Dodge Charger

[greenjp]

I have been driving a newish Charger (2014 I believe) around for the past few days while my Saab is getting a new bumper after being hit in the parking lot at work. The Charger has the 3.6l V6 and what I assume is the basic SE trim level - no badges to suggest otherwise and it's lacking the features I'd expect in a mid or upper trim model.

This is a very strange car. The engine and transmission are fine, the chassis feels solid, and the handling is OK. But I have never driven a car in my life that feels so much bigger than it actually is than this thing. The combination of the tall hood and trunk, high window sills, huge C pillar, and tiny windows makes for terrible visibility and estimating where the edges of the car is very difficult. The interior is only fractionally larger than my 9-5's - despite the car being a good 10" longer (14" longer wheelbase!) and 4+" wider, there's just a few extra inches of shoulder room and an admittedly significant 4" extra rear legroom. Most of the extra size seems to be dedicated to the hood.

Interior gripes include a multifunction touch screen that I actually need to lean forward a little bit to reach (I'm 6'3" so the seat is pretty far back but I have long arms too) and a panel above the pedals that my size 12 shoes are constantly bumping against.

I am obviously not in this thing's target market. I much prefer a nimble size, efficient packaging, and especially good sightlines and visibility. The Charger is all about form over function.

jeff

 

[ls1mike]

I loved the one I had as a rental. My only real gripe was the how the transmission gear selector worked.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: greenjp
The combination of the tall hood and trunk, high window sills, huge C pillar, and tiny windows makes for terrible visibility and estimating where the edges of the car is very difficult.


Sit in a Chevy Camero, and you will think the Dodge Charger is as big as a football stadium with unlimited visibility.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
I loved the one I had as a rental. My only real gripe was the how the transmission gear selector worked.


Thank You!

I thought there was a government mandate that dictated that automatic gear selectors had to have a certain order. Then BMW put that silly little stub on the side of the column of the 7. It's easy enough to figure out but you know what else is easy? A gear selector that goes PRNDL.

Then there was the Prius. RND and B! You have to push a button for Park. Takes awhile to figure out what B is for

Then there is the Charger. Easy enough to figure out but annoying. At least it's not the 200's knob.

 

[HTSS_TR]

You can't see much outside even you're 6'3", how can I see anything when I'm 5'7" ?

 

[OneEyeJack]

You're supposed to like the style and not be bothered with convenience.

I have an 03 4Runner and after sitting in an FJ Cruiser I felt claustrophobic. I would never give up my 4Runner for the FJ.

 

[Clevy]

I'm 6'1". I don't have any visibility issues in mine though mines an 06.

 

[daves87rs]

Would love one (fun to drive), but I'm not that far from the "hoods"....so I'd rather not have to go looking for it....

 

[greenjp]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
I'm 6'1". I don't have any visibility issues in mine though mines an 06.

Dunno. Maybe you have the seat higher up? I tend to like my seat low, far back, with only a slight recline.

Whatever the explanation, in comparison to my 9-5 and my wife's 2006 Accord, the Charger's visibility is very poor. Its apparent girth is more akin to my dad's Cadillac Deville.

jeff

 

[NHGUY]

Poor visibility is due to crash standards.The less glass and more steel means more vault like protection.Also pretty much ensures that an accident will happen due to no outward visibility.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I had a 300 rental once and have a similar opinion of it. It's a fine car, for a big car. But I don't like "big driving" cars, and the 300 I had certainly felt every bit of what it weighed. The electronic gear selector was silly, and it pretty much eliminated ANY control the driver has over the 8-speed transmission. Which is ironic because I really WANTED to control the transmission due to the wonky shift programming. The engine was a peach, but I was constantly frustrated with the transmissions eco-minded shifting schedule, combined with the complete lack of ability to control it.

I had this rental for over a month (our Honda was in the body shop) and the transmission programming never sorted out. I think that's just the way it is.

The space inefficiency you describe is somewhat inherent to more traditional RWD cars. And some people like the gun-slit style windows. That really turns me off in a vehicle...I like to rest my elbow on the window sill at a natural angle. My gauge of a proper seating position is this: the top of the window sill has to intersect the steering wheel at about the middle of the wheel...or at least in the airbag cover somewhere; if it's higher than that, then it's no good for me. Many cars are moving in that direction, which is unfortunate in my opinion.

 

[Jarlaxle]

I'm probably less sensitive to rear visibility than most (I drive a box truck), but I had no complaints in my Magnum. I will note that even medium trucks (Freightliner M2 and International Dura-Star) now have very thick A-pillars.

 

[gfh77665]

I don't know how GM even sells the Camero. From 100 ft. away, you can clearly see the roofline is way too low and the glass height is no where near as tall as it needs to be.

Riding in a Camero = riding in a coffin or submarine.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^Haha, but since the Camaro outsells its competition (Mustang) obviously your opinion is in the minority.

Back OT, having owned an LX for over ten years now I can say that it seems fine to me. But of course it is a personal choice.

Frankly it's been a great car, visibility has never been an issue.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Frankly it's been a great car, visibility has never been an issue.


Having rented and driven both generations (your generation and the current one), the current generation certainly "contains" you more. The cabin is less airy and the blind spots are greater in size. You really feel enclosed. The previous generation had a "lighter" feel to it...both in chassis response and in perceived mass due to pillar sizes, window sill height, etc.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Frankly it's been a great car, visibility has never been an issue.


Having rented and driven both generations (your generation and the current one), the current generation certainly "contains" you more. The cabin is less airy and the blind spots are greater in size. You really feel enclosed. The previous generation had a "lighter" feel to it...both in chassis response and in perceived mass due to pillar sizes, window sill height, etc.



K. That makes sense then. I haven't noticed any of the issues posted. Mines an 06. I do sit straight up but that's because of back problems and fear of falling asleep.
So the newer ones are different though they don't look that different.

 

[rjundi]

It is an exercise in styling that appeals to certain folks.

The car is not my cup of tea either. I got it as an "upgrade" rental during a recent snow event. Ha!! The plow went by and I could not back it out of my space so they handed me keys to a Dart.

 

[SteveSRT8]

With US sales of 95000 in 2014 alone it's a very popular design.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
^^^Haha, but since the Camaro outsells its competition (Mustang) obviously your opinion is in the minority.

Back OT, having owned an LX for over ten years now I can say that it seems fine to me. But of course it is a personal choice.

Frankly it's been a great car, visibility has never been an issue.



I sold Dodges/Chryslers and Fords at one time. I always liked the feel of them(MOPARS) inside. The Challenger interior seemed a bit boring to me, but I am one who appreciates some space in a car being a pretty broad shouldered individual.

As for the Camaro, they were my least favorite retroesque styled muscle car. While you can obviously see the first gen influence, the way it was done just never agreed with me as much as the Mustangs and Challengers.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8

Frankly it's been a great car, visibility has never been an issue.


I drove one once, and it was impossible to see the traffic lights overhead due to the very low roofline, if you are the first car arriving at an intersection.

BTW, I am certainly not "anti GM". I own two Chevy Silverados and I own GM stock.

I am willing to bet most of the Camero buyers are 5'8" or less. I am 6' even and I had to duck just to get inside it.