Monday, April 13, 2009

A Suitable Cage...

OK, I think I've mentioned before that I want a van for those times when four-wheeled transport is required. Vans are awesome for so many reasons it would take me a whole post just to cover them.

This is not that post.

On Friday night, Lady Luck and I had an experience that, temporarily, made me think "time for a new cage."

Lady Luck wants a lifted 4x4 pick-'em-up. If I can't get a van, I want a shiny black muscle car.

I spent a few minutes looking at the new bitchin' Camaros, and decided I still like the new Dodge Challenger better. Sorry Chevy.

So, I spent a few minutes configuring a Challenger of my very own on Dodge's site. I want the R/T, as there's really no point to a V-6 muscle car, and I can't even begin to rationalize the SRT8 model to myself.

Anyway, so I've got this nice, black, sexy Challenger configured to my liking, and see a handy link to find a car at a local dealership! And, by Crom's beard, a nearby dealer had the exact car with the exact specs I wanted in stock. Unbelievable!

So, I cruise out to their site, which had a handy payment calculator...

If I were to put down $20,000, I still couldn't afford the payments over 60 months.

A bummer.

Good thing we don't NEED a new Challenger...

9 comments:

Trobairitz said...

I feel your pain. I loved the original challengers and so when Dodge came out with the new ones was excited. I really like the new Challengers but price is definitely a deterrent. Dodge/Chrysler are pricing themselves out of jobs/sales. For now Troubadour and I shall stick with our Japanese imported (made in Mexico) price you can afford Nissan Versa Hatchback as our alternate to two wheels. But, one can always dream of a Challenger. Sigh.

Two Buck said...

I remember the good ol' days when putting $20,000 down on a car meant you were paying cash.

Allen Madding said...

I remember the good ol days when putting down $20k meant you were paying cash for THREE!

-Peace

Lucky said...

Trobairitz - I think Dodge is just trying to lure me into the dealership with the pretty pretty Challengers so I'll leave with a Caliber... It won't work, I could spend that money on a Ducati.

Two Buck & Allen - Yeah, I won't be making any down-payments that big. I'm perfectly happy getting used cars, so if I'm putting down that kind of money, I'm leaving with a receipt that says "paid in full."

Unknown said...

I like all types of performance cars. Camaro or Hemi-Challenger wouldn't matter which one, but if Chrysler bites the dust, then I would rather have the Camaro.
Oh well, you can always go looking for that raised 4x4 pickup, probably more practical and useful in the long run, or also there's that Mini-van . . .

bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin

Baron's Life said...

Don't feel bad for not being able to afford the Challenger. I had rented one in Las Vegas and it turned out to be a dog...not the muscle cars we knew back then...this one hardly had any power to call it a muscle car...Heck, I bought my first brand new car off a dealership lot for $ 4600 fully equipped back in 81-82..they're all taking us to the cleaners.

Lady R (Di) said...

My days of "needing" new cars have long passed me by, thank God. Thankfully,I have redirected my priorities. I need a car out of necessity, but I feel perfectly content to buy something used, not too expensive, but reliable.

Ask me about a bike, now... and I drift over to the newbies every time! Pant, pant. That's where I'd put my money if I had it. :)

Lucky said...

bobskoot - MINI-VAN??? There's only one kind of vehicle I like less: SUVs.

Baron - I rented a Charger a while back, it was a dog too. I think it had the V6, though. My dad has a Magnum, and that thing pulled like a warhorse.

Lady Ridesalot - Agreed, I'm happy getting a car that's a couple years old. Of course, right now, newer used cars are going for as much or more than new.

Canajun said...

As I read your post I was already crafting a comment in my mind. Then Allen Madding wrote it for me.

Sadly, I too can remember when $20k would buy 3 brand new cars and (to up the ante) a brand new street bike. Sigh....