Dodge Charger

[BlackIceLSC]

Anyone here have any experience or own one of the 2012-present Dodge Chargers?

I've been considering one. I love the Grand marquis, but once again, I am bored....it's a problem I have - I buy a lot of cars because after a year or two, I want something else. I wont lease a car because I drive too much, and prefer when financing to put ZERO down to cut my losses as much as possible.

I am not a fan of the early Chargers from 2008. My sister-in-law brought home a brand new black SE in 2012 with the 6-cyl. It looks great, has pretty decent power, great fuel economy and other than a few recalls, has been trouble-free for 60k miles.
Then she bought a 2015 Charger SRT8 6.4 Hemi. That thing is a beast, and not in my sights at all. She parks it next to her husband's Challenger HELLCAT (one bad hombre, for sure).

I have had a few 2016 Charger SXT rentals come through the shop for damage repairs from abusive renters and I have to say, I kind of like the new smaller grill/front redesign.
The numbers are great = 31 mpg, 292 hp, plenty of room, and they seem to be holding up quite well.

So, as any good internet forum junkie would do, I am reaching out online...doing research and asking my fellow car nuts about them first.

any info would be great...even some of you SSHS guys who have seen them ripping up the strip...

I typically like to weed out the bland ones (silver, white, gray, etc)...so I am looking mostly at:
2016 Charger SXT or SXT PLUS (more bells) or a SXT Blacktop edition but would also consider a Hemi R/T if the price was right. I dont need the extra HP as my "joy-riding" days are over...292 hp is enough for me with the coombined fuel economy of the 6-cyl. Plus it would keep insurance rates a lot lower.
prefer black, dark granite, dark blue, or even the red color they have.

thanks for reading and (hopefully) typing.

I was originally considering a MKZ, was scared off by some of the water pump-related issues of the V6 but have reconsidered the MKZ and am looking at a 2.0 eco boost version. But any thoughts are welcome.
Just biting my nails thinking about car shopping again.
I LOVE car shopping...its an addiction.

 

[ONLYTONY]

Jeep's coming out with a nice suv. Awd, and a engine that puts out over 700 hp. A real sleeper I think it's a hellcat engine

 

[mag]

Anyone here have any experience or own one of the 2012-present Dodge Chargers?

I've been considering one. I love the Grand marquis, but once again, I am bored....it's a problem I have - I buy a lot of cars because after a year or two, I want something else. I wont lease a car because I drive too much, and prefer when financing to put ZERO down to cut my losses as much as possible.

I am not a fan of the early Chargers from 2008. My sister-in-law brought home a brand new black SE in 2012 with the 6-cyl. It looks great, has pretty decent power, great fuel economy and other than a few recalls, has been trouble-free for 60k miles.
Then she bought a 2015 Charger SRT8 6.4 Hemi. That thing is a beast, and not in my sights at all. She parks it next to her husband's Challenger HELLCAT (one bad hombre, for sure).

I have had a few 2016 Charger SXT rentals come through the shop for damage repairs from abusive renters and I have to say, I kind of like the new smaller grill/front redesign.
The numbers are great = 31 mpg, 292 hp, plenty of room, and they seem to be holding up quite well.

So, as any good internet forum junkie would do, I am reaching out online...doing research and asking my fellow car nuts about them first.

any info would be great...even some of you SSHS guys who have seen them ripping up the strip...

I typically like to weed out the bland ones (silver, white, gray, etc)...so I am looking mostly at:
2016 Charger SXT or SXT PLUS (more bells) or a SXT Blacktop edition but would also consider a Hemi R/T if the price was right. I dont need the extra HP as my "joy-riding" days are over...292 hp is enough for me with the coombined fuel economy of the 6-cyl. Plus it would keep insurance rates a lot lower.
prefer black, dark granite, dark blue, or even the red color they have.

thanks for reading and (hopefully) typing.

I was originally considering a MKZ, was scared off by some of the water pump-related issues of the V6 but have reconsidered the MKZ and am looking at a 2.0 eco boost version. But any thoughts are welcome.
Just biting my nails thinking about car shopping again.
I LOVE car shopping...its an addiction.

I rented a charger a few years back nice solid car.

 

[germansheperd]

The ‘11 and newer ones are really good cars. I had many Hemi (free demos) versions of the Chargers and 300s. The only issues with 3.6 Pentastar engine is the oil cooler under the intake is notorious for leaking. Change the oil cooler and your good to go again.

My wife’s 2017 Lincoln MKC has a 2.0 Eco-Boost with 17k mi and it has been flawless so far.

 

[Jamesvinar]

My friend just "wrecked" her charger lol. Everybody else idea of totaled seems different than mine, Car still runs and most likely drives but it needs a new tire, fender and side skirt, supposedly a skid plate got torn off too. I see a $50 fix while everybody else sees a total loss


Not sure if this is still an issue but I heard the trannys are pretty weak in them and the brake pads don't last too long

 

[germansheperd]

The 5spd Auto behind my 392 SRT8 worked great and the 8spd in my truck seems fine. Haven’t heard of any 8spd issues with the newer SRTs, Hellcats, or Demons?

 

[mag]

The only problem I see with a charger is it has too many doors.Have you considered a challenger.

 

[BlackIceLSC]

The only problem I see with a charger is it has too many doors.Have you considered a challenger.

yes, but they are VERY hard to see out of.
I agree the Chargers have too many doors but I am keen to 4 doors myself...I drive alone 90% of the time, and with only 1 passenger the other 10% BUT I just like having 4 doors...I just do not like the body lines of the Charger from the side...they front, darn sexy (the newer ones, smaller grill) but with the black top appearance package, even the 2014 models with the larger grill look nice.

the challengers are more money than the Charger

Ideally, I'd buy a challenger SXT 3.6 if I found a "plus" package with leather. The R/T adds about $5k to the used price.

I found a sweet MKZ at Car max...nice color combo...burgundy with dark tan leather, 2.0. Just beautiful....it was gone in a day.

thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate it.

the only transmission issues we have seen through enterprise rent-a-car Chargers in our shop was the pan is plastic and has the filter integrated in to it. if it breaks, the car "immobilizes" which is good (a few have been towed in with a hole in the pan from someone bottoming out). new pan, 6 quarts of that $25/qt fluid and a new pan and they drove away damage-free.

Ultimately, I'd like a 2016 Charger SXT Plus with paddle shifters, 8-speed auto, black on black for under $20k with 40k or fewer miles.

 

[BlackIceLSC]

change of plan:
2016 Chrysler 300 V6 w/40k on the clock.
same platform as a Charger, same performance too, although its a tad heavier, but with MORE LUXURY than a Charger(I'm old...I want luxury and bling in one package)...the one I'm going to see doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it has WAY MORE to offer than the Chargers do.
Never cared for the looks of te 300's until the most recent facelift. Now I'm a fan.
granite crystal gray with black leather...wanted Maximum Steel color or black, but the price is just way too good.
plus it's my credit union's lot so interest is 2.69%
I'll take a huge hit on trade-in of the Grand marquis, but I knew that when I bought it. They sell for $5k used at a dealer/car lot, and can only be sold for about $1500 by me. I'll feather the negative equity in to the new car I buy, get me some gap coverage and an extended warranty and still only be paying a bit more per month with the low rate.

 

[mag]

change of plan:
2016 Chrysler 300 V6 w/40k on the clock.
same platform as a Charger, same performance too, although its a tad heavier, but with MORE LUXURY than a Charger(I'm old...I want luxury and bling in one package)...the one I'm going to see doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it has WAY MORE to offer than the Chargers do.
Never cared for the looks of te 300's until the most recent facelift. Now I'm a fan.
granite crystal gray with black leather...wanted Maximum Steel color or black, but the price is just way too good.
plus it's my credit union's lot so interest is 2.69%
I'll take a huge hit on trade-in of the Grand marquis, but I knew that when I bought it. They sell for $5k used at a dealer/car lot, and can only be sold for about $1500 by me. I'll feather the negative equity in to the new car I buy, get me some gap coverage and an extended warranty and still only be paying a bit more per month with the low rate.

Nice car ! I just raced one last night he didn't know what happened he looked a bit lost when I took his money.

 

[BlackIceLSC]

well that isn't hard to do, that's for sure. They have about as much "get up and go" as the people who drive them.
I am just disappointed in myself for not thinking about these cars. The Chargers have the same drivetrain, but less "creature comforts and luxury" and cost more...with CLOTH SEATS!
Anyway....just waiting for an insurance quote before I go off buying one. I've finally learned to "think about it" and do some homework before test-driving a car...because my weakness is:
"if it drives nice and the sticker price is right, I usually jump in head first and buy it and then make adjustments to afford it"

Not anymore...now I make sure I'm IN for the whole cost, not just the sticker.

 

[driller]

...because my weakness is:
"if it drives nice and the sticker price is right, I usually jump in head first and buy it and then make adjustments to afford it"

LOL... that is so "me". Worst buyer ever and a salesman's dream. :laugh:

Good luck with whatever you choose. :wink:

 

[BlackIceLSC]

thanks JP. I think they smell me coming just by the text in my email inquiries. It's got to be in their training, right?

"if the buyer's email inquiry looks like he is excited, he already bought the car. It's your job to make it seem affordable, then let the finance guy put the screws to him after he already mentally bought it"

I LOVE car shopping....I LOVE playing the game at the dealerships/car lots. The sad part is, I usually lose because they have one powerful weapon on their side...THE CAR I WANT!
I usually want what I went to buy even before I got there....I want the cars I seek MORE than they want my money....which is why I lose.

when we bought the wife's HHR SS, I drove in with my silverado 2500HD...it was a rare truck, and from my research, VERY desirable:
crew cab, white, spray-on bedliner, Bose audio, sunroof, black interior, 6.0 gas engine, 2 wheel drive...a travel-trailer's dream truck. 100k miles, clean car fax and a 9.8/10 condition. I first took it to CARMAX for appraisal...walked out with an offer in hand. went to see the HHR, decided to buy it, had $8k cash in hand, but didn't let them know that.
They offered $4k less on my trade than CARMAX did. I refused to pay their asking price on the HHR. We agreed on a price of the HHR, I offered $4k down in cash if they'd match CARMAX's offer on my truck. They wouldn't. I told them to give me a 3 yr CPO full manufacturer's warranty and then I told them I'd buy the HHR. They just had to do the paperwork while I drive FIRST to CARMAX to sell the truck to them, they could come pick me up and will return to finish buying the HHR.
They didn't want me to leave the building. They matched CARMAX's offer, and then I decided to put all $8k in cash down and finance the rest which totally ruined their interest rate deal. Then I threw down my own financing through my credit union.
They HATED the deal, so we left. We got to our truck and they came to get us and made the deal.
The finance guy tried every trick in the book to sell me "add-ons"..they wanted the points...they were beat and knew it. We drove home in the HHR.
The wife hated the time it took and the haggling...she was ready to leave hours before... But in the end, they lost out on the interest but got more cash than they expected. All of the added cash I gave them was taken by the higher offer for the truck they had to match. So I paid less than they wanted for the HHR, got a sweet warranty, paid less interest than they offered, and they even bought us lunch.
It was about the only time I ever "won"...it was sure fun.

 

[budpytko]

Enjoy the feeling...they WILL make up for it...altho it prob won't be from YOU!! Nice job!!!

 

[BlackIceLSC]

well, after spending countless hours doing what I LOVE to do (shop for cars online), I have narrowed it down:
2015-2017 Chrysler 300 S yep..I dig the S model
I prefer the V6 for insurance reasons as well as fuel economy...292hp is enough. No need to go crazy and get a hemi 5.7
But the hemi comes with the rear decklid spoiler...some V6 models got them too and they just sort of complete the "look"

I am leaning towards the granite crystal metallic (dark gray) or even the redline red (love the metal flake). Both look amazing with the blacked out trim.

BUT...I have been selected to serve on a Jury panel for a case that may go a couple weeks so the shopping online may continue, but any test drives will most likely have to wait.

To be continued:

 

[germansheperd]

Hey the Hemi it ‘makes’ the car. If they still offered the 392 in a 300 I’d tell you to get that ( I had one in a Challenger). A Hemi 300S is a great car.......A 392 Charger HMMMMM.

 

[BlackIceLSC]

Reviews state the 300 S with a hemi is about the closest Chrysler came to making the 300 SRT 392. Sport mode suspension, sport trim/seats/paint appointments, etc. Just lacking the under-hood snuff. "Close" is not "it". Furthermore, the added cost of a Hemi that isn't exactly the same as the 392 just isn't worth it to me.

15-20 years ago, I'd say the same thing. I dont need the Hemi...I dont need the GO factor...Like you, I've had many FAST cars...I've owned 9 second drag cars, street cars with enough GO to drive circles around most of the factory muscle that was on the showroom.
Now-a-days if you want factory HP, you end up paying in 3 places...the insurance, the sticker, and at the pump.
Yea, sure...the hemi still gets 27 mpg on the highway...*IF* you set cruise control on a flat surface at 65 mph and never touch the gas pedal.
well, Hell...if I'm going to drive like that, why pay for the Hemi?

seriously, I have no NEED to spend MORE to get 2 more cylinders and 92 more ponies.
I could have summed it all up with...'I drive a Mercury Grand Marquis....STOCK"

nuff said.
p.s. Sister-in-law has a 2016 HELL CAT Challenger, and a 2015 Charger SRT-8.
I've been in both. I know what they've got. I dont need, NOR would I want that kind of power bleeding dollar bills out of my wallet.
as fun as it would be from time to time to lay down a patch or be the first car up to 100 mph from a standing start....I just have no desire to pay for that fun in a daily driver.

 

[germansheperd]

A 5.7 hemi is NOT a Hellcat OR an SRT-8 in any way, shape, or form.

 

[BlackIceLSC]

you got that right! But, that said, I really have no need for a 5.7 HEMI in a 300. It's not a muscle car, the 5.7 isn't THAT stout, just faster than a 3.6 and not worth the added cost in my opinion. It's a daily driver, commuter, and luxo-barge. Like I said, I am not looking for "power". I'm more in to the style, comfort, looks, fuel economy and overall cost.
The Hemi versions are between $3k-$6k more...That's what my Grand marquis is worth...for that price increase, I could just keep the Grand marquis as a spare!