Dodge is on its game...2012 SRT8 Charger

Amen to that XL !

Without a doubt, us Mopar folks are the most brand loyal of the lot, but it's been many years since Chrysler really took our interests to heart.

On the Charger, while some here trumpet it as an offering (and I personally like that many are so brand loyal), if you want to discuss the real measure of the new Chargers, ask yourself this question:

20 years from now, how many on this forum would take a serious look at "todays" Charger, and then seriously dedicate their hard-earned money, and time, to doing a "frame off" resto - on a... 4 door Charger project ?

As another test, how many on this forum are actively seeking out old fury III 4 doors, with the intent of doing a full resto ? I can tell you - not many. In fact, other than cannibalizing them for 'beefy' parts for our mucsle cars, you just about can't give them away.

And so will be the fate of today's Charger...20 years down the road...

Additionally, Chrysler has snubbed the muscle car crowd/and their loyalists for years, and I think it would make for a great new thread:

Chrysler's All-time Biggest Screw Ups - since the 70's. That could be fun. How about I start with:

Offering the best Diesel engine in modern pickup, and selling it with sub-standard brakes and automatic transmissions that puke at 51,000 miles (just past warranty) and then refuse to help defray repairs...

Offering the best diesel pickup, but never offering it with a true "crew cab".

Offering the largest truck crew cab option, but then limiting consumers to a....short bed. Hello Ford and Chevy !

At a time when most rodders finally figured out the NEON was one of the best cars they'd mfg in a long time - stop offering a 2 dr version...

Offering a "hotrod" station wagon as the Magnum (I wanted one) and then limiting consumer options to an...automatic. I'd have bought one with a 5 or 6 spd manual, but Ma Mopar says, "go fish", which I did - at the Ford Dealership.

Offering one of Detroits most beautiful roadsters (Prowler), and then limiting options to a V6 and automatic transmission. I'd have bought one of these in a minute (even with a 6) if I could row some gears. An even nicer option would have been a 318/360 with a manal trans. Ma Mopar said "go fish", so I did. Bought a new Nissan 350Z Roadster instead and it rocked - through all six gears !

Guys, I could go on for pages about how Chrysler's marketing just plain SUCKS, and I'm sure many of your could add to the list. Problem boils down to:

There just aren't any real car guys running Chrysler anymore. It's ran by bean counters and they must be a bunch of girlie-men - 'cause they sure as hell ain't building cars to compare with other mfgs offerings. Chrysler continues to lose, because the organization is nowadays full of....losers !

OK, that's my little rant. I still love my Mopar hotrods and will never stray off-brand from a hobby perspective. However, the truth is, if we were to rely on Mopars offerings exclusively - there would be no hobby 20-30 years from now. Think about it.

Southernman