Drove a rental Charger today

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: G-MAN

Nope, not even close. I dug through some of my old car magazines and turned up a road test of a Marauder and a 300C (which is basically the same car as the Charger with a Hemi).

Marauder (Automobile magazine, Aug 2002)
0-60: 7.3 seconds
0-100: 17.5 seconds
1/4 mile: 15.6 @ 94 mph
Horsepower: 302 @ 5750 rpm
Torque: 318 lb/ft @ 4300 rpm
Curb weight: 4195 lbs

Chrysler 300C (Car and Driver magazine, May 2004)
0-60: 5.3 seconds
0-100: 13.4 seconds
1/4 mile: 13.9 @ 102 mph
Horsepower: 340 @ 5000 rpm
Torque: 390 lb/ft @ 4000 rpm
Curb weight: 4140 lbs


I was talking top-speed not 1/4 mile times. My '87 GT was faster than both of those things pretty much stock......... In the 1/4.


A Marauder won't touch a Hemi Charger with the police package on top end. A Marauder tops out at about 130. The Charger will do 150+.


You've driven both vehicles and can verify that?

Because I've found mixed results ranging from 117Mph electronically limited to 137Mph.

I've also found different 0-60 times, one of them being 6.5 seconds.

http://www.carpages.ca/article/2006/10/26/2003-2004-mercury-marauder-pre-owned

There's that one.

150+ Mph is beyond the power peak of the HEMI in the 300C, which is 5,000RPM, and occurs at 130Mph in 4th gear. I would seriously doubt it having enough power to do 130+Mph in O/D given its weight.

6,000RPM IS 160Mph, I have no idea what the rev limit is on the 300C, but this is 1,000RPM beyond peak power. That being said, I don't have its power curve in front of me, and perhaps it caries it well beyond peak.

It is definitely an impressive performer and faster than the Marauder in acceleration (a lot of which could be cured with gearing, given the similar weight and power output), but I have a hard time picturing it doing north of 150Mph.

 

[Oldswagon]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

Very sure. My cousin recently left the RCMP. They wouldn't let her drive them

The OPP also have a couple.


Well, I'll take your word on the RCMP, but I don't know about the OPP. I have a few friends with the OPP, and as fellow car buffs, I am sure they would have known about these cars. On top of that, a Mustang would not be allowed as a pursuit rated vehicle in Ontario. The only vehicles that are pursuit rated in Ontario are the CVPI, Impala, Charger and the Tahoe PPV. I know the OPP does have a few "promo" type cruisers only used for special events and at recruiting sessions. I could see a few Mustangs being dressed up for that. And finally, with the strict prusuit laws in Ontario (ie always cancelled), if the pursuit is crazy enough that a CVPI can't keep up, I be willing to bet it'd be called off.

FYI, all the OPP Chargers I have seen are 3.5L's.

 

[Oldswagon]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

150+ Mph is beyond the power peak of the HEMI in the 300C, which is 5,000RPM, and occurs at 130Mph in 4th gear. I would seriously doubt it having enough power to do 130+Mph in O/D given its weight.

6,000RPM IS 160Mph, I have no idea what the rev limit is on the 300C, but this is 1,000RPM beyond peak power. That being said, I don't have its power curve in front of me, and perhaps it caries it well beyond peak.

It is definitely an impressive performer and faster than the Marauder in acceleration (a lot of which could be cured with gearing, given the similar weight and power output), but I have a hard time picturing it doing north of 150Mph.


Not to get involved in the [censored] match, but Michigan State Police tests have long been the definitive source for police car performance. There testing procedures typically results in slower times than magazines, but they also use different methodology (one example is two troopers in the car during the test). So, while not comparable to magazine times, you can compare MSP results between cars and different test years.

FWIW if the 2009 tests results (I posted the link earlier) resulted with the Charger having a 146 MPH top speed. Since 1978, the Charger holds the record as the fastest car tested by MSP (save for the Camaro). The Crown Vic's have been limited to 129 MPH for several years now due to the driveshaft harmonics causing damage to the rear seal in the transmission when it spins above a certain RPM. That's why the 3.55 geared cars will only do 120 MPH. Perhaps the Maurader has been limited to 130 for the same reason.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

150+ Mph is beyond the power peak of the HEMI in the 300C, which is 5,000RPM, and occurs at 130Mph in 4th gear. I would seriously doubt it having enough power to do 130+Mph in O/D given its weight.

6,000RPM IS 160Mph, I have no idea what the rev limit is on the 300C, but this is 1,000RPM beyond peak power. That being said, I don't have its power curve in front of me, and perhaps it caries it well beyond peak.

It is definitely an impressive performer and faster than the Marauder in acceleration (a lot of which could be cured with gearing, given the similar weight and power output), but I have a hard time picturing it doing north of 150Mph.


Not to get involved in the [censored] match, but Michigan State Police tests have long been the definitive source for police car performance. There testing procedures typically results in slower times than magazines, but they also use different methodology (one example is two troopers in the car during the test). So, while not comparable to magazine times, you can compare MSP results between cars and different test years.

FWIW if the 2009 tests results (I posted the link earlier) resulted with the Charger having a 146 MPH top speed. Since 1978, the Charger holds the record as the fastest car tested by MSP (save for the Camaro). The Crown Vic's have been limited to 129 MPH for several years now due to the driveshaft harmonics causing damage to the rear seal in the transmission when it spins above a certain RPM. That's why the 3.55 geared cars will only do 120 MPH. Perhaps the Maurader has been limited to 130 for the same reason.


That makes a lot of sense. And your 146Mph top speed sounds more reasonable too.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

Very sure. My cousin recently left the RCMP. They wouldn't let her drive them

The OPP also have a couple.


Well, I'll take your word on the RCMP, but I don't know about the OPP. I have a few friends with the OPP, and as fellow car buffs, I am sure they would have known about these cars. On top of that, a Mustang would not be allowed as a pursuit rated vehicle in Ontario. The only vehicles that are pursuit rated in Ontario are the CVPI, Impala, Charger and the Tahoe PPV. I know the OPP does have a few "promo" type cruisers only used for special events and at recruiting sessions. I could see a few Mustangs being dressed up for that. And finally, with the strict prusuit laws in Ontario (ie always cancelled), if the pursuit is crazy enough that a CVPI can't keep up, I be willing to bet it'd be called off.

FYI, all the OPP Chargers I have seen are 3.5L's.


About 5 years ago a good friend of mine and I were headed up to Muskoka from Peterborough. Just past Kirkfield there was a black and white Mustang Cobra coming the other way. It wasn't until he was almost beside us that we clearly saw OPP on the door, and when he went by, the lights in the rear window.

Promo vehicle or not, I have no idea. This was on a back-road and he was moving pretty good.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
Not to get involved in the [censored] match, but Michigan State Police tests have long been the definitive source for police car performance.


What I find really interesting are the results for the 3.5 Charger (especially since that's the engine in my 300). It smokes the Crown Vic on top end. And the 3.5 Charger matches the Crown Vic in acceleration from 0-60, but beats it in 0-100. But look at the differences in the "Distance to Reach." Up to 110 the two cars are pretty even. But look how much further the Crown Vic has to go to reach 120. That indicates to me that once you get to 110 the Crown Vic is running out of steam. But the 3.5 Charger is still pulling strong.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
That makes a lot of sense. And your 146Mph top speed sounds more reasonable too.


If you look at the 2006 Michigan State Police test the Hemi Charger had a top speed of 150.

Too bad Chrysler doesn't put the 6.1 Hemi in the police Charger:

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Too bad Chrysler doesn't put the 6.1 Hemi in the police Charger:

Isn't it available?

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Too bad Chrysler doesn't put the 6.1 Hemi in the police Charger:

Isn't it available?


Yes, I beleive they call it the SRT8 and it is one sweet ride. I've seen a black one on the road and it is hot looking! But, they don't offer that engine in the police cars.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Too bad Chrysler doesn't put the 6.1 Hemi in the police Charger:

Isn't it available?


Not in the police Charger. It's in the SRT8 300 and Charger.

 

[d00df00d]

Ah. I could have sword I saw something about a Charger SRT8 police car.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
Not to get involved in the [censored] match, but Michigan State Police tests have long been the definitive source for police car performance.


What I find really interesting are the results for the 3.5 Charger (especially since that's the engine in my 300). It smokes the Crown Vic on top end. And the 3.5 Charger matches the Crown Vic in acceleration from 0-60, but beats it in 0-100. But look at the differences in the "Distance to Reach." Up to 110 the two cars are pretty even. But look how much further the Crown Vic has to go to reach 120. That indicates to me that once you get to 110 the Crown Vic is running out of steam. But the 3.5 Charger is still pulling strong.

As per Oldswagon's post, the Vic is top speed limited due to driveshaft harmonics.

With the 3.5L V6 having 250HP and 250lb-ft, I don't see why it is surprising that it is able to keep up with the 4.6L which is also 250HP. This seems like a no-brainer......

Here is the first set of data I was able to find:

Here are the Michigan State Police specs:

Lap times:

Note the Vic and the V6 line-up nicely, even given the fact that they sport the same power and the Vic is riding on a 40 year old chassis.

2008 vs 2006 Time Results:

2006 Time Results:

It will be interesting to see how they hold up in terms of long-term durability. As it seems they are no faster than the Vic, nor do they handle better. They do STOP better however.

I have yet to see a Police-issue 5.7L Charger. The vast majority seem to be of the 3.5L nature. Which makes sense, as they are the direct competition for the Vic, with the 5.7L models having more of a "Unicorn" status, at least where I live.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
No Crown Vic is going to hang with this:



Slow. I know of a few Vics/Marauders/Impala SSs that would skulldrag that thing.

 

[rszappa1]

Sure they will....

 

[G-MAN]

Every SC Hwy Patrol Charger I've ever seen has been a Hemi.

 

[rszappa1]

Kentucky and Indiana State Police have Hemis also....

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
Not to get involved in the [censored] match, but Michigan State Police tests have long been the definitive source for police car performance.


What I find really interesting are the results for the 3.5 Charger (especially since that's the engine in my 300). It smokes the Crown Vic on top end. And the 3.5 Charger matches the Crown Vic in acceleration from 0-60, but beats it in 0-100. But look at the differences in the "Distance to Reach." Up to 110 the two cars are pretty even. But look how much further the Crown Vic has to go to reach 120. That indicates to me that once you get to 110 the Crown Vic is running out of steam. But the 3.5 Charger is still pulling strong.

As per Oldswagon's post, the Vic is top speed limited due to driveshaft harmonics.

With the 3.5L V6 having 250HP and 250lb-ft, I don't see why it is surprising that it is able to keep up with the 4.6L which is also 250HP. This seems like a no-brainer......

Here is the first set of data I was able to find:

Here are the Michigan State Police specs:

Lap times:

Note the Vic and the V6 line-up nicely, even given the fact that they sport the same power and the Vic is riding on a 40 year old chassis.

2008 vs 2006 Time Results:

2006 Time Results:

It will be interesting to see how they hold up in terms of long-term durability. As it seems they are no faster than the Vic, nor do they handle better. They do STOP better however.

I have yet to see a Police-issue 5.7L Charger. The vast majority seem to be of the 3.5L nature. Which makes sense, as they are the direct competition for the Vic, with the 5.7L models having more of a "Unicorn" status, at least where I live.


As far a durability goes the Broward Sheriff bought around 500 Hemi Chargers from 06-08...The Sheriff has around 1800 cars total...They Chargers turned into maintenance nightmares...They needed new brake rotors at every oil change [unheard of in the CVPI],suspension problems,and ran hotter then normal...A lot of them went back to the service center on flatbeds as they just drop dead during their shift...There was also a lot of hesitation on 3 point turns....Generally I see at least one Charger on a flatbed a week... The 06 and early 07's were the worst but they got a little better in 08...Parts for the Charger are a lot more then the CVPI...The Sheriff took the spare out to make more room in the trunk...They just call for a tow truck to come out when they have a flat...Some deputies also complained of the blind spots....They stopped ordering the Chargers and went back the the CVPI awhile back...They have a sprinkling of Tahoes and seem to like them...They are mostly for supervisiors...The Sheriff claims its the only SUV that comes with a police package now.

The bulk Miami-Dade County so far is sticking to the Vic with only a sprinkling of Impalas.

Last I heard the Sheriff said the Chargers are off the table when the CVPI is done...Its a toss up between the Taurus or the new rwd Caprice.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: rszappa1
Sure they will....


They will, and with ease. Stock 5.7 Hemi Chargers aren't particularly quick outside of law enforcement circles.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
Originally Posted By: rszappa1
Sure they will....


They will, and with ease. Stock 5.7 Hemi Chargers aren't particularly quick outside of law enforcement circles.

 

[rszappa1]

I hope this comes out. It was from Motor trend....Not to good but the chevy is the first...then dodge and last is vic...


Check Dealer Pricing On a New Dodge Charger!
Police Car Comparison: 2007 Dodge Charger vs 2007 Chevrolet Impala vs 2007 Ford Crown Victoria
2007 Chevrolet Impala Police Car 2007 Dodge Charger Police Vehicle 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Front engine, FWD Front engine, RWD Front engine, RWD
ENGINE TYPE 60 V-6, iron block/alum heads 90 V-8, iron block/alum heads 90 V-8, iron block/alum heads
VALVETRAIN OHV, 2 valves/cyl OHV, 2 valves/cyl SOHC, 2 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT 236.7 cu in/3880 cc 345.1 cu in/5654 cc 280.4 cu in/4606 cc
COMPRESSION RATIO 9.8:1 9.6:1 9.4:1
POWER (SAE NET) 240 hp @ 5800 rpm 340 hp @ 5000 rpm 250 hp @ 5000 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET) 245 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm 390 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm 297 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
REDLINE 6400 rpm 5800 rpm 5700 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER 15.6 lb/hp 12.5 lb/hp 17.5 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION 4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIOS 3.29:1/2.34:1 2.82:1/2.34:1 3.55:1/2.49:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar Control arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, self-leveling shocks, anti-roll bar Control arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar; live axle, coil springs, anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO 13.3:1 16.1:1 16.4:1
TURNS LCOK-TO-LOCK 2.5 2.8 2.9
BRAKES, F;R 11.9-in vented disc; 10.9-in disc, ABS 13.6-in vented disc; 12.6-in vented disc, ABS 12.0-in vented disc; 11.5-in vented disc, ABS
WHEELS 16 x 6.5 in, steel 18 x 7.5 in, steel 17 x 7.5, steel
TIRES 225/60R16 97Y M+S Pirelli P6 225/60R18 99V M+S Continental ContiProContact 235/55R17 98W M+S, Goodyear Eagle RS
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE 110.5 in 120.0 in 114.6 in
TRACK, F/R 62.4/61.5 in 63.0/63.1 in 62.8/65.6 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 200.4 x 72.9 x 58.7 in 200.1 x 74.5 x 58.8 in 212.0 x 78.3 x 58.3 in
TURNING CIRCLE 38.0 ft 38.9 ft 40.3 ft
CURB WEIGHT 3740 lb 4248 lb 4385 lb
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION, F/R 62/38% 54/46% 53/47%
SEATING CAPACITY 5 5 5
HEADROOM, F/R 39.4/37.8 in 38.7/36.2 in 39.5 in/37.8 in
LEGROOM, F/R 42.3/37.6 in 41.8/40.2 in 41.6/38.0 in
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R 58.7/58.6 in 59.3/57.6 in 60.6/60.0 in
CARGO VOLUME 18.6 cu ft 16.2 cu ft 20.6 cu ft
TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH
0-30 2.6 sec 2.1 sec 2.6 sec
0-40 3.8 3 3.9
0-50 5.4 4.2 5.7
0-60 7.5 5.6 7.8
0-70 9.8 7.2 10.2
0-80 12.3 9.4 12.9
0-90 15.5 11.8 16.7
0-100 NA 14.3 NA
PASSING 45-65 MPH 4.2 sec 2.9 sec 4.3 sec
QUARTER MILE 15.6 sec @ 91.2 mph 14.2 sec @ 99.4 mph 15.9 sec @ 88.1 mph
BRAKING 60-0 MPH 132 ft 127 ft 135 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.84 g 0.83 g 0.80 g
MT FIGURE EIGHT 27.9 sec @ 0.60 g avg 27.1 sec @ 0.64 g avg 28.6 sec @ 0.58 g avg
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH 1900 rpm 1750 rpm 1700 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
BASE PRICE $24,355 $23,475 $26,535
PRICE AS TESTED $25,315 $30,480 $35,445
STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL No/no Yes/yes No/no
AIRBAGS Dual front Dual front Dual front, front side
BASIC WARRANTY 3 yrs/36,000 miles 3 yrs/36,000 miles 3 yrs/36,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 5 yrs/100,000 miles 3 yrs/36,000 miles 5 yrs/60,000 miles
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Delivered with flashing lights Has never looked so good Care to ride in back?
FUEL CAPACITY 17.5 gal 18.5 gal 19.0 gal
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON 20/29 mpg 17/25 mpg 17/25 mpg
RECOMMEND FUEL Unleaded regular Unleaded midgrade Unleaded regular