Dodge Challenger SRT-8 actually stickers at $40,095
One of our readers pointed us to this page over at Dodge's website that contradicted our earlier post about the 2008 Challenger SRT-8's pricing, which was originally announced at $37,995 (including the $675 destination charge). We realize that inflation is a cruel mistress, but a bump in the sticker to $40,095 left us scratching our heads. A few emails back and forth between the people at Chrysler revealed that the SRT-8 was slapped with a $2100 gas-guzzler penalty that accounted for the discrepancy in price. Not a real surprise considering the 425 hp 6.1-liter HEMI V8. As a comparison, however, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 gets a $1300 consumption penalty, even with 75 more horses under the hood. A quick search over at fueleconomy.gov revealed that if Challenger SRT-8 owners are penalized $2100, that means that they'll also only be getting between 18.5 and 19.5 mpg in the combined cycle. We doubt that'll be a deterrent, but it's food for thought.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
MemphisNET 8:25PM (11/30/2007)
well, now it's inline with all the other SRT8 cars/trucks.
I'm more interested in the R/T. I just hope/wish a RoadRunner package is avail. (18'' wheels, great suspension, 5.7hemi, and NO BS like leather, nav, dualzone climate, power this power that)
Not likely... but a low buck big bang car is what some of us want.
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jefflmercer 8:30PM (11/30/2007)
Wow come on how hard is it to get at least 22.5 mpg so people aren't taxed. Im sure there is some ECU that can help it achieve this.
Whatever dodge I'll be test driving the G8 one day.
MemphisNET 8:43PM (11/30/2007)
Umm, getting 25-29mpg isn't that hard. It's called going the speed limit, or just barely over.
georgejetson 10:52AM (12/01/2007)
Won't happen. They'll sell all the $30k 5.7s they can make at a nice profit. Why offer a low-margin cheap version that would require additional development costs?
strongbadinator 8:27PM (11/30/2007)
It's too bad this is catered to the fat, aging middle class schlock, instead of the actual car enthusiasts. We would gladly do without all of the power BS for a huge cut in price and weight. If only dodge had something to compete with the WRX... and no, the caliber does not count. It's FWD, too heavy, and the interior is garbage.
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MemphisNET 8:44PM (11/30/2007)
Unfortunately, they may add AWD and call it just that.
EnviroBob 9:37PM (11/30/2007)
If it weren't for the people that are now part of the"fat, middle class" this car wouldn't exist. This car is designed primarily for people who were around 38 years ago when the orignal debuted. It's not intended to sway some kid to leave his ricer with a fart can to buy a Dodge.
Larry 8:01AM (12/01/2007)
EnviroBob, your comment is one of the funniest I have ever seen: "ricer with a fart can!" At first I read "can" as a verb, then re-read and realized you meant it as a noun, and suddenly the hideous sound of a "fart-can" came to mind!
kastonie 10:26AM (12/01/2007)
last time I checked, most car enthusiasts that I know like better stronger faster........haters...(sorry for the kanye west lyric)
"We would gladly do without all of the power BS for a huge cut in price and weight."
Dude thats the whole point of this car to be big monsterous strong ass whoop any honda civics ass anyday type of car. And I am a car enthusiast and I dont like how you lump yourself into that WE...... because its not WE...its just You....
strongbadinator 1:43PM (12/01/2007)
You misunderstood. We like POWER in the engine, but by 'power bs' I meant power seats, power windows, heated this, beverage cooling that, etc.
And yeah, this thing is way too expensive. I can go faster in a straight line, and around corners, while getting better MPG for 10,000 dollars less. It's called a Subaru STi.
MemphisNET 8:45PM (11/30/2007)
and no one has seen the interior yet.
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Ian 11:43PM (11/30/2007)
It's a dodge. Like all the others is will be bland, cheap poorly fitted plastic, hard angles and bizzare contrasts.
tj 8:49PM (11/30/2007)
Should be interesting to see head-to-head comparos betw the Challenger and Mustang. More interesting maybe to see what variant of the Mustang each auto journal uses. Price-wise, it should be the GT500 vs. SRT-8. Base models, however, wont be comparable at all (likely 10k+ price difference). Maybe base model Challenger vs. Shelby GT (Bullet?)?
If such would be the comparisons, I'd take the Mustang in both bouts (with the Shelby GT being the closer competition given lack of IRS). The big nod, however, goes to the exclusivity of the Challenger (read: not in the Hertz lot). That's really the only wave Dodge will be able to ride when it comes to sales. When that runs out, see Cerberus killing it.
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JerryB 8:47PM (11/30/2007)
At either price, it's too expensive.
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MemphisNET 9:12PM (11/30/2007)
I don't know how you can call it too expensive when a more powerful Shelby Mustang costs more, a less powerful Mustang GT costs less, and Camaro with 400+ HP will be in and around the same price.
THIS IS A HIGH-END MODEL. They will make 2500 of these cars, and then move on to SXT, RT and SRT8 for 2009 (Starting to sell Summer 2008)
JerryB 3:38AM (12/01/2007)
No matter what "high end" decal you glue to its arse, it's still a Dodge Challenger and as such, imho, it ain't worth 40 grand.
They'll build only a few "SRT8" models. Ooooo. Let's just ignore all the other iterations that will roll off the assembly line SXT, RT, USB whatever. It's a Dodge coupe with a v-8 engine. Since when does that command luxury car money?
Light Speed 8:57PM (11/30/2007)
gt500 starts at less than $100 more than the challenger (41k)
ford wins again
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Michael 8:49PM (11/30/2007)
Power steering , power brakes , ac , 6 speed , rug on the floor . Keep the rest and cut the price .
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Greek Boy 9:09PM (11/30/2007)
Well, at that price the Mustang will reatain it's superiority. Will this thing be as heavy as all the other SRT8's, making it slower than a base stang GT?
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rar 9:37AM (12/01/2007)
Stock Mustang GT runs low 14 to high 13 in the 1/4 mile. Stock R/T Charger runs a low 14. Stock SRT8 Charger runs a low 12 in the 1/4 mile. I would guess the Challenger would do at least that good if not better. A Stock Mustang GT would not out run a SRT8 Challenger. It would be a close run between the Stock R/T Challenger and a stock Mustang GT, maybe slight edge to the GT. We will have to wait and see.