New (to me) car and truck

George2615 · Sep 6, 2010

After reading Dodge mans thread I thought I'd post mine as well. I had 2 lease vehicles, an 07 Chevy Impala and an 07 2500HD Ext Cab w/ Duramax.
The leases expired about 4 months apart and can't right them off on taxes so I turned them in rather than do the buy out.

I didn't need a 3/4T truck so I purchased an 08 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 Ext Cab w/ 5.3L and 3.73 gears and only 16K miles for my towing needs. The previous owner had ordered it loaded then added about $3000 in dealer options such as the hard cap, running boards, chrome mirror covers, chrome door handles, etc. I added a Spectre performance air filter, a Dynomax cat back dual exhaust system, and a back up camera.

The car I just bought is an 07 Dodge Charger w/ 5.7L Hemi, also loaded w/ options and also only 16K miles. I also replaced the air filter with a K&N system and a Flowmaster cat back exhaust system. This thing is quick. Gotta watch myself since it puts you back in the seat hard when you step on it and flies past the speed limit in seconds. My first fill up averaged 21 MPH. Not bad considering all the burnouts and fast takeoffs I did. If I settle down I might see 25 MPG, but that's no fun.

sweettractors · Sep 6, 2010

Nice machines. What HP is the Charger rated at from factory? Ken Sweet

Dmace · Sep 6, 2010

Nice car, for a full size sedan with full-time AWD and a high output V8 engine 20+ mpg is great. I love those Chargers! I wish they came in a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission.

sweettractors said:
What HP is the Charger rated at from factory?

350 hp HEMI! :thumbsup:

George2615 · Sep 6, 2010

I got the option sheet from the dealer from when the car was ordered. They had 340 and 350 HP versions. This one is the 350 HP. According to Flowmaster their catback system adds 21 HP (avg) and K&N says the filter system adds 21 HP. Both companies supplied Dyno test reports on the same model car with this engine. I can't say I've gained 42HP but would say I've added at least 30.

Dmace - Mine is not AWD, just rear WD and the automatic has the manual mode similar to the old slap stick (goes right to upshift or left for downshift). 5 speeds plus OD.

dodge man · Sep 6, 2010

I love the Charger and your truck. We have a 2005 300C, very similar to the Charger and we like it. It looks like you also painted the engine cover, or maybe bought it that way, they are normally black. You should be able to haul down 25mpg or better on the highway.

How do you like the exhaust on the Charger? I'm thinking of putting one on my Challenger some day, but I don't want to live with a constant drone. I've heard they will have a little bit of a drone when the MDS kicks in and you run on 4 cylinders.

George2615 · Sep 6, 2010

Yes, I did paint the engine cover. Looks better than black and silver. A friend of mine has an 06 Daytona Charger Hemi and his cover came factory painted. I also bought and installed hood struts (gas shocks) so I don't have to use the support rod. I also painted the underside of the car while I had the original exhaust system off. The factory didn't do much to protect the body from rust. The flowmaster exhaust does have that low speed drone when running 4 cylinders. (it sounds like it's running on 4 cylinders too, though it's not as noticeable with the stock system). The truck (which also has 4 cylinder mode) has the similar drone with the Dynomax system. But both have that nice deep tone under acceleration. I don't plan on driving this car in winter anyway, that's what my truck is for.