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  #1  
Old 12-18-2018, 09:57 PM
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Mattman Mattman is offline
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Default Dodge Challenger Hellcat Owners

I thought that I remember seeing a thread sometime back about the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and if I remember correctly a few of you guys might have owned one?

If so I would like and appreciate your feedback as I am currently eyeballing a 2015 model and I plan on going to test drive it this weekend.

Thanks in advance for any positive feedback and I do realize that this is a Pontiac website😬😀

  #2  
Old 12-18-2018, 10:39 PM
1965gp 1965gp is offline
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We bought a 2015 Charger Hellcat and love it. Any specific questions or just looking for general comments?

  #3  
Old 12-18-2018, 10:50 PM
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Thank you for responding I’m glad to hear that you have one and love it.

If I do end up purchasing it I will drive it quite often and I do mean quite often unless I am working and for work I will use my F250.

Is it friendly to drive around city traffic taking my girls to school, hitting the grocery stores etc., so basically typical every day driving?

When I owned my 1970 GTO, which unfortunately I had to sell in 2008 due to financial issues , some friends told me I was not practical as I used it as an every day driver and I told them I’m not a practical man in some instances 😀

From what I’ve read it is a decently roomy car and comfortable for even people in the backseat ?

  #4  
Old 12-18-2018, 11:04 PM
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I had a Challenger R/T I loved that car. But I love a Bandit TA more. Any how, 3 friends of mine have a Hellcat, one of them has a hellcat, a scatpack, and just got a Demon. All I can say is.....get in, shut up, and HOLD on for the ride of your life! You’re gonna love it.

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  #5  
Old 12-18-2018, 11:12 PM
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We boughtvmy R/T in 2009. That year you couldn’t even test drive them off the lot. I just recently did a buy back with a Dodge Dealer in my town. Mine only had 6000 miles on it. Never had a hose on it or seen rain. Good luck! Let us know if you buy it. here’s my old car MR. NEW-SKOL Merry Christmas to you, that would be quite the gift.
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~MaryAnn~ AKA "Stickybuns"
1969 Firebird 400 Convertible
1978 Bandit T/A Tribute
1977 RED TA



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  #6  
Old 12-18-2018, 11:27 PM
1965gp 1965gp is offline
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I can answer that question very easily- our Hellcat is my wife’s daily driver. The kids love riding in it and it has plenty of room. I was concerned about the supercharger because when we bought the car it was out of warranty so I ended up buying an extended warranty. I think I paid 2k to have the bumper to bumper warranty until 2023.

This is our third Charger in a row and we have had very few issues. Driving it daily is really no different than driving our SRT8 until you stand on it.

I will say that you don’t buy it for fuel economy! It’s nit bad on the highway (we get 25-26] but around town it’s pretty rough.

  #7  
Old 12-18-2018, 11:35 PM
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Bowling buddy blew the Hemi apart....he's not a mechanical wizz so i dunno what happened.

  #8  
Old 12-19-2018, 12:20 AM
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unruhjonny unruhjonny is offline
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just so you know, the Challenger and Charger are the same platform - that's probably why you are getting Charger replies for a Challenger question.

How does the saying go(?);
"Haters gonna hate";
That's a good way to summarize people who knock the Challenger or Charger;
They are great cars.
I'd love to buy one, but can't justify it, so I'll keep my miserly four banger.

You might want to look up the Challengertalk forum - lots of people there who are willing to help answer questions;
The Challenger has ample room;
The Charger offers better rear passenger access;
The Challenger offers a stick with the V8, while the Charger doesn't.

I have read they are very docile, and can be daily'd all year long...
They might get better mileage than your GTO depending on how often you get into 6th...

I hope that helps.

For two years in a row, I've enjoyed driving the "baby" V8 Challenger (R/T) while visiting my mom in LA;
this is from this past September:


I did not regret the expense.
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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)

Last edited by unruhjonny; 12-19-2018 at 12:26 AM.
  #9  
Old 12-19-2018, 12:38 AM
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I have a 2015 challenger hellcat, 6 speed. Plenty of power obviously. I wouldn't buy a 2015 now however, I would definitely go for a wide body. The car is way under tire-d. I can break the tires loose going 45 mph down the highway.

Here's me on my high speed run at the Mohave air and space port:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCZWMCYJ5xU

Watch it in full screen with the sound up. Need HD to see the speedo well. I got nervous and shifted too early into 5th and 6th, so it bogs a little. I was limited to a top speed of 180 anyway because I didn't have a roll cage. Somebody there had a brand new charger hellcat they had cut up and put a roll cage in. That guy did over 190.

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  #10  
Old 12-19-2018, 06:21 AM
T/A addict T/A addict is offline
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Like jonny said.... Challengertalk, I'm a member there also. You'll find all the info you are looking for.
I will add... they are great cars, good room in the rear seat, large trunk. We've taken our Challenger on many long trips. You will have no issues with it.
Go for it, you'll be glad you did!

  #11  
Old 12-19-2018, 09:16 AM
1965gp 1965gp is offline
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These cars are an amazing technological accomplishment. It’s hard to believe that you can daily drive a 700 HP car with AC seats and then easily turn a solid 11 second pass.

  #12  
Old 12-19-2018, 04:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unruhjonny View Post
just so you know, the Challenger and Charger are the same platform - that's probably why you are getting Charger replies for a Challenger question.

How does the saying go(?);
"Haters gonna hate";
That's a good way to summarize people who knock the Challenger or Charger;
They are great cars.
I'd love to buy one, but can't justify it, so I'll keep my miserly four banger.

You might want to look up the Challengertalk forum - lots of people there who are willing to help answer questions;
The Challenger has ample room;
The Charger offers better rear passenger access;
The Challenger offers a stick with the V8, while the Charger doesn't.

I have read they are very docile, and can be daily'd all year long...
They might get better mileage than your GTO depending on how often you get into 6th...

I hope that helps.

For two years in a row, I've enjoyed driving the "baby" V8 Challenger (R/T) while visiting my mom in LA;
this is from this past September:


I did not regret the expense.



B 5 Blue is my favorite of all the colors.

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"BIG DADDY" VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnFIVLuwO9A

~MaryAnn~ AKA "Stickybuns"
1969 Firebird 400 Convertible
1978 Bandit T/A Tribute
1977 RED TA



I'm the FiredUp PY bad girl
  #13  
Old 12-19-2018, 05:01 PM
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J GLASGO J GLASGO is offline
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I have had several. I love these cars. No nostalgia like the old Pontiacs, but thrilling none the less.

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  #14  
Old 12-19-2018, 05:27 PM
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unruhjonny unruhjonny is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Firedup6975 View Post
B 5 Blue is my favorite of all the colors.
Yup, I specifically rented that car because it's one of my favorites;
I was dumbfounded at how many 'thumbs up' or stares it got... just goes to show too many cars are being bought these days in whites, greys, or blacks...
I'd swear that last year's black R/T was noticed by... nobody.

My top three favorite colours are:

'Header Orange' (2012/2014 only)
'B5 Blue' (all years; some years limited availability)
'Plum Crazy' (iirc all years; some years limited availability)

Here a picture comparing hte three oranges offered over the Challenger run so far:

Right to left:
'Go Mango', 'Hemi Orange', 'Header Orange'.

Back at the OP;
To many the 375hp Challenger R/T might not be enough, and to a point i agree that there's nothing wrong with more horsepower, but frankly I'd suggest that the 485hp 2011+ SRT engine is really more than enough for most...
Your GTO was what, 350hp?
It probably had a better hp/weight ration than the Challenger R/T, but the SRT (or R/T Scatpack) would better it.
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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)
  #15  
Old 12-19-2018, 05:55 PM
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Firedup6975 Firedup6975 is offline
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When I bought mine in 2009, I couldn’t get the B5 blue, they told me they had problems with it and it was re called. So I wound up with the red. Go past any car lot today, you may have 5 color choices if you’re lucky, and one interior choice which is usually grey. The colors for exteriors are usually....gun metal gray, white, black, maroon, and maybe dark blue. Some trucks you can get a nice metallic blue and bright red. That’s it! Boringgggggg.


I want a new SUV, but can’t get a nice color.

__________________
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~MaryAnn~ AKA "Stickybuns"
1969 Firebird 400 Convertible
1978 Bandit T/A Tribute
1977 RED TA



I'm the FiredUp PY bad girl
  #16  
Old 12-19-2018, 06:28 PM
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unruhjonny unruhjonny is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Firedup6975 View Post
When I bought mine in 2009, I couldn’t get the B5 blue, they told me they had problems with it and it was re called. ...
For model year 2009, 'B5 Blue' was limited availability - period literature suggested that it would only be available late in the model year, and only on the SRT8;
Time has proven that although it was only available late in the model year, it was offered on the R/T as well.
I think I have heard that something like less than 500 2009 'B5 Blue' SRT's were made for the Canadian market.

I have been lied to by many a new car salesman;
I'm sorry to tell you that on that day, you were lied to.

Often the lies are uttered so that you get a sense of "oh crap, I should just get one while I can"...

The piss-poor colour selection is, well, just because that's what's the most popular right now.
Were I in the market, I wouldn't purchase a car that wasn't THE colour I want, with the exact options I want... that is why I am driving a yellow car right now - no bland colours for me thank you very much

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1970 Formula 400
Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior
A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car.
Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left.


1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing)
2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs)

Last edited by unruhjonny; 12-19-2018 at 06:33 PM.
  #17  
Old 12-19-2018, 06:57 PM
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limejudge69 limejudge69 is offline
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I have a 2015 Charger R/T. It has the 370hp 5.7 Hemi. It’s a great car and it’s awesome on long trips. I’ve added a cold air intake, ported the intake manifold, deleted the resonators, added an oil catch can and have a Diablosport tuner. I run the 93 octane tune and average about 25.6 mpg. I can comfortably fit my family of five and although it’s not a Hellcat, performance is respectable.
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  #18  
Old 12-19-2018, 08:37 PM
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Thank you for all of the great feedback and information.

It has made me want the car more.

The one that I am looking at is sublime pearl in color
.
What year did the Hellcat become wide body?
The widebody look is definitely more awesome.

I got to be honest I’m not able to pay cash for this car and I have not had a car payment for five years so I’m trying to palate that😀

Thank you again for everything .

  #19  
Old 12-19-2018, 09:20 PM
1965gp 1965gp is offline
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Sublime is a great color- we had a Sublime 2007 Daytona for a while.

We didn’t pay cash for ours, I like my wife to be in a newer car so when the SRT8 was paid off I started looking. A used Hellcat was the same price as a new Daytona so she chose the Hellcat

  #20  
Old 12-19-2018, 09:39 PM
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Below is my Sublime '15 RT plus (375 hp). It is my daily driver and is a blast to drive. I have a long commute to work, and this car (and Howard Stern) makes it bearable.

The comparison above to a 350 hp GTO above is not valid. The GTO figures (pre- 71) were in terms of Gross HP, not bhp. The old 350 hp figure would be more like 275-300 hp as measured today. Measured the same way, the 375 hp challenger is 75-100hp more that than the standard 350hp GTO.

I walked thru a Dodge lot the other day while getting the oil changed and was also disappointed in the color selection for Challengers - all white, black or that absolutely hideous Destroyer Grey (a greenish grey) color. Bland and boring. I'll take the oranges, purples, reds, yellows, greens over these any day.

A Hellcat is in my future...someday.
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