Pleasantly surprised by my v6 Charger rental

robg · 12-21-2016, 02:27 PM

Had a compact reserved with enterprise but they were all out. Got a Charger in SXT trim (white of course) for the same price.

I think this might be my favorite rental car. The v6 is very smooth (makes me miss port fuel injection),makes good power and I'd say it has one of the more natural feeling EPS steering setups with a good on center feel. Also drove exceptionally smoothly without ever feeling floaty. Seems to have one of the best implementations of the zF 8 speed (I wasn't annoyed by it as I am in bmws).

The overall experience is vaguely reminiscent of driving an 80s S class (w126?). Made me want to take a long road trip. Very firm but supportive seats and mono-stalk add to the old school benz feel. Loved the steering wheel too. Felt just as good as a BMW msport wheel but with more functions controllable via the buttons.

Build quality is indifferent with cheap plastics used below eye level, terrible glove box fit and a misaligned trunk lid. But no rattles even with 28k rental miles. And nothing that seemed lose or bendable. Some nice details though like the real aluminum dash trim and trunk carpeting that extends to underside of rear shelf (most German sedans leave exposed metal there).Overall I actually looked forward to driving it. Even without a backup camera the huge size didn't bother me or become troublesome.

In contrast, I also tried out ReachNow and drove a 328 xdrive. I'd take a Charger any day over one of those. Lifeless steering,rattles, and a hollow feel.

I think if I could score a cheap lease on an RT (v8 version) it would make a great commuter/family car. Not nice enough or expensive enough to worry about but a fun, good looking and capable cruiser. The image is definitely rental car/redneck/subprime loans and FCA is a bit of a train wreck but on a lease who cares. My wife was scared to drive it because it seemed "too big" though.

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bren · 12-21-2016, 02:49 PM

I was trapped at the Dodge dealer recently, and while wondering around was really surprised at all of the package variants available on those cars. Also, shocked that they had several manual trans equipped Challengers on the lot.

Jeff_DML · 12-21-2016, 02:50 PM

I think it is based on a old mercedes platform if I remember correctly.

JST · 12-21-2016, 02:56 PM

"Charger in SXT trim"

This is all Anthony Weiner will drive.

Nick M3 · 12-21-2016, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

I think it is based on a old mercedes platform if I remember correctly.

yes. it is very, very distantly related to the W210.

TD · 12-21-2016, 04:47 PM

I was pleasantly surprised by my Charger SRT rental a few months back. Ride quality was excellent. And having a rumbling V8 was fun. Not sure if I'd have liked it as much without the V8.

robg · 12-21-2016, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

"Charger in SXT trim"

This is all Anthony Weiner will drive.

LOL

robg · 12-21-2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

I think it is based on a old mercedes platform if I remember correctly.

Some of the suspension design is based on the w210 and 220 e and S class apparently. Up until 2014 they used the old benz 5 speed automatic as well.

robg · 12-21-2016, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TD

I was pleasantly surprised by my Charger SRT rental a few months back. Ride quality was excellent. And having a rumbling V8 was fun. Not sure if I'd have liked it as much without the V8.

Wow - how'd you score an SRT rental? I'd love to try one of those out.

JST · 12-21-2016, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robg

Wow - how'd you score an SRT rental? I'd love to try one of those out.

I think it was just an RT, no?

12-21-2016, 02:27 PM	#1
robg Carmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,241	Pleasantly surprised by my v6 Charger rental Had a compact reserved with enterprise but they were all out. Got a Charger in SXT trim (white of course) for the same price. I think this might be my favorite rental car. The v6 is very smooth (makes me miss port fuel injection),makes good power and I'd say it has one of the more natural feeling EPS steering setups with a good on center feel. Also drove exceptionally smoothly without ever feeling floaty. Seems to have one of the best implementations of the zF 8 speed (I wasn't annoyed by it as I am in bmws). The overall experience is vaguely reminiscent of driving an 80s S class (w126?). Made me want to take a long road trip. Very firm but supportive seats and mono-stalk add to the old school benz feel. Loved the steering wheel too. Felt just as good as a BMW msport wheel but with more functions controllable via the buttons. Build quality is indifferent with cheap plastics used below eye level, terrible glove box fit and a misaligned trunk lid. But no rattles even with 28k rental miles. And nothing that seemed lose or bendable. Some nice details though like the real aluminum dash trim and trunk carpeting that extends to underside of rear shelf (most German sedans leave exposed metal there).Overall I actually looked forward to driving it. Even without a backup camera the huge size didn't bother me or become troublesome. In contrast, I also tried out ReachNow and drove a 328 xdrive. I'd take a Charger any day over one of those. Lifeless steering,rattles, and a hollow feel. I think if I could score a cheap lease on an RT (v8 version) it would make a great commuter/family car. Not nice enough or expensive enough to worry about but a fun, good looking and capable cruiser. The image is definitely rental car/redneck/subprime loans and FCA is a bit of a train wreck but on a lease who cares. My wife was scared to drive it because it seemed "too big" though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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TD Founder emeritus Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,007	I was pleasantly surprised by my Charger SRT rental a few months back. Ride quality was excellent. And having a rumbling V8 was fun. Not sure if I'd have liked it as much without the V8.