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R/T vs Scat Pack

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68K views 240 replies 89 participants last post by  Challenger T/A 70  
#1 ·
Hello my dudes, I'm from the Great white north and I'm in the process of buying, well starting to buy a challenger. I'm looking around and kind of stuck between three different ones. The rt, scat pack and the ta. I see the differences online and brochures and blogs but like I'm looking for advice on it from people that own them.
 
#5 ·
Them rams do be built different, that's the thing even if I have the scat pack you know I'm gonna have the hellcat envy

The T/A is a package that could be added to both the RT or the Scatpack. What are you expecting from the car? Previous vehicle history? I had a 2018 Challenger T/A (5.7L) before I sold it to buy my current 2020 Charger Scatpack
I have a chrysler 200 S right now, which will most likely stay with me as a daily driver. I just want the ta if I'm getting the widebody scatpack. But it's also a 7000 dollar option so I'm hesitating a little bit. I'm not really planning on taking it to the drag strip or anything, but I will most likely maybe use it on weekends around town here and there, If you catch my drift. The rt is the least favorite option right now because the scat pack is only a small upgrade.
 
#3 ·
#1 rule on a "luxury" auto purchase, (assuming this is such for you and not simply the required daily driver)..
Buy the most car you can afford.
Meaning get the most options, highest HP / trim level finances will allow.
This gives you greater resale/desirability down the road and less chance of buyer remorse.
At the end of the day however, buy the one that makes you happy!
 
#4 ·
The T/A is a package that could be added to both the RT or the Scatpack. What are you expecting from the car? Previous vehicle history? I had a 2018 Challenger T/A (5.7L) before I sold it to buy my current 2020 Charger Scatpack
 
#7 ·
I bought a 5.7 new. It was totaled ten years later. I replaced it with a new similarly ( highly ) opted 6.4 but with a Shaker. As we occasionally drive the 6.4 we've realized that the 5.7 was the better driving, handling all around car.
I didn't buy a Hellcat because of no Shaker availability.

As to the RAM thoughts, I had a 13 2500 with a 5.7, a 15 2500 with the 6.4 and a 18 2500 with the diesel. The better HP, Torque, pulling, passing all around truck was the 6.4 engine. It takes a half a mile to get to highway speeds with the C and forget about passing.
 
#8 ·
Never owned a Dodge with a 5.7l engine. Back in 2012 rented a Charger with this engine for a few days. My first exposure to a Dodge in long time. It was a nice car. I remembered this when in late 2017 I decided to buy some new cars and my favorable impression of the rental Charger was one reason I ended up with a 2018 Scat Pack.

Do not know what a T/A is. But a quick bit of online research suggests it is a "tarted" up R/T. There's nothing wrong with that if it floats your boat.

On my 2nd Scat Pack. Owned a Hellcat between my 1st Scat Pack and my 2nd Scat Pack.

First SP came with an A8. (As did the Hellcat.) My 2nd Scat Pack I found and bought a car fitted with a 6-speed. The A8 was a good transmission just decided it was too complex a transmission for long term ownership.

The 2nd Scat Pack is a bit more "richly" optioned than the 1st.

While I like my Scat Pack I can't say it is the car for you. Only you can make that decision.

Some things to consider: While insurance is not an issue with me I always get an insurance quote using the VIN of the car I will end up buying just to be sure there are no insurance premium surprises.

Gas mileage is likewise not an issue. Retired in August of 2020. So now I only drive when I want to drive. And I don't drive that far. For daily driving I have a 2nd vehicle, a M-B van which I use.

But while the van averages 22mpg (it weighs 4200lbs same as the Scat Pack) the Scat Pack used on the same roads averages 15mpg. Both vehicles require 91. (Paid $3.79/gallon for some the other day.)

I don't know what the price premium of the Scat Pack is over the R/T (or T/A). But you should know and weigh the extra cost against other negatives: gas mileage, insurance (?) and so on.
 
#9 ·
I bought my first 5.7 with the 6M. I’ve owned a few 5.7’s and 2 SP’s all with the 8auto. Now that I’m retired I was looking for a T/A with the manual just for the sheer fun of rowing my own gears. Yeah, I could stand the power of the 6.4 but am content with what I have now. I get around 17mpg in the city and have registered 25 on a 200 mile trip so it all depends on your right foot. Enjoy the research and hopefully your decision will cause you to be happy!😬
 
#10 ·
It's such a personal decision and what YOU want. For me, and I stress me, I always wanted to duplicate the feel of my 1st gen 1974 'Cuda with the 360 4 bbl. Fast is good but I had no need for crazy fast. After much homework and realizing the 5.7 Hemi R/T put out similar numbers (0-60 and 1/4 mile times) compared to the 1st gen 440 and 426 Mopar powerplants I felt it would be plenty.

I test drove two R/T's and was sold. Not only did my 2020 R/T bring me back to that original muscle car feel but it had all the modern amenities which were unheard of back in the day. I desired the upgraded suspension package (as many reviews suggested this option to put the R/T on even par with the Mustangs and Camaros) and I had to have the Shaker.
It's been wonderful over the 15 months I have owned it. While I enjoy spirited driving very much with solid acceleration, I have 'floored it' maybe a dozen times so far. I'm not at the track and I don't race. I'm home again.

What would work for you?? That's all that matters.

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#46 ·
It's such a personal decision and what YOU want. For me, and I stress me, I always wanted to duplicate the feel of my 1st gen 1974 'Cuda with the 360 4 bbl. Fast is good but I had no need for crazy fast. After much homework and realizing the 5.7 Hemi R/T put out similar numbers (0-60 and 1/4 mile times) compared to the 1st gen 440 and 426 Mopar powerplants I felt it would be plenty.
Funny, I am working hard to duplicate the feel of my past 2015 R/T 6M STP with my 1974 Duster 360 4bbl 4 speed. Suspension is mostly there, but the T56 swap is when the real fun will start.

Be easier for me to buy another R/T, but where's the fun (and pain) in that? :D
 
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#11 · (Edited)
So, the T/A is an option pkg that you can get on either the 5.7 R/T or the 6.4 Scat Pack. It is mostly just an appearance pkg now, like the Shaker pkg, but for the first two years (edited: until 2019) the T/A was its own separate trim line and had nicer shocks, wheels and brakes as standard which are now optional across the line. There is a bit of extra care involved in cleaning and protecting the matte topside, so keep that in mind.

I had a V6 Challenger and liked it, but my boss had a 5.7 Charger and the extra power felt good. However, I knew that I would like to have the 6.4 for the extra bragging rights. The power difference between the 5.7 and 6.4 is no small jump and I am glad the Hellcat is now priced out of my range with insane dealer markups because those are on another level of reality altogether. I could have been happy with the 5.7 Shaker I went to look at, but am really glad that I found my T/A with the 6.4L every time I press the go pedal.
 
#15 ·
So, the T/A is an option pkg that you can get on either the 5.7 R/T or the 6.4 Scat Pack. It is mostly just an appearance pkg now, like the Shaker pkg, but for the first two years the T/A was its own separate trim line and had nicer shocks, wheels and brakes as standard which are now optional across the line. There is a bit of extra care involved in cleaning and protecting the matte topside, so keep that in mind.

I had a V6 Challenger and liked it, but my boss had a 5.7 Charger and the extra power felt good. However, I knew that I would like to have the 6.4 for the extra bragging rights. The power difference between the 5.7 and 6.4 is no small jump and I am glad the Hellcat is now priced out of my range with insane dealer markups because those are on another level of reality altogether. I could have been happy with the 5.7 Shaker I went to look at, but am really glad that I found my T/A with the 6.4L every time I press the go pedal.
Ya forget about the hellcats, like I can't afford one anytime soon. I want the 6.4 because I had my eye on it for a while. It's just that I recently started looking into the ta and I want it but not sure

Like others say, get want YOU want. I have some remorse about not getting a Scat, but it is my wife's car and she loves it (upgraded from a 1996 Prizm lol). She saved money for a big down payment and is now on the fence about trading for a Scat. These cars won't be around much longer, so that goes into our current thought process.

You are in Canada (eh)? Are you thinking new or used. I see much disappointment from Canadians who never get their new car, after making a deposit.
I'm thinking new, as you said they are going out of circulation soon and I want one that's my own so get everything I want in it. This will be a dream car type of situation for me and I cannot afford the hellcats anytime soon so I really want it new lol. Ya its trash our dealer markups aren't as bad as you guys but since the car is built up here the wait times aren't bad at all.
 
#12 ·
Like others say, get want YOU want. I have some remorse about not getting a Scat, but it is my wife's car and she loves it (upgraded from a 1996 Prizm lol). She saved money for a big down payment and is now on the fence about trading for a Scat. These cars won't be around much longer, so that goes into our current thought process.

You are in Canada (eh)? Are you thinking new or used. I see much disappointment from Canadians who never get their new car, after making a deposit.
 
#14 · (Edited)
It depends on what year car you're looking at. Prior to 2020, the T/A was its own model. 2020-present T/As are just a sticker and CAI package for the Scat Pack. However, 2019 and prior T/As had mechanical differences. They could be had with both the 6.4L or 5.7L engine, but they had a different, more aggressive trans map. In addition, they had a unique sport suspension with factory lowering. Unlike the SP, the T/A only had normal and sport modes as the suspension was "set." Thus, the drive modes really only affected the steering wheel feel, traction,and trans shift points.

In my opinion, the 5.7L engine is a dog. A 2022 Challenger R/T with the 5.7L is out performed by a 2022 Toyota Camry V6 in terms of acceleration from 0-60 and 1/4 mi times. Yes, it's still a Hemi, it sounds nice, purrs like a kitten and all that, but just know that if you buy it, you're slower than a Camry. I wouldn't be able to handle that.

Thus, the Scat Pack with the 6.4L is the bottom line for me. 485hp, is comparable to most other performance cars like Mustang GT's and Camaro SS's. The Scat Pack is a Hellcat Lite type of car. It has the Hellcat's suspension, brakes, just not the 6.2L supercharged engine. Instead, it comes with the 6.4L "Apache" V8. The modern T/A adds on a Mopar branded cold air intake and the retro T/A body graphics.

If I were me, and I am, I'd more closely look at a Scat Pack Shaker or Widebody Scat Pack Shaker. Performance wise, there is no difference in any of the Scat Packs. T/A, Shaker, narrow/widebody... they all have similar performance figures in the engine. The widebody will handle better and get a tiny bit better traction with its 305s, but is it worth the added cost? That's a choice for someone and their wallet.

For me, I like the widebody Scat Pack Shaker. If I could get a shaker on a Hellcat, I'd own one. There's just this problem of a blower being where the shaker is supposed to sit.
 
#16 ·
Just my personal experience: I drove an RT 5.7 M6 before purchasing a scatpack M6 (2020). I felt the ride on the 5.7 was too soft and the 5.7 was a dog. I'm interested in torque on a street car and love the looks of any challenger. The ride on the scatpack is much firmer and it's more capable in corners than the 5.7. I just bought the base model cloth seat scat. Torque+looks+handling+M6= FUN.

Again, just my preference.
 
#17 · (Edited)
I've had a 2009 R/T, 2018 T/A and now a 2021 Scat Pack R/T. The 392 is hands down my favorite it runs very strong leaving me without any Hellcat envy.
Mine is base Scat Pack except for sun roof and Red Brembo calipers. You will not regret getting a Scat Pack.

Go test drive them if they can be found. You will then know for yourself which way to go.

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#18 · (Edited)
I love my dog, and, at 13.4 @ 104, it’s NOT slower than a Camry (where do people come up this stuff?).
 
#20 ·
I started with a 2020 Challenger RT M6, GREAT car loved it, then I was talked into test driving a 2021 Scat A8… The Scat is a whole different animal, the power in my RT was ‘adequate’ the power in my Scat is ‘impressive’. Due to some unique factors of my situation (dealer offered considerably more for my RT than I had in it and I was able to be well under sticker on the Scat due to my employer discount and a minor rebate) I just couldn’t say no to driving the Scat home.

My advice for the OP would be to drive both and then make your decision. Don’t bother factoring fuel mileage my Scat can get better mileage than my RT did but not by enough to matter. Good luck with your decision.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Even if my R/T was slower than a Camry, I couldn’t care less. It’s as quick as a stock 426 Sreet Hemi, and that’s good enough to give me a thrill.

I’m well aware of the difference between a 5.7 and a 6.4. I’ve owned both, and ran both down the strip.

The Scat has a more responsive throttle, which, like a Pedal Commander, makes it feel even quicker.

What’s everyone who MUST have the quickest car going to do when these 3.0 second 0-60 EVs start hitting the streets in numbers?
 
#24 ·
Lots to consider here including your long term plans with the car. I always recommend that people get the best trim they can afford as far as power goes. The 5.7 will get you a bit better gas mileage if that's really important to you it may be a consideration. If it's not a primary concern I'd say get the most motor you can afford. The 5.7 is nice and punchy down low in stock form but runs out of legs as rpms increase. The 6.4 just keeps pulling all the way to redline and really sinks you back in your seat no matter what RPM you're going, it's a great motor! The other side of it is you're in Canada like me, prices are insane. Anything new with a 6.4 is going to be very high 60's and into the 70k range. I mean Hellcats are 90+ right now, it's kinda brutal. So if budget is a concern the 5.7 is still a lot of fun and if you went that route and stick with the car long term and wanted to up the power it doesn't take much to get it to Scatpack power territory as well. Lots of options, depends what your situation is.
 
#28 ·
A tenth of a second here or there is nothing. A Camry that is 0-60 in low 5s is impressive. However a Camry has no presence like a Challenger. Significant differences are a half second 0-60 at least, same in the quarter mile. 5 mph or more is also a significant difference in the 1/4.

Also, I don't care about fast electric cars. They are soulless IMO. They can be impressively fast, sure. But for how long? The Mach E has a 5 second full acceleration timer, then acceleration SLOWS A LOT! To save the battery. Also, 10 minute charging refills are still a long way away. It took me 2 minutes and 39 seconds to get 16 gallons yesterday, from when I opened my car door to when I got back in.

OP, get the most car you can, the days are numbered for these awesome ICE machines.
 
#29 ·
"I personally couldn’t care less if a Camry is quicker than my car." Best quote of the thread.

Does anyone interested in muscle or sports cars really want to drive a Camry instead of an R/T Hemi?? I've driven and owned the 1st gen cars, like I posted earlier, and these new 5.7 Hemi R/T Challengers have basically the same times as the 426 Hemi or 440 engines. Aren't those cars extremely desirable and pricey today?? I wish I had mine back again.

I think there are just some posters on this forum that like to stir the pot or honestly feel that speed is the only consideration when buying a car. For the latter, enjoy the new electrics that will smoke many Challengers. If an EV was given to me free I would sell it immediately. No soul, no nothing. Faster? So what? Why would any fellow Challenger owner want to put down another Challenger? I enjoy posters that love their 6 cylinder cars as much as the Hellcat owners. Such personal choices and for so many reasons.
 
#30 ·
Not worried about racing spec sheets. Driver skill or decent tires will cover much more than that .1 seconds (for either car), but you won't ever see anyone with shoe polish numbers and drag radials on their Camry come monday morning. I'm not worried about the Camry, there will always be someone faster.
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#31 · (Edited)
Motorweek’s 2020 TRD Camry (301 horsepower, same as 2022) ran a blistering 6.5 second 0-60.

 
#32 ·
It's fun to see the 5.7 crew coming out to defend their cars and all, but you guys are forgetting the topic of this thread. The OP was asking which car to look at, and I gave my suggestion and reasons why. To me, any muscle car that is either slower than, or even in the same performance group as a common Camry, just isn't a muscle car I'd be interested in spending money on. Especially since you can spend just a little more to get something that's entirely thrilling and performs at a much higher level.
 
#33 · (Edited)
To each his own. Plenty of us 5.7 owners are perfectly satisfied, and we’re also entitled to our opinions.
I am, even after having had “something that’s entirely thrilling and performs at a much higher level” (2017 Scat Pack).
As ludicrous as it may sound, happiness CAN be had with a 5.7.
 
#34 ·
To each his own. Plenty of us 5.7 owners are perfectly satisfied, and we’re also entitled to our opinions.
I am, even after having “something that’s entirely thrilling and performs at a much higher level” (2017 Scat Pack).
Same here. I sold an incredibly quick LS3 C6 to get my Mopar 'muscle car' back. Talk about quick! I 'floored it' maybe 3 times the entire time I owned it. You just can't use the speed unless you are a track guy or love to race. I enjoyed the car immensely but lack of space was the final setback for me and my wife, plus I always wanted a 'new' Challenger. I didn't want to lose the color though, going from Atomic Orange to Go Mango. 😎

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