First drive review: the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 drives to the Vanishing Point (version 2)

( www.TFLcar.com ) The 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is at home on Southern California desert roads as a rattle snake in the sand. Watch as TFLcar's Nathan Adlen takes the new Challenger to the vanishing point here in part 2.

[@shirke01]

I test drove this thing and now it's a the top of my list of wanted cars!

[@NathanDAdlen]

@kickinbackinOC I must say, with total honesty, that your perspective has been presented in the most constructive and gracious format I’ve witnessed on KZbin. Thank you for that. Yes, these videos need work. Truth be told, Roman and I had precious little to work with and we wanted to try new things. You’re right about the content and I think our next battery of reviews will hone in on better balance while continuing our struggle against ubiquity. Cheers!

[@microminiskirt]

How comfortable is the ride on any of these Challengers SRT, R/T and SXT? More comfortable than a Mustang?

[@FuckYourFeelings88]

absolute blast as a daily driver

[@wcat121]

great video!

[@ayalhabib]

@NathanDAdlen Thank you very much for your time. i willl take your words into thought. i really love the srt8 it does have alot of character and the retro look is unbeatable. hopfully im the right hands and i'll make sure it goes on two wheels one day. i will post again when i get it and link the picture :)

[@microminiskirt]

thanks just what I am looking for now comfort is priority #1 smoother ride on bumpy roads then performance

[@seththomas9028]

This car in an automatic is like being married to a supermodel that will only give you a hug to show affection

[@franciscosuarez2346]

Yes that's what everyman wants 😂

[@ElvenMans]

Good review! :)

[@Oldschool503]

Nice Vans!!!

[@Bronsas007]

Does anybody know the name of the song that is played from the beginning and comes to best part at around 50 sec of the video?

[@blakekpurcell]

I love that sound gets me everytime :-)

[@bradleyhetland1684]

you guys have the best jobs in the world. Wish i could just drive awesome cars all day! :P

[@microminiskirt]

THIS SOUNDS GREAT ESPECIALLY THAT KIND OF MPG ON A V-8. MOST CHALLENGERS I HAVE SEEN ARE ALL AUTOMATICS EXCEPT FOR THE SRT I TEST DROVE HAD THE 6 SPD. MANUAL. R/T HAS NO GAS GUZZLER TAX EVEN THOUGH ON PAPER THERE IS ONLY A 1 MILE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE R/T AND SRT WHICH CHARGES $1,000 GAS GUZZLER TAX.

[@Swidhelm]

@johnnieares93 It depends on what you are looking for. They are two different beasts. This one is heavy, and rides nice, better for commutes, etc. The Camaro is lighter and faster, but hard to see out of due to high belt line and low roof. Not particularly ergonomic, but still gorgeous.

[@microminiskirt]

100% EXACTLY MY THOUGHTS TOO.

[@spidereon2]

@johnnieares93 Certainly Challenger. I replaced a camaro SS for a Challenger SRT8 and I never regretted it.

[@thechinadesk]

Also, what I said holds true even for stop and go driving in the city. I am so used to shifting gears I don't even need to think about it. I do it on "autopilot." it's second nature.

[@torogami2]

@BlacKnightRising it'd be good if there was an option fior the driver to put the engine in an eco mode that only uses 4 cylinders when they want to

[@bibboh33]

This car is sooo badass!

[@torogami2]

@BlacKnightRising it only deactivates cylinders when you're not full throttle, at full throttle all 8 cylinders are working and you get max power. Besides the dodge hemi has enough slowing it down with being made by dodge.

[@senseslollol3382]

Love this car

[@Ampwich]

What's better? Chrysler or GM? Challenger or Camaro? Ram or GMC (or Silverado also works)? Jeep or Hummer? Etc.

[@R7300]

@johnnieares93 both are great cars, but i love the room of the challenger its very comfortable too

[@microminiskirt]

THAT WHEN YOU GET THE SXT 6 CYLINDER MODEL. IF THE PRICE OF FUEL CONTINUES AS IT IS NOW $4.00+ THEN THE sxt MIGHT BE A WISE CHOICE I JUST WISH IT CAME WITH 6 SPD. MANUAL OR AT LEAST 6 SPD. AUTO BUT INSTEAD YOU ARE STUCK WITH 5 SPD. AUTO ONLY IN THAT MODEL.

[@richardplug]

I'd also very much would like to know the song played during the first segment.

[@TheSearchandfind]

Great car, but is there any change we could find the new ZF Auto 8 pretty soon for the Challenger?

[@walrusking14]

I will give you that point about manuals being scary when people are on your bumper. That has happened to me a few to many times. However about the other points you brought up I have yet to find a car where the automatic version is faster or gets better mpg then the manual version.

[@ryanmxn]

@johnnieares93 i know man, they're both awesome cars!!

[@10challengerMopar]

are u using two srt8 392 challengers? at one point it had blue stripes and then it didnt

[@R7300]

@BlacKnightRising actually just checked it and you are wrong, auto is the only way to get MDS. Makes sense with RPM fluctuation as well

[@kikom111]

nathan your personal opinion which car would you rather own a 392 challenger or a 5.0 mustang

[@eldo59]

I would like to see a four door or low top wagon like the Magnum.

[@kop4321]

@coneishtel This looks just so much better than the mustang. I see Mustangs everyday...But this, this is something special.

[@211for11]

automatic why dont u add 2 more doors like the other icon that got deballed

[@microminiskirt]

SO THEN IT IS TRUE? THE MORE WEIGHT OR HEAVIER THE CAR DOES CONTRIBUTE TO A COMFORTABLE RIDING CAR? I WANT ONE OF THESE CHALLENGERS BUT THE ONE THAT WILL HANDLE THE BUMPIEST ROADS OR ISOLATE THE BEST OF THE WORST ROADS.

[@ayalhabib]

PLEASE PLEASE NATHAN ANSWER MY QUESTION! im getting the SRT8 manual. one question though, is it better than the mustang 5.0? because i have alot of people down my throat telling me how i will get my ass kicked by the mustang and i should get it instead

[@TheSearchandfind]

Well it depends on how you drive it. I never rented a Challenger SRT8; but I did rent a Camaro SS before and (talking Highway miles here) 26 mpg at best, not too mention that it was an 6 speed auto.

[@johnnynitross]

I'm pretty sure they've got the 8 speed automatics in the 2014 Jeep SRT8.

[@Paynekillah]

Definitely needs the new dash layout. The new 2012 Charger has a MUCH improved interior than this car. Maybe they're holding out for putting that into the 2013 Challenger? Got to mess around with that 8"lcd touchscreen in the Charger, and it's pretty damn awesome. All kinds of useful info on it.

[@R7300]

@BlacKnightRising only the automatics have that, my 6 speed doesn't

[@paulpetarson1724]

I have the same car same year just black and a manual 6 speed. She don;t come out much and has less than 8 thousand miles on her so far. car is kept on frame jacks , covered in a heated storage place. I thought mice would be a problem but with a few dollars spent they never have been in 7 years . I hope to keep the car below 15000 after another 20 years

[@thechinadesk]

Has anyone else noticed that the new generation Challenger bears an uncanny resemblance to the first generation Camaro? I mean that as a good thing. The 1966 Camaro was an amazingly clean looking design. So is the new generation Challenger. The front ends of the two cars are extremely similar, as are their overall profiles, with their pinched in waist area, and subtle haunch areas.

[@zclary923]

@BlacKnightRising It doesn't slow it down at all. It only activates when cruising on flat roads and at highway speeds. You don't feel it kick in at all. You hit the gas and it goes straight back to the full 8 cylinders with no problems. 30 years ago the technology wasn't there like it is now, that's why it failed. With a performance chip you can deactivate it anyway if you don't like it. Why you wouldn't want to get better mileage when cruising long distances though is beyond me.

[@hemiheven]

lovin my 392

[@RK1FX]

is this the 392 ??

[@jayzhorific]

My Dream Car!

[@3rdGenGuy]

sticks are more fun, but an automatic makes driving so much easier. i had a 4 speed on my 1964 Chevy super quick, but the clutch was so stiff you had to stomp on it. got so annoying.turbo 350 trans don't ever die though.

[@iDPG95]

i would assume so. just because they are about 500 lbs heavier. and more weight adds more driving comfort ability.

[@iDPG95]

they already do. but sticks are more engaging and fun. but it's all a matter of opinion

[@bryanrivera762]

Why wasnt the cuda a bit longer than the original challenger

[@werejustaminor]

so cool!

[@Djdeagishere]

Whats the difference between this and the 2011 ?

[@thechinadesk]

Leaving aside the matter of manual vs. automatic, I have to say I really like the way the latest generation Challenger looks. I think it's the best looking of the Ford, GM, and Chrysler offerings. The current Mustang is of course better than some other incarnations of the Mustang. But it is not as nice as the first generation Mustang, which was much leaner looking. Ditto the Camaro. The Challenger has the cleanest lines, the most elegant shape.

[@thehondarider250]

yes its for sure, i know high up employees in the chrysler assembly plant, itll be going for the cuda

[@LegitimateSkillz]

@johnnieares93 both? jk but your best guess is to go to a car dealership and talk to them, but sometimes they will just tell you to by the that is more expensive hah, personally ill get a challenger

[@arealscorpio1]

I test drove a 2013 R/T with a blower, and feel in LOVE! lol I love this car,and currently working hard to get one! Nice Video Comp. too btw @romanminagearguy SRT8 Test drive is Next

[@microminiskirt]

I AGREE.

[@MyZwarrior]

from 0-100 km/h how long does it take????

[@NathanDAdlen]

@coneishtel You do indeed get more bang-for-your-buck from the Mustang 5.0 - especially if it’s the Boss 302. On paper and on the track, the Mustang is the winner; however, personally, I would get the Dodge Challenger SRT8. I think the SRT8 has tons of character. The SRT8 is friggn' sweet looking, more comfy, very fun to drive, a better day-to-day driver and in the right hands, it can out pace a Mustang 5.0. In the end, it’s up to that little voice in your had. Let us know what you decide!

[@allend807]

Dude that Cylinder Deactivation is pretty damn cool, buying these types of cars is just stupid financially, and environmentally but if i could close cylinders I would just leave em closed cause this car is bad ass i want one.

[@SharrodCurry]

Whoa whoa whoa, I thought the R/T model only had the MDS where it goes down to 4 cylinders...does he kno what he is talking about??

[@shownon]

whats the song in the backround

[@hubcap68]

@spidereon2 I also traded in the 2ss for a srt8 chalenger....best move ever!

[@microminiskirt]

YES I like that too.

[@FrancineRA1970]

I'm not sure why there are two videos but this is the better one. I think the Camaro is better looking and a bit smaller. This car looks so good in white, why bother with stripes?

[@Gewehr_3]

When you do most of your driving in the city or in hilly areas a stick shift is an absolute pain in the ass sometimes its even scary when your stopped on a hill and someone is right on your bumper not caring about you rolling back. Anyway nowadays autos have better mpg, there faster, easier to drive and in most cases have more gears then a stick. That said if you have a weekend warrior fun type of car, you need a stick.

[@thechinadesk]

It's probably a matter of individual perception. I'm so used to the idea that if you want the car to move forward, you have to shift, that I never think to myself "Why am I being forced to do all this shifting?" I take it for granted that if I want the car to move, I have to shift. As a result, I have never felt frustrated by "being forced to shift." I have always assumed in the back of my mind that there simply is no alternative. Therefore I never agonize over it.

[@Panek_]

this is dual clutch gear box ?

[@Lukos0036]

Flappy paddles are the future man. And that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

[@manlyman6392]

@johnnieares93 no mustang?

[@enine2007]

@coneishtel it may out perform the challenger, get better gas mileage and have lots of aftermarket parts more than a dodge but if you like the challenger get it. its wat u want not what they want

[@coolvideo28]

Automatics with paddle shifters the best way to go

[@TheNXGvideos]

@1MeanMike *sigh* didnt understand me, not going to try and elaborate :/

[@davidmitchell5638]

we want it!

[@tangledline]

I'm starting to see more and more of these...the "new" Mustang, "everyone has one". It IS the best of the retro cars though...close as can be to the original.

[@jornconnors9415]

do you bay these cars?

[@YerRBZ]

@jayman8940 thank you ... lol i got a challenger srt automatic and everyine hatin on my automatic! lmao in the city with traffic its just impossible

[@hpaceraider]

So beatiful

[@halflife103]

The Mustangs currently beat out every Camaro that GM has put out. I DID hear that they are coming out with another soon though...

[@YesIdied]

@blaknite1 so he can hold the camera ??

[@LeftyStratPlayer]

I hope Dodge sees fit to give the 2013 Challenger the Charger's far superior dash and the new 8-speed transmission for those who prefer automatics.

[@nismofury]

No question the challylooks great but it takes a srt8 to hang with a 5.0 or ss. Needs to be 500+hp and faster to justify the shelby like price tag. RT should be this fast.

[@JJM956]

@johnnieares93 Challenger of course!! :D

[@AndrewPL5]

Why are you yelling at me, I said auto is better for me. Yes the double clutch auto's shift faster and get faster laps, BUT for racing they only use manuals because they need to be able to shift the gears to get the right gear in certain situations!

[@lawanpasha1857]

yes

[@1alwayswin]

doesnt cut it especially when they decided to offer an all new 6 speed manual

[@dukeboy1998]

The reason why its called a challenger is because its a challeng to start, turn, and look cool in it

[@JuveKSA]

i love this car!!!!!!!!!

[@ayalhabib]

@kop4321 i have to agree!

[@soriatl]

3:27 the view made me cry

[@hpaceraider]

*beautiful

[@iDPG95]

I understand, but just in my personal opinion, i would way rather own a stick. i actually have a manual v6, lol, but i have never regretted not getting an auto. even if it has no power, it is still fun

[@blueduster74]

@blueduster74 i was at the san diego auto show new years weekend. every person that was checking out the cars all said the same thing. people were highly disappointed with the mustang interior. i know i was. i had an old 89 5.0 and it is laid out better. the only thing better in the new one was the seat. not by much. i pales even to the regular rt seats. don't even compare them to the srt.the camaro was closer to the dodges but you have major blind spots and it is a bitch to park.

[@SlipknotKicks]

late responce but yea i feel the challenger is smother

[@shehri4life]

@johnnieares93 This baby. I've talked to so many people that have the 392. It's sick and so strong !! Plus, for me it looks better than the Camaro. It has that classic badass look

[@johnpaulsanglay4686]

MUSIC?

[@FriendsPride]

Challanger looks more mature than Mustang. Isn't it?

[@zipper978]

@johnnieares93 get the challenger. dude there is way too many camaros on the road. they are way over hyped and not that great. go with the challenger, its looks badass and rides nice

[@MEHRAN43240]

in this price its best car ever