I test drove all the current muscle car while I was car shopping. I even drove a evo and mazdaspeed and a few other imports. The challenger was my 3rd favorite because of the looks. But it was bad in every other way. It handles bad(heavy) and it eats gas and was way to much money(48k). They need to cut half a ton and $12k off of it to get it up to date.

 

Count me in there as well as one of those loving the Challenger. I have 2 growing boys, and this would suit me very well. But until they make a convertible, I'll keep my 05.

 

But in HS/St. Louis I never saw a Chally... only Vanishing Point CUDA's!!!

 

I've got a feeling the 2012 GT might just get a bump in HP, nothing major, perhaps a CAI.

 

They are heavy pieces of **** for the old men to cruise around to Sonic with. Not even in the same league as the Camaro much less the Mustang.

 

they are way better then the camaro! I drove both and the camaro is plastic junk

 

ABSOLUTELY!!!

And the cumaro is FUGLY too.

 

They needed to do something to get within arms length of the competition...

I wonder if milage will suffer???

 

Merged

 

The 5.0's intake system is considered a CAI according to Ford literature. It is not an open-element one though.

 

So are people wasting their money if they install an open element CAI?

 

It depends if you think 8-12 rwhp is worth $300-400. Of course these are tuned so together you are looking at 25rwhp for about $600-$700. The Airaid is said to produce 11rwhp with no tune. Will be interesting to see these tested by individuals and would love to see a test for a K&N drop in and tune.

 

I agree. They are big and heavy, yes, but they look so right. If the interior was better and it was $5K cheaper, I'd buy one...

...and cruise on down to Sonic for a fatburger.

 

Im with you. The price is what really kept me from buying one. Just way to much for what you get.

 

What RedCandy5.0 says...

For me personally, an open-air box's influence on the output is not worth the money. It's the engine tune that would come with it that brings the value.

According to what Ford engineers on the '08/'09 Bullitt said about their testing, it was the sealing of the airbox and directing of the airflow from the front that made a difference in air temperature. It would seem this same approach was carried over for the 2010 4.6L and 2011 5.0L V8s. The air inlet is through the upper front grille area.

 

Hey! I used to drive a 550Hp Caterpillar Diesel V8, but it was strapped to over 50,000lbs had 10 wheel drive and could haul an extra 45k lbs. It did 0-60 in about....well sometimes it didn't even make it up to 60 but if I had to remember the couple that did, probably about 7 miles or so. No not a time, a distance.

Just adding to the horsepower doesn't solve much in many cases. Now I won't say that I don't love the looks of the Challenger. It's a dream car of mine, the 1970 or the later. I think it's an incredible design and have loved it since I first laid eyes on it. I want the money to have an SRT8 just to keep in my garage and take out once a quarter. Pistol grip shifter for me please!

 

The Challenger would have been nice if they didn't limit themselves by basing it off of a Sedan. It is HUGE and it is FAT. If it lost 500 lbs physically and visually I think it'd look great... but otherwise it just looks like a pig.

 

Yes its about 15% too big. But its a cool looking retro. And to have a pushrod motor pumping out 460 pound feet of low end torque would be a thrill! A different thrill than the higher winding OHC engine. So yeah, I'd like one in the garage if there was money for one.