[Maestro]

Well, let me tell ya...

A couple years back my '87 Monte Carlo SS bit the dust--actually, it bit a stone retaining wall, and lost. I couldn't bring myself to replace it with one of the front wheel drive V6s that Chevy now calls a Monte Carlo SS, so went looking for other options. Whadaya know, GM (Pontiac) decided to bring back the GTO. Rear wheel drive... V8... OK, it's not a Chevy, but it could work. Or so I thought, until I saw one. Ugh. Next.

Even though it's a F*rd, I did have to admit that the Mustang concept looked pretty cool. Certainly better than anything GM was coming out with. And brand loyalty can only go so far. I mean, I can't buy what they aren't making. So I wait to see how the production 'Stang turns out. Well, they do tone it down some from the concept, but it doesn't look anywhere near as much like my father's Oldsmobile as the GTO. (Actually, Dad had a '68 'Stang, and you can see a bit of it in the '05. So, cool.) But wait, there's no independent rear suspension? Not even as an option?! Excuse me, but I thought this was a pony car--the Pony car. I mean, even Dodge's station wagon has IRS, and I don't think anyone's going auto-crossing in that.

OK, don't panic, I'm sure SVT will come out with a Cobra or Bullitt or Mach-1 or something. They discontinued all the other SVT models, and they must've built the GT-R for a reason. So I'll just wait one more year. What's that? It's not going into production until '06 for the '07 model year?! Umm, this is only 2004, right? {sigh}

Ya know, speaking of that Dodge wagon, it might be cool if they made a car version...

So here I am. Hi, all! - Maestro

 

[Raxstone]

Actually, we're basically in the 2005 model year now. The 2006 model year is only a short step away. The 2005 Mustang is hitting the showrooms soon, followed by the 2005 300C SRT-8 and 2005 AWD platforms of the 300 and Magnum. The 2006 Charger should be making its autoshow appearance soon as well. From what I've read, the SVT Mustang should appear in the 2006 model year. Your choices are going to be staggering -- it's a great time to be a consumer.

 

[Maestro]

From what I've read, the SVT Mustang should appear in the 2006 model year.

Do you recall where you read this? Are you sure it wasn't "in production in [August] 2006 for the 2007 Model Year"?

Thanks - Maestro

P.S. Actually, this is the tail end of the '04 MY. But even if we count it as the start of the '05 MY, that would still mean the '06 MY is, well, one year away. That's not "a short step" in my book.

 

[Maestro]

Sorry DCX, but now that the pics are out, you blew it. Yes, I've heard the car looks better in person. But, even if it does, there ain't no way it'll look good enough to make me want to spend $30k on one. If I were willing to compromise on styling, we wouldn't be having this conversation because I'd have bought a GTO.

And yes, I've also heard that there's a SWB LX in the pipeline. But in Ford's pipeline is an SVT Mustang.

Yes, I know you had to do the 4-door first for "bottom line" reasons, but my bottom line is: you only had a small window of opportunity to grab me and my hard earned dollars, and you just missed it. Of course, you're probably OK with that since I'm only one potential customer. I mean, it's not like there were a lot of other folks who were disappointed in the styling of the GTO or the lack of IRS in the new 'Stang. (And while were on the subject of bottom lines, was there really more demand for a wagon than there is for a 4-door or a 2-door?)

See you at the track - Maestro

 

[hemidakota]

16 more models will hit the showroom before 2006 is ended.

Mustang and Charger are not in the same class. Coupe versus sedan. Charger is targeting 500, Impala, and so forth.

DCx did the right moves. It was the same reaction as with the Ram concept looking like a semi truck. Walla, we have imitators from Japan and US trying the same design.

Charger will sell, with you or without.

SVT needs a new direction and stop the nonsense of ALL TALK AND NO WALK. As a Mustang owner, I wouldn't bother dropping anymore $$$$ on any Ford at this time. Maybe that is saying something.

Yep, see you at the track....

 

[Stevasaurus]

Charger will sell, with you or without.

You're right. It will sell for the first year or so until all of you who have been drinking the Kool-Aid have them in your driveway. Then the rest will sit on dealers' lots like the bricks that they are.

 

[hemidakota]

Yep...same reaction on the SRT-4. Hmm, car sold out for two years straight that they had to increased the numbers again for the 05 year.

Geez, I could careless it looked uglyas the latest Z06 vette or the bugged eye Beetle. Even having four-doors has some great merits considering it does meet the 07 Federal Safety mandates.

Guys, it is the performance numbers and the bang for the buck that will be the killa machine.

Some things to remember:

1) 6.1 for this car will outperform the 300 version
2) The price will be far cheaper than the 300 version.
3) It will have a strong following as with the Chevy Chevelle when it shows up with four-doors.

eKool: we need to convert this forum to the SRTforums.com version. I need to start posting some exciting information that will be forthcoming shortly - Charger's sister sibling (PVOMan remarks).

 

[Stevasaurus]

Yep...same reaction on the SRT-4. Hmm, car sold out for two years straight that they had to increased the numbers again for the 05 year.

The difference between the two vehicles is that the SRT-4 was being targeted to a demographic that typically looked upon Neons as scum on the bottom of their shoes. The car had to prove itself. I remember when they first hit the lots and initially went nowhere until SCC named it Car of the Year and other media got on-board as well. Meanwhile, new Charger is coming from a platform with two very successful predecessors already, while having to fill the shoes of one of the most famous models in the brand's history. SRT-4 had to tap people on the shoulder and introduce itself. People have been anxiously awaiting Charger.

My crystal ball says days of supply in the eighties, easy availability at your nearest Thrifty agency, and incentives before the end of the second model year.

Part of me hopes I'm wrong. I've been a Chrysler guy forever. I don't like this feeling this way about a model I so proudly own ('68 R/T) and a manufacturer I've promoted/defended every chance I've gotten for years and years.

This car would've been a great Magnum sedan. Infiniti G35 coupe and sedan share no sheet metal. Magnum sedan and Magnum Wagon/Tourer/Whatever they want to call it didn't have to either. And in that respect I'd like it a lot more! A family sedan with some real attitude and a price that's right? You bet! (Hemidakota, this is the point where I'm in total agreement with you.) But slapping the name Charger on it brings up a whole new set of expectations that this car can't deliver.

I saw (and commented) on the Ram Daytona thread you put up over at SRTforums. Vehicles like that are what's turning my stomach. It's grossly unfair to compare new Charger or Ram Daytona to Aspen R/T or Volare Road Runner, but I'm left with the same bad aftertaste from all of them. A quality vehicle will sell on its own merits. Poorly executed "badge" marketing turns a good design bad in a hurry.

Sorry to be so long winded. I just had to vent.

 

[hemidakota]

I hear you...it is hard to believe that coupe is dead.

My first bowtie car was a Chevelle and my mortal enemy at that time was the 426-Hemi Cudas, 440-6 pack SuperBee, and a few Chargers. Now, I am in disblief that heritage names are being used for marketing purpose. The problem with that, us baby boomers do remember those old cars output. It better live up to those performances.

 

[Maestro]

16 more models will hit the showroom before 2006 is ended.

Yes, but my point was that they could've had my money now. Instead, they'll have to wait and see how their upcoming models compare to the upcoming SVT Cobra, new F-body, redesigned GTO, etc.

Mustang and Charger are not in the same class. Coupe versus sedan.

True. However, IMO both cars are in the same RWD V8 "performance" niche.

Charger will sell, with you or without.

Granted. I'm just saying it might've sold better if the styling were more... well.. stylish.

SVT needs a new direction and stop the nonsense of ALL TALK AND NO WALK

Perhaps we'll have a better idea when the New York Auto Show rolls around, and (hopefully) both the SWB LX and SVT Cobra are unveiled.

In any case, thanks much for the forum - Maestro

 

[SlickerSRT]

The difference between the two vehicles is that the SRT-4 was being targeted to a demographic that typically looked upon Neons as scum on the bottom of their shoes. The car had to prove itself. I remember when they first hit the lots and initially went nowhere until SCC named it Car of the Year and other media got on-board as well. Meanwhile, new Charger is coming from a platform with two very successful predecessors already, while having to fill the shoes of one of the most famous models in the brand's history. SRT-4 had to tap people on the shoulder and introduce itself. People have been anxiously awaiting Charger.

Exactimente. I always scoffed at the Neon's, though I did take a look at the R/T's when I was in the fourth grade, haha.

One day when I was looking at the Dodge site, I saw the little banner for the SRT-4, so I clicked on it and still wasn't sold by a Neon with a neato grill.I had to do a lot of reading to make sure that it wasn't going to be something that I could be outrun by a Civic in, and the only benefit was I would look Solar Yellow flashy while losing. It took some convincing, but I now have an SRT-4 in my garage.

I had to find it myself at the end of 2002 to read about when they would be coming out the next year, so I could get one when they first came out. They had to sell me on it, and they did an excellent job of it because it is an outstanding automobile. But all of us want more power. Sure they gave it more power for 2005. I love my 2003, but now want a 2005. They didn't need to give it more power, all it does is give the car more and more buzz. It all levels out if you get the Stage 3 kit and put in a limited slip in the 2003's.

I've been looking at Chargers for years and years now, and when I heard about the new ones coming out, I was ecstatic, they didn't have to sell me on it, I was sold. Though years ago when I saw the first concept with the four doors, they had already lost me as a customer. I'm not completely disappointed by this Charger, but only because after seeing the first concept my expectations weren't sky high.


Maestro-- With the GTO, although they look bland, I like them because they remind me of the Monaro in Australia. I figured it would be unique to see if you could graft on a Monaro facia and then put on HSV/Holden badges onto it. Just my crazy thoughts though... I have too many ideas...