Chrysler offers gas subsidy, new muscle car

[Puppycow]

I'm not sure that Chrysler really has a good business plan for surviving with higher oil prices. It's latest new model is a muscle car that gets in the low teens for mileage, the Dodge Challenger (http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/challenger/), and it's offering gas subsidies (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/05/chrysler_guzzlers.html) to get consumers to buy gas hogs its having trouble selling. It's a bit like offering a years' worth of free cookies to an obese person, or cigarettes at half price for 18-21 year-olds.

[Redtail]

I'm not sure that Chrysler really has a good business plan for surviving with higher oil prices. It's latest new model is a muscle car that gets in the low teens for mileage, the Dodge Challenger (http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/challenger/), and it's offering gas subsidies (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/05/chrysler_guzzlers.html) to get consumers to buy gas hogs its having trouble selling. It's a bit like offering a years' worth of free cookies to an obese person, or cigarettes at half price for 18-21 year-olds.

If only they could develop a 300+ hp hybrid engine and put it in that car.:(

[Esperdome]

They actually have a nearly 400 hp hemi based hybrid in development.

425 hp HEMI Challenger, it's like 1970 all over again. I might have to raid the piggy bank for this one.

[coalesce]

I like the fine print (or quick talk in commercials) about how the gas is only 87 octane for the 12,000 miles for the first three years. After that, you're on your own.

Personally, I like the promotion my local Price Chopper supermarket chain is running. If you scan their promotional card before every purchase, a portion of your money goes towards the purchase of gas at a local Sunoco station. Last week, I saved $1.50 per gallon, so instead of paying $4.25 per gallon, I paid $2.75 per gallon. I immediately yelled out, "I'm driving to Montana!!" I doubt that I'll save that much on my next fill-up because I waited almost two months before using the card, but when I fill up again next week, I'll definitely go to Sunoco.

And as former SUV driver, I really can't feel too sorry for many of the people who drive SUVs. I don't mean small business owners who need a vehicle that big for business. I'm talking about people who bought them either as status symbols or because "they're safer in winter driving." I went back to driving a sedan last year and I couldn't be happier.

Michael