Time to buy a Challenger

[Teg]

Hi all
The time is almost here when I will be purchasing a Challenger.
I will be looking for a 2001 or later preferably an LS model with LSD but will look at a standard model as well.
I have been looking on the car sales sites and there is a good variety to pick from up around the $18K price, so my questions are:
Any inherent problems, what to look for, best worst model if any, in fact any info would be appreciated.
We will be using it to tow a camper van (off road Jayco type) in and around mountains doing a bit of fossiking on mainly light to medium terrain.
Am prepared to do whatever necessary to suspension but suspect a decent set of shockies will suffice for my needs.
Cheers
Teg

[pickle]

Howdy Teg
Had mine for two and a half years and 40,000 klms later I am still very happy with it.(Purchased with 85,000k on it) Havent had to put a spanner to it yet and it does go offroad often. Only problem I have wth mine is the handbrake light stays on. Not a big issue as I will get around to fixing it one day.
I found mine was quite capable even without the LSD and quite a few guys used to comment about how good it was on some of the High Country tracks we do. Although now it has a rear locker and that makes it even better. A suspension lift does help them but that will depend on what type of work you will be doing with it.
Ok to answer some questions.
Inherant Problems.... none that really sticks out. Some manual drivers complain of doing clutches, but that could be the way they are driven.
What to look for....... Challengers with klms under or near 100 thousand klms need the timing belts and water pump changed at the 100k mark. So check that it has been done! Just generally check fr oil leaks etc and look at the bash plates for obvious 4 wheel driving damage.
Best and worst Model.......well the better models are the models built after Aug 2000. They recieved rear coils springs as opposed to leaf springs. Also recieved Invec 11 auto transmissions and eggcrate grill amongst a few other cosmetic changes.
You shouldn't have any problems with towing the camper van. Although a lot of people believe the motor in the Challenger is the same as the Pajero , this is not actually the case as they are a 24 valve motor and has more hp than 3 ltr Pajeros. I reccommend an August 2003 0r later standard Challenger or any earlier model LS. Good luck with your choice.
Dave

[Teg]

Music to my ears Pickle, thanks for the tips, I like the sound of the 2001 LS, I recon I should be able to get a good one for what I want to spend.
I am retired now so I no longer do any heavy off roading but can't resist the urge to head into the mountains. I am currently using a Vitara but sleeping on the ground isn't an option any more hence the van and something to tow it, the Challenger seems to fit the bill for us.
Any idea of the cost in doing the timing belt and water pump?

Cheers
Teg

[pickle]

Timing belt and water pump should be around $600 - $700 if the mechanic knows what he is doing.
Dave

[RO8M]

Common problem is that the auto aerial stops being auto (got mine like that...) and in my case the elec wing mirrors don't work either.

I also have the always on handbrake light, and my lsd (if it exists) is rather loose...

I also had to build up a tooth (with weld) on the spare tyre winch, as it had busted, and it's a unique item to the Challenger, and apparently no-one in Aus was wrecking one at the time.

Apart from that, and the fule consumption, it's a great car.

[Teg]

Picked one up today from a local dealer, it's a 2001 with cruise, LSD, CD stacker and a working aerial. Everything seems OK, it drives well, steers good, quiet on the road, suspension is firm but not harsh. Noticed a little surface rust underside but have got it booked in for a complete rust proofing.
Will give it a test run mid next month when I tow my camper away for about a week.
Cheers
Teg

[vpacer]

Hey Teg,

Bit late, but youll enjoy the Challenger. Mine now has 240k on the clock, and still as strong as when we bought it (early 100k's). Bits for modifying it can be hard to come across, DIY is the method!

My antenna also busted, but after constantly being barraged by tree branches on trails i just put a fibreglass one on the bullbar!

Fuel wise i always returned 11l/100k, but now with the muds and lift (and i have a twin ladder rack on the roof everyday now) i get 14l/100k.


Enjoy!


Dave

[Teg]

Hey vpacer
Antenna still working (touch wood), really enjoying it so far, the handbrake likes it as well so that's got to be a plus. Only had a chance to do one fuel test and it returned 11.5/100k mixed driving.
Probably the only mod I will be doing is to the shockies as I doubt I will need anything else for where I plan to go but you never know, will see how it goes next time I tow the camper into the mountains. Heading up to Manning point next week for a few days and will be camping just off the beach so will be able to see how it goes on the sand, with the standard 265/70 AT's let down it should handle it well. Goes in after we get back to have the timing belt and water pump done ($700 ouch) that includes parts, coolant ect.
Cheers

Teg