Author Topic: Quick Spin: 2013 Dodge Charger SXT Plus Blacktop (Read 7058 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** September 13, 2012, 06:03:26 am »

This rather obscure Charger model might be the best version of Dodge's big sedan.

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tooscoops · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2012, 09:59:29 am »

that was quite a positive review!

I'm thinking i'll take one for a spin.. my wife says they are way too big for her to drive unfortunately... the 8-speed with the pentastar seems like a good combo. tranny has always been a big issue with me and chryco cars.

PJAvenger · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2012, 11:29:08 am »

If only you could opt for alternately flashing headlights, this would make a fine vehicle to get past everyone on the highways

Fobroader · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2012, 12:38:48 pm »

Quote from: PJAvenger on September 13, 2012, 11:29:08 am

If only you could opt for alternately flashing headlights, this would make a fine vehicle to get past everyone on the highways

Why not just buy a white Crown Vic and stick some steel wheels and a CB antenna if you want to be "that guy" on the highway???

cruzzer · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2012, 12:54:07 pm »

I like that the new Chrysler is building some cars aimed at smaller parts of the market. Hopefully the Dart Rallye and/or the R/T will benefit from this approach too. While the 8 speed auto works well with the V6, it'd sure be nice to have a six speed manual in this Charger and a price a bit lower... A modern SuperBee.

carcrazed · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2012, 09:41:33 am »

I would actually consider a white one if I was in a market for a large sedan.. for the reasons you all know

northsparrow · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2012, 08:16:28 am »

Chrysler should be commended for making so many variations of this car but their range of offerings
just begs the question of why they won't drop the MANUAL from the Challenger into a Charger.

There should a 'stripper' model of the V6 with a minimum of gizmos and a manual option. It would be
totally unique in the market - the poor man's version of a RWD sport sedan .

The Camaro and Mustang are offered with a manual why can't we get a Charger with one?

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2012, 03:33:50 pm »

Quote from: northsparrow on September 15, 2012, 08:16:28 am

Chrysler should be commended for making so many variations of this car but their range of offerings
just begs the question of why they won't drop the MANUAL from the Challenger into a Charger.

There should a 'stripper' model of the V6 with a minimum of gizmos and a manual option. It would be
totally unique in the market - the poor man's version of a RWD sport sedan .

The Camaro and Mustang are offered with a manual why can't we get a Charger with one?

When was the last time you saw a full size car from anyone with a manual?

Seafoam · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2012, 07:57:13 pm »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on September 15, 2012, 03:33:50 pm

Quote from: northsparrow on September 15, 2012, 08:16:28 am
Chrysler should be commended for making so many variations of this car but their range of offerings
just begs the question of why they won't drop the MANUAL from the Challenger into a Charger.

There should a 'stripper' model of the V6 with a minimum of gizmos and a manual option. It would be
totally unique in the market - the poor man's version of a RWD sport sedan .

The Camaro and Mustang are offered with a manual why can't we get a Charger with one?

When was the last time you saw a full size car from anyone with a manual?

The only car that I could think of that is still sold as a manual is the accord sedan .It is big but not quite the size of a Charger.

nlm · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2012, 08:56:57 am »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on September 15, 2012, 03:33:50 pm

When was the last time you saw a full size car from anyone with a manual?

That's a trick question: how many other full size cars are out there?

Besides, I think he offered that such a combo would be "totally unique" in any event.

OliverD · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2012, 09:03:28 am »

Quote from: northsparrow on September 15, 2012, 08:16:28 am

There should a 'stripper' model of the V6 with a minimum of gizmos and a manual option. It would be
totally unique in the market - the poor man's version of a RWD sport sedan .

They would be lucky to sell a dozen of them.

tooscoops · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2012, 10:41:24 am »

as much as i want one as well in manual, its not a smart marketing decision. they may offer one eventually, but the kind of people looking at a manual in north america tend to look at them for performance, fuel economy or general cash savings on price.

for each of those people, there would be better alternatives out there.

again... i'd still want one if they made it though. doesn't mean that i would actually put down the cash to get one though.

OliverD · « **Reply #12 on:** September 17, 2012, 10:53:25 am »

Mike make some sense to offer the SRT-8 model with a manual. I'd expect the take rate to be fairly low but it would be a neat option to have. They already have that powertrain in the Challenger so I don't imagine it would be difficult to implement in the Charger.

tooscoops · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2012, 10:55:58 am »

yeah, then at least they'd have that performance based customers needs met.

but SRT is such a minute section of sales anyway, to increase costs by altering the packages might still be something they hold out on until that last year of the drivetrain so they can ditch all the pre-paid componants.

northsparrow · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2012, 08:52:48 pm »

This car is based on the platform of the previous generation Mercedes E Class which was DEFINITELY sold with a manual.

OliverD · « **Reply #15 on:** September 18, 2012, 09:13:32 am »

Quote from: northsparrow on September 17, 2012, 08:52:48 pm

This car is based on the platform of the previous generation Mercedes E Class which was DEFINITELY sold with a manual.

That's not really true. It does share some components with both the previous E-class and S-class but it is a distinct platform.

Mike · « **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2012, 09:21:19 am »

Quote from: OliverD on September 18, 2012, 09:13:32 am

Quote from: northsparrow on September 17, 2012, 08:52:48 pm
This car is based on the platform of the previous generation Mercedes E Class which was DEFINITELY sold with a manual.

That's not really true. It does share some components with both the previous E-class and S-class but it is a distinct platform.

Yeah, it had bits and pieces from the old E-Class, but it was so overly publicized that it was the old E-Class everyone has kinda run with it.

sportyclassic · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2014, 11:47:58 am »

Great review I am not sure if it comes on the 13 but I would assume so. The Performance Brake Package is included with the 2012 Blacktop. After I inquired about the details of the performance brake package on my 12 SXT+ BT Chrysler quickly removed the market specifications from their website at dodgepr.com/dodge/pdf/2012_DG_Charger_SP_Revised.pdf that give the detailed breakdown of all Charger variations. I was able to get a cached copy, (thanks google, no thanks Chrysler)determine that Blacktop also gets the performance brake package which gives you a 13.6 front rotor versus a 12.6 up front and dual piston calipers versus the single piston., rears stay the same. Mine has them and they work well. Handling and grip can be improved by changing out the stock Firestone Firehawk GTs which are a good high performance all season tire for a ultra high performance summer tire if you are able or need to run winter tires which I do or upgrade to a better performing AS.

nlm · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2014, 01:06:01 pm »

Quote from: sportyclassic on July 25, 2014, 11:47:58 am

Great review I am not sure if it comes on the 13 but I would assume so. The Performance Brake Package is included with the 2012 Blacktop.

Too bad they don't offer the opposite: a white top on a black model. I guess there's a reason why they don't.

Oldsguy · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2014, 09:59:50 am »

Interesting that they do not show this at all on the Dodge.ca website and there is nothing in the "Build & Price" process that even offers it. That is a pretty bad website anyway so perhaps that's not surprising. I saw the SRT Superbee on there pictured in orange and thought it would be interesting to build one. Turns out you can't even get it in orange (they have adopted the GTI palette of black, gray, white, silver or red only). I thought I saw one here in town in yellow but I guess that's out now too.