CD Article: 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:

The Dodge Charger SRT8 is "serious fun," says Assistant Editor and muscle-car fan, Jil McIntosh. The package includes a 425-hp Hemi, Brembo brakes, SRT-tuned suspension and appearance add-ons. "Fans of Japanese and German engineering won't be overly impressed," she says, "but that's comparing apples to oranges; this is the 'no replacement for displacement' school of design."     More...

[Benhaze]

That car is especially stunning in black. Too bad no manual transmission is available. The Mustang is the only alternative for shifting gears yourself. Watch out for the gas guzzler tax in Ontario...

[Mitlov]

God that car needs a manual.  It would be the ultimate semi-affordable ultra-high-performance family sedan.

[ScoobyDriver]

No Manual transmission?  WHAT!?

[jww]

 

How can a boy-racer not have a manual stick? The perfect match would have been to bring back the big-handled Hurst shifter - that would be awesome in this car.

[haris]

How many AMG models come with manual? What about the M5, manual tranny available yet?
Don't get me wrong, I think every car is better with a manual, but considering that they'd sell  maybe two with manual tranny...

[ScoobyDriver]

Both the M5 and AMG's are 100,000+ automobiles.  This car is significantly cheaper.  The automatic manual modes of those cars (while I'm no expert) are likely far more sophisticated than this one.  A friend of mine has an M5 and when it's in manual mode it actually shifts faster than any manual transmission could be.  You still get to use the traditional h pattern if you want to though.  it's also very complex and expensive to repair.  It's admittedly very nice (best of both automatic and manual when you want it) but I don't think you'll have the same experience with this auto/stick manual mode.  I haven't driven either so that's just my impression of the auto/stick manual mode vehicles I've driven. (Mazda/Hyundai)

An automatic transmission with Auto/Stick manual mode feature is a bit of a compromise to be sure.  Automatic would be nice for hilly/stop-and-go but I think it's a mistake to not at least offer a manual transmission in a car that is targeted to enthusiasts.  Perhaps they're targeting older lazy enthusiasts!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The HEMI SRT vehicles roar fabulously at open throttle. Love 'em! 

[ScoobyDriver]

It looks bada@#!!  And with the 425-hp it's got the engine to back up the looks. 

[ovr50]

No Manual transmission?  WHAT!?

Today's electronic auto trannies can often be faster shifting than a manual. In a drag race, the difference between a manual (even in an excellant driver's hands) and the 5 speed auto, is only fractions of a second. With a big car like the SRT8, the auto makes sense to me.

[mdxtasy]

A friend of mine has an M5 and when it's in manual mode it actually shifts faster than any manual transmission could be.  You still get to use the traditional h pattern if you want to though.  it's also very complex and expensive to repair. 

What do you mean he's got the H shifter?  The new M5?  I didn't think the H gate was there anymore.

[Snowman]

There are far more attractive options from an automotive enthusiast perspective in the $52k range than a mindless point and shoot slushbox.

[ScoobyDriver]

No Manual transmission?  WHAT!?

Today's electronic auto trannies can often be faster shifting than a manual. In a drag race, the difference between a manual (even in an excellant driver's hands) and the 5 speed auto, is only fractions of a second. With a big car like the SRT8, the auto makes sense to me.

First time trying out this quote thing - hope it works!  I know that manuals are just as fast (if not faster) than manual transmission in the hands of most...  Myself included I'm sure.  I also think it makes sense to offer an automatic transmission.  I just think it would have been a good idea to also offer it in a manual.  I don't know the financial considerations involved in making this decision - I would have thought they'd probably sell at least a few manuals if it was offered.  If they could do so with little cost - then why not.  If that's not possible then this transmission choice makes financial good sense since it's likely what they'll probably sell more automatics anyway.

I've only recently started driving manual transmission cars after many years of automatics and I really like the additional control it provides and the fun factor of course.  Sometimes in stop and go (particularly on a large hill) it would be nice to have the convenience of an automatic.  But I'm willing to sacrifice that convenience for the enjoyment I get the other 90% of the time I'm driving.

[ScoobyDriver]

A friend of mine has an M5 and when it's in manual mode it actually shifts faster than any manual transmission could be.  You still get to use the traditional h pattern if you want to though.  it's also very complex and expensive to repair. 

What do you mean he's got the H shifter?  The new M5?  I didn't think the H gate was there anymore.

Sorry - it's an M3 not an M5, and no it's not brand new.  It's a few years old.  It's the SMG transmission.  I know you can shift with the paddles, manually, or you can put it in automatic mode.  I was under the impression you had the option to shift in a standard h pattern... and didn't have to shift in an up/down pattern, as with many automatic/manual systems.  I didn't get to drive it unfortunately.   So I could be wrong and you may have to shift in the up/down pattern.  I read CdnDriver's review of the SMG tranny in the M3 and couldn't prove or disprove what I said.

[ovr50]

There are far more attractive options from an automotive enthusiast perspective in the $52k range than a mindless point and shoot slushbox.

  I bet you can't even spell "tact", Snowy 

[Snowman]

There are far more attractive options from an automotive enthusiast perspective in the $52k range than a mindless point and shoot slushbox.

  I bet you can't even spell "tact", Snowy 

I like to make things perfectly clear so there is no confusion on my point of view. 

[mdxtasy]

There are far more attractive options from an automotive enthusiast perspective in the $52k range than a mindless point and shoot slushbox.

  I bet you can't even spell "tact", Snowy 

I like to make things perfectly clear so there is no confusion on my point of view. 

Dude, there's no confusion when you speak....just look at your avatar. 

[Bullet Blue]

There are far more attractive options from an automotive enthusiast perspective in the $52k range than a mindless point and shoot slushbox.

 

The Charger has little to no appeal to me. In fact, none of DC's products do, save for the Viper and the SRT-4.

[mdxtasy]

Nothing from DC interests me....For the money, I can find a nicer car for the same price.

[auto_enthusiast]

There are far more attractive options from an automotive enthusiast perspective in the $52k range than a mindless point and shoot slushbox.

Depends where the automotive enthusiast is in life I suppose.  If you have a family, need lots of space, RWD, and lots of power for a reasonable price, this is the car to have.  With big Brembos, fat tires, and decent suspension, it's not a one dimensional car either.  It's main competitors like the CTS-V, S4, C55 are much more expensive.  It's only big fault is fuel economy but like they say, you have to pay to play....