Aptly Named Dodge Challenger
Beats Any Challenge in 2009

by Jo Ann Holt

Driving the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T around town— and especially on the freeway—may be the most fun you can have this summer.  It will also guarantee you more attention than you ever wanted.  But if you love muscle cars that go from zero to 60 in less than a heartbeat, this car is made for you!

I had only been driving the test car, (a dazzling TorRed red with black racing stripes, six-speed manual transmission Challenger with 5.7 Liter V8 Hemi® VCT), about 10 minutes when I was stopped by a Sheriff’s Deputy.  He was working the freeway’s “speed trap,” and I saw his vehicle parked ahead in time to slow down a little.  Not quite enough though.

As he got out and walked slowly around the vehicle, I pulled out my driver’s license and insurance papers, prepared to take my speeding ticket as graciously as possible. 

The officer asked, “Did you know you were going 69 in a 60 mph zone?”  

“No sir, I wasn’t sure how fast I was going,” I admitted somewhat sheepishly. 

“Do you mind if I ask why you were in such a hurry?”

“Well, I really wasn’t in a hurry.  I just got behind the wheel of this car for the first time, so I was practicing shifting gears, and when I went into third gear it suddenly jumped way ahead of my expectations. To tell you the truth, my heart went right up into my throat,” I added.

The officer smiled at this, and said, “I’m not giving you a ticket this time, just a warning to hold it down from now on.  And to tell you the truth, I really just wanted to get a better look at this great-looking car.”

I learned from this experience, and was very careful the rest of the week not to jump into third gear unless I was in a 65 or 70 mph speed zone.  Like a prize-winning racehorse, the Challenger does not like it when other cars speed ahead of it.

The next day I drove the Challenger out to the Music Hall at Fair Park for a business meeting, which had just started when a female voice came on the intercom asking “Will whoever is driving the red Dodge Challenger please come to the front security desk?”

Fearful that I might be illegally parked, I left the meeting and ran upstairs.  It turned out to be Music Hall manager Becky Terrell, who just wanted to look inside the car. 

“This is my dream car,” she explained.  “Can I have a look inside?”
The attached photo taken by Shawn Edwards shows Ms. Terrell enjoying the view from the front seat of the Challenger.  Many of the male employees of the Music Hall had followed us upstairs to look at the car, which gave me a great idea for wanna-be buyers of the Challenger.  The owner of this charismatic vehicle could probably make monthly payments just by charging people to sit in the car or have their photos made near the car.  Worth a try!

The 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T averages 16 mpg in town and 25 on the highway, not bad at all for this kind of power.  The base price is $29,320 and standard equipment includes advanced multistage front air bags and supplemental side curtain front and rear air bags; electronic stability program and all-speed traction control; performance steering and suspension; instrument cluster with tachometer; and anti-lock 4-wheel disc performance brakes.  It also comes with air conditioning, remote keyless entry, and a 19 gallon fuel tank which means far fewer stops at the gas station.

The test model had added optional equipment that raised the standard 4 speakers to 6 Boston Acoustic speakers with 276-watt amplifier and Sirius Satellite Radio; plus body-color exterior mirrors, heated front seats and leather-trimmed bucket seats.

An Electronics Convenience Group added auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone, security alarm, traveler trip computer, Uconnect phone, IPod® interface and Universal Garage door opener for an additional $1,260. 

A multimedia navigation system with GPS, compact spare tire and 20” aluminum chrome clad wheels along with the R/T Hood to Fender Stripes brought the total price on the test vehicle to $37,410.

If we were doing something similar to those credit card commercials on TV, it would be: Annual fuel cost at $4.10 per gallon is $3,235 (which is much higher than people in the Dallas/North Texas area are currently paying at the pump); total price of vehicle with extra options $37,410; and Celebrity Car Driver Status, Priceless.

Jo Ann Holt is a journalist and car columnist based in Dallas, Texas, and a member of Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).