hey look! i want a cool ride i can drive on a daliy basis,

[dodgechallenger1971]

not another trailer queen tucked away in the garage saved for sundays and car shows! there are way too many of those out there already.
no way! i wanna enjoy this car everyday. make mine a v -6 challenger,thank you very much,dodge.

[dodgechallenger1971]

all that power will be nice,and vert tempting too.johnny law will be waiting for you.just 0ne speeding ticket,and ka-boom -there goes your auto insurance throught the roof!
just make mine a cool looking v-6 2009 challenger.i'll have a great ride without the high sticker,high insurance rates ,nor temptation to speed to get more tickets.maybe i am getting old (47).had my share of big-block mopars years ago.but i'll still enjoy my v-6 challenger on a daily basis.and should get in the 20-25 mpg range to boot.good luck all.

[Johnman]

Yes, I'm thinking about a V6 Challenger too now, but mainly because I already own a Charger SRT8 and I want to keep it. The V6 should get decent mileage, I'm guessing EPA rating of 16/24. And Autoweek magazine reports that the Chally SRT8 will be only 20 lbs lighter than the Charger SRT8 and the suspension tuning will be softer, too. Looks like the Charger SRT8 will remain Dodge's top-line muscle car for now (excluding Viper, of course) although the Challenger will be the styling halo car.

[Displaced Hokie]

Just get a 5.7 V8 R/T. If it has MDS, which I'm sure it will, you will get great mileage and still have awesome power. It's a long standing fact (but one much loathed by the V6 owners) that an R/T will get better mileage than the 3.5 V6's. The only way a V6 get's better is if you drive exclusively in town with a heavy foot. FYI, I average 23.5 MPG in a Magnum R/T.

That said, I see nothing wrong with a V6 Challenger for the combo of good mileage, lower cost, and lower insurance rates. We used to own a last generation V6 Mustang and that was a good car. No reason a Challenger wouldn't be a good all around car like that as well.

Just note that some enthusiasts can be very "anti-V6", even on here.

[Highperf15]

In my book, the only reason to get a V6 Chally is to rip out the V6 and put in a sweet 392 Hemi. NOTE: Don't try this if you live in a state where you have vehicle inspections or emissions testing cause you'll get busted. But I'd still install the high-flow cats and of course some 2-chamber Flowmaster 40's on it to give it that sweet rumble.

[Johnman]

Originally Posted by Displaced Hokie

Just get a 5.7 V8 R/T. If it has MDS, which I'm sure it will, you will get great mileage and still have awesome power. It's a long standing fact (but one much loathed by the V6 owners) that an R/T will get better mileage than the 3.5 V6's. The only way a V6 get's better is if you drive exclusively in town with a heavy foot. FYI, I average 23.5 MPG in a Magnum R/T.

That said, I see nothing wrong with a V6 Challenger for the combo of good mileage, lower cost, and lower insurance rates. We used to own a last generation V6 Mustang and that was a good car. No reason a Challenger wouldn't be a good all around car like that as well.

Just note that some enthusiasts can be very "anti-V6", even on here.

That's good info to consider, but I'd still like to see the EPA numbers. Dodge does not offer them on their website as of today, and even though they are showcasing the '09's, you still can't "build" and price one yet even though you can on their new crossover SUV. Go figure.

[Highperf15]

Bah........Get the damn 5.7 and yank the SOB out and put in a 392 Hemi. Yah Baby!!!!!

[gn300]

A v- six with a six speed (new nitro has one) would be a great combo!

Who says its a 3.5 why not the 4.0 drivetrain from the Nitro?

But i agree with the hemi mds and a manual 6-speed COULD be as efficient as a v-6 .

[Doctor No]

Just ordered my SE today. Dark titanium metallic, popular equipment package, sound group, leather and a compact spare. I do a lot of highway driving (36,000+ per year) and have 2 driving age sons at home. V8's (while close in mileage provided you do not cave into temptation) are not in my plans. Just hoping for the availability of a nice dual exhaust system from MOPAR by the time its delivered.

[GLHSHELBY]

I just bought a 3.5 charger 8 weeks ago and IMO it has plenty of power for daily driving.I`ll definately be going that route in 3-5 years when I get a challenger

[oilmanpaul]

Don't forget to install a cold air intake. It will give you an additional 15 h.p. at the rear wheels and will increase your gas mileage by at least 3 mpg. I have a 2006 300 C hemi and gained 2.5 mpg; now it makes 15 in the city and 25 on the highway. So the 3.5 should make some good gains. I've ordered an '09 Challenger R/T 5.7 w/ 6 spd and will put a cold air intake on that as well (if I don't cave in and install a Vortech SC first)...... Enjoy the SE; that might have been my choice if I was going to let my teenagers drive it (they won't be driving my R/T !!) Have fun !!

[Doctor No]

Planned "improvements" for my SE: Dual exhaust w/headers (depending on construction of the rear bumper), CAI, full legal window tinting, chrome gas cap. I previously owned an '06 Charger SXT with the 3.5 and found it to be a more than adequate performer. Whether or not I let my sons drive the car, the insurance rates for a HEMI with teenage drivers would not be pretty as I already pay a premium for the amount of miles I put on my car each year (around 40,000).