New Dodge Challenger- Daily Driver.
Discussion
I do not drive mine daily as I have no where safe to park it at work. But yes they are a blast to drive. Depends on your engine I guess. I have a very good mate with a Scat Pack that uses it occasionally for work. On a recent trip back through Belgium to Dunkirk my average mpg was 29.2. 25 average on the motorway and 5mpg on a runway. But then you might not want to go for the Hellcat version but if you do you won't be disappointed.
I have a 392 Scat Pack, which my wife commutes with - but that's a mere 5 miles each way daily.
We also had a 6.1L SRT-8 300C, which she used to do a daily 100 mile round-trip.
These are well built and under-stressed cars - assuming you are considering 8 cyl versions. The 6 cyl Pentastar engined STX is a bit asthmatic and even the 5.7L R/T is somewhat lacking in the get up and go department, due to the significant weight of these cars.
I think it is wise to be mindful that when things do start to wear-out they can be quite expensive to fix. The front struts on my 300C were about $1000 each - similar items on SRT-8 and Hellcat Challengers. That said, mine didn't need replacing until 85,000 miles. I needed a new headlight unit for my challenger which was also around the $1k mark.
Current 392 motor is very conservatively rated at 485hp and available in Scat-Pack and SRT-8 models. Hellcat has 707hp 6.2L supercharged motor that shares the same Apache block/architecture.
Both have optional 8 sp ZF/Torqueflite auto that is a truly awesome transmission - or Tremec 6sp manual, which is good, but not great - as with all Tremecs, it's a little truck-like in operation.
5.7s and 392s with auto also have MDS that shuts down 4 cylinders while cruising/light throttle loading, which makes fuel economy slightly less eye-watering. My 392 combined delivers around 15 (US)MPG. When I stamp on it, it can plunge into single digits with scary ease.
Regular service items are cheap as chips and easily done with basic tools and axle stands.
I wouldn't want to use a Hellcat for commuting (even though it absolutely would cope) - it would just be a shame to beat-up such a special car with that kind of duty.
As with most muscle cars, the tuning/modification possibilities are enormous - for Mopars the most popular are Speedlogix, Kenne Bell and FastHemis. The 5.7 and 6.4 respond very well to Diablosport 93 oct SCT tuning and the stock dual mode exhaust flows better than most aftermarket stuff. I bracket race my car, so installed some stronger drive shafts, those and a Hellcat "Air-Catcher" intake and some bigger, stickier rear wheels/tires are my only mods and my car runs under 12 sec quarters when I have my s
t together and will run under 12.5 all day long without really trying.
My largest criticism of these cars is that they are under-wheel/tired. The stock rear 9.5" rims and 245 section tires are way too small for the torgue generated by the bigger engine. My car screeches the stock tires up-shifting from 3rd to 4th. Thankfully it breaks grip very progressively (unless driving like a complete dick), but it's very easy to get the back end trying to catch-up with the front. There is plenty of room to fit 10"-12" wide rear wheels (with appropriate offset)
but I really like the Mopar Lightweights that come stock - and don't care if the fronts don't match the backs at the track.
In the usual comparisons with Mustang and Camaro, the Challenger is significantly bigger and heavier - the trade off, being that it has an enormous boot and useable rear seats. Due to it's width and the UK's small parking spaces, I'd be concerned about door dings/scuffed mirrors and the like.
We also had a 6.1L SRT-8 300C, which she used to do a daily 100 mile round-trip.
These are well built and under-stressed cars - assuming you are considering 8 cyl versions. The 6 cyl Pentastar engined STX is a bit asthmatic and even the 5.7L R/T is somewhat lacking in the get up and go department, due to the significant weight of these cars.
I think it is wise to be mindful that when things do start to wear-out they can be quite expensive to fix. The front struts on my 300C were about $1000 each - similar items on SRT-8 and Hellcat Challengers. That said, mine didn't need replacing until 85,000 miles. I needed a new headlight unit for my challenger which was also around the $1k mark.
Current 392 motor is very conservatively rated at 485hp and available in Scat-Pack and SRT-8 models. Hellcat has 707hp 6.2L supercharged motor that shares the same Apache block/architecture.
Both have optional 8 sp ZF/Torqueflite auto that is a truly awesome transmission - or Tremec 6sp manual, which is good, but not great - as with all Tremecs, it's a little truck-like in operation.
5.7s and 392s with auto also have MDS that shuts down 4 cylinders while cruising/light throttle loading, which makes fuel economy slightly less eye-watering. My 392 combined delivers around 15 (US)MPG. When I stamp on it, it can plunge into single digits with scary ease.
Regular service items are cheap as chips and easily done with basic tools and axle stands.
I wouldn't want to use a Hellcat for commuting (even though it absolutely would cope) - it would just be a shame to beat-up such a special car with that kind of duty.
As with most muscle cars, the tuning/modification possibilities are enormous - for Mopars the most popular are Speedlogix, Kenne Bell and FastHemis. The 5.7 and 6.4 respond very well to Diablosport 93 oct SCT tuning and the stock dual mode exhaust flows better than most aftermarket stuff. I bracket race my car, so installed some stronger drive shafts, those and a Hellcat "Air-Catcher" intake and some bigger, stickier rear wheels/tires are my only mods and my car runs under 12 sec quarters when I have my s
t together and will run under 12.5 all day long without really trying.My largest criticism of these cars is that they are under-wheel/tired. The stock rear 9.5" rims and 245 section tires are way too small for the torgue generated by the bigger engine. My car screeches the stock tires up-shifting from 3rd to 4th. Thankfully it breaks grip very progressively (unless driving like a complete dick), but it's very easy to get the back end trying to catch-up with the front. There is plenty of room to fit 10"-12" wide rear wheels (with appropriate offset)
but I really like the Mopar Lightweights that come stock - and don't care if the fronts don't match the backs at the track.
In the usual comparisons with Mustang and Camaro, the Challenger is significantly bigger and heavier - the trade off, being that it has an enormous boot and useable rear seats. Due to it's width and the UK's small parking spaces, I'd be concerned about door dings/scuffed mirrors and the like.
Edited by Matt Harper on Sunday 27th November 16:30
i have a 2009 SRT 8 auto that is my daily, i bought it 4 years ago with 12,500 miles on the clock, i use it everyday for work with a boot full of tools lol its not on 67,000 miles and i still wouldnt know what to replace it with, i have lowerd it and put on 22" wheels and it has a Corsa cat back system so sounds lovely, general things that wear are bushes and and ball joints but they are the same as the 300C and not expensive to replace, newer cars that may have self leveling shocks may be dear but mine is old so not a pproblem as i put BC coilovers on it, i am now experiancing a knocking which i think is drive shafts (cv joints) again not a huge expense and probably worn due to being lowered, they are a big car so parking is some times awkward but ive always managed, worst thing is having to get out to get car park tickets lol
The beauty is they generally dont depreciate like an equivelant UK highe end car so your money is pretty safe in it and tax is £225 a year.
Go get one !
The beauty is they generally dont depreciate like an equivelant UK highe end car so your money is pretty safe in it and tax is £225 a year.
Go get one !
I've got a Brand new 392 Hemi Scat Pack shaker (and mates with SRT Hellcat) i do take the Challenger to work and to be honest would do more often the only reason i don't is, i'm too tempted to skip work and keep driving 
Actually its because its only a 6 mile journey in London, so pretty much stop and start.
Overall its an absolute peach to drive, i only get about 17mpg around London, but even so its worth it.
All in all.....do it!! you won't regret it.
Actually its because its only a 6 mile journey in London, so pretty much stop and start.
Overall its an absolute peach to drive, i only get about 17mpg around London, but even so its worth it.
All in all.....do it!! you won't regret it.
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