Folks: I just joined the forum and have a question. Why are all the "experts" so negative about the 5-speed? I'm considering a Charger R/T but wonder if I should wait for the new 8-speed. Thanks for your help.

 

Haven't heard or read anything bad about the 5 speed other than the limit on HP that it can handle. Pretty good tranny though over all unless you plan to mod the engine up real good. The 5 speed, once you are around 450 HP, you then have to look into changing it. Not many do though. They bring their cars up to 425 and stop. Good enough especially if it it you daily driver which most is.

Not sure how high the 8 will go yet. Have to wait and see.

 

Thanks KRZY. Spoke to a Dodge salesman today who said 8-speed would not arrive until late 2012. Gee, you don't suppose he was trying to discourage me from waiting, do you?

 

2012 models are or should be August 2011 arrivals

 

Yes. I surmise he's talking about 2013 model year.

 

From what I've seen/read, the Hemi isn't getting the 8 speed. It's said that a new six speed is in the works from the Hemi's, which is why it's taking longer.

 

Sure looks nice in white; most cars just look ordinary. Death: Apparently I've encountered another ill-informed car salesman. Surprise.

 

Everything I have read says that the hemi is getting the 8 speed...

The five speed sucks... I say that and I will raise some heckles but let me explain. It sucks in the 1st generation ipod sense... it was an awesome tranny when it came out, it handled the available TQ, and had one more gear than the competition. Times have moved on though, and the competition all run 6 speeds, TQ has increased, as have shift times and precision. Just as you whipping out a first gen ipod would have been really cool in 2002, but is vaguely laughable now, so too is the 5 speed... it was cool in 05 but...

If that has not got you convinced, the performance of the 5 speed is pretty much the reason why a 360 hp G8 can not be outrun by a 425 Hp SRT8...

 

Mine (2005 Magnum R/T) has always been quite slow to respond to sudden throttle input and always somewhat sluggish to shift in both directions. A car mag -- I forget which -- said the transmission is the one thing holding back the new Charger from being a truly great car. Now for more confusion: A second car salesman I talked to emailed to say the hemi will get a new dual-clutch transmission in late 2012.

 

Motor Trend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qpzNeeuHpU