NEW YORK — Funny how even after seven years of testing and reviewing new cars, from time to time I still forget one major point: hold off on your opinions of an automobile until you get it on the street.

That is, after all, what makes or breaks a new vehicle no matter how it might appear on an auto show floor. Which is why, after a day behind the wheel of the new 2009 Dodge Challenger on the East Coast, I’m recanting on early statements I made that the car doesn’t live up to the hype of the concept.

No doubt there’s definitely a difference in some of the styling cues of the Challenger concept Dodge first unveiled and the current production model. But you quickly forget it when you settle in the those seats and hit that push button start. The Challenger’s got that kind of effect on a person. And best part about it, it’s available in a six speed manual.

That’ll definitely silence a lot of those critics who’ve blasted Dodge for the Charger not being in line with the older model.

I doubt you’ll be hearing any major complaints about the Challenger. It’s got just about everything that made the coupe hot back in the ’70s on the new model and then some. Dodge has done a good job of rekindling that spirit of the Challenger as a throwback to when “big body” muscle cars ruled the streets, with some nice modern updates.

Not that I’m actually an expert of the period, but based on the rundowns I’ve gotten on the ’70s model when compared to the new one and the response it gets from older guys, I’d say that’s a pretty good assumption.

Exterior details on the new Challenger include a long raised performance hood with scoops, a recessed grille with round dual headlamps, and retro rear taillights.

Not that the current Challenger is really that new. Dodge launched the vehicle earlier this year as a 2008 SRT with a limited production run, which is why you’ve been seeing some around. But for 2009, Dodge has has rolled out the full line-up available in the fall, which in addition to the SRT, includes the base SE model and the R/T for more mass appeal. And man, was it worth the wait.

We hit a strip of auto parts/supplier shops in Queens and you would’ve thought we were driving a Lamborghini or Ferrari. A lot of the guys at the shops had seen the Challenger at the New York Auto Show, but not on the street. One guy said we “made his day” when we let him sit in it. Another offered us cash to drive it.

The 2009 Challenger line-up has something for everybody ranging from the casual driver who just loves that “old school” look, to the diehard performance enthusiast who revels in hammering down on the pedal and hearing that engine rumble.

Even the base SE Challenger has street-nice appeal for those who might like a more subtle classic American muscle look.

So, what’s under the hood? The SE, which starts out at around 22 grand, comes equipped with a 3.5-liter 250 horsepower V-6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch tires, and aluminum wheels.

The R/T, which starts out at about $30,000, features the “new generation” 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with 372 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. of torque. Eighteen-inch machined aluminum wheels and dual exhaust are standard on the R/T.

Our pick for the New Jersey and New York test drive, the SRT features a 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 that puts out 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. For classic American muscle, it doesn’t get much better than this for 40 grand.

She’s rock solid and even impressive on the track for a “big body” coupe with a curb weight of about 4,000 pounds.

New for ’09, the Challenger SRT is equipped with a new limited slip differential for better performance. It also features SRT-exclusive 20-inch fully forged aluminum wheels.

The six-speed manual, which features a pistol grip shifter and “Hill Start Assist” that help to prevent the driver from stalling out on steep inclines, is only available on the R/T and SRT model.

Gas mileage is 17 city/25 highway for the 3.5L V-6, 16 city/25 highway for the 5.7-liter automatic and manual. The SRT is 13 city/19 highway for the automatic and 14 city/22 highway for the manual.

Standard safety features include supplemental side-curtain air bags and advanced multi-stage front driver and passenger air bags.

Aside from some race-inspired details on the SRT model, the interior of the Challenger is basically standard “Chrysler,” which oddly enough seems fitting for a modern day muscle car despite some complaints that Chrysler’s interiors tend to be too plain.

The fact that the manual model features a foot e-brake is a little awkward. Dodge officials said it was easier, and I’m sure a lot more cost efficient to use it with the manual over a hand brake considering that the car is built on the same platform as the Charger. And considering the idea of not having the option of a manual makes that e-brake easier to swallow.

Truth is, just about any of those initial complaints you might have about the Challenger are easy to swallow after a day behind the wheel.

HIGHLIGHTS
$42, 980 (as tested)
14 city/22 hwy
Optional manual
Pistol grip shifter
20-inch forged
aluminum wheels
Marcus Amick is an automotive consultant and co-host of an automotive entertainment website, MotorRocks.com.