Watch AutoWeek’s Dutch Mandell Praise the New Charger |
 
|
Posted on January 6, 2010
Dutch Mandell, Editor and Associate Publisher of AutoWeek, does a walk-around of the 2010 Dodge Charger in this video and has trouble spotting a single flaw. Although he begins by admiring its engine as a “cleaner-running, more potent HEMI than ever before,” it’s the car’s handling that really impresses him. Along with praising the Charger’s automatic traction control and surprisingly good fuel economy, Mandell says, “Honest — the new Charger, fitted with all-wheel drive, is as sure-footed as many high-luxury European sedans.”
Jan 06, 2010 @ 11:44:43
This is good PR and hopefully it is linked to your Dodge Charger section of your website. It will help sell the AWD feature. Keep up the good work!
Jan 06, 2010 @ 12:07:44
Not bad praise for a 5 year old car, but bring on the 2011!
Jan 06, 2010 @ 12:13:32
He sounds a bit too cheesy/fake in many parts
Jan 06, 2010 @ 17:24:33
I think its about time that some of the automotive press is beginning to realize that Mother Mopar makes some GREAT cars and trucks!!!! My 08 Avenger R/T AWD handles and drives wonderfully even in the deep snowbelt of northern Wisconsin. Also hasnt had a single problem in 19000 miles. Cant wait to get behind the wheel of my recently ordered 2010 Plum Crazy Challenger Classic ! Mopar Rules!!!!
Jan 07, 2010 @ 17:40:34
I own a 1999 Dodge Neon. It is the best car I have ever owned. It gets me through the snow that everyone else is having problems with. I am getting ready to hit 80,000 miles and I think I might have to get a new car, but I truely hate to get rid of my Dodge Neon Sport. What do I get?????
Jan 07, 2010 @ 18:28:51
Buy a Charger, they are a bargain. Our dealership is taking $5,500 off on them. They are even selling some of the SE’s for $17,000. Heck, that is the price of a Caliber.
Jan 10, 2010 @ 15:47:01
Jo Mucci…Wow 80,000 miles,I put that on in under 3 years !! Anyway depends what your budget is the Charger is a real good/reliable car..Even with the 3.5 V-6 it gets good gas mileage and great performance,as you are coming from a Neon there is no comparison,the smooth ride,great handling,quiet,26 average mpg,a little less than the neon but you will have twice the car,safety should come before mpg..
Also,The Charger is the best 4 door out there by far !! I have driven the Asian brands and Eurpean brands and the Charger blows everyone away,smooth ride,handles great..better than most other 4 doors,decent gas mileage and safety…Plus the SRT-8 just hauls !!! Cant wait for the 6.4 HEMI !!!
I hope Dodge advertises this car,they rarely do,actually I cannot recall any adds for the Charger…WHY ? The Hemi actually gets better mpg in real world driving than the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord !!! As I know people with the same driving style and comparable cars..The Hemi Charger is 10 times the car …it has the look,sound,ride and just plain RELIABLE !!!!
Jan 10, 2010 @ 20:36:39
I agree with 440 on this. The Charger is a great car and you get alot of car for the money.
I own an R/T Daytona and just love it. Its hugh, lots of room, and has a real trunk. Its not a stripped out import or all look, no action sedan like some other domestics. Its definatly the meanest, hands down winner of sedans on the road. Awesome handling and road feel, traction control is top notch. The HEMI is truly awesome/Amazing! People still comment on mine. Worth every penny. Great deals on new Chargers right now!
Jan 11, 2010 @ 14:45:31
Thanks for all the feedback, guys!
Jan 12, 2010 @ 02:32:40
have you upgraded the tie rods yet? my 2006 chrysler 300c has had the tie rods replaced twice in 24,000 miles! i can think of a lot of people on multiple enthusiast forums who have the same problem…
Jan 12, 2010 @ 09:33:38
Get an aftermarket Tie Rod End with a grease nipple. Those factory units are sealed units
that can’t be greased. Those sealed units are junk, and for a part such as this where saftey
is a concern, its unbelievable anyone would think of putting it on a vehicle thats on public roads. The bottom line is you can’t make money on parts that don’t need replacing.
This is also a big problem on the minivans with the stabilizer links. Sealed units with no provision to provide lubrication. So we can make money on parts but now have many disgruntled customers who are likely not to return to buy another vehicle. This thinking and mentality has to stop or the company will continue to have poor quality ratings.
Jan 12, 2010 @ 16:56:56
Thank you HemiHead for the response….and I must say I completely agree! I frequent multiple forums daily, and to reiterate what you said, a lot of people have spent money on aftermarket suspension parts such as moog, which is giving absolutely no money back to chrysler/mopar. Just making moog and other companies a lot of money! I have seen first hand the factory tie rods snapping in half. What if this were to happen on the highway going 75mph? You would lose control of the car and crash. I would consider myself a very loyal customer, hell, i’m already thinking of getting the 6.4L when it comes out, but only if they get their act together on this suspension. It almost seems like there should be a serious recall on tie rods. Every LX (magnum, charger, 300 and LC challenger) will have tie rod problems… it’s a fact. They already upgraded the tension arms, now lets see some upgraded tie rods. It would help if they got replaced on chryslers dime as well, as I know, and have seen loyal people on the forums who have spent thousands trying to figure out their suspension problems.
Jan 12, 2010 @ 18:18:46
Jo Mucci: Thanks for your support! Glad to hear you love your Neon. T/A has a great idea on a bargain there…
Jan 12, 2010 @ 18:28:08
Nate, I am a loyal Mopar Fanatic, and it pains me royally to have to get on this blog and complain about the things I love and think about everyday. I have no idea why anybody would design a suspension and then use low end parts which, by the way have been proven to fail in the past (dakota front ends, minivan front ends), and think this will net them customers or safety ratings. How can you or I defend it? You can’t, its just not good. I don’t know what menatality is used in making these decisions, but I can tell you it just ain’t right. There definately needs to be a recall before someone gets hurt. Why should I drive around in a vehicle with a bad suspension setup or components?
Jan 13, 2010 @ 08:04:42
Hemihead…
I dont understand how people have so many problems with front ends….Yes most manufacurers today and yesteryear have sealed units(no grease nipples) Even My Dads 1965 Mercury Park lane he bought new had no grease nipples,until you put on aftermarket ones , as well as his last Ford a 1993 5.0 Mustang had sealed units….Also we have 3 lx cars never a front end problem 2 with over 75,000 miles,also people complained about the Dodge Ram’s ball joints,well we have 4 trucks,3 Rams 1 Dakota never an issue,even 2 minivans..I wonder if people with problems fly over speed bumps,jump curbs hit pot holes all the time ? I sure would not be a Mopar fan if I bought a new vehicle and it broke all the time..I have never heard of the front end issues on lx cars before now..If so ,I hope there is a recall for them..
Jan 13, 2010 @ 18:21:33
440, I was hoping I was wrong on that, but it seems to be a common problem. Just search the net or the charger/or LX forums on this. The last gen of minivans had alot of problems with
front end components also. I got tired of replacing stabilizer links, and couldn’t keep sway bar bushings in my van. My Charger is an 2006, and already is on it’s second set of tie rod ends,
with 48K on the odometer, and I really baby that thing. I hope they have the new minivans cured of these problems because I need a new one in 2011. These are the only two vehicles I’ve ever owned from Chrysler in which I’ve ever had a front end problem, and I’ve had many Chrysler products over the years. I just blame it on Daimler. I am not complaining, I am just stating my personal experiences. It wouldn’t stop me from buying from them again. Its a minor repair compared to an engine or tranny going bad like some other car companies.
Jan 19, 2010 @ 16:56:01
HEMIhead,
Sorry to hear that ,I hope Chrysler does fix the problem then,I guess myself and family members were lucky,must be a hit and miss problem..(I hope it not on every vehicle)They better fix the problem then,and better issue a recall..I agree with you its better than a motor or tranny going bad or full speed random exceleration,would be very bad especially on a SRT model !!
Jan 19, 2010 @ 17:29:27
No prob 440. I think the problem with the LX cars maybe with who ever supplied the tie rod ends, because the design on the car is pretty straight forward and what you’d expect. Its not some odd-ball design thats going to compromise the tie rod ends.
Like I said, it wouldn’t stop me from buying another one. I just hate it when a common problem seems to be passed on from one year to the next, I mean, somebody must know there’s a problem.
Dec 11, 2011 @ 10:29:38
you must read at my estore to take huge discount