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The auto is a different animal. I have had 10 Corvettes (all manuals) and 10 Challengers, the only performance car that I like with an auto trans is the challenger. At 48, born and raised a Motor-head, it took a little bit for me to realize that the 8-speed auto changed the rules on the auto-vs manual debate. They actually made the auto fun and when you put 707hp in front of it and drive it like you mean it, the word ridiculous comes to mind. You don't see too many people bragging about breaking records with the 6-speed cars because the auto is where it's at on these things if you want to really feel it. The Hellcat 6-speed manual has a specific long 1st gear it it to be able to maximize the 0-60 times. (Even different than non Hellcat Challengers) And you really have to learn how to drive it to feel what it can do, but even if you do, the auto version performs better and always will.
The other thing that you would realize in the mopar is the power curve vs the Corvette is very different. In the vette, it almost spins up. As the RPM goes up, you really start to feel it pull. In Mopar land, the camming is very different. It's fat power across the board. It will never be as nimble as the ZR1 but should match the fun factor in its own way.
One other thing to consider if it matters to you is the street presence. I had the 1st auto Hellcat delivered to North Carolina. The only time anyone knew what it was is when they got spanked by it. Otherwise it was just a Challenger. This vs my 2011 base model Corvette where no matter where I was, people just loved. For me I just like the ***** out performance of the Hellcat but street presence does have a bearing for some.
Thanks for that info. I just can't bring myself to get an automatic though. Is the hellcat not worth getting in a 6 speed? I agree with the street presence thing. I have a Jetstream blue zr1 and I get thumbs up a lot. I'm not sure if anyone knows it's a zr1 but they definitely like it. I was considering a Go Mango Hellcat. I'm sure that would get a few looks.
What I have
Well they are still a blast whether auto or manual trans. You likely had a sales guy with you and couldn't really stretch it's legs. Here's a significant bonus: the value on the manual trans cars is tanking big time. I'd suggest looking for a really low mile used one but if you are set on new, guys on the Hellcat forum are saying $10k under sticker (or more) is easily attainable. On a used one, low $50k's no problem. There was a used auto here in Charlotte for $49k a few weeks ago. 707hp for low $50k's? Sold.
I'm the Vette driver in that ZR1 v Hellcat race vid on the Mexican highway. Anyway, buddy and I swapped my ZR1 for his Hellcat Charger 8-speed auto for a day or two. The Hellcat is heavy, but otherwise I have zero complaints with the car. It's comfy, very, very fast, shifts great, sounds incredible, has a bunch of gadgets and displays on the inside and overall is just a nice and fast car. Nice work Mopar. If I was in the market for a super fast sedan or Coupe (Challenger), I'd give them serious consideration. Dodge did these cars right. Oh, and the power is definitely underrated which is ridiculous considering it's rated at 707. Haha. My buddy's Charger Hellcat put down 680rwhp at 21st Century Musclecars bone stock with less than a 1,000 miles on the odometer.
i get the new advanced autos being quicker but if you are a manual guy theres still no replacement for rowing gears.
Minitub it and get some meat under the rear
Challenger is one badazz looking car imo the best of all the retro cars
Would get a 392 car for a DD if I could afford it been a die hard bowtie guy forever. They did a great job
Redline Pearl with a flat black hood and a 6 speed manual. The first car is the one i bought. Just waiting on it to arrive, i bought it out of state and its being shipped. the second car isn't mine but it shows how the color looks in the sun.
Redline Pearl with a flat black hood and a 6 speed manual. The first car is the one i bought. Just waiting on it to arrive, i bought it out of state and its being shipped. the second car isn't mine but it shows how the color looks in the sun.
Msrp was 69k. They took 9k off and are shipping it for free from Illinois to me in Connecticut. There are some online now with 66k msrp that are selling for 56k
Msrp was 69k. They took 9k off and are shipping it for free from Illinois to me in Connecticut. There are some online now with 66k msrp that are selling for 56k
Well, another car gone. This time the 17 GT350 went bye-bye. It's a long story but I sold my GT350 and picked up another M6 Hellcat. The first one was a lease for my business. The second is for me.
Some dealers are give HUGE discounts on 2016's. I leased one, helped sell another one, and when my dealer called me on the last day in March saying he had to move his last 16 Hellcat, I got it. 68,200 sticker for 56,000! This was the best deal I ever made on a new car. Here are a couple pics. It is 1 of 3 built with the same options. Just got PPF so no beauty shots yet. Have a few of the Pitch Black car.
I've been looking at hellcats for the past two weeks and am close to pulling the trigger on one. That being said, I rest drove one yesterday with the red key and really wasn't that impressed. I have a stock 2010 zr1 and it feels way faster. Are there different modes that it could have been in or something that limits the power? IIke the way they look buy it just seemed slow.
I've driven a 2009 ZR1 and my C7 was putting down 696 to the rear wheels. Off the line, I agree. The ZR1 just plants and goes. Getting traction in the HC with those skinny 275 All Season tires means you just smoke 1st and 2nd gear. Floor it in 3rd at about 40 and it feels MUCH faster than both the ZR1 and the ECS C7.
The other thing I love about the HC is the whine of the SC. It is much more pronounced than the ZR1. And while most consider it a negative, being so heavy and large the HC is a great highway cruiser. I'm a big guy at 6'2" and 285 lbs. I have taken it from PA to NC and felt fine when I got out. I tried that in my GT350 and once in my C7 and it almost needed back surgery. Being an M6 I was not able to get over 19.5 MPG on the highway where the C7 would get 25 and the Mustang 21. Let's face it, most of us don't buy these cars for their gas mileage.
04-19-2017, 06:06 PM
