970 Polara. I think this color looks terrific on this car.
Happy driving!
I didn’t know about the GT either! I can remember when base V6 Chargers looked plain and cheap, but those days are gone because the basic SXT is still a nice looking package that doesn’t come off like a stripper.
As I recall, your finance committee is not very open to Mopars on the best days, so I get it. I am a little leery of many of their modern efforts, but find these to be an exception. Of course, we can have a more informed conversation on this in a few more years.
You recall correctly. Margaret’s not exactly a member of the Mopar Fan Club. Yet. I’ll work on it…
Congrats and well deserved! I like how the Charger’s style evolved over the past many years. Just a hint of retro with modern flourishes. Great looking car with an attractive paint color. Many happy miles!
Thanks!
Very nice, I wish I could get a non-irritating transmission beside the 3.6 in my Grand Caravan.
I must confess I roll my eyes when I see that color on a 1970 Chrysler or AMC product but it’s quite unusual and fetching in a modern context.
I agree on the color! I spent a lifetime looking at these, thinking “if only it was another color”. Now, amidst a colorless world on the road, it seems verdant and refreshing!
The thought of acquiring a green Charger or Challenger has been eating at me for months, even well before Aaron65’s article appeared on CC. And now this latest installment in the “great minds think alike, and so do ours” department!
It all started with my revulsion at the white, gray, and black shades that are so common on the road — and almost the only “colors” that I ever see at local dealers. I did a CarGurus search for “all models” and “green” and the Dodge colors were the most interesting. Then, the discounts caught my attention. And finally, since I have a Chevy Bolt for local trips, I’m only looking for a road trip car, and I really like the idea of a “new, old” one with RWD and a non-turbo V6.
In an amusing coincidence, though, the Mazda CX-5 has been the other vehicle on my shopping list. I like the relative practicality, the luxurious interior and 360-degree camera (on the Signature trim, which is the only one I would buy), the fact that I could get my 68-year-old carcass in and out easily, Mazda reliability. Plus, I had a Miata and it was one of my best cars ever.
I had written quite a bit more but something happened and my comments got eaten. Ah well, here’s the useful part: To give you an idea of the relative insurance costs, the quote I got from State Farm for the CX-5 came to $70/month. A quote for comparable coverage for a Dodge Challenger SXT is $110/month.
Since the Challenger would only be taken out of the garage on weekends, I’d be paying as much as $1/mile for insurance. Still, I haven’t forgotten about it. If I don’t dither away the availability of SubLime Challengers — the way I dithered away a CPO CX-5 that was the trim and color I wanted, and a great buy — it is at least remotely possible there’s a Dodge in my future.
Yes, delay is not your friend here if you want a new Charger or Challenger – they have been out of production for quite some time and the existing inventory of new ones will not be around forever.
After you put a few more miles on this car I’d be curious to hear how it compares with your newer Crown Vic. I spent some time at a bike race last weekend with a guy who is a California Highway Patrol officer. His personal car is a late model Porsche 911 and he seemed pretty car-knowledgeable. So I asked him his favorite patrol car. He smiled, hesitated, and told me he’d driven everything in his 25 years in the CHP. And then he said “believe it or not, it’s the Crown Vic”. I asked, better than the Charger? Yep … not just the roominess (and he doesn’t like the Explorers) but he really liked the Ford powertrain compared to the Charger, which is V6 only in the CHP. His answer surprised me; I realize it can be subjective, and maybe a bit sentimental, as he probably had the most seat time in the Ford and they are all gone from the CHP, except at the training academy which is visible from the Interstate outside Sacramento.
I was surprised at his response until I read that the CHP Chargers are all V6. Seriously? I had not expected that. But in looking at the CHP’s Wikipedia page, it seems that high speed capability is clearly not so much of a priority as it once had been. Makes sense, actually, given the modern traffic conditions.
So yes, the bigger V8 engine in the CV undoubtedly was missed.
But I still would have thought the modern Pentastar and newer AT would be nicer than the 4.6(?) V8 and 4 speed AT. Just one guy’s opinion, of course, but he sounded like he was surprised that the Charger wasn’t better. Some of the Explorers have EcoBoost badges but most don’t. I guess the Tahoe, aside from a few Expeditions, is the “last of the V8’s”.
The CV had a really nice chassis if it got decent tires, springs and sway bars. I always thought that the 4.6 was the weakest part of that package.
Speaking of the 2025 Dodge Charger, here is what it ISN’T! 🙁 DFO
OTOH, this is apparently what the 2025 Dodge Charger IS, not bad………. 🙂 DFO
Congrats on one very fine looking sedan!
And about that sunroof. Sounds to me like you took some really good advice. Not only do they add weight and cut headroom around 2″, but they will leak at some point. I hate them.
That was a really fun read. I can sense your excitement over your unexpected choice.
Congrats on your new wheels!
I think this is a great choice you will really enjoy. These are really underappreciated cars (the 300, the Charger, etc.). I had the 3.6 in my 2014 Grand Cherokee and I really liked the engine. However, using the recommended 0w20 and changing it according to schedule, it did consume a little oil and had chain slap upon startup at 80,000 miles or so when I traded it in. I do not recall what OCI I followed, but I think it was every 6,000 miles. I might suggest you change a little more often, or, use a 0w30 or 5w30 but to each his own. I would do one or both if I acquired anything new with a 3.6 Pentastar. But again, a plenty powerful and smooth engine. I would take a 3.6 over the Hemi any day. And I like that it does not have a sunroof. I always “want” a sunroof, but I rarely use them! If you intend to keep it a while, just something else to leak or break.
I have typically followed a 5k oil schedule, and need to research oils before I commit to something.
Well, JPC, you have made an interesting choice, and in the right way. I like it.
Good to hear that I’m not the only person round here who likes a colour – white, silver, grey, black are not colours for this purpose. They just aren’t. This looks great and a bit different to the mainstream (which make sit a JPC thing I suspect).
I’m trying to identify what the European market equivalent of this would be – not a full premium brand but a saloon, well powered, good looking, fully capable, a good dose of character and personality….perhaps a Peugeot 508GT (actually a hatchback but with saloon looks) or perhaps there are a few lightly used Ford Mondeos in the supply chain.
Happy motoring!
Several here have bemoaned how cars are less and less reflective of the cultures from which they come. This one is unabashedly American (notwithstanding its Canadian assembly. 🙂 ) Much as your Alfa still reflects some of Italy.
Congratulations, on a great choice JP! Beautiful Charger, in a gorgeous colour.
I hope you enjoy the many admiring glances you, and your Dodge will receive, in the coming months and years. The alloy wheels, compliment the styling very well. Both elegant, and masculine looking.
You consistently make great picks in cars! A very wise, and knowledgeable buyer.
Ah, thank you! I have been thinking that this is one of very few modern cars I find attractive from about every angle. Maybe it’s because these aren’t that modern after all.
And the wheels are NOT BLACK, which I despise!!
Congrats, JP! She’s a beaut! I really love the F8 green on these cars, with Octane Red also being a close second. I’ve had some experience with rental GT Challengers with the same 3.6 AWD drivetrain, and came away pleasantly surprised and rather impressed. Smooth, torquey, with good economy and (from all accounts I’ve read) a pretty good reputation for reliability and longevity. These really are great cars and sadly the last of a dying breed.
I’ve had a 2014 Charger R/T AWD with the NAG1 5spd auto for the last 8 years. It’s the last year of the civilian Hemi AWD combo, and I can confidently says it’s been the best car I’ve ever owned. Zero mechanical problems and still decent economy considering the size/weight. The ZF 8spd auto in yours is a far superior box in terms of performance and economy. I wish you all the best with your Charger. She’ll undoubtedly serve you well for many years.
I am always happy to get long term quality reports on these. Your 300 sounds like a nice car!
Many references to the color in the comments. Every time I see a car in one of the older colors I stare at it because color has become so unique. People today do not appreciate colored cars because they get all the color they want from a computer screen. JP did not say so, but the sticker price probably showed the color as an extra cost item. Even if he had to pay extra, it was worth it.
Yes, I think it was extra for something like $95. Some of the colors cost even more.
Digging that color (drive a green car myself) and wishing you many enjoyable and safe miles behind the wheel!
Rental upgrade to a Dodge Charger base sedan last year. I was prepared to hate it because of its large size. What a shock – I’ve written here before how much I loved the Charger. The car was so tight, rattle free, and quiet – as solid as you say. The transmission was smooth, quiet, and responsive in operation. The seats and ride were very comfortable. You are going to love this car – and it is quite a beauty. And I think it has a very good reputation for reliability – not sure you’ll need to use all that warranty but understand you got a great deal on the car. Congratulations!
The smooth ride and quiet cabin is Marianne’s favorite part, and quite surprised me.
I liked the colour right away. It also strikes me overall as an interesting and skilfully handled design job combining ‘retro-muscle-car’ with ‘modern-aero’ styling, and the green adds to that sense of relative uniqueness.
Nice to hear that the driving experience is so positive as well. Definitely an interesting choice. Congratulations!
I agree. The first 4 door Chargers were a mixed bag on style, but this update nailed the look in the way the 05 (?) Mustang did.
I agree, and we happen to have an ’07 V6 Mustang convert in Torch Red for just that reason, it’s a modern retro-‘stang and it suits the wife just fine. Your better half will love driving it.
For sure. The first generation models had too many glaring flaws, but they did wonders with the 2011 freshening.
JP-Congratulations on your purchase! As a fellow 3.6 Pentastar/Torqueflite-8 owner (in my 2020 Challenger GT rwd.), welcome aboard.
My son recently purchased a 2019 Charger SXT (IndiGo Blue with the Blacktop package, same color & trim as my Challenger). When he parks his Charger by my Challenger, I refer to them as the “Fraternal Twins”. Since he had worked for a few years as a technician at a local Dodge dealership he knew the Pentastar/8sp combo was a winning combination. We both have gotten as much as 34 mpg in our Dodges. No complaints about the performance, either. It is pretty amazing when a 3.6 liter V-6 can pin you pack in the seat when you romp on it.
Get ready for people complimenting you on your color and car. It has been non-stop since I bought my Challenger. My son reports the same thing with his Charger.
My Challenger has been probably the best new car I have ever owned-here’s to hoping you will be saying the same about your Charger.
I am now part of a larger club here than I first expected.
Oooh, this is nice! Such a handsome design, and like others, I think the colour’s quite excellent (even though green is never universally liked, as I found out from owning two different ones over the years). Sadly, they’ve never been sold in these far-flung parts – in a land still loving RWD sedans when this was new – which is odd, as the 300 was, and was much liked. For that reason, I had no idea till reading this how large these are: 120 inch wb is two more than the Chev PPV (Holden Caprice), and that I know to be a large car. You could fit two Fits in.
I’m slightly surprised at you being an early adopter of a brand-new design, but let’s hope all the early bugs have been eliminated. The only thing in which that “newness” might seem to show is interior plastics and fit (looks a bit of its time), but I’ve always liked the Chryco dash shape they came up with about then, and anyway, praise be, this thing has cloth seats! Everything except a perhaps base Mirage insists one now must always sit on leather, or a Tex, or a vegan, or somesuch, and that does NOT mix well with most weathers invented so far.
As an aside, you must be one of the very few folk out there who are trading to a lower car in your age group: surely, Sir wants higher? I’ve just come out of a low car to a higher one (still just a hatch), and I must confess I don’t miss the plonk-down n’ up struggle of the Astra.
Get out there and use it, I say! Essentially, it’s a powerful RWD with good handling, surely a car for driving. Enjoy.
These don’t really sit that low, and a lower seat/lower floor is what works best for the Missus.
These have been on the market for nearly 20 years. Are you thinking of the new EV Charger?
No, ’twas a failed attempt at irony: the dash looks a bit mid-2000’s for appearance and level of finish/plastics, but it’s still (to me) a very pleasing arrangement anyway.
From my experience with keyless remotes, you may want to buy a couple of extra batteries and put them in the glove box. In that way, when the remote won’t let you start the car, you can change the battery out without having to look for assistance.
I’m not sure about other keyless models, but at least with the Mopars you should be able touch the keyfob to the Start button with the side opposite the emergency key. This is according to the manual. The car is supposed to recognize it even with a dead fob battery. I’ve never actually needed to do it with my Dodge but I know others who’ve had success with this method.
These are both good thoughts. I might have groused about the tech,but then I have had key (chip) issues with my old Honda.
Congrats! Not a color I would ever get, but at least it’s a color! Good job passing on the sun roof. Besides avoiding future problems, my wispy hair would brush up against the headliner and bug the hell out of me. I had rented a Challenger with the 3.6 while my Scat Pack was being repaired after it was stolen and trashed, and it was OK. I had no complaints about the power, my complaints were it was a base car with ZERO options. It was still cold out and the lack of remote start and heated wheel and seats annoyed me. You should figure on getting about a year out of a keyfob battery, but the one in them from the factory won’t last as long as the ones you buy for it, so six months is a good time to change them out. A little assurance as to what problems you might have. If my and my 300/Charger/Challenger owning friends are any indication, the main issues you might have will be mostly caused by the potholes you might hit. My present car had zero issues for the 5.5 years I had it until it was stolen. A friend has almost 125K miles on his Scat Pack Charger with zero issues, just tires, brakes, spark plugs at 100K, and oil changes. Any of the other problems they had were mostly “adjustments” on new cars.
Satisfaction reports coming in are even better than I had hoped. We may do better on fob batteries if the fob sits mostly in the house, but I think I will order some batteries because the car’s build date is July of 2023.
The ‘GT’ use on Chrysler products (at least Dodge) is strange. If it’s on a Dodge sedan or coupe (Charger or Challenger), it means it has AWD.
But there was also previously a Grand Caravan GT which did ‘not’ have AWD. It’s a bizarre thing since AWD ‘is’ available on the Pacifica; they just don’t refer to it as a GT.
You would think that in keeping with continuity, anything in Chrysler’s lineup that came with AWD would be a ‘GT’, and not use the designation on anything that did not have AWD.
Not wanting to be pedantic, but since I’ve been shopping for one of these cars for months (mentally at least): GT on Charger and Challenger is a trim level above SXT, but does not denote AWD. Most don’t have it, at least not here in California where it’s mostly an unwanted complication.
Actually I’ve seen dealers in the Golden State putting higher discounts on the AWD models in order to get rid of them. So they’re kind of a bargain for the few who might want them.
Johnny is right – GT and AWD you can have either together (like mine) or separately.
Late to this party – but hearty congratulations on getting a good, fun car. May mashing its pedal always turn up the corners of your mouth!
Haha, thank you!
Call me jelly, as my nephew says regarding being jealous. The big Dodge has appeared on some of my short lists in recent years, but when buying several cars at once due to an aging fleet and teens aging into driving, something a bit smaller was more economical at the time.
The modern “high feature” V6, as I believe GM called theirs, is a gem. Smooth, powerful, and economical compared to to the sub 400 CI V8s of yore. Their time with us has been too short, being mostly cancelled for 2.0 turbo fours that struggle to get the V6 gas milage on the highway. 1981 again, indeed.
I experienced the Pentastar in a rental Jeep Wrangler. The bouncy Wrangler isn’t my cup of tea, but the Pentastar shined through and was a terrific engine hooked up to a regular transmission.
I’ve been aware that the final run of these has been slow to sell, glad it gave you a great opportunity! The green is awesome, looks great with the slick top :), just the way the Dodge Boys intended!
Should have ordered the Super-Lite though!
I am now seeing more 69 Polara in the Charger since looking at this picture! I had been thinking how I wish the stylists had added a slight blade to the tops of the front fenders – it would have been a great compliment to the center bulge I on the hood as I look at it from the drivers seat.
I am puzzled by the slow sales – I looked it up, and these things sold very steadily at around 75k a year for a long time, with only 2023 showing a big drop.
“Playing the right cards”–something I’m very much learning how to do these days, along with moving more into the modern age! When it came time for me to choose a new van to replace my ’05 Astro last month, I felt in the back of my mind that the 2016 Ford Transit Connect I found with CarGurus was ultimately my best option. Like your Charger, it was priced attractively ($15k or less), felt solid during the initial test-drive, and has a good engine-transmission pairing. It ALSO still has under 90k miles! Fuel economy is AT LEAST on par with my 2011 Ranger and LEAGUES AHEAD of what the Astro could ever manage. And it can still haul quite a bit of cargo with the seats folded down–it’s the short-wheelbase 5-passenger model and the rear seats can also be REMOVED in 60/40 fashion if necessary. It’s in a way comparable to the Aerostar in that it’s tall like the Astro but narrow like the old Voyagers & Caravans of yore. I can’t wait to get a trailer hitch added to it later on so I can tow my Wells Cargo trailer with it (it’s roughly the same size & weighs well under 1000 lbs. empty) & gain even more versatility!
The Ranger is still my daily driver & will continue to tow my other trailers (except the car trailer I plan on selling) when certain needs arise (hauling tree limbs & other dirty cargo that can wreck a van’s interior). But at least now I still have another vehicle I can enjoy on the weekend or during vacation time without worrying so much about potential failures. It’s time for me to get on with the rest of my life! 🙂
Oh, and a surprise update: I found out a week ago that a nearby Mexican-owned car dealer in Batesburg apparently bought my old van from the towing company that was going to haul it to the junkyard. I noticed it on their lot after taking out the trash with my Ranger and instantly recognized it! I have NO idea if they ever got the electrical short problem sorted out, but at least it has another chance at life as long as someone else has PLENTY of mechanical know-how & extra money for repairs!
Love to see, the visible excellent fit and finish. Paint quality, and consistent body gaps and alignment, appear outstanding. Light years improved, over what we were used to, for decades. Hope, it is a long term survivor for you!
I like to view the original Viper, as a seminal design inspiration, for some of Chrysler’s more brash design language. Since the 1990’s, at least.
I have not been able to find fault with this car’s assembly at all – it is very nicely put together.
Let me add to the choruses of congratulations on the new car!
Before we ended up with the Chevy, I lobbied hard for one of the LX cars (for over two years!). Since my wife would be the primary driver, it was her choice as to what she wanted. She originally wanted a Chevy Blazer, but as I pointed out for the same money or less, we could get a Challenger/Charger/300. We looked at the cars at the car show, even trolled a few dealer lots looking at what was in stock at the time. But when the final choice was made, the LXs were not in the running.
When I saw your first photo of the Charger in green, I immediately said F8 and I was right! There’s a nice B5 blue Charger (not sure if it’s a GT, or SXT) that I see on my daily commute, which would be my first choice on a Mopar.
Up until recently, I had been thinking about getting a convertible as a hobby car, but hearing about your (and other’s Pentastar) car, I may re-consider and look for the used 300 of my dreams. It also helps that my next door mechanic neighbor generally recommends them as his wife’s Grand Cherokee has a Pentastar, too. One of my coworkers has a 2014 Charger AWD (Hemi, no less), and has had excellent service from the car. Close to 200K miles and no serious issues.
I wish you the best of luck with new and hope you get maximum pleasure from your 383 Monaco, I mean, 3.6L Charger!
Thanks, Geo! They do (or did) indeed offer B5 blue on these. If I could have gotten a white interior to go with it, maybe. But we opted for a more subdued look.
If you haven’t, you should drive one. I think you would like it.
Oh, I get the subdued look, for sure.
Honestly, I’ve only ever driven Grand Cherokees with the 3.6, I’ll have to slide behind the wheel of a LX with one…