I was looking for a 2022 Challenger for 6+ months. If I could have found the R/T with the color/options I wanted, I would have bought it and saved $15k.

That doesn't mean my 6.4L isn't outstanding in every way. However, in the 7k miles I have on it, I may have used that extra HP maybe 3 times. And in those 3 times, I really didn't need it.

But, I would venture to say I am in the minority...and I am also looking at a Hellcat decked out as my SP....if only I had $20k laying around....

Patience will get you a deal....and in the end, I still wish I could have saved $15k. Now, if the price difference were $5k, the SP is a no brainer.

 

I was looking for a 2022 Challenger for 6+ months. If I could have found the R/T with the color/options I wanted, I would have bought it and saved $15k.

That doesn't mean my 6.4L isn't outstanding in every way. However, in the 7k miles I have on it, I may have used that extra HP maybe 3 times. And in those 3 times, I really didn't need it.

But, I would venture to say I am in the minority...and I am also looking at a Hellcat decked out as my SP....if only I had $20k laying around....

Patience will get you a deal....and in the end, I still wish I could have saved $15k. Now, if the price difference were $5k, the SP is a no brainer.

I like how you pointed out how you may have used the extra HP few times, I think that kinda helped put a little bit of a lean towards the R/T for me...

I figured the ~50HP wasn't that significant of a difference for a gap in price and years, I also like the colors of the R/T's I'm looking at a lot more than the 3 SRT8's so that helps too of course lol

An SRT8 is NOT supercharged. They had a 6.1 NA engine until 2011, when Dodge switched it to a 392 (6.4L). After 2015, they dropped the “8” and they were called simply SRT.

Spending a little more for an older car, but one with the 6.1 and all the perks of an SRT8 is up to you. It’s a more performance-oriented car, and top-of-the-line for its time, but less of a performer than the 6.4 SRTs that followed.

Did not know that thank you for clarifying! I figured they likely were not supercharged since the Dealer Specifications and Notes and everything didn't say so, but wasn't 100% since the 1st result on Google said so, but I guess I didn't read enough of it or read it wrong.

 

Greetings all my Challenger colleagues. Just have a quick inquiry, and hopefully this is the right section for it.

I've been looking at some Challenger's lately (you may have seen my R/T Reliability thread) and have found a couple SRT8's that seem more-or-less as attainable for me as most of the R/T's I've seen, and am just curious, is there much of a noticeable difference in feeling the raw power between the 2?

I know there is a roughly 50 hp difference, and the SRT8 is supercharged (at least, according to Google, however the Dealer Specifications and details for the sites don't say anything about any of them having one so).

So I guess I think (for my personal circumstances) it comes down to most of the R/T's being a bit newer (3-6 years or so) and the couple thousand dollars price difference.

Just curious what your opinions are, would you take a slightly more expensive, little older 2010 SRT8 with pretty good mileage (less than 50k), or slightly cheaper, few years newer R/T with less than/around 50k?

View attachment 1100780

Here is a screenshot of my bookmarks if that helps 😆 I know it doesn't give many... 'technical' details, but just to give an idea of the prices, mileage and years, which are really the main factors for me.

An SRT8 is NOT supercharged. They had a 6.1 NA engine until 2011, when Dodge switched it to a 392 (6.4L). After 2015, they dropped the “8” and they were called simply SRT.
Spending a little more for an older car, but one with the 6.1 and all the perks of an SRT8 is up to you. It’s a more performance-oriented car, and top-of-the-line for its time, but less of a performer than the 6.4 SRTs that followed.
The 6.1 is a terrific and stout engine, but it lacks the newer technology of the engines that followed, that being the VVT system, MDS (if getting an automatic), and the active valve runners found in the newer 392. These aren’t necessarily bad things, and many find that it’s strength and simplicity make it a great engine to “soup up.”

 

Actually the SRT8 Inaugural Edition 2014 was the start of the 392.

 

The IE 392 was introduced in 2011.

 

If it were me, I’d be going in person to look at and drive numbers 4,5,10, and 11 on that list. Of those, I’d look seriously at the one(s) that had never been in a collision of any sort, and that checked out well at a mechanic of my choosing.

Low mileage and condition would mean more to me than which trim.

Just my 2.

 

The 6.1L has a forged crank, something to consider if you want to add a supercharger later.

 

The IE 392 was introduced in 2011.

This Is accurate.

Lots of incorrect info in this thread In other posts.

OP: go drive both and see what you think. Both are good platforms. Either way you’re still looking at a 10-15 year old car that will probably need a little love.

 

From driving both cars REALLY hard I can tell u there is a NIGHT and DAY difference in handling. The SRT8 isnt blown and will actually be slower than an RT. Plus the older SRT8 is really dated!

I did also own a 5.7 Police package charger 2009 and it lasted 267k miles so its a really reliable package especially with the 6.1 in the SRT8.

 

Clarification; The R/T (Scat Pack), with a 6.4 Hemi, is faster than an older SRT with the 6.1. However, the 2008-2010 SRT can beat an R/T with a 5.7 Hemi.

 

Having owned both, R/T and 6.4 Scat packs, for myself, 6.4 hands down. 2015 and newer for electronics upgrades. (blind spot warning specifically). Again, this is for me, and when I went from the 5.7 to 6.4 the additional performance was undeniable. Tire shops love me and my kids will always have fond memories of burning rubber on command, or seeing how far we can push the thing in sideways escapades!

Looking back, if I had driven the SRT that was parked next to the R/T, Id have saved up and taken the SRT over R/T back then.

 

This is totally incorrect. I owned a 2014 RT and a 2014 SRT8 both automatics. I ran them both off the showroom floor both on 245 RSA’s.
1- RT 13.23@105
2-SRT8 12.37@114
There is 0 comparison between these cars.

Well there is almost a 1 second difference in the quarter mile between 1 and 2!
How many actually get out there and run a quarter mile though, maybe for curiosity but a 0 ~ 60 time would be a more relevant comparison for a family car, and taking into consideration what the car is actually used for.

@Kwantumnaut

Of course there is a difference, Dodge made sure of that because the marketing is to sell the most expensive car to the public. The 5.7 is dialed way back in its performance so the 6.4 and 6.2(Supercharged), look more attractive to the Muscle Car brain thinking. Whether you can actually use that extra power or not is totally irrelevant, you may get a thrill entering an Interstate highway every now and then unless you are a street racer and illegal events are regularly held in your area, there will be few times you really get to turn it loose.

After modifying my 5.7s naturally aspirated performance there was no major difference gap between the 2 as compared above anymore, but after supercharging my 5.7 it can bust a 392 bubble running stock rated 245s real quick, but not everyone can invest an additional $12K into their 5.7 either. So make the decision that is best for you and your family keeping in mind your family will probably expand and then you'll be driving a mini van anyway. Ry

 

Other people's opinions are not a guarantee that they will align with yours. Drive them and decide what speaks to you. I have owned 5.7 / 6.1 / 6.4. I have enjoyed all of them pretty equally. I don't street race, or track my cars, and I don't drive like a self-involved jerk on the street.

 

I don't drive like a self-involved jerk on the street.

here here

🏆

 

100 Horsepower.

 

9mph at 4400lb race wt would indicate exactly 100hp see my post 13.

 

Interiors on the 2015 and up are vastly improved over the 2008-2014. (In my opinion)

 

And all of the wiring architecture, all of the electronics, back up cameras, etc. 2015 upgraded everything.

 

IMO, go for the '11 - '14 SRT8; more power difference and the '11+ got suspension tweaks over the early years

470hp for the 6.4 vs. 370hp for 5.7 (automatic), Brembo brakes and more performance oriented suspension tuning

 

I could be off the mark here, but I believe the comparison was between a ‘15ish or older R/T, and an ‘09-‘10 SRT8. Reason being the same as why I myself didn’t purchase an ‘11+ SRT… they were then, and still are a decent price jump. Would a 6.4 SRT be the best of the three (if you DO actually want the higher performance)?

Without a doubt.

But the OP’s links were all lower than what an ‘11+ SRT would cost with lower miles.

So, as stated by others first and foremost, OP, only you can decide what’s important, but you can be sure that an ‘09-‘10 6.1 will be more entertaining to drive than a 5.7, even if it’s got an uglier steering wheel and some older tech/suspension. I am not a fan of any non three-pedal car, but I WOULD add that if an auto is what you’re looking for, then you should give a little extra consideration to a ‘15+ b/c I believe that’s the year they introduced the 8-speed… but if I’m correct about the budget, that would likely put you into nothing higher than an R/T.

Keep us posted,
J

 

An R/T may be one person's Hellcat while one person's Hellcat may be another person's GT. It all depends on their reference point, driving needs, driving style and most importantly: skill.

While R/Ts and Scats are not the fastest things on any given street at any time, plenty of people have killed themselves in much slower cars because they could not handle them so go test drive, understand what you want aesthetically, can handle for power, and go with that.

 

all depends on their reference point

Bravo

 

Okay so I think honestly what it would boil down to ultimately for me, is just if there is a considerable - and moreso price worthwhile - difference, just when you put the pedal to the floor between the two lol...

Been doing a lot of thinking and debating, and I guess the best/most black and white way to put my internal conflict is that. Would this difference, if considerable/noticeable and worthwhile for the price jump, be worth having over a newer RT, with slightly more bells and whistles and maybe or maybe not considerably less miles?

I love and am going for the power, that's typically the main intent when owning these vehicles of course as pointed out previously, so basically just is the 50 HP increase really that much worthwhile over the other options of like I said newer, etc. etc.

 

either one will spin a street tire

get the newer one so the lifters dont fall outta it

 

I hope so because it's kinda... embarrassing, and not quite as exhilarating having to wait for wet pavement to spin any tires for 2 seconds in my current V6 SE 🤣

 

dunno if all the 5.7 had limited slip diff

make sure whatever you get does

 

the M6 5.7s get limited slip as standard equipment; the automatics did not

for a few years '11 - '14 limited slip was an extra cost option for the A5 models the '15+ 5.7s have open differentials

 

Personally I’d rather have 5.7 in the 2015 and newer body over a 392 in a 2014 or older…you spend ALL your time in the car, but rarely deep into the throttle where you will feel the difference.

 

I'm so sorry you are rarely deep in the throttle. I don't go much over the speed limit, but I am almost always deep in the throttle to get up to whatever the speed limit happens to be (except in residential areas).

 

You will definitely feel the difference on the street even if you do not need or use the extra power. The low-end torque is noticeable.

With a nod to those who drive the big engine daily, including those drivers with superchargers, I find the 5.7 more than satisfying on a daily basis, and it runs on regular gas.

I have a Scat Challenger toy in the garage and a 5.7 Charger daily driver in the driveway.

 

I agree and I have a 2019 Scat M6, but a friend of mine had a 2018 5.7 and it runs real good. The 5.7 has plenty of power.

 

You really need to drive one of each and make your decision based on that. That is what I did, and never had second thoughts about it. We all have opinions, but you will have to live with and hopefully enjoy the one you make. The search is part of the adventure. Good luck 👍

 

According to some posts active exhaust is worth 100 hp

possibly more…

 

According to some posts active exhaust is worth 100 hp

possibly more…

plus 25hp CAI and 10hp super bee decal

 

I would buy the newest Challenger that was in the best shape, unless you have a strong preference for a certain style or feature (pre-2014/2015+, SRT8 leather seats, adjustable suspension, etc.). Dodge gave these cars incremental updates over the years, moving things that were introduced on the higher trims down the line to the rest of the cars. They are all great cars, you can't really go wrong with any of them. Flip a coin, pick one, and enjoy it. Don't stress over getting the absofabulutelyiest, bestest bang for your buck; they are all good and there will always be another one out there to drool over as you save for the next one.

 

Unfortunately not looking so great with the lenders the dealers go through or I've looked into myself.

Pretty much all say my DTI (Debt to Income ratio) would be too high - which I understand they need security knowing as certain as possible they'll get their money, but honestly I think in my case is kinda BS, because my DTI with my available down payment and trade-in and everything is far from unmanageable for me, and I would truly be perfectly fine and have no problems at all paying it.

(Not to mention the fact that I thought this kind of thing is.. preeetty much what a nice little glorified sparkly clean and high credit history/score was largely for, but meh.)

So looks like I'm either going to have to do some more shopping around for a bit cheaper sadly, or just keep on saving until I can get a bit more of a down payment...

 

Unfortunately not looking so great with the lenders the dealers go through or I've looked into myself.

Pretty much all say my DTI (Debt to Income ratio) would be too high - which I understand they need security knowing as certain as possible they'll get their money, but honestly I think in my case is kinda BS, because my DTI with my available down payment and trade-in and everything is far from unmanageable for me, and I would truly be perfectly fine and have no problems at all paying it.

(Not to mention the fact that I thought this kind of thing is.. preeetty much what a nice little glorified sparkly clean and high credit history/score was largely for, but meh.)

So looks like I'm either going to have to do some more shopping around for a bit cheaper sadly, or just keep on saving until I can get a bit more of a down payment...

We’ve had to send a lot of people to Sidewalk Financial or the Chinese bank- One Lump Sum.