Ask Autoblog: Will the new Dodge Charger end up like the GTO?
Matt Nauman of the San Jose Mercury News thinks the new Dodge Charger will end up like the recent Pontiac GTO debut and flop. He tries to back-up his case but I think he's missing some key points. The folks up in arms about the two-doors are a very noisy minority. I'm not saying they're a minority among car fans, just among all car buyers. That's a big difference. One "that thing got a Hemi" ad and millions will be excited by the new Charger. Then there are the folks that want the affordable big sedan that looks good with or without the Hemi that are turned off by the 300C's looks. The GTO was certainly no best buy. A Charger could be one because, unlike Matt's stated $27,000 price tag, the Charger should start closer to $22,000 like its Chrysler 300C sibling. In my humble opinion the Charger will sell well, very well and with the buzz of special editions like the Daytona (shown here) it should continue to generate a lot of attention for Chrysler.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
B 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Personally I'm turned off by the "that thing got a hemi" ads. I'm afraid if I got one, I'd be constantly harrassed by a couple of drunken yokels, and who wants that?
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RB 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Even though I won't ever buy the 2005 Charger, many newer Dodge fans will. I'll just wait patiently to see if and when they come out with the new Challenger (I can still hope?). Until then, I'll continue to drive my 71 Cuda and 71 Challenger of old only to car shows and cruises and watch the prices soar on them.
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NCTRNL 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
That's crap, what's the point of having those cars and not driving them? I don't like people like you.
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RB 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Since I'm not a fan of the GTO either, all I know is that the Mustang will out sell both the 05 Charger and GTO combined. Even if they come out with a 2dr Charger based on the same platform it won't sell that well. It's unfortunate but I have to agree with Matt Nauman. Ugly is ugly - price wouldn't change my mind.
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Seth L 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
I think the author is really underestimating the Charger's appeal. I'm a white-collar, import-loving nerd, and I want one.
And as much as I hate to admit it, entertaining performance in a four-door package gets my buy over a cooler but more impractical coupe, unless I can suddenly afford a second car…
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Matt Gabriel 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
The GTO has two doors, and the charm of a doorstop. Its styling is so '90s, you can smell the Clinton on it. The bar-of-soap-in-the-shower thing is so long gone.
The Charger is sex on wheels, part of the new school of cool as taught by Chrysler. Retro cues with modern curves... a broad-shouldered sleekness. Ford's new 'Stang gets it. The Goat don't.
It also helps you can slap a baby seat in the back without doing contortions. Chrysler just doesn't like coupes these days, either... I'd expect the Sebring to be the last one for the forseeable future. (The Viper don't count.)
~ Matt Gabriel
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Dodge Charger Forums 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
The intelligence of the AutoBlog team continues to amaze me. They always have post their feelings about a particular topic, and back it up with facts.
Anyway, good post.
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Autoguy 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
It won't be a failure, but the Mustang will outsell it. I agree with RB. The fact that it will sell for under 30k, and have four doors will save it, the fact that not everyone likes the styling will prevent it from being a blockbuster. But not a money loser.
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XiozTzu 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Why do I get the feeling that in 10 - 15 years everyone will be asking "What were they thinking?" when they see all these weird looking cars from Chrysler/Dodge. It all reminds me of the fin fad cool then, dumb now.
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John Cressy 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
I think the Charger is a drivers car. If they ad those 1970's colors,funky spoiler,and the graphics they will ruin this machine. Give me a motor, leather, road hugging handling, and an AWD option and I'll be happy. The 70 Duster and the 72 Road Runner I had were great to drive even with the graphics and I miss the runners horn but, this is a new century. Leave that stuff in the past.
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mega 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
The stupid crossbar grille just kills the looks of everything they put it on.
I guess I somewhat see their logic, trying to hitch their whole line the success of the trucks, but visually I don't think it works.
Chevy is pretty much trying the same exact thing, with their horizontal chrome bar from the siverado on the front of everything. Theirs looks like sh!t too.
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Shane 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Look, the fact of the matter is, once the Charger gets out there and selling, Chrysler WILL proceed to bring out the two door version. It will be known as the "'Cuda" or Barracuda. Yes, that's correct. So everyone whining about the Charger having four doors, just relax. You'll get that sweet sex machine you've been waiting for.
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Chad 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
That picture looks REAL good...however it doesnt look quite as appealing when it is zoomed out and you see all 4 doors
what muscle car nameplate are they going to taint next with the "4 Door Curse"
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Glenn Laycock 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
The guy must be a dope; of course it will sell well. Besides those excellent differences you already stated; the Charger is practical on top of it all. If they had done a two-door version; he might have had a point. That is why they went with four doors, it broadens the markets and practicality. Dodge needed a car to fill the Intrepid spot and the Charger/Magnum do that.
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mr 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
The Charger's interior is its biggest drawback for me. Who wants a sporty RWD sedan with the dash out of a Dakota?
Would look cool in white with black wheels and a "Gran Fury" badge on the back of it. Yeah, Furys were Plymouths, but still...
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Nathan 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
DCX is moving in the right direction. They may not be there yet, but they are getting closer. If we could get a premium compact, ie a compact 300C and a nice sports car, we could be there. The Charger moves us in the right direction. I dunno about the Caliber concept, but in 2-3 years, I could see DCX being a great competitior to the larger automakers.
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Stephen Stopko 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Am I the only one who likes the GTO?
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rob rudorf 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
This just occured to me, we all want a rear drive V8 powered car. Dodge delivers, great. But why the cartoon styling? Why not something sophisticated for adults? If this cars' spec sheet were given to me I'd be very interested, but once i saw it I'd be sickened and drop it from consideration. I would pay a premium for a car in the "BMW, Audi, MB" stealth(y) style.
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mickster 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
OKAY HERE GOES...
THE NEW HEMI IS NOT A REAL HEMI!!!
THE HEADS ARE NOT HEMISPHERICAL.
THE DESIGN DEPARTS FROM THE ORIGINAL HEMIS OF YORE.
IT'S MARKETING HYPE!!
But I still want one...
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Scott Swisher 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
I too like the GTO and fully understand the present car is a patch to cover the error of those at GM who had no plan in place for the F body. I would much rather have the car we have today vs GM spending Billions on tooling for a car that will only be around a few years till the new Zeta appears. The Billions will make the new Zeta GTO that much better.
I agree the Hemi thing is just hype and to take a ugly 4 door car and slap a lot of 60's stickers on it is childish at best.
I understand why so many cars are retro now, Detroit has little imagination in design and can only plagerize older stylings.
My only beef with the GTO is the dealer mark up, these things should have been sold at $27,000 from the start.
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