(I would like for it to go on the other Challenger thread.-note to moderators)

Why I believe the Challenger will be discontinued quickly like in 74
No Convertible
Very Heavy
No V6 (that I know of)
Does not please all ages and females like the Mustang does (*cough* April)
Back is very simple and ugly


...and many more

 

Not even in the same class. The Challenger (assuming the 6.1L Hemi is the only offering) will be competing directly with the 'Vette. The Mustang may have less HP, but it will still be a helluva lot cheaper. Even if D-C offers the 3.5L V6 as an entry-level, it will still be more expensive that the Mustang V6.

 

The Challenger is competing with the Vette, but is a more retro version, being considerably heavier, larger, and edgier. It may steal some Mustang sales, but with it's power, size, and price levels, it's a bit out of most Mustang owners' grasp.

 

I'd say the challenger is competing more with the GT500 and the next gen GTO.

The car will be priced higher than a loaded GT, it will probably have more features and a better-appointed interior.

Everything from Chrysler indicates it will be more of a premium niche vehicle and won't be going for any significant volume. If production is around 20,000 units there will be capacity at the current assembly plant where they build the LX cars

 

My $0.02:

The Challenger will not compete against the Vette.
The Vette is in another category: exotics. This means that besides being powerful and have very good handling, it is as well relatively light (as far as specs are concerned, in the same category you can place for example Porsches and Ferraris...).
The Challenger, like the Mustang, will be in the muscle car category: powerful, good road handling but definitely not a curve carver and with some weight on it.
Seen that the Challenger will be almost a foot longer than the Mustang and that it will have an IRS instead of an SRA, it will be heavier (in the same class as the Chargers, Magnums and 300s).
The Mustang is much more of an all round performer, seen its weight and dimensions, while the Challenger will be a bit more truthful to the classic muscle car of old times.
All in all, putting the two cars together, the Mustang is indeed more the pony car (especially in GT trim), while the Challenger is good ole muscle...
The Challenger is a beautiful vehicle (I love classic muscle cars and the Challenger is the closest to them right now...) that will appeal mostly to Mopar fans and people who wants a cruiser that sounds good and can occasionally show pretty decent straight line acceleration.
If people want to buy the Challenger with racing in mind, they should go elsewhere for their purchase, IMHO.
Finally, the fact that it will be built in fairly limited numbers (30k per year, with the possibility to extend production to 50k yearly if the number of sales warrants it) and V8 only, makes me think that it will be pretty succesfull as far as sales are concerned. It was a smart decision for DCX not to make it go head to head against the Mustang: it would have been a losing battle, IMHO.

One more thing...from rumors around the net, it seems that DCX indeed intends to offer the Challenger with something more powerful (rumor about the 6.4L) than the 6.1L, but not at the car's debut.
With such an engine (producing some 500 hp), it might be more of a contender for the GT500.

 

I like the Challenger alot and think it will be a success. I may be in the market for one myself.

 

My thoughts exactly... I agree, it won't be in the same class as the Mustang V6 and Mustang GT... The Mustang has it's legendary name going for it, which makes it appeal to a broader range of customers, not just "gearheads"... The Challenger is not as well known...

 

 

Personally, I dig 'em all! So let's fire up those engines, head down to Bob's Big Boy and chat up the rollerskate-wearing car hops!



I love nostalgia.

 

yeah...the Challenger will be a corvette compettetor marketing wise...not performance wise. It be matched up with the GT500 becuase if performance numbers and price, but will not effect Mustang sales as a whole...If anything, it will make SVT Mustangs easier to attain, instead of being maked up.

 

The Challenger is neither a competitor for the Corvette in performance NOR marketing. You can't compare a two-seat exotic sports car with a tubby four seat muscle car.

The Challenger competes with the Camaro and Stang...period. Why do you suppose DCX debuted it right after the Mustang's successful launch? It's the same with the "sudden" arrival of the Camaro concept. Just like in the 1960s, both companies saw the success of the Stang, and rushed to bring to market their own Pony car. Same thing is happening now.

 

Not why they discontinued it. It wasn't very heavy, they did have a 'vert, they did have sixes, it did please all ages and sexes, and it had a nice back end.

Why? Because people weren't in the market for performance cars. And at least they didn't make a 6cyl R/T (cough*V6Mach1*cough)....

 

I really like the new challenger although I do agree they could have spruced up the rear end a bit. Hopefully it lasts longer than the GTO.

 

The list is from the new Challenger. I know the old Challenger did have a vert

 

I think the Challenger will do okay. It'd probably do well with the Mopar fans who are disappointed with the Charger/Magnum. Pricing would hurt it somewhat, but it is definitely more affordable than the Viper - and most likely any original Challengers in decent condition as well.