Drove one today.

[Strip9r]

Ok here goes I went and test drove the SRT8 Charger. Inferno Red. It is a beautiful car, has ton of power, pretty good grunt, steers well, lots of room inside, but the supsension was way too stiff for me. It handles well in corners and tracks awsome, but like I said too rigid for me. In talking to the salesman he mentioned that the R/T would be a smoother ride. Braking was good as well.

I did like the seats as they hug you once you get in.
I will try and post some pics. As I was returning back
on the lot. The manager mentioned someone was on the
phone from Chicago wanting to know how many miles were
on it and was ready to pay in full.

With all that being said, I would want the hood from the SRT8 on a R/T, with maybe some 20 or 22inch wheels.

Pics to come.

[FullyCharged]

20min later... still waiting for the damn pics....

[zen garage]

That was me trying to buy it. They will not sell it until another one comes in.

[threeputt]

Ok here goes I went and test drove the SRT8 Charger. Inferno Red. It is a beautiful car, has ton of power, pretty grunt, steers well, lots of room inside, but the supsension was way too stiff for me. It handles well in corners and tracks awsome, but like I said too rigid for me. In talking to the salesman he mentioned that the R/T would be a smoother ride. Braking was good as well.

I did like the seats as they hug you once you get in.
I will try and post some pics. As I was returning back
on the lot. The manager mentioned someone was on the
phone from Chicago wanting to know how many miles were
on it and was ready to pay in full.

With all that being said, I would want the hood from the SRT8 on a R/T, with maybe some 20 or 22inch wheels.

Pics to come.

Looking forward to the pics, any other comments you can share?? How fast did they let you go ?? :)

[a14umbra]

When I first test drove the RT, the saleman, who I've never met before, just gave me the keys and let me drive off by myself. I really got to see what it could do. I almost feel bad that I didn't buy one from him. :)

[Strip9r]

Sorry guys I had to leave house. My files are too big. I am trying to resize them.

[Inferno Charger]

Actually took an SRT-8 for a test drive eh.....I thought those bad boys were not due out until later this year....No pics then I will believe it when I see it.

[Inferno Charger]

Ok after checking Southtown Dodge's website I now agree with you that there is one on their lot as mentioned in a different post. But as mentioned before it begs the question that how did Southtown get a Charger SRT-8 first? And did they quote you a price on that thing would be the next question. Just want to get an idea if they are marking that car up at all....their site lists the MSRP at around $40,000. I built one with no options on Dodge.com and it came out to be around $38,000.

It still blows me away is how they got one........

[Strip9r]

Hey SRT8Charger07 give me an email address
I'll send them to you, maybe you can get them up on line.

[Inferno Charger]

PM sent............

[Strip9r]

Looking forward to the pics, any other comments you can share?? How fast did they let you go ?? :)

A salesman rode with me, which was cool. Good guy he let step on it just a tad. Kept it under 60mph, but mph climbs quick. I love the car, but the ride was just to rough. The seats were different, suede like material.

I drive a lowered truck daily and it is a rough ride, Every now and then I drive the wifes C240 which is smooth. I wanted something smooth like the C240 but that has some power, which is why I am considering the charger. However, while test driving the SRT8 I told the salesman this feels like my truck. Real rigid.

I am going to try an R/T next week to compare the suspension/performance package.

[Inferno Charger]

The pictures as requested (Had to shrink those things just a tad they were fricken huge):

http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/pictures/srt8charger01.jpg

http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/pictures/srt8charger02.jpg

http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/pictures/srt8charger03.jpg

http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/pictures/srt8charger04.jpg

http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/pictures/srt8charger05.jpg

[Strip9r]

Thanks SRT8Charger07,
I am going to send you one more, (inside shot)
I was getting upset because I wanted to share them with the guys.

[Inferno Charger]

A salesman rode with me, which was cool. Good guy he let step on it just a tad. Kept it under 60mph, but mph climbs quick. I love the car, but the ride was just to rough. The seats were different, suede like material.

I drive a lowered truck daily and it is a rough ride, Every now and then I drive the wifes C240 which is smooth. I wanted something smooth like the C240 but that has some power, which is why I am considering the charger. However, while test driving the SRT8 I told the salesman this feels like my truck. Real rigid.

I am going to try an R/T next week to compare the suspension/performance package.

Rigid is something that takes some getting use to and my Turbo Neon is the same way....rigid but it handles like it is riding on rails. Take stock number 60108 out for a test drive and I am sure you will want to buy that car the day you drive it. It has the same seats as the SRT but the suspension, ride quality, power, and everything are just right....and it sounds good too.

Here is my review of back to back drives of the R/T and R/T with Performance Package: http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/testdrive.html

[Inferno Charger]

And the last 2 pictures:

http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/pictures/srt8charger06.jpg

http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/pictures/srt8charger07.jpg

[70gt6]

There is that "extra" paper piece next too the window sticker... typically I do not like what those say.

Usually something like "Market Adjustment" $$$$

[Strip9r]

There is that "extra" paper piece next too the window sticker... typically I do not like what those say.

Usually something like "Market Adjustment" $$$$

Gas Guzzler Tax is what I believe it said. No Joke

[a14umbra]

I'm guessing it's some kind of Gas Guzzler notice.

[70gt6]

Ahhh well thats better than expected.
:happy:

[Strip9r]

That was me trying to buy it. They will not sell it until another one comes in.

I figured after posting the "spotted one today" thread and giving the dealership, someone here would buy it right away. Which is why I was in a hurry to get back and test drive.

I asked the salesman is it actually forsale or just for demo and advertising. He told yeah it can go, everythings forsale. Guess not.

Wonder when the next one will be in?

[Inferno Charger]

There is a guy from Ladue that ordered one but I am not sure when his will come in but that one is sold too so I don't know how they figure they will get more then one that hasn't been sold at a time. Probably can take my time going over there to see it then....and if it is parked out in the front like in the pictures I can probably drop by there tomorrow and see it with no hassles from the sales guys.

[GLHS837]

Next person to see this sucker, press and hold the ESP for more than 5 seconds, see what it displays.:) Big Country? Report, mister!!!!!!:)

[JohnnyG]

A salesman rode with me, which was cool. Good guy he let step on it just a tad. Kept it under 60mph, but mph climbs quick. I love the car, but the ride was just to rough. The seats were different, suede like material.

I drive a lowered truck daily and it is a rough ride, Every now and then I drive the wifes C240 which is smooth. I wanted something smooth like the C240 but that has some power, which is why I am considering the charger. However, while test driving the SRT8 I told the salesman this feels like my truck. Real rigid.

I am going to try an R/T next week to compare the suspension/performance package.
Try out a 300c srt-8 lots of power,great classy muscular looks,and the ride is just perfect not to hard of a suspension.Definitely more class. :happy:

[Inferno Charger]

Try out a 300c srt-8 lots of power,great classy muscular looks,and the ride is just perfect not to hard of a suspension.Definitely more class. :happy:

Also costs more......

[MCaesar]

So much depends on how you drive. If you are max driver then the Charger SRT8 is the only way to go. If you are 9/10ths the 300 will do well.

If you are a guy who normally likes to cruise with occassional bursts go with a standard R/T. You sound like ride is very important to you so if you live in an area with bad roads you probably should also pass on the RTPG package as well. Just add some performance wheels and tires to the R/T and call it a day.

But make sure that you replace the stock tires as they are crap.

[70gt6]

Next person to see this sucker, press and hold the ESP for more than 5 seconds, see what it displays.:) Big Country? Report, mister!!!!!!:)

I did this on a Mag SRT8 that I test drove. It does say ESP Disabled. :happy:

[DAYTONA_R/T]

anyone know if it is possible to get the switch/programing for the ESP diable to work on a non SRT-8?

[70gt6]

Not using factory components, well not easily. This has been discussed it is not a simple change of a switch, there are several hardware changes. The is a company making a switch for the traction control but I would wait a bit for tweeks and a major price alteration.

[DAYTONA_R/T]

Not using factory components, well not easily. This has been discussed it is not a simple change of a switch, there are several hardware changes. The is a company making a switch for the traction control but I would wait a bit for tweeks and a major price alteration.


I know of the product you speak of... and from those that I have talked to that have installed it... it does not work as advertised...

guess wait for superchips or similar to come out with programmer.. :D

[BigDogsTx]

What was the dealer asking for the car? Was there a dealer markup?

[Strip9r]

Cant remember exactly, one tag said like 39,xxx, then the one that was next to it that said total price was right at $40,xxx. I know it was less than $41,000 total.

[Inferno Charger]

The price on their site is listed at $40,014.

Later

[Daywalker]

I wonder the Canadian cost..

[JohnnyG]

So much depends on how you drive. If you are max driver then the Charger SRT8 is the only way to go. If you are 9/10ths the 300 will do well.

If you are a guy who normally likes to cruise with occassional bursts go with a standard R/T. You sound like ride is very important to you so if you live in an area with bad roads you probably should also pass on the RTPG package as well. Just add some performance wheels and tires to the R/T and call it a day.

But make sure that you replace the stock tires as they are crap.
Your mistaken,I disagree with you about the 9/10ths a max driver on the 300c srt-8. Tell that to the guys in one lap of America race where,the 300c srt-8 came in 6th overall place in a huge field of cars,I know,I was there!! :whistle: Check the overall final results! http://www.onelapofamerica.com/

[GLHS837]

But that 300C had the prototype Charger suspension:) Thats where we first heard about the springs being maybe %25 stiffer:)

[MCaesar]

But that 300C had the prototype Charger suspension:) Thats where we first heard about the springs being maybe %25 stiffer:)

Exactly

It is clear that DCX is positioning the Charger variant of the SRT8 to be more of the racer.

The other key thing about the One Lap car is they put in a Quaife (sp) limited slip diff!

The bottom line is that there are now enough variants to please almost anyone.

[JohnnyG]

But that 300C had the prototype Charger suspension:) Thats where we first heard about the springs being maybe %25 stiffer:)
The charger didn't do too good on the targa newfoundland race as it didn't finish the race going off the course(with the suspension and all). The 300 finished the race(with its 9/10ths max.driver capability).:laugh: Both cars stock! But,time will tell as the charger is just comin' out,so we'll have to wait and see.Either way,you can't lose with buying either car or better yet both. :happy:

[GLHS837]

Johnny, johnny, johnny, the key difference in the two cars entered in the Targa was NOT the suspension. It was the drivers.

Ralp Gilles, (Charger driver) while a great auto designer he is, is not a race car driver. Now, neither is Dan Knott (300C driver), but Id imagine that the head of the SRT division gets more track time than the designer.

And lastly, one other thing:) That 300C is the exact same one that competed in One Lap, and so has the stiffer suspension:) Anyway, as noted, you cant go wrong in either case:)

And the data hunt helped me come across a nugget of info I'll be posting up elsewhere.

[06HOTROD]

And the last 2 pictures:

http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/pictures/srt8charger06.jpg

http://www.gatewaylxclub.com/pictures/srt8charger07.jpg

Is there a better shot of the car next to the SRT?
Is that vanilla with a choclate stripe?

[JohnnyG]

Johnny, johnny, johnny, the key difference in the two cars entered in the Targa was NOT the suspension. It was the drivers.

Ralp Gilles, (Charger driver) while a great auto designer he is, is not a race car driver. Now, neither is Dan Knott (300C driver), but Id imagine that the head of the SRT division gets more track time than the designer.

And lastly, one other thing:) That 300C is the exact same one that competed in One Lap, and so has the stiffer suspension:) Anyway, as noted, you cant go wrong in either case:)

And the data hunt helped me come across a nugget of info I'll be posting up elsewhere.
Well lets put it this way then,in real life application(the streets)alot of times having a stiffer suspension is definitely not a help, but a hinderence.As far as the car being the same in that race I will have to check to find out for sure.And actually just alittle tidbit for you,Your mistaken about Ralph. Ralph Gilles(charger driver in race,but 300c srt-8 owner),really does know how to race as he also has a 600 rwhp viper that he races,across the country every chance he gets,and thats coming from actual personal info from him.You can't say drivers as He really does know how to race,for many years! :happy: :whistle:

[GLHS837]

Heck, I didnt know that about RG. I did know he owned a 300C SRT-8. He posted a few times on 300C forums about it. I certainly looks like the same car, those flared fenders, the BBS wheels. Heres pics of both

http://www.targanewfoundland.com/images/2005race/low/6.jpg

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/attachments/srt-8-general-discussion/5486-srt-8-lap-america-photos-more-lap-america-018.jpg

[JohnnyG]

Thanks for pics very nice lookin ride. That bottom pic looks like the ones taken at the one lap of America by my other forum member however,as he park his car right next to the race car. Yep its true about Ralph as I not only received personal e-mail from him on the 300 srt-8 forum,but also I got to meet and talk with him in NYC to getting his autograph on our 300c srt-8's.He had tons of pics with him racing his viper on the race courses,as he also is an avid collector of rare vintage race cars.Ralph is cool in my book,as well as Don and the whole srt team!!!!! :happy:

[GLHS837]

Yep, Jmatt took that shot. The color is distinctive, "Blue Steel", I think it was called. Geuss Ralph just had a bad break then. Stuff happens. Oddly enough, on the LX forums site, rooting around, I found a reference by one of the Brampton inside guys to a Mango SRT-8 Charger they built, way back in the spring:) Geuss we know what that was about now:)

Yep, best thing DCX ever did is to give the gearheads the key to the toybox:)

[JohnnyG]

Hey GLH,need4speed just sent me his video at track. Awesome run on juice! 12.3 on drag radials!!
http://www.need4speedpower.com/appiesnet/gallery/album09

[moparfan]

The Charger SRT-8 at Southtown Dodge IS for sale, but you cannot take delivery until they receive another one.

Sales manager says that he cannot give a guaranteed date you can take delivery since they do not know for sure when they will receive another one. Says they have an estimated ship date of 10/13/05 on two others, but he admitted that "estimated" doesn't mean much.

[moparfan]

http://www.need4speedpower.com/albu...05_12_3_Run.wmv

Link doesn't work.

[JohnnyG]

Link doesn't work.
Sorry,I relisted link on original post,when you open ,its last video on page. :happy:

[Strip9r]

Is there a better shot of the car next to the SRT?
Is that vanilla with a choclate stripe?

Sorry 06HotRod,
I was so exicted about the SRT8 that I didn't get any other pics of cars.
That dealership has a few prety chargers on the actually. There is the
cool vanilla R/T that you see next to the SRT8. The cool vanilla has rally stripes from front to back, stripes on the side which you see, the stripe on the rear quarter panels. has Charger lettered in it kinda like the Daytona model that states Daytona on the rear quarter panels.

The lot also has a Go ManGo Daytona parked next to the cool vanilla R/T.

Maybe I can get shots of the Cool Vanilla R/T later this week.

[Strip9r]

So JohnnyG,
Would you say that the 300C SRT8 would have a smoother ride.

[JohnnyG]

So JohnnyG,
Would you say that the 300C SRT8 would have a smoother ride.
Absolutely,its fast,nice riding,super classy inside and out,and its one hell of a sleeper!! I should know,I own one.You will not be disappointed,believe me. I've seen both srt-8's side by side and I would not trade mine for anything!Very happy. :happy:

[threeputt]

The Charger SRT-8 at Southtown Dodge IS for sale, but you cannot take delivery until they receive another one.

Sales manager says that he cannot give a guaranteed date you can take delivery since they do not know for sure when they will receive another one. Says they have an estimated ship date of 10/13/05 on two others, but he admitted that "estimated" doesn't mean much.

Moparfan,

Did he say how they managed to get this car???

[threeputt]

Absolutely,its fast,nice riding,super classy inside and out,and its one hell of a sleeper!! I should know,I own one.You will not be disappointed,believe me. I've seen both srt-8's side by side and I would not trade mine for anything!Very happy. :happy:

So you would take the 300C over the Charger SRT8?? Is that what you mean??

The dealership I am getting my Charger from has a silver 300C SRT8 that they want me to take out for a while. Another one in town has a black one, looks good too !! :)

[Inferno Charger]

Is there a better shot of the car next to the SRT?
Is that vanilla with a choclate stripe?

http://www.gtneon.com/pictures/chargerstripe01.jpg

http://www.gtneon.com/pictures/chargerstripe02.jpg

http://www.gtneon.com/pictures/chargerstripe03.jpg

http://www.gtneon.com/pictures/chargerstripe04.jpg

[moparfan]

Moparfan,

Did he say how they managed to get this car???

They were surprised when it just showed up on the truck.

He said they saw the spoiler while it was still on the truck and went "What the heck is that?? The Chargers don't come with a rear spoiler!?!". Then, of course, they realized what it actually was and 5 sales reps "ran" out of the building up to the truck to make sure it was actually an SRT8.

Inventory manager told them to "back off". :smile:

It now has 55 miles on it and no one else will be able to test drive it until they have a second one so they can sell the first. He said if I put a deposit down on it, I could be assured that no more miles would be put on it until the 2nd one arrived, but of course, he couldn't tell me when that would be.

So, it's like a tease on the lot... look but don't touch.

"She's a beauty... she's one in a million..."

[threeputt]

They were surprised when it just showed up on the truck.

He said they saw the spoiler while it was still on the truck and went "What the heck is that?? The Chargers don't come with a rear spoiler!?!". Then, of course, they realized what it actually was and 5 sales reps "ran" out of the building up to the truck to make sure it was actually an SRT8.

Inventory manager told them to "back off". :smile:

It now has 55 miles on it and no one else will be able to test drive it until they have a second one so they can sell the first. He said if I put a deposit down on it, I could be assured that no more miles would be put on it until the 2nd one arrived, but of course, he couldn't tell me when that would be.

So, it's like a tease on the lot... look but don't touch.

"She's a beauty... she's one in a million..."

That must be one of the first ones built. Does it have what you want in it?? I think it is the color you wanted. Still want a black one :)

[moparfan]

That must be one of the first ones built. Does it have what you want in it?? I think it is the color you wanted. Still want a black one :)

Probably was one of the few that made it down the line before the delay.

It only has Opt Grp I, so no... it doesn't have what I wanted. Would miss the in-dash NAV/6CD/BlueTooth & KICKER systems, but would do without them if it meant I could actually get the car now and not have to sit and wait with absolutely no information on when my ordered car would be delivered.

It is Inferno Red (which I preferred) and actually resides at a dealership (2 big pluses in my mind), but it's all moot since they won't "sell" it now.