The Dodge Challenger is one of the most iconic cars in automotive history that has kept its DNA since 1970. The car comes with a polished American muscle car style and many models and engine options to choose from. The stunning performance and a reasonable price make the Challenger a real ballbuster.
Here we want to talk about the Hellcat versions and rules everybody needs to follow when buying these wild cats. Each car has its tricks, and as a performance car, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat requires the owners to know the tricks and how to appropriately treat the car. If you can afford a Challenger Hellcat, here are the rules to know.
10 Buying a Challenger Hellcat Is Not An Investment
Investing in special vehicles is a lucrative business that some people run. The plan is to buy rare cars, put them in the garage, and sell them whenever production ends. It might even take more than a decade. This plan works for some cars, but we must be a little pessimistic for a Challenger Hellcat.
When it comes to investing in cars, investors must consider some factors, one of which is the car's rarity. To be honest, the Challenger Hellcat doesn't seem like a good investment. According to Dodge, 6,452 different models of Challenger Hellcat were sold from 2015 to 2019. So the Dodge Challenger Hellcat isn't a rare car, and it is unclear when production ends.
9 Appropriate Maintenance Is Necessary
From low-cost small hatchbacks to multi-million dollar sports cars, appropriate maintenance is necessary for all cars. In the Dodge Challenger Hellcat's case, we're facing a high-performance car that requires more attention than regular cars. Of course, it doesn't mean you should always reserve a place in the repair shop and pay piles of money for maintenance.
The thing owners need to do is take scheduled maintenance more seriously, especially if they use their car for racing. The Dodge Challenger is a reliable car, and it won't cost you much for scheduled repairs.
8 Use Premium Gas Only
Some manufacturers strongly suggest that owners use premium gas only and stay away from regular gas. This is common for super sports and high-performance cars. With its massive engine, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat isn't like a regular car and requires premium gas to unleash its full potential. The base Dodge Challenger, however, works fine with regular gas, and they don't necessarily need higher-octane fuel.
Premium gas has an octane level of 91 or higher, and it is also called “super-premium” or “ultra.” Not using high octane fuel can damage the Hellcat’s engine in the long run.
7 The Challenger Hellcat Is Not A Car For Everyone, So Don’t Share It
Driving a Challenger Hellcat is tempting for many people, including your girlfriend, little brother, or friend who may ask you to lend them the keys to drive it. Sharing the enjoyment of driving a performance car is a generous act, but when you own a Challenger Hellcat, it's better not to be so generous.
Driving a car with more than 700 horsepower requires serious driving skills, and it's evident that all people are not qualified to go with such a powerful car. So, if next time someone asked you to let him or her drive your Challenger Hellcat, try not to be so generous.
6 Don't Mess With Electric Cars
Perhaps this is the weirdest thing about owning a Dodge Challenger Hellcat, but if the owner of an electric car—especially a Tesla—asks you to race, it’s better to reject his request because he intends to humiliate you. You may think that 700 horsepower in the body of an American muscle car is enough to take down an all-electric sedan, but think again. Here's the reason.
Electric cars can accelerate dramatically in a straight line and release a large amount of their torque force. This is a significant advantage for electric vehicles over internal combustion vehicles.
5 Hone Your Driving Skills
When you resist the urge to share your Challenger Hellcat with others, you’re protecting people from themselves. However, it’s also important to consider whether you have what it takes to handle the Hellcat yourself. If you don’t have the skills required to drive such a wild car, it’s best to leave the car in your garage until you’re fully qualified. Driving a 700-hp high-performance muscle car isn’t for the faint of heart.
The main problem is that it becomes so difficult to control the vehicle at high speeds, and if speed exceeds a certain limit, even the safety and control features can't do much about it. So try to hone your driving skills before buying a Challenger Hellcat.
4 Red Keys Are Important
There are two kinds of keys for the Challenger Hellcat: black keys and red keys. When using the black keys, you can't use the car's full potential, and the functionality is limited to ensure safety. This is when the driver doesn't want to burn the tires and drive with ease in urban areas.
Of course, with black keys, 500 horsepower is accessible, which is still an impressive number for racing. But with the red keys, there's no limit, and you're free to use all the 707 horsepower that the engine offers. Be sure to keep the red keys hidden away in a safe place from those who may not know what they’re getting themselves into.
3 Don’t Forget The Insurance
Insurance is necessary for all cars, regardless of their type and price. For a high-performance vehicle like the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, it seems more imperative because you have more horsepower than the average car, and a moment of neglect can cause significant damage. Look for the best insurance companies in your area and compare their prices to make a wise choice.
Costs will vary across insurance companies depending on the services they offer. ValuePenguin compared insurance costs for the Challenger Hellcat, which ranged from $1,135 to $7,094 for six months of coverage depending on the provider.
2 You May Need Wider Rear Tires
Tires play an essential role in the vehicle's traction, and if the tires installed are not adapted, they will cause the car to lose traction at high speeds. The Dodge Challenger Hellcat comes with 275/40ZR20 tires as standard. These tires are appropriate for regular use and ensure traction at average speeds. But those who want to use the car for racing need wider rear tires.
Using wider rear tires ensures that you can get enough traction at high speeds, and the vehicle is safe for racing. So if you want to unleash the Challenger Hellcat's full potential, look for wider rear tires following your Hellcat purchase.
1 Be Cautious About Aftermarket Upgrades
The Dodge Challenger Hellcat is beautiful and powerful enough and does not seem to need aftermarket changes. But as the owner of the car, you are free to make any modifications. When deciding on aftermarket upgrades, the thing you need to consider is to look for reliable centers and choose high-quality parts.
Many centers offer upgrade kits for the Challenger Hellcat, and some of them can increase the engine power to even more than 1500 horsepower. Also, keep in mind that making some changes may void the manufacturer or dealer's warranty.