MM Review: 2011 Dodge Charger R/T
05-09-11, 06:13 AM
#20
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05-09-11, 06:16 AM
#21
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05-09-11, 10:03 AM
#22
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Before you use any gas driving to a dealership, though, call or do an Internet dealer-inventory search, and make sure they actually have the model you want to look at. In my area (Washington, DC suburbs), AWD and some R/T versions are not readily kept in stock. In fact, when I did this review, the Dodge shop I was at had only one new 2011 R/T.
07-22-11, 10:18 PM
#23
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I have a 2011 Charger R/T Road and Track model. It is a great car, unbelievably refined (for a Charger) with really nice interior treatments, easily on par with the current nice Ford interiors, etc. It is also chock full of expensive electronic gadgetry you would expect in a much more expensive vehicle - adaptive cruise, heated steering, a massive touch screen with fantastic software and great nav system by Garmin, and Sirius Travelink/Satellite radio. There also packages with self-leveling headlights, blind-spot detection, front and rear backup cameras, power adjustable pedals and steering wheel, seat memory, and a lot more. Stereos are very nice Alpine setups.
Chysler has made a number of suspension changes and refinements which have really dialed up the handling to the point of track-worthy duty (if you get the super track pack) - there are actually 3 suspension packages, the normal suspension - R/T base, Plus and Max, the much sportier, better handling Road and Track suspension, and then the Road and Track with the Super Track pack which offers an unbelievably composed high-speed and twisties-worthy experience. The STP has to be driven to be believed.
They have different gearing as well - the Road and Track has 3.06 gears which equals much faster acceleration, and the others which have a 2.65 gearset which is, well, not so fast. The R and T with the 3.06 goes like nobody's business - 0-60 in 5.1 and 13.7 in the 1/4 - not bad for a 4200 lb car. The 5.7 liter Hemi is a joy to use and listen to, as is the exhaust.
However they do have their issues. Many owners feel they were rushed to market by Gilles before all the bugs were worked out and consequently there have been a a variety of weird electrical issues, some build quality issues, and some paint problems. My tires where also out of balance from the get-go, but were re-balanced into perfection by the dealer under warranty.
But the transmission (despite being a 5 -speed) and the engine are top notch. It really is like a brand- new model, but reliability has yet to be determined. If I were to do it again, I'd've waited until 2013 for the 8-speed, and for all the bugs to be worked out. But it is a damn good car, a speed AND FINALLY a handling monster (in road and track trim) with all the trimmings. A great joy to drive, but has it build flaws, and soon to remedied in later MYs. Plus, it looks like it will beat you up and take your lunch money. If you like that sort of thing.
Chysler has made a number of suspension changes and refinements which have really dialed up the handling to the point of track-worthy duty (if you get the super track pack) - there are actually 3 suspension packages, the normal suspension - R/T base, Plus and Max, the much sportier, better handling Road and Track suspension, and then the Road and Track with the Super Track pack which offers an unbelievably composed high-speed and twisties-worthy experience. The STP has to be driven to be believed.
They have different gearing as well - the Road and Track has 3.06 gears which equals much faster acceleration, and the others which have a 2.65 gearset which is, well, not so fast. The R and T with the 3.06 goes like nobody's business - 0-60 in 5.1 and 13.7 in the 1/4 - not bad for a 4200 lb car. The 5.7 liter Hemi is a joy to use and listen to, as is the exhaust.
However they do have their issues. Many owners feel they were rushed to market by Gilles before all the bugs were worked out and consequently there have been a a variety of weird electrical issues, some build quality issues, and some paint problems. My tires where also out of balance from the get-go, but were re-balanced into perfection by the dealer under warranty.
But the transmission (despite being a 5 -speed) and the engine are top notch. It really is like a brand- new model, but reliability has yet to be determined. If I were to do it again, I'd've waited until 2013 for the 8-speed, and for all the bugs to be worked out. But it is a damn good car, a speed AND FINALLY a handling monster (in road and track trim) with all the trimmings. A great joy to drive, but has it build flaws, and soon to remedied in later MYs. Plus, it looks like it will beat you up and take your lunch money. If you like that sort of thing.
07-23-11, 07:31 AM
#24
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A number of the very latest 2011-vintage Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep interiors significantly outclass their Ford competition, though not necessarily those of GM.....GM has also made a lot of improvements in their latest interiors. Ford has done a good job in improving their general overall build-quality, but many of their interiors, IMO, are not impressive. The next job at Ford needs to be improving the interior trim.
07-23-11, 08:07 AM
#25
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Mike Nice review again, they are of course very popular already in Atlanta.
Welcome
I have a 2011 Charger R/T Road and Track model. It is a great car, unbelievably refined (for a Charger) with really nice interior treatments, easily on par with the current nice Ford interiors, etc. It is also chock full of expensive electronic gadgetry you would expect in a much more expensive vehicle - adaptive cruise, heated steering, a massive touch screen with fantastic software and great nav system by Garmin, and Sirius Travelink/Satellite radio. There also packages with self-leveling headlights, blind-spot detection, front and rear backup cameras, power adjustable pedals and steering wheel, seat memory, and a lot more. Stereos are very nice Alpine setups.
Chysler has made a number of suspension changes and refinements which have really dialed up the handling to the point of track-worthy duty (if you get the super track pack) - there are actually 3 suspension packages, the normal suspension - R/T base, Plus and Max, the much sportier, better handling Road and Track suspension, and then the Road and Track with the Super Track pack which offers an unbelievably composed high-speed and twisties-worthy experience. The STP has to be driven to be believed.
They have different gearing as well - the Road and Track has 3.06 gears which equals much faster acceleration, and the others which have a 2.65 gearset which is, well, not so fast. The R and T with the 3.06 goes like nobody's business - 0-60 in 5.1 and 13.7 in the 1/4 - not bad for a 4200 lb car. The 5.7 liter Hemi is a joy to use and listen to, as is the exhaust.
However they do have their issues. Many owners feel they were rushed to market by Gilles before all the bugs were worked out and consequently there have been a a variety of weird electrical issues, some build quality issues, and some paint problems. My tires where also out of balance from the get-go, but were re-balanced into perfection by the dealer under warranty.
But the transmission (despite being a 5 -speed) and the engine are top notch. It really is like a brand- new model, but reliability has yet to be determined. If I were to do it again, I'd've waited until 2013 for the 8-speed, and for all the bugs to be worked out. But it is a damn good car, a speed AND FINALLY a handling monster (in road and track trim) with all the trimmings. A great joy to drive, but has it build flaws, and soon to remedied in later MYs. Plus, it looks like it will beat you up and take your lunch money. If you like that sort of thing.
Chysler has made a number of suspension changes and refinements which have really dialed up the handling to the point of track-worthy duty (if you get the super track pack) - there are actually 3 suspension packages, the normal suspension - R/T base, Plus and Max, the much sportier, better handling Road and Track suspension, and then the Road and Track with the Super Track pack which offers an unbelievably composed high-speed and twisties-worthy experience. The STP has to be driven to be believed.
They have different gearing as well - the Road and Track has 3.06 gears which equals much faster acceleration, and the others which have a 2.65 gearset which is, well, not so fast. The R and T with the 3.06 goes like nobody's business - 0-60 in 5.1 and 13.7 in the 1/4 - not bad for a 4200 lb car. The 5.7 liter Hemi is a joy to use and listen to, as is the exhaust.
However they do have their issues. Many owners feel they were rushed to market by Gilles before all the bugs were worked out and consequently there have been a a variety of weird electrical issues, some build quality issues, and some paint problems. My tires where also out of balance from the get-go, but were re-balanced into perfection by the dealer under warranty.
But the transmission (despite being a 5 -speed) and the engine are top notch. It really is like a brand- new model, but reliability has yet to be determined. If I were to do it again, I'd've waited until 2013 for the 8-speed, and for all the bugs to be worked out. But it is a damn good car, a speed AND FINALLY a handling monster (in road and track trim) with all the trimmings. A great joy to drive, but has it build flaws, and soon to remedied in later MYs. Plus, it looks like it will beat you up and take your lunch money. If you like that sort of thing.
07-23-11, 08:22 AM
#26
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This was actually an older thread from early May that got bumped back up with new comments.I am very impressed with the looks of the new Chrysler 300, which, of course, is done on the Charger's platform. The new dash and interior trim, particularly in the high-line models, will knock your socks off. I might (?) review one even without a request.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-23-11 at 08:28 AM.
07-23-11, 09:03 AM
#28
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07-24-11, 09:47 AM
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What was not great about it, the RT has the 5.7L Hemi, and the 0-60 on it is about 5.7 to 5.2, depending on how your driving it, that 5speed is straight out of the Eclass/E55, its way smoother then anything from the Japanese and Domestics, and can take a beating, and go 100k between servicing, can't say that about a lot of transmissions, the 8speed is not suppose to make the car faster, it will but its more for gas mileage
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