[Shineaholic]

Well he is going from one 4400 pound vehicle to another lol. So probably won't notice much difference.

You know why Dodge cars need Hemis with 400 plus horspower? so they can move that extra 800 pounds of SUV steel around.

I'm kidding of course. All in good fun.

oh man, no no no...too soon, too soon.

 

[DSERVIT]

The Mustang and Camaro have left the Challenger in the dust as far as drivability. The Challenger gets by strictly on HP and the retro design.

 

[Max57]

The Mustang and Camaro have left the Challenger in the dust as far as drivability. The Challenger gets by strictly on HP and the retro design.

And I'll agree with you, to a point. The Mustang and Camaro have truly evolved into Sports Cars. They will both out-preform the Challenger when it comes to carving through the twisting turns on a track or mountain roads. The Challenger is a Muscle car! Straight line performance and the most retro design available today. It's a big, comfortable cruiser. All those features I listed is why I love the car as much as I do.

The Challenger was a retirement send-off when we bought her. For me, I look upon the Challenger from the heart and a tie to my past. My dear wife looks at things in a more logical and financially sound point of view. I know she's right regarding this change. (Hell, she's ALWAYS right! lol). But I will tell ya, that if we move forward with this purchase (which we most probably will), I told her that she's going to drive the Challenger to the dealership and I'll follow 30 to 45 minutes after her so I won't have to see the Challenger being traded in. Silly, I know but that's how difficult it is for me to give her up,,,.

 

[Max57]

Well,,, we just came back from the Honda dealer,,,.... Yes, we did see the truck,,,.... I can tell you that all photos of the 'Forest Mist' do not do it justice. You really have to see this color in person to get the true effect!

And,, I think we both knew as soon as we saw the truck being pulled up to the parking area, we were HOOKED! So, all the paperwork has been completed and we should be bringing our RTL-E 'Forest Mist' home tomorrow morning.

I even tried the 'Black Friday' ploy to see if I could get an even better deal. The sales manager looked at me and said; "I already have two couples here who are waiting to see if you're going to take the truck. If not, it'll be sold to one of them in the next 30 minutes. And yes, we did see two other couples looking at the truck and then back at us, lol. Before we left, the sales lady had to lock the truck and put a "SOLD" sign on it as more people were eyeing it. She then moved it to the back area for the remainder of the dealer prep.

And by the way, I took the pre-delivery list that was posted on the forum with me. I saw none of the issues listed. Lets hope that continues. :wink:

 

[Dogs 2C]

Congratulations!! Post some pix after you pick it up

(though it must have been sad to give up your Challenger as 1 of your 2 trade-ins)

 

[stevem5215]

Congrats and good luck with the new truck ! It'll at least handle as nicely as the Challenger with a skid pad rating of .80

Steve M

 

[Max57]

Congratulations!! Post some pix after you pick it up

(though it must have been sad to give up your Challenger as 1 of your 2 trade-ins)

You have nooooo, idea how difficult this will be! My Challenger still has it's new car smell!

When we got home, I purposely didn't go in through the garage. I just didn't want to see the Challenger. Tomorrow morning, my wife will drive the Challenger. I'll leave 30 minutes after her in the Canyon so when I get to the dealership, they would've already transferred the plates and moved the Challenger out of sight. Silly huh,,,.... :crying:

:wink:

 

[Dogs 2C]

I've always had a soft spot for Mopar muscle cars. When I was in college I had a used 1969 Dodge Dart GT coupe (gold metallic with black vinyl roof). My dear departed dad found it and bought it for me. It only had a 273 cid V8, but it was still a taste hint of that muscle era. I loved that car. After college, I traded it in (@129K miles) traded it in on a new Mustang, but it wasn't the same...

Two of my high school classmates had big block 1970 Challenger and Charger. Don't know if they were hemis, but probably would be collector cars now. I really like the look and vibe of the the current 3rd gen (2008-up) Challengers.

You will go through the 5 stages of grieving on giving up your Challenger (LOL), but life goes on and these are "first-world problems"

 

[NOVARIDGE]

Congrats! I see you've made it "official" by updating your info below your name, too!

Welcome to the club! RIP to your Challenger.

 

[Ridgerunner67]

While I was in college my dad had a Plymouth Roadrunner. The standard engine was an exclusive 383 cu in "Roadrunner" V8 making 335 bhp and 425 lb.·ft. of torque.
He had an auto transmission because he pulled a 26' Airstream camper.
From 60MPH to a hundred it was amazing! Without the trailer.

My dad worked at DuPont and a co-worker of his had a Plymouth Fury that had no badging to tag the four door sedan's powertrain.
The add on tach and Hurst four speed were the only clues that a Hemi nested under the hood.

On our HS Senior 'Skip Day' his daughter drove it to our party.
I made two beer runs because our dads were buds; nobody else got to drive it.
Incredible! You could “lay rubber” with the first three gears!

 

[CCDAstro]

Here in Virginia, you get taxed twice a year on the value of your cars.

Holy Crap! Seriously? I would move. In Oregon ALL you pay is $172 per 4 years registration. Period. Not even any sales tax and sure as heck no property tax. Yes, we have a fairly high income tax and moderate property tax - but only on real esate, nothing else.

 

[Max57]

Thanks to all of you who've shown interest in this thread and have identified with my mixed emotions regarding this change. I only wish I could have the enthusiasm that normally follows when buying a new vehicle. The new RL is a stunning truck! The Forest Mist paint coupled with the light grey interior is truly a sight to behold and there's no doubt that the new RL is the most comfortable and most versatile offering in the mid-sized market! However, giving up the Challenger has turned what should have been a joyous experience into one of melancholy. I know it's the logical and practical thing to do, especially from a financial standpoint. Hopefully, as time passes and the Challenger fades, I'll recoup some of the interest and excitement that should have been present at this point in time for the new RL.

Again, thanks everyone for your participation and interest!! :smile:

 

[DSERVIT]

I remember the feeling when I sold my 1987 Trans Am GTA and then the 2010 Mustang GT ragtop knowing that it was more than likely the end of my toy days. I think of the GTA on occasion because it was like a museum piece, 14k on it when I let it go. But you move on to new things. New chapters.

 

[Max57]

I remember the feeling when I sold my 1987 Trans Am GTA and then the 2010 Mustang GT ragtop knowing that it was more than likely the end of my toy days. I think of the GTA on occasion because it was like a museum piece, 14k on it when I let it go. But you move on to new things. New chapters.

Ya know,,, we traded in the Challenger and Canyon yesterday and brought the RL home. I actually went to the dealership with the Canyon 30 minutes after my wife went with the Challenger just so I wouldn't have to see it go. And today,,,,, as much as I love the RL, I wish I could've some how,, worked some kinda wacky deal to keep them both! Because I know, at this point in life, that I'll "NEVER" have a car like that Challenger again! I keep hearing a voice in the back of my head that I made a mistake. I hope that the voice fades away. Soon! Like today!

And yes. Just like you stated,, it's the end of my 'toy' days as well,,,.

Thanks for the interest.

 

[rythmpyg]

I'd like to add that I did the almost identical trade with my '15 Scat Pack to get the Ridgeline. In fact I also included my old and extremely reliable Tundra. I wasn't quite as attached as you state you are, but I will say that I have no regrets.

I find all of my solace in the practicality and sensibility of the outcome. I hated getting a finger pint on the Scat Pack (it was black), I hated filling it with premium, it really wasn't all that comfortable, I was always on pins and needles in parking lots, I wasn't happy about putting it to bed for 6 months in winter, the insurance bill was ridiculous, I could never put humans in the back seat, I worried constantly about travelling without a spare tire and, being a Toyota/Honda guy for most of my 40+ years of driving, I always had the idea that since it was a Chrysler product, a breakdown/malfunction was around every corner.

Just my opinion...sorry to hijack...back to your regular programming.

Signed,

I feel smarter now

 

[Max57]

I'd like to add that I did the almost identical trade with my '15 Scat Pack to get the Ridgeline. In fact I also included my old and extremely reliable Tundra. I wasn't quite as attached as you state you are, but I will say that I have no regrets.

I find all of my solace in the practicality and sensibility of the outcome. I hated getting a finger pint on the Scat Pack (it was black), I hated filling it with premium, it really wasn't all that comfortable, I was always on pins and needles in parking lots, I wasn't happy about putting it to bed for 6 months in winter, the insurance bill was ridiculous, I could never put humans in the back seat, I worried constantly about traveling without a spare tire and, being a Toyota/Honda guy for most of my 40+ years of driving, I always had the idea that since it was a Chrysler product, a breakdown/malfunction was around every corner.

Just my opinion...sorry to hijack...back to your regular programming.

Signed,

I feel smarter now

You didn't hijack the thread! It's amazing regarding the similarities between the both of us. The only difference was that my Challenger was the SRT. So I had the adaptive suspension settings. When set to street, it was very comfortable and I did carry a full sized spare in the trunk. I never cared about putting people in the back seat. As a matter of fact, no one ever sat back there, lol. But I do have to agree with all of your other statements. (Insurance, parking lots, constantly cleaning it, never taking it out in bad weather, ect..)

As my wife said, at least with the RL, I'll be using it "ALL" the time. Good & bad weather. And, as we all know, it's the most comfortable and versatile truck in the mid-sized market.

Thanks for your interest and views.

 

[14v6]

Congrats on your E. No doubt there will be days when you miss the Dodge but there's no denying the versatility you will have with the RL.