Jim Mateja of the Chicago Tribune looks at the Challenger.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/autocorner/chi-2008-dodge-challenger,0,2664324.column

WOW!

Yeah, they're impressive. One of the engineers who is a regular customer has been "testing" one for nearly a year. Our parking lot is marked with so much rubber it's nearly a solid band now. And that's just from pulling out of a parking space followed by an immediate left turn.

Two strips at a time...

Every time I see one, though, I can't help but think it needs just a little flash of chrome up front. The bumper was a key characteristic of the original.

I designed allot of the front and rear fascia components on the Challenger plus some other MISC plastic components. The car looks decent, but Chrysler wanted to keep the cost low because of the low production volume so the quality and fit and finish is not all that great. Not to mention you can't get the 6 speed the first year and next years model will have around 20% more HP and supposedly 20% better fuel economy. I drove an engineering test car a couple months ago and it did move very well even with all of the test equipment in it. If I was in the market for a niche vehicle like that I would get the Camaro.

Brad, it's a nice design. Really nice. I like it better than the Camaro. It just needs a little flash.

I don't think there is a Chrysler with GOOD fit and finish, at least since the late '60s. I've been buying new Chryslers since 1990 and it's gone downhill with every new model. For the money you'd like better fit and finish, but consumers will buy it anyhow. It's cool, and it's quick.

I just hope the gas prices and CAFE legislation doesn't destroy the market viability of this beautiful beast and others; G8, Camaro, etc.

The car is priced so that it won't be a primary car. That, plus the shortage premium and gas guzzler tax, means that the target market is less influenced by gas prices, insurance prices and the like.

As far as CAFE, as long as the "average" loophole or a specialty vehicle loophole are present, there can still be real musclecars. Sorry, but no matter how fast a 4 cylinder can be, it's not a Hemi.

Just please, automakers, DON'T hybridize them! The V-6 version is bad enough!

Brad, was the one you drove an SRT? We had an opportunity to see one of those in action. IMPRESSIVE by even '60s musclecar standards!

Both likely Presidential candidates are fighting to out-brag the other about their desire to further increase CAFE standards. I'm afraid that when it takes the sale of a thousand wimpmobiles squeeking past the standard to justify one real car sale, the manufacturers will give up on the real cars.

IMO this car is by far one of the best looking vehicles of all time. These guys hit a home run with this car. Once again someone made GM look like fools. I'd be suprized if the Camaro doesn't end up having the plug pulled because once again GM was to late on the draw. By the time a Camaro hits the streets gas will be $9/gal, therefore I say GM pulls the plug and takes their losses on this one.

I will be anxiously awaiting the 2009 Challenger RT with a 6 speed. Not quite an SRT8 but no gas guzzler tax and 370 HP ain't too bad.

I hate to think that this will probably be the replacement for my bird but I am already strapped for space and there really is something to be said for modern muscle.

I too like the Challenger better than the Camaro, but then I have been selling Chryslers for years.

You guys can say what you like about Dodge with their fit and finish issues, all I can say is until last year we never owned a MOPAR product. Now we own an 07 Dodge 1500 Ram Hemi, an 08 Dodge Avenger SXT and quite possibly an 09 Dodge Challenger R/T if they become easier to find and more available as I will not pay more than sticker.

I can not wait to see and hopefully drive one ASAP. If it drives and runs as good as it looks, I will most likely own one in a matter of time...

I went so far as to tell my wife that I would almost consider selling off the Bird for one of these cars.....almost!

To be fair, my newest Chrysler is a 2005. After the 2003 Durango and 2002 Ram 1500 4x4, both among the lowest quality vehicles we've ever bought, I bought a 2005 Neon only because it was cheap and at least somewhat American. The Neon has been a good cheap car. Fit and finish are nothing to brag about. But most buyers don't care if there is some ripple in th paint and if the panels aren't gapped nicely. Those who do buy better (more expensive) cars.

Our Ram was a true lemon. It racked up its cost in warranty service, and still had repeat issues when the warranty expired. I hope they are past the low quality parts issues that cost Chrysler a lot of customers.