I’m curious who has a hellcat and what are your impressions? Do you like it as much as you thought you would? I’m looking for a hot rod and the modern muscle is pretty epic. Any drawbacks/surprises?

Thanks in advance.

I have a TRX with Hellcat. I'm super impressed. Monster power and moves this 7000lb. truck like a rocket ship. I only have about 300 miles on it so far but no problems, just wonderful sounds.

Had a 392 when I lived in the city and felt there was nowhere to "let it eat", they accelerate so quickly you're beyond breaking the law 2 secs after flooring it on the on-ramps. I imagine a hellcat is even more blue-ball inducing. Out in the country may be a different story but thats what I experienced - all that power and no place the blow, and for the entry fee, insurance and fuel costs - you're gonna want it.

15 challenger hellcat 6 spd b5 bought used 7k miles when I bought in 2020 now just over 10k paid 42k just before price boom. no regrets at all, tromp on it then start shifting they are so quick then holly sheit you see spedo 170 and a gear to go, heart pounds leg shakes, let off down shift [censored], and hold the road so well. [fall corn was down long open road no intersections] just my experience.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y175/Cometstorm/IMG_6749.jpeg

I knew in advance my purchase was pretty much going to be a garage queen.

I self allotted $65 K max in 2020.

So my choice was a bare bones Hellcat, or a loaded Scat.

I went with the Scat.

Seems to be the real “sweet spot” for my desires.

My full coverage insurance with State Farm is $1000/yr. Very affordable due to my driving record. I find places at the right time to open it up and enjoy it. I don't need to top it out. Getting onto the interstate ramp and quickly getting to the 70mph speed limit is pure pleasure, for example. Can never have too fast IMO unless you're talking about super lopey idle, no a/c, street slicks, horrible ride on streets then yeah, too much for street.

We have both a 19 purple scat and a 23 black hellcat, the scat is the best musclecar we have ever owned. The hellcat just has that intoxicating whine to go with all the power, have been 137 in the scat, 151 in the hellcat, we love them both. The hellcat gets 22mpg at 75, scat gets 26. I sold all my old cars but one, and am glad I did. I tried to not like that scatpack when she bought it, it is not possible to not like that car. It is just as fun as the old cars at shows or at a gas station, people love that purple car, and wanna see the hellcat engine. We have a redeye challenger in the family on drag radials, it makes a believer out of anyone. The perfect car would be a purple redeye challenger.

I caved and bought a '23 B5 Widebody Hellcat. Thing is scary fast and "sport" mode definitely is not something to let someone not familiar with cars attempt to drive in. It could get away from you REAL quick. So far, its been a fun car. Will see how long I hang onto it.

Be careful flooring it on on-ramps, they get sideways even with traction control on, and it'll wake you up! Especially when its en elevated on-ramp with no guard rails

My TRX rides soooo nice, smooth and quiet especially for a truck! Switch to sport mode and yowza! Sport Mode. The Sport Mode offers quicker shift times, sport-tuned stability control, tightened suspension, and a 30/70 torque split. ..Two hands on wheel is necessary if you're gonna romp it! The front end lift is awesome.

Thanks for the responses. I’m liking the idea of reliability and the modern muscle conveniences. The look is fierce plus the supercharger I just plain cool.

I have a 2016 Scat Pack Shaker that I ordered with 8,000 miles on it and I love it. I just got a Last Call 2023 Sublime Wide Body Redeye Jailbreak Challenger with 807 hp. Only have 100 miles on it and it's a monster. Really the 392 is all you need but I love them both.

I had my choice between a used hellcat or a new 1320. i was being budget friendly when I got the ok to purchase. I went with the new 1320 (2020) because the price was good and for now that's all i needed for a garage queen. we do absolutely love the car. not driven much except for a cruse to get ice cream. just clicked 4k miles

I rarely stop in here anymore, but I just happened by and thought I would add my story.

Being under the impression that they were only going to make about 2000, and that only the Jay Lenos of the world would end up with one, I wrote a stupidly big check in 2015 to be the first kid on the block with a B5 blue 6-speed. The pain of that spend has been long-forgotten, and I continue to have the most fun I have ever had behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. I think surviving my foolish younger years doing stupid stuff in muscle cars [and living through it] was a qualification prelim for owning this car. Yeah, everyone thinks they are an "above average" driver [which of course is a statistical impossibility], but this car's abilities, and its third pedal, can generate a humbling experience for most folks.

Taking the car on Big Willow is most satisfying, even though most folks would think a 4500 pound street car has no business there.

Most folks would be mistaken.

My Youtube channel is Heckcat.

12 seconds of immaturity

Playing around with an F12

Video description for the F12 video:

Ride along in a 6-speed Hellcat (a 4500lb street car), as it runs on the "Big Willow" track at Willow Springs.

All of my in-car videos are best viewed on the larger screen of a desktop, laptop, or tablet. A cell phone screen will not show the detail of the speedometer, the G-force screen, or the inset alternate camera views.

About the day: This was filmed at Fall Fling Speed Festival on a windy and chilly day in November 2022. The event is promoted by AllTime Racing (www.alltimeracing.com), and is a Track Day, and NOT a race. Passing is only supposed to occur in three select areas of the track. For various reasons, not all cars seen are being driven full-out at any given point in time. These events are pleasantly laid-back, and a load of fun.

About this clip:
We pick up the action mid-afternoon, when I do a handful of laps with Robert, as he tosses his F12 Ferrari around the track. The careful viewer will note the sudden appearance of an errant chunk of track in turn 2 during this clip. We were both aware of it and easily steered clear, but leveler heads prevailed, and they shut the track down for some hasty repairs.

I dont and really dont care to. I can get in way to much trouble with kind of power in a pkg built to accept / make good use of it

I rode in a friends redeye widebody. Once ,,,,,, and once is all I needed.

Wife and I have toyed with the idea of a new DD in a new / newer Charger but it would be a RT or Daytona max. . MAYBE a scat pack but thats pushing it.

The mom is a sweetheart but the daughter we kept from mom's litter of two, well here you decide and she meets the subject title

(OT yes but just needed a laugh today.)

You will get used too the power and want more, a good set of tires makes all the difference, michelin pilot sport 4s are the ticket. The best money we spent was 3 days at Radford racing school where you get to wring out a redeye for all it is worth. You have an in car instructor if needed and will not be afraid of the car anymore. My hellcat is safe and not scary under all conditions on summer tires, all season tires should not be allowed on a hellcat. Our scatpack has Pirelli summer tires and to be honest you would have to try to wreck the car on dry pavement, it is that good once the tires are warm. There is a way to turn traction control all the way off..... that is for pro drivers with sticky racing tires. All modes including sport have traction/stability control on at different levels. I like sport because you can hang the ass out a little and have some fun. Both cars are worth every penny. Passing on 2 lanes is so damn fun.

A lot of Dakota R/Ts were totaled this way, especially the regular cabs since they are 98" WB.

I would guess the road would have to be wet for this. Those Dakota R/Ts weren't exactly rocket ships.

modern muscle is the way to go. no drawbacks with them. blow classics away in every way.

It just depends on what you are after. Modern Muscle just doesn't excite me. The morbidly obese weight, the overly complicated electronics, the physical size...

I do have an appreciation for their powertrains, though.

I thought the same...but, I had to get one. Now I am thinking strongly about transplanting a 6.4 into my '66 Coronet.....pricey, but might be worth it.

The size and weight is one of the best things about them for a car to drive vs a mustang or camaro, they are comfortable to drive. We were in mine for 15 hours straight last weekend and were not tired of driving it. That barcolounger front seat with a/c in it makes it fun to drive a lot. Dodge could have pulled 700 lbs out of them but the car would suck like a camaro. A new corvette is a fantastic light fast car that sucks to drive long distance. The hellcat is one of the faster cars that I fit comfortably in at 6ft-3 265, so my choice is limited. Check the weight of all the Mercedes, Audi hotrod sedans...they are all heavy. Most people do not want to ride in a pop can. I guess in the end if you want a car to drive get a Dodge, you want a track car get something else, if you fit in it.

I bought a used one 5 years ago and still enjoy it. If you are not used to that much power on demand I would suggest using the black key or dropping the power in the SRT pages till you get used to it. As mentioned, tires are everything to get it hooked up. Traction control won't save you at 60 mph when you tromp it to pass. Good luck with your purchase!

Very true, they beat them in every category except for driving experience. A modern SUV or minivan could wipe the floor with a lot of stock muscle cars in every single performance category. But that doesn't mean I would rather have a SUV than a road runner lol.

Thank you for the responses, opinions, and knowledge. Would you guys recommend a manual or an auto? I have read the auto is faster but I do enjoy shifting gears. Would you worry about finding one with the Harmon/Kardon stereo setup or is the stocker sufficient? I like to listen to music but I wonder if the sound of the supercharger isn’t what I’ll be listening to..

68HemiB - thanks for sharing info and experience…I will probably pay more than I should.

A12 -

Its all about preferences. I have drove almost all manuals for almost 50 years. I drove a manual HC but opted for an automatic. Things happen real quick in these cars and my reflexes are not what they used to be, so I went auto. With the HC you can put it in full manual mode (essentially) anyway and use the paddle shifters if you want to. I ordered the Harmon Kardon in mine. As my daughter says, that system kicks A$$. But, is it a necessity...No. Took a road trip in mine yesterday. Set the cruise at 80 and still knocked down 18mpg which I did not think was terrible (and that was with a few hard pulls tossed in).

Here are two forums more in line with your questions:


https://www.challengertalk.com/

https://www.hellcat.org/

Thanks for the info and the links. Right now I’m looking at a B5 blue 2016 hellcat with a black interior and the H/K stereo with 41k asking $52k or a 2020 maroon (not sure the name of the color) hellcat with black interior and no H/K stereo but two sets of wheels (stock and some really nice aftermarkets) for $59k. There are others out there but these seem to be the best deal.

I can't go without at least one old school Mopar. I've tried. While I love the modern stuff for it's power, mpg, comfort, and DD abilities, I crave driving the old stuff with the old feel, sound, look etc.

Music is just a background noise for me now. I don't ever crank it anymore as I so enjoy the sound of that Supercharger. I prefer automatics because FOR ME the shifting becomes tiresome in any kind of traffic. While it's not my daily driver, I still enjoy it more when I can just hit the pedal and let the modern auto do it's thing. Of course my Hellcat is a TRX so it's not like I had a choice, but I definitely would've chose auto anyhow. I can use the paddle shifters whenever I like and that's enough for me.

I love the TRX - it’s an amazing vehicle. If you wouldn’t mind, post a pic of it (or two!) especially the rear mat where the t-Rex is eating a raptor.

These are the two I am really considering…the pictures of the red one are better but I’m not sure if the car is actually nicer…

This is a pretty informative video.

https://youtu.be/B-6X9PL-JuA

I’m not dissing Hellcats. I’m not THAT stupid! L

But the author makes some valid points for the “street” driver.

It points out several reasons why I went Scat.

I have a 21-scat pack (392 T/A) that I drive daily. I also have a 20 Hellcat redeye that sits in the garage most of the time. Here are the differences i see.

The scat pack has a much stiffer ride, the Hellcat in auto mode is much softer ride and is adjustable if you want to change it. (Wife has a 17-scat pack and rides the same as my 21-scat pack)

Hellcat much louder.

Both cars have Brembo brakes, the hellcats are much larger and make way more dust to clean.

The performance, there is no comparing the two, the hellcat seems a bit much to drive every day in my opinion, i put a drag radial on the back of the hellcat, car is less likely to end up in the ditch now.

Both cars are impressive for ride, comfort, fuel mileage etc.

The scat pack doesn't have the blower whine or performance, but still a fun car overall to drive. I get low 20's with the scat commuting about 80 miles a day, the ride home is in rush hour traffic too.

If I'm buying a toy, definitely going with the HC, If daily car id go with the Scatpack.

Hey Nutso, I have a 2016 B5 blue Hellcat and a 2016 B5 SRT392. Both are manuals. The SRT is a great car, and is 95% the equal to the hellcat when you’re on the street. At any legal speed I can’t really tell a difference in performance. But when you have a straight deserted stretch of road the hellcat is absolutely ferocious! I have drag radials on the hellcat and consider them mandatory equipment.

You are welcome to swing by and drive them, as well as your old road runner!

I talked to a guy at 41 last year who had a Redeye widebody. He had traded a Scat Pak in on it. He said even though he loved the Hellcat he wished he had kept the Scat Pak. He said the Hellcat was a definite nice weather car.

Thanks guys! That video was very informative and while 485 Hp isn’t 707 it is still pretty impressive. I’m torn between an older a or b-body hot rod and a newer muscle car. I love the looks and visceral experience of driving an old car but where I live is so far from shows, cars and coffee, etc. I’d really like to have something I can drive a longer distance. The reliability and comfort of some older rigs is suspect…the new cars have air conditioned seats!!!

I have always loved those two seat AMXs - I don’t regret selling my roadrunner though, I probably could have gotten more for it (based on the asking prices I see) but it went to a good home and is appreciated which is important to me.

The scat packs nearby are quite a bit less expensive, newer, and have the same interior options as the hellcat…there is a green one with a shaker hood in Grant’s Pass that has 450 miles on it! It’s a beaut too. I love green cars, you never see them.

Nutso, I texted a pic of the road runner at a local show (assume you still have the same phone number). I recently bought all the sheet metal I’ll need if/when I restore the car. You’re always welcome to swing by and take it (or the hellcat) for a spin.

I’m biased, but I would get a SRT392 before I’d get a scatpack; it’s a more refined package vs the non-SRT Scatpack. But honestly, you’d be crazy not to get a hellcat or, better yet, redeye.

I went to a local dealership and looked at some challengers today, saw a really cool R/T Swinger limited edition. I really like the green widebody look and the wheels are really cool. and 485 Hp!! They also had a ‘shakedown’ edition scat pack in Destroyer gray. The stripe kit was really unique and fit the car well.

Very cool cars, test drove a black scat pack today. Lots of power!!

My dealer is trying to sell me a battleship gray Scat Pak Shaker Widebody. He also has an R/T Shaker in white.

I had a 2016 Shaker R/T and miss the hell out of it.

Most comfortable car I ever owned.

With all the great colors out there, I for one, really struggle with the Gray cars. My buddy works at a Dodge dealer and he says they just ran out of paint and its really primer...LOL. But, when you can get some of the other colors, Gray just seems lacking on a Challenger. I went the B5 Blue, but was also thinking Octane Red or Tor Red. Plum Crazy is a great color on these cars. But, for some, Gray is their choice, so be it.

The "sticker" cars as they are known in many circles that were special editions seem like not much of a real 'special edition' to me. They could have done something really different rather than just stickers and graphics. Most dealers are still thinking they should carry a larger ADM because they are 'special', but I would suspect with future interest rate hikes the sales of these cars is going to slow down even more.

The swinger has unique wheels…otherwise it’s mostly a badging and sticker package although it has a lot of options included as part of the ‘last call’ promotion. The sales manager came out and gave me the hard sell…it’s a pretty nice car but for the money I could get a really cherry used hellcat. I really like the green paint though…reminds me of my old 69 Coronet 500. 😁

Just picked up this Shakedown last week.

That’s a great looking car!

I looked at the blue manual hellcat…the clutch was incredibly stiff. Like a serious leg workout! It was beat on…the splitter was munched, the shift knob was so worn you couldn’t see the shift pattern printed in it (at 43k!). It had a lot of scratches and whatnot but two things stood out to me. The gasket for the hood was loose/ripping and starting to breakdown, leaving residue on your hand if you touched it. The other odd thing was the center of the steering wheel was very worn. The chrome ring around the airbag was worn to where it was yellow plastic. What would rub on that? Very strange.

Car was nice but had been driven like a you’d expect someone to drive a hellcat.

I have a 15 M6 HC Challenger and my wife has an 18 Scat Pack Charger Daytona. The Daytona is definitely a better balanced, easier to live with everyday car but the Hellcat is such big, stupid fun, especially with a stick. And I agree about the Michelin Pilot Sports for tires, they changed the entire dynamic of the car to where it can actually be driven hard without breaking the tires loose every time you step on the gas.

Make no mistake, the new cars do not replace the old cars. True, they perform better in pretty much every category but they do not replace the amazing driving experience of a rumbly big block original 60s/70s musclecar.

Bought new in 15. Challenger hellcat m6
I was very impressed and told the wife. "I can't beleave they sell this to the public"

I still want B5 H.C. Challenger. I looked for months for B5 2009-2010 with the first re-introduction of the similar shade of B5, but they were always like 5 grand more for that color. I finally settled on my BSP 2012 M6 R/T Classic to hold me over. 12 years old now and 75,000 miles, this car has been flawless. Just oil changes, front brake pads and just changed the tires last summer.