Anyone knows why the 2008 model has an external antenna on the roof?

[WillydeBeatbox]

Today at the dealer I noticed that the 2008 model has an external antenna on the roof. Inquiries pointed out that non of the salesman present had noticed it before (?!?).

Has anyone any idee why this (very ugly) antenna is there?

[fadertoo]

Originally Posted by WillydeBeatbox

Has anyone any idee why this (very ugly) antenna is there?

If you're thinking about buying, run - do not walk - away from that dealership! The fishing pole antenna is about the first thing those of us here noticed when the pictures of the '08s became available. I can't imagine what else the personnel at that dealership don't know about these cars if that hadn't noticed that. And welcome to the forum, BTW!

I've read that the '08's antenna location was selected primarily to improve AM, and to a degree FM, radio reception. Truth be told, the AM reception in my '07 is not that great, though FM is fine. Rumor has it that the antenna will be redesigned and reintegrated back into the rear window on the '09 models. The '08's fishing pole is pretty universally criticized for its fugliness.

[WillydeBeatbox]

Originally Posted by fadertoo

I've read that the '08's antenna location was selected primarily to improve AM, and to a degree FM, radio reception. Truth be told, the AM reception in my '07 is not that great, though FM is fine.

So what is the opinion on the possibilities of removing this terrible thing? AM reception doen not bother me at all, or would that mean that the FM wont work either?

By the way I'm not going to buy the car, it's going to be a lease. Beside that this dealer has indeed a terrible salesteam, but the service team is rather good.

[CUEBALL]

I suggested either see if the rear window from an 07 with the antenna in the window will fit.. and then switch them out and remove the snorkel. There are also antenna bars that you could put inside the rear window on the left or right edge, and re-route the wires. Probably have to fill some holes on the top, but I couldn't live with the snorkel.

BTW, I've seen that most salesmen do not know much about the car they are selling. They don't need to from a sales standpoint, so always do your homework.

I could make a killing with my sales experience, if I didn't brand car sales with such a stigma..LOL.

[Rambit]

You can easily unscrew the antenna, but I don't know how badly that effects FM reception. I think Chrysler really did listen to what many of us thought of the fishing pole in 08.

If you look around many other car makers have adopted the fishing pole too. It's definately not going on the 09 Challenger, so I would imagine that goes for the 300's/Chargers as well.

Bernie

[GoofyTimL]

It was added for the fishing public of the far north. They can more easily troll along those beautiful shores as they cruise slowly on the near-by scenic byways.




















j/k

[PureEnjoyment]

I have to agree that its not the most asthetically pleasing item.....BUT.....I just purchased an '08 SRT design and I have to say my FM reception is a considerable improvement over my '05 C. And I mean BIG IMPROVEMENT. For example, the Detroit radio station I always listen to is 95.5. One of my buddies lives about 100 miles away from me and when I would go to visit him my reception for that station would die about half way into my trip. Now I can still listen to that station when i'm parked in his driveway 100 miles away AND its as clear (if not better) than when I used to be at home. In my opinion it is well worth the trade off.

[OoTLink]

Not worth it to me

[bund]

didnt they make a 300 with a smaller antenna on the roof before this snorkel? I think ive seen one of those "oval stumps", unless someone did that after. since the stump is lower profile might look better and less noticeable then the "snorkel"

[OoTLink]

It used to be you only got the plastic turd on the roof if you bought the option to have sirius on the car, if not, you had a sexy clean roof and the AM/FM radio antenna was in the back window, regardless of whether or not you got sirius

Thus, my car has nothing on the roof ^_^