First Glance: Love lost, love found

Technically, the Challenger was introduced in 2008, but only in limited-run automatic SRT8 form. 2009 sees the introduction of the full lineup -- SE, R/T, and manual-trans SRT-8. I love that the base-model SE looks every bit as mean and nasty as the big-dog SRT8, while the R/T delivers 95% of the SRT8's thrills for 75% of the price. And the six-speed manual transmission with its modern-day pistol grip shifter is the best thing to happen to the Challenger SRT8 since... well, since last year. Sure, the Challenger has flaws -- plenty of 'em, in fact -- but I don't think I'll ever grow tired of driving it...or of seeing it parked in my driveway.
When I first drove the Challenger SRT8, I fell head-over-heels in love -- for a week. Then the car went back to Chrysler, and I was sad for a while. But a month after my test drive, I was trying to remember what all the fuss was about. As cool and as fast as the Challenger SRT8 was -- and it was very, very cool and very, very fast -- the things that stuck out in my mind were the problems: The dull interior, the floaty ride, and the cave-like back seat.
Fast-forward a few months, and I'm back in the driver's seat of a Challenger SRT8, this time with the new-for-2009 manual transmission. And once again I am in love, hot and heavy as ever. Except this time I'm in love for different reasons. And this time, I'm determined not to forget what it is about this car that makes my heart go pitter-pat.
The first time I drove the Challenger, it was the styling that attracted me. I'm a big fan of Chrysler muscle cars, so I loved the way the new Challenger so closely mimics the 1970 original. That was then; this is now -- I've driven four different Challengers and have grown used to the drop-dead gorgeous looks. But the rest of the world clearly hasn't: The Challenger attracted as many stares, smiles, and cell-phone cams as ever. My wife Robin drove the car and complained that everyone wanted to race (cute chick in a red Challenger? Who could blame them?), and my tire dealer, who owns a Hemi Orange SRT8, noted that it's almost impossible to change lanes because there's always someone sitting on your quarter-panel admiring the car.