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2017 Challenger Hellcat A8 first impressions Vs 2014 Shelby (Long)

4996 Views 19 Replies 18 Participants Last post by  MABBRYFL30
I traded in a 2014 Shelby GT500 for my Hellcat. Tonight is the first day I actually drove the Cat due to a busy work schedule this week. I live in Wisconsin and the temp was 21 Degrees F tonight. I put about 100 miles on the Hellcat, making a somewhat decent tapering off to halfhearted attempt at staying within the break in parameters.
This car is beyond awesome compared to the Shelby. I like the heavier feel of the doors shutting and the trunk. It reminds me of the old Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles of the 70s. It fits in the garage nicely. Pretty much the same as the Mustang. Just a bit wider. The automatic transmission in the Cat is a jewel. I played with all the modes. I was surprised at the Eco mode. It has wonderful soft shifts and it seems to do the best whine while accelerating do to the mushy shift points. My favorite custom setting was the A8 in track mode. What a neck snapper! The paddle shifters and rev matching downshifts are the cats pajamas. (Pun intended) The supercharger whine is a lot louder in the Hellcat and kicks in with light throttle. Another plus over the Ford with the sound deadening intake.
The new 2017 stereo is nice. Android auto locked up on me once with a podcast app and I had to delete the app to get anything to work again. The IHeart radio app constantly shows an error message. My 2014 Ram with Uconnect had that problem too. Pandora and Google play work well and have a better touch screen interface then the other apps. Google Play displays album art in the background. I noticed the Performance pages take a while to load on the screen. I think I read this has been a concern with the older 8.4 Uconnect too.
Compared to the Shelby which wanted to swap ends in an instant during my entire 3 years of owning it, the Hellcat is light years ahead in inspiring confidence during acceleration. I was worried over the 275 tires vs the 295s on the Ford but the Cat actually feels more stable. Dodge really has the stability/traction control software nailed. At below freezing temps with the Shelby I would have had the thing in the ditch or at least curbed two of the tires. (I never wrecked the Shelby by the way, but puckered a lot) I'm leaning toward driving the Hellcat in the winter on the days when the snow isn't too deep.
All in all my only regret is not getting a Hellcat when they first announced it. I had just taken delivery of the Shelby that July a couple months before. I really liked the Shelby and it was my first Supercharged, Big HP car, but I think the Hellcat trumps it easily. One last bonus is I would never trust anyone with driving the Ford, but I think my wife could get used to the Hellcat pretty fast and share driving in events like the Hot Rod Power Tour. - Al
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Good review, thanks for sharing.

I also came from a GT500. Mine being a 2.3 TVS modded 2012.

Take care driving that beast through a Wisconsin winter.
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Good review, get some winter tires and enjoy it.
Great review... I agree on all your points.

Eco mode, doors, traction control and stability... It's one of my favorite cars I've owned. My wife drives it on occassion and I've let my friends take the car out. With street traction and 707 hp mode, it's pretty fool proof and easy to drive. Effortless speed.
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the Hellcat trumps it easily

Another pun lol?

I also came from a Shelby and my impressions mirror yours. The Shelby felt more nimble but it got out of shape real quick. And the A8 is absolutely a deal breaker. I'd probably still be in the Shelby if they made an auto
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Good information!!
Sometimes going from one muscle car to another is a hard decision. I'm sure your post may help others.

What I liked best about your "Long" post is

"I think my wife could get used to the Hellcat pretty fast and share driving in events like the Hot Rod Power Tour. - Al " :cool:

I think she will enjoy all the Fasssst Fun pretty quick!!!, You know we ladies like a good adrenaline rush too;):D:cool:


Linda:)

P.S. I could drive my Husband's Top Cat' s cars anytime, he gave me the knowledge and the key to drive!!!
That included his manual 2009 Shelby GT500KR. :)
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I also came from a heavily modded 850hp GT500. It was a beast but my Cat is hands-down a better car all around. I'm extremely happy with the switch and the Hellcat continues to impress me even in stock form. Everything from brakes, interior, electronics, stereo, comfort, exhaust sound, A8 is better than my GT500.

Welcome to the club and enjoy your Cat!
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Nice assessment. Appreciate the perspective!
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The bigness of the Hellcat is one of the best features of the car to me giving it a great ride. I get a kick out of the reviewers knocking its road course abilities. Never was one of those track weenies. Straight ahead power is where it is at. They can have their sports cars and drive in circles. Welcome to Hellcat mania,
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The two cars don't compare in any way other then the horsepower.
The two cars don't compare in any way other then the horsepower.
They both give me the 70s vibe, but I'm totally surprised at how different they are.
Congrats! thanks for the insight

Welcome to the forum from VA
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Congrats and enjoy. Good pov. Can't relate to the mustang but this thing is a blast even compared to the wife's Grand National. I prefer the supercharger as it comes on steady and easy to modulate. Can't wait till mines out of break in. or my attempts at it anyways did I mention this is a blast. And as for handling we come from muscle cars and I thought my wife's '15 Charger R/T handled great with 245's. So this things like a race car to me. I figure i can catch just about anything coming out of the corner anyways. Enjoy and good luck with the winter. Mine will go nap till spring after next week as hoping for some more nice weather.
The two cars don't compare in any way other then the horsepower.
I have both.Totally stock.and you are correct.
Best part is you get to repeat that review every time you drive it.

It is like Christmas every day you drive it. Aweome post
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I traded in a 2014 Shelby GT500 for my Hellcat. Tonight is the first day I actually drove the Cat due to a busy work schedule this week.
Compared to the Shelby which wanted to swap ends in an instant during my entire 3 years of owning it, the Hellcat is light years ahead in inspiring confidence during acceleration. I was worried over the 275 tires vs the 295s on the Ford but the Cat actually feels more stable. Dodge really has the stability/traction control software nailed. At below freezing temps with the Shelby I would have had the thing in the ditch or at least curbed two of the tires. (I never wrecked the Shelby by the way, but puckered a lot) I'm leaning toward driving the Hellcat in the winter on the days when the snow isn't too deep.
All in all my only regret is not getting a Hellcat when they first announced it. I had just taken delivery of the Shelby that July a couple months before. I really liked the Shelby and it was my first Supercharged, Big HP car, but I think the Hellcat trumps it easily. One last bonus is I would never trust anyone with driving the Ford, but I think my wife could get used to the Hellcat pretty fast and share driving in events like the Hot Rod Power Tour. - Al
Agree 100%...Traded in my Ruby Red 14 GT500 back on April 1st for a 16 Plum Crazy Challenger Hellcat with automatic. Love it, wife loves it and the car is much more fun and easier to drive (fast or slow). I also love how you can switch to the Custom SRT settings instantly and while on the roll just by pushing the SRT button twice.

David
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I also love how you can switch to the Custom SRT settings instantly and while on the roll just by pushing the SRT button twice.

David
In the apps section/screen you can "drag" the custom SRT setting icon down onto your main "task bar" to replace something else (I moved the Nav out) so you have a 1 push button right there to enter the SRT settings.

own both----2 completely different cars...hard to compare.....i 100% agree with the GT500 being easier to put into a ditch.....ive 1/4 mile raced both now...shocked that the gt500 isnt really that much slower(at least w/ me driving it)....but at the track i had to give up as all the bells and whistles were going off as i was sliding into 90mph range......something ive never done with the HC

if both cars were manuals i think they would be very similar with me driving.......

congrats on the switch.....giving the choice i would pick the HC also.....the convertible aspect helps the Shelby come close though for me....i put 2x the miles on the HC and barely drive the GT500
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I always wanted a mustang when I was younger. Had this hellcat been around then. Wow.
I prefer looks, styling and raw power over a car that isn't near as fun or comfortable to drive with my family
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