Pricing: 2009 Dodge Challenger
Muscle car enthusiasts, rev up your engines, Dodge has announced pricing for the all-new 2009 Challenger line. Styled like its '70's namesake, the base price for the five-passenger SE coupe starts at $21,995 and comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 250 horsepower. The R/T model, starting at $29,995, features a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine producing an estimated 370 hp. The high-performance SRT8 model is priced at $39,995, plus gas-guzzler tax. It has a five-speed automatic transmission matched with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine producing 425 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is available. All prices include the $675 destination charge.
Dodge dealers are accepting orders now; the Challenger arrives in showrooms this fall. With Chrysler auto sales struggling, we’ll see if this model can help muscle the company out of its slump.
For more information on the Challenger, see our preview and video.
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Posted by: michael | Jun 10, 2008 7:13:32 AM
Good to read.Good article.
Posted by: everett whitney | Jun 10, 2008 8:59:38 AM
Latest HEMI ....
It's this sort of stubborn product planning that will eventually eliminate companies that refuse to "look out beyond their office windows!"
Posted by: Mark | Jun 10, 2008 9:12:51 AM
It definitely has the exterior styling, supposedly the interior is parts bin Chrysler and does not reflect the radical and retro exterior. You buy a minivan to not be inspired behind the wheel. It is a full driver's experience. You spend 95% of your time behind the wheel, not only should the engine and dynamics of driving be stellar, but so should the passenger compartment.
Posted by: Eric | Jun 10, 2008 8:59:30 PM
Excellent work by Chrysler. Their auto sales are in decline at least in part because of their lack of fuel economy. To jumpstart sales they debut a...muscle car?
Posted by: Dave | Jun 11, 2008 12:04:27 PM
Here is an article on Gordon Murray, designer of Formula One cars and McLaren F1, that really excites me.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7387432.stm
"Every single new model in a particular market segment is bigger and heavier than the one before," he explains.
I say we don't need heavier cars nor more powerful cars, we need lighter cars.
The future Corvette might be heading in this direction. Despite its muscle car imagine and V-8 engine, Corvette is actually a pretty light car by today's standard. It is lighter than a leather trimmed 4 cylinder Honda Accord.
Posted by: Mike O | Jun 28, 2008 3:04:46 PM
If Chrysler wants to build a modern day muscle car that is heavy and gets terrible gas mileage, so be it. Let the market judge their marketing decision as it has with SUVs. I say HOORAY to Chrysler for giving me the buying choice! My car shopping list will include a 5.7L V8 Challenger as well as a Chevrolet Volt hybrid electric. How many people who are posting here are using an older, energy hog computer?
Posted by: Peter | Jul 6, 2008 3:28:59 PM
I hope I can import this 09 to germany. It´s one of the finest cars an I´ll be a proud owner.
Posted by: John | Jul 27, 2008 9:55:10 PM
I am not sure why there are comments being made on this blog about gas mileage on the Challenger. This car was be designed before the gas price increases. The SRT8 is just one of the models available and is a muscle car with limited production. The Challenger can be ordered as with a V6. I just orderd an SRT8 for a weekend driver. The SRT8 was not ment to be an everday driver. Before making comments, know your facts about the car.
Posted by: Jose Reyes | Aug 7, 2008 4:37:21 AM
This car is awesome and its a true looking muscle car all right, no doubt. But until chysler decides to reduce the challenger weight to about 3,000 lbs or less and a mpg close to 30 while still maintain good hp, I'm afraid that this beautiful car is just not going to make it.
Posted by: Mike Trickett | Sep 6, 2008 1:59:52 PM
Lose 500 lbs, add R/T side stripes and white leather interior as options, and reshape the lower rear quarters to look more like the original Challenger so the car doesn't look so big and boxy.
Posted by: Jeff | Sep 12, 2008 7:08:39 PM
I don't care what anyone says or thinks, I love it. I hav'nt wanted a new car for a long time and the fully loaded, gas guzzling' over weight SRT8 is just what I've been waiting for. I'm getting one and it's going to be HEMI Orange. So take that all of you... well never mind.
Posted by: Steve | Sep 17, 2008 10:57:05 AM
it's funny how everyone rips on dodge, gm ect for selling muscle cars still.....but yet people have to get on waiting lists to buy them....so you tell me if we want them! I will GLADLY spend twice as much at the pump to drive a real american car....not a wuss-mobile.....not to mention...these cars dont get much less gas mileage than most....I dont consider the diff between 16 mpg and 22 all that much...big flippin deal....
Posted by: Patti | Sep 25, 2008 11:52:28 PM
I just bought one. I am a 49 y/o grandmother who was looking for a 4-door SUV to make it easy for me to haul my grandchildren around. I saw the 2009 Dodge Challenger....drove it...fell in love with it and I am having F U N!!!! The looks I get when driving it down the road as well as the people that stop at my home to see it are just awesome.........I feel like a teenager and in today's stressful world....why not!!!!!
Posted by: steve preston | Sep 28, 2008 7:00:02 PM
We just bought a Challenger SE (V6),and are very happy with it. Runs great,and so far does not use much gas. It took 330 miles to get down to just under half a tank. It only needed 12 gallons to fill it back up again. I can't complain.
Posted by: Brandon | Oct 14, 2008 3:25:21 AM
Just bought this car and I love it. Coolest car on the street for the price.
Posted by: Diamond Dave | Oct 22, 2008 1:29:42 PM
Blah, Blah, Blah...Whatever...Lets not DOG a great automobile.
Got our "SE" (Inferno Red) back in September...We're loving it...Yeah it's only a V-6...who cares, it still punch's out plenty of power and getting GREAT gas mileage as well...Not too mention all the attention and looks where ever we pull in to...Thanks DODGE...!
Posted by: SRT | Oct 29, 2008 11:10:41 PM
I'm desperate to buy an R/T. I just have to pay off my wife's Odyssey first. I figured a 2010 model would be likely. But now I'm nervous that GM and Chrysler will merge (I'm positive it will happen very soon). GM will, no doubt, kill the Challenger so as to eliminate the competition for its own Camaro. Mark my word on this! I'm ready to walk right into Waggoner's office and campaign against killing it. I'm sad.
Posted by: Nick Grippi | Nov 10, 2008 12:02:34 AM
I just test drove the 09 Challenger RT. WOW! The looks, power, feel, and sound of this car has electrified my driving senses. Even my wife wants me to buy it. How cool is that?
I can afford a Vette; but I'm buying the Challenger. It's more a muscle car. A little rough around the edges, not too sophisticated and injected with enough power to make a 6:00 AM trip to Starbucks exciting.
I already have an after-market wheel & tire package with 245/40R20 99Y on front and 275/35R20 101Y on the rear selected to make my car unlike any other Challenger on the road.
Posted by: ANTMAN | Nov 12, 2008 10:06:00 PM
I bought the V6 Challenger SE edition. If you want a head turner that is NOT that bad on gas (I get 28mpg highway but never go over 70mph) this car is solid, roomy, and very comfortable and has that bad ass muscle look you always wanted without any of the expensive maintenance. I was going to get another boring Camry, Corolla, Accord or Civic. Also thinking of the Prius but there's a waiting list with no longer a 3k cash back govt incentive and they are pricey at 26k now! The Challenger is less expensive and WAY more fun. Don't bother with the big v8 version unless you plan on racing it. I recommend the v6 and it got good rating from Consumer Reports 8 out of 10. Maybe not excellent on mpg but still pretty good, unless you want to pay 5k more for an Accord or Camry and and get 3mpg better than go that route. I have always had a boring car, and wanted my next car to be a sharp car. Almost got a Mustang but that the interior is so cheap and plastic totally turned me off and the deal was a sleeze. You can get a Challenger right now for 22k or 24k if you want a few extra's. You'll be happy you got it if you did. It's So worth it.
Posted by: Bout Time | Dec 3, 2008 3:58:39 PM
Reading these comments is more humerous than the funny papers... err... I mean comics. The same people that drool and slobber over a Beemer or Benz that gets 14 mpg and costs three to four times as much as a Challenger and don't have the looks, and they are dissing an American musclecar?!? And I bet they just love Cadillac and Lincoln pick-up. FYI to those that can't get the whole point of this car... there are a lot of us that wanted one of these when we were your age, and because our parents were responsible enough not to buy us everything we wanted, this car is our dream-come-true. It's everything a 70's muscle car wishes it had been.
Posted by: Brandon | Jan 31, 2009 7:15:29 PM
I was excited about this car, till I sat in it. Felt like an empty can.Plus, They charge a fortune for EVERYTHING. You dont even get ABS on the SE. I drive a scion tc now, and got it loaded for 5 k less. It has more horsepower than the challengeer SE with it's turbocharger. The challenger is going to be so common a year down the road, that the value will diminish.
plus, wheres the Manual transmission. You have a 250 hp motor for what... go kart racing. I want stick people...
Posted by: Dusty | Feb 25, 2009 1:12:25 AM
You can have your Scion..... it even looks like a tin can. I'll go with the Challenger. Might be a little heavy, might not have the best mpg (have any of you actually looked at the mpg of new rice-burners?), but the Challenger was not built for people who are pinching pennies over these issues. And there are plenty of people who dig this car....... just check the waiting list. As for the rest of you, go ahead, drive your Scions, buy a Camry for more money and marginally better mileage, or just stay where you truly belong....... on public transportation.
Posted by: Martin | Mar 17, 2009 4:53:46 AM
Thank goodness for Ford, GM, and Dodge not relinquishing the muscle car market for what, 2-5 MPG? I am a happy American driving an American car (2008 Mustang GT). My wife is very happy with her American car (2009 Challenger RT). Both are sticks and get about 25-26 MPG HWY. What is more along the lines of muscle cars is the fact that you can downshift, put your foot down, and FEEL good. People with gas sipping cars can't understand the feel. Once in a while, it is good to let go. All three American auto makers are basically on the same sheet of music when producing their "version" of what a muscle car used to be, at not that much loss of gas mileage. My money speaks for reasonable gas mileage, but fun when it is wanted, along with CLASSIC looks.
Posted by: charlie g. | Mar 29, 2009 7:50:35 PM
Just bought a 09 rt challenger.Iam 62 years old and proud of it.
Never owned a Dodge before. I work for gm dealer.The car is absolutely beautiful.This is positively the best looking car out there.Iam reliving the muscle car days of the 60"s
Viva Challenger
Posted by: Dodge | May 1, 2009 5:42:07 PM
I recommend the v6 and it got good rating from Consumer Reports 8 out of 10. Maybe not excellent on mpg but still pretty good, unless you want to pay 5k more for an Accord or Camry and and get 3mpg better than go that route. I have always had a boring car, and wanted my next car to be a sharp car. Almost got a Mustang but that the interior is so cheap and plastic totally turned me off and the deal was a sleeze. You can get a Challenger right now for 22k or 24k if you want a few extra's. You'll be happy you got it if you did. It's So worth it.