Dodge Chargers

[MarineVet89]

Has anyone else noticed that when you shift from reverse to drive and vice versa there is a few second delay before it engages and you take off? Just curious.

[Fella]

Our force doesn't have them but I've spoken with Port Hope Police officers who have told me that they do that. Not good when you want to make a fast three pointer.

[rpd1794]

That has been a pretty common complaint. I've heard of guys making a hard three point turn and the engine shut down. Something to do with the traction control system....

[MesaParatrooper]

believe it or not, the durango has the same exact set up.......i purchased an 05 durango and took it back to the dealer for that reason.......i can see it as a performance flaw for our line of work, however, it is normal performance for the mopar............on a side note............i would recommend the durango to anybody for personal use, i absolutely love the vehicle.

[billtex213]

Yes, they do that. After the shift it seems like it takes a second for the trans to lock up. Probably to keep us from stripping the gears bare during those fast three pointers lol! That aside, the car is GREAT!!! After 15 years I'm finally driving a squadcar that; I'm comfortable in, looks badass, handles like a NASCAR stocker and goes like a bat out of hell!!! Good job Dodge!!!!

[stormz5192]

We just got 10 of them. The way some guys drive, that may actually help.

[Catman]

I'm convinced this is intentional to save the tranny. Not bad I guess and probably feels worse than it really is.

[j706]

As per our local Dodge dealer the "delay" is programmed into the software to reduce transmission and drive line shock while changing from forward to reverse or vice versa. I find it annoying as all get out and avoid three point turns unless I have to. The short clunky shifter is also a pain.

Visibility is reduced in the Charger. I ran mine in a ditch during a turn because I just plain old didn't see it.:o Other than that I love mine. I believe it is the safest police car made. They will also go places a CV cannot in snowy or slick surfaces. The CV is just to front heavy IMO

[BPD_126]

Yeah and when the V8 CV has 250 hp and the V6 Charger has 250 hp....... I would hope Ford could do better on the power side. I hear the chargers have a little less room like you're smashed in? This true? We just got a new Tahoe outfitted for our supervisor car and it's spacious enough, though I don't drive it....

[ujocka]

Yeah, while probably necessary, the delay still sucks. And for those of you that say it is quick, you must have at least the mid engine option. We have the base model, and it is sslllooooww. Our CVPIs perform much better.

[M-11]

I consulted a dodge afficianado about this. he said the delay is a computer process. These vehicles have traction control while in reverse as well. the transmission locks for a second to do a quick diagnostic to ensure the traction control computer knows which way the wheels should be turning.

As an aside he said the vehicle SHOULD NOT roll while the change is taking place, if yours is, get it looked at.

M-11

[billtex213]

I think my charger is much roomier than my old CV, and I'm a fairly WIDE guy lol! More hip and shoulder room, my gun doesn't smash against the console and I can actually use the seabelt. The windowline is higher but you can adjust the seat up high enough to compensate. I have the HEMI and it is FAST!!!!!!!!!! No lie! We've actually been getting better gas mileage that the CV too!

[Smurfette_76]

The trunk space sucks...I'll keep my crown vic...the better half can keep his charger ;)

[ACSOOHIO]

We just bid vehicles and the Charger was the low bid. We are not happy about this as we used to have the INtrepid and it was junk. I hear that the Chargers are going thru brakes almost every oil change. Any problems with brakes? I also heard there are lots of blind spots? Thanks ACSOOHIO

[Outshined]

We have changed our brakes only twice in two years, we do put high end brakes on.

[j706]

We just bid vehicles and the Charger was the low bid. We are not happy about this as we used to have the INtrepid and it was junk. I hear that the Chargers are going thru brakes almost every oil change. Any problems with brakes? I also heard there are lots of blind spots? Thanks ACSOOHIO

Mine is at 14K and the brakes are as new. No sign of rotor warp either. I drive mine too, I do not baby it at all. I have always been hard on brakes. One of the things I like about the Charger is the awesome brakes. I heard the 06 models had some brake problems until they did a running change in pad compound.

[DeputyZee]

When I was in FTO I almost flew threw a stop-sign as the brakes went from functional to non-functional during a single shift. That was at 18,--- miles I believe. I absolutely hates the delay, but I can't complain because my 2004 CV has a touchy reverse and I usually end up in neutral instead of reverse.

All-in-all, I will be happy to get my 2008 Impala in a few weeks. Much faster, unless you get the V8 HEMI Charger. I toped the Charger out at 134, I heard the Impala has been up to 140s. Of course, the acceleration of the Impala is what I like.

[k9athos]

Our dept. purchased 4 2007 Chargers w/Hemi. In town, it runs as 4 cyl. and up to 8 cyl. when you need it! They were well worth the wait. As far as the brakes, we continue the high-end brake pads and have routinely checked brakes and rotors every 3K (oil change). We observed that around 27K, brakes and rotors need replaced. We average roughly 3K every month on our vehicles and normal patrol operations.

[snarkee]

been driving the charger for a year and a half now (v6)
after 92,000km the only work done was several sets of tires, brake change, and a thermostat (snow tires are a must)
Overall I find this the best car to drive once you get used to the visibility and shifting delays...btw i turn off the traction control (been a few times where i needing to make a quick u turn on the shoulder and it kicked in - not good when you lose power !)

[Mabbottusmc]

The San Diego Sheriff's Department decided they were not going to go with the charger but said they would review them again in the future. they said the trunk space was too small, the location of the computer made the passenger airbag useless, and there were some problems with too much maintenance.