Vehicle Description
The "new" Dodge Challenger is now seven years old, so it's hard to call it a retro car anymore. Instead, it's the Mopar cornerstone of performance, a muscle car for the 21st century, and as this 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T proves, still a great way to have some old-fashioned V8 fun. <br /> <br /> With so many of these running around in bright orange or red or black, seeing this slick white Challenger is a real treat. With only 34,964 original miles the white paint looks especially good on Chrysler's pony car. Maybe that's because it minimizes the mass and really makes the satin black accents stand out, including the cool strobe stripes that run down the flanks. You'll be impressed by the fit and finish of these new Chrysler muscle cars, too, with doors that open and close with a precision we could have only dreamed about in 1970. There's a hood scoop that looks reminiscent of a real Shaker hood, a subtle chin spoiler, and a modest deck lid spoiler that gives it an aggressive look. The chrome flip-up gas cap is a cool retro touch that's also functional and the full-width taillight will look familiar to anyone who has chased a muscular Mopar in the past. They nailed the Challenger look, that's for sure!<br /> <br /> Inside, it's far more luxurious than you remember, starting with comfortable black leather bucket seats. With pleated upholstery that's another nod to the past, the seats show virtually zero wear and offer more proof that this is a low-mileage toy, not a daily driver. Almost everything was standard in the Challenger, including power windows, locks, seats, and mirrors, A/C, cruise control, and even heated seats. The stereo is good enough to overpower the rumble of the exhaust, and offers AM/FM/CD/iPod/satellite capability, so whatever your format, this car delivers. The chairs are still firm and comfortable, there's very little wear on the carpets, and everything works as it should, from the highly effective A/C to the windows that glide up and down effortlessly. The back seat is reasonably usable, even for real-sized adults, and there's a decent trunk in back that's pretty much like new.<br /> <br /> All that's nice, but the reason you buy a Challenger with the "R/T" designation is the 5.7 liter HEMI V8 under the hood. Cackling with old-school pushrod horsepower, it was the answer to GM's LS1 and it more than delivers on the promise of tire-smoking fun. Remarkably, this one remains completely stock, although with 372 horsepower and more than 400 pounds of torque on tap, that's not necessarily a bad thing. What's even better is that it starts quickly, idles smoothly, doesn't get fussy in traffic, and actually pulls down decent fuel economy if you can manage to keep your foot out of the throttle. The 5-speed automatic transmission is always on its toes ready for a downshift or two, yet on the highway it settles down and just whispers along so you can relax. The suspension is all-independent, so it rides well and handles even better, and the giant 4-wheel discs are the kind of brakes even race cars dreamed about in the 1970s. Massive 18-inch alloy wheels look suitably tough and carry fat 235/50/18 performance radials.<br /> <br /> This is the new muscle car, same as the old muscle car. Big power but now without the fussy carburetor and rattletrap bodywork. The dream has become reality. Call now!<br /><br />
