10 Years' of Ownership

Discussion in 'Dodge Challenger General Discussions' started by SRT-Tom, Dec 13, 2018.

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  1. Dec 13, 2018 at 5:19 PM #1
    SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    Incredibly, today marks the 10-year anniversary of the delivery of my 2009 Hemi-orange SRT.

    Time has really flown but I can honestly say that I enjoy driving it just as much as I did on day one!

    You guys who can go down to the dealer and buy a Challenger off the lot, at a big discount, are very fortunate. Things weren’t always so easy back in the early years (2008-2009).

    Here’s the story behind my 7-month journey.

    In 1980, my wife convinced me to sell my beloved 1971 340 'Cuda because we needed a practical car for my newborn daughter (i.e., a car with A/C and a big trunk). Over the years, I regretted selling the car and, when I discovered that Dodge was building a Challenger concept car, I started reading everything about it, both on line and in car magazines. I even joined a Charger site to learn about the 6.1 Hemi engine. Because it was next to possible to order a 2008 Challenger, I decided to order a 2009 model after seeing it at the Philadelphia Auto Show. I put my order in, on May 16, 2008, with Champion Dodge, in Barrington, IL. At the time, they were only one offering a modest discount- others were charging MSRP or MSRP plus a “market adjustment.” I patiently waited several months and eagerly watched the status of my order change from BX to BG to D! Was I ever excited!!

    However, in late October, a factory worker alerted me that my order was cancelled. I couldn’t believe it! Who cancelled it? It had to be a mistake!! I quickly called my dealer and received the following telephone voice message, “We regret to inform you that Champion Dodge has filed for bankruptcy and is no longer in business. If you have a car in our garage, please call the following number to make arrangements to have it removed. Thank you for your past patronage.” Is this a bad dream? This can’t be happening, not after 5 long months! I also thought that I lost my $500 deposit. Luckily, I had charged it and disputed the payment with VISA and they agreed to credit my account. With this problem solved, I was now back to square one. (P.S. My wife was the only one happy because she was not on board with buying such “an expensive toy”).

    However, one of my friends came to my rescue. He advised me that Frederick Dodge had two Hemi Orange SRTs on order. I called Bob Frederick and bought one for MSRP. Since he is a car guy, he actually cancelled one of his dealership orders and re-ordered it so that my name would appear on the window invoice (i.e., “This vehicle was built especially for…”). How cool! After this was done, Bob had to call in some favors because my car, after being built, was sitting in a holding yard in Detroit, for almost two weeks, awaiting shipment to his dealership in Ohio. What torture! When my car finally arrived, Bob took photos of it being off-loaded onto his lot. After a quick prep, my car was loaded on his enclosed trailer ($600 charge) and delivered to my home, in NJ, on December 13, 2008- 6 days after my birthday and 12 days before Christmas. What a present! The long wait was worth it!!!

    Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed driving, modding and showing the car.

    It has been a blast to own and I am looking forward to the next 10 years!

    Attached, are the following photos:

    · 2008 Challenger at the Philadelphia Auto Show
    · Delivery to Frederick Dodge
    · Trailer delivery to my home
    · Exterior
    . Engine Bay



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    Last edited: Dec 13, 2018
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  2. Dec 14, 2018 at 11:36 AM #2
    Tatt2Jack

    Tatt2Jack Full Access Member

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    Cool Story, glad it turned out good. Even cooler was the delivery, not the "Come Get It" phone call.

    I see it doesn't have the later model SRT hood. How many miles are on it?
     
  3. Dec 14, 2018 at 1:58 PM #3
    IntimidatorRT

    IntimidatorRT Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator

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    I will have mine for 8 years at the end of January. Bought it in New Jersey and traveled 1300 miles to go get it, yeah It was a used one, but trading in my 2009 SE and the trade in value they were giving me, it was a no brainer, finally got the offer I couldn't refuse.
     
  4. Dec 14, 2018 at 1:59 PM #4
    mojunk

    mojunk New Member

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    I, too, ordered a 2009 Challenger SRT from Champion Dodge on the first day you could order the 2009’s. It was May 12 2008 and they had no pricing on them so they wrought me up for $500.oo over invoice. Great deal but never delivered the car. I saw on the news that they closed their doors after having problems with Chrysler not delivering orders and stacking them with a lot of cars to sell that were not selling.

    But my car was being built with a VON. Number but was on hold for some reason that they could not explain. Chrysler co. Started file to get the ball rolling. They got back to me and told me that they could deliver the car to another dealership, but I would have to negotiated the price. I went to Arlington Dodge and they matched the price. What a mess it was.
     
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  5. Dec 14, 2018 at 3:31 PM #5
    SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    Since you got your Challenger $500 over invoice from Arlington Dodge, you made out great.
     
  6. Dec 14, 2018 at 3:34 PM #6
    SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    The 2008 and 2009 SRTs, had the same style hood as the 2006 concept. To mimic the carbon fiber on the concept, the 2008 and 2009 SRTs had "carbon fiber" hood decals.

    I only have 40k miles on my SRT.
     
  7. Dec 14, 2018 at 6:59 PM #7
    10DYRT

    10DYRT Full Access Member

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    Mine was built 9 years ago tomorrow (Dec. 15 ) came off the train Dec. 28 and delivered to my house on Jan 2, 2010.
    When I went in to order my car I originally wanted a Plumb Crazy, none were alotted for Canada at the time. the general manager had ordered mine for his show room. It never got there, paid 2 k below msrp just because it wasn't the color I originally wanted.
    Glad I got the Detonator Yellow.
     
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  8. Dec 24, 2018 at 9:01 AM #8
    Chops

    Chops Active Member

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    SRT-Tom - So very sorry to hear that you had to sell your '71 'Cuda 340 back then. My dad told me that he used to have a '69 Camaro (new, & back in 1969), & did the very same thing. Sold it to get a more practical car when he was starting our family.

    When I was younger & he told me about it, & I was like - "Why did you ever sell your '69 Camaro?!!! Don't you know what that would be worth today?!", but once a little older, I understood that it was the responsible thing he had to do @ the time. I hope that you haven't lost to awful much sleep mourning the loss of your 'Cuda or thinking about what a treasure it was (& even more so today) still is.

    Sorry that your road to getting your '09 Challenger had some setbacks & scares, but I'm glad that your friend helped you out & that things turned out well in the end.

    P.S. Do you think that you might trade your '09 Challenger in & buy a new "Dodge" 'Cuda if FCA ends up making it? I've heard some buzz that it might actually be built in 2020.
     
  9. Dec 24, 2018 at 9:22 AM #9
    SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    No, it wouldn't be the same. Anyway, I am perfectly happy with my 2009 SRT.
     
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  10. Dec 24, 2018 at 11:35 PM #10
    Chops

    Chops Active Member

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    I understand, that's cool. I've only had my Challenger for 4 months, but I am already GREATLY attached to mine. Seasons Greetings & Merry Christmas from DE!
     
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