Well, I finally got to drive a Dodge Challenger SRT8 with the pistol grip 6 speed manual...very, very cool car. Very light clutch. Closely spaced gearing, but I found it to have very easy shifter-clutch engagement. The car sits higher (on 20" wheels, I would probably do 19") than other similar american muscle cars, but the longer and harder I drove it, the more it seemed to hunker down. Last week, I drove the Ford Mustang 5.0. Definitely a better handling and lighter feeling car than the Challenger...but I must admit the Challenger feels a little more special. The steering is a little light but tends to develop more input the harder you drive it. The seats in the Challenger are first class, supple leather with a central alcantara insert, and very supportive. Interior is nice for this class of car. Touch screen nav audio system with Ipod/M3 connection superior to the nav system in my M3. And the sound of that V8...IMO it is at least as good as the 5.0. But, like most stock cars, I would replace the exhaust so I could hear it better.
I currently have a 2009 M3 with dual clutch transmission as my daily driver, and, while I love the transmission, I really want a 6 speed manual...the clutches in these modern cars are so light these days (just not a problem in traffic anymore IMO), and I simpy miss the control a manual transmission affords the driver.
That being said, the Challenger has a good size trunk but probably not practical enough for a daily driver for me. I will likely go with the CTS-V wagon with 6 speed manual. But I was impressed with the Dodge!! Now if only Ford made a high performance sedan with a 6 speed manual?? :thumbsup
I currently have a 2009 M3 with dual clutch transmission as my daily driver, and, while I love the transmission, I really want a 6 speed manual...the clutches in these modern cars are so light these days (just not a problem in traffic anymore IMO), and I simpy miss the control a manual transmission affords the driver.
That being said, the Challenger has a good size trunk but probably not practical enough for a daily driver for me. I will likely go with the CTS-V wagon with 6 speed manual. But I was impressed with the Dodge!! Now if only Ford made a high performance sedan with a 6 speed manual?? :thumbsup