[Tantaus]

Hello all, longtime lurker, new poster here...

For all those of you fortunate enough to have had your Hellcats for a few months or so, could you share your experiences / thoughts on how suitable the cars are for daily fair-weather driving?

I've been considering the purchase of a Challenger Hellcat for some time now, and obviously missed the opportunity for enjoying the whole 2015 buying experience. I'm on the fence between waiting to place an order for a 2016 Hellcat (and then waiting some more....) or going to look around for a 2015 SRT 392 now. In either case, this would be a fair-weather (spring-summer-early fall) regular driver for me (25+ mile commute one-way), sometimes in evening rush-hour traffic on the way home. For winter / bad weather, I'd be back in my Ram 3500 dually. (And that is why I'm craving something much more fun to drive!)

Do you guys find the Hellcats to be frustrating to drive in heavy traffic (i.e. does it get old real fast having to be super careful with throttle), or is it fairly easy to adjust for these situations? I'm wondering if a 392 would be better suited for me given the conditions I drive in daily to work, while still giving me 75% of the fun when I can take it out to play. Is the Hellcat worth the wait, or would I find it too frustrating to drive daily?

Curious as to everyone's thoughts and experiences.

 

[Zebug]

it is SUPER easy to drive and you don't have to worry whatsoever about hitting the gas too hard in traffic. I drive it daily in Houston Texas and work downtown....no issues at all.

 

[F6F]

If I wasn't that careful with the car I will drive it daily, like Zebug said, it is great as a daily driver. Plus, everybody keeps checking the car out and feeds your ego haha
And it brakes on a dime, I love the car

 

[hellcat1]

Buy the hellcat,, you will love it,, if you want it right drive like a sxt it will, if you want to get your blood going, just hit the gas,, better to have and not use, then not have and wish you had it

 

[gts_2001]

The Hellcat is a pretty forgiving car to drive. Like any other car, you have to use common sense and good judgement in performing driving maneuvers. You won't be disappointed if you are able to acquire one. FWIW, the risk / benefit ratio is the same for a 392 or even a 5.7 for general urban driving. I hope to see you posting pics whenever you get your new ride!

 

[Tantaus]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the feedback, and so far, you've all confirmed what I was hoping!

 

[F6F]

So, are you buying a Vette?

 

[hellcat1]

Funny, get the hellcat,, then you become part of the.owners club..

 

[huggytree]

if it were a daily driver id get a 392 RT

For me $65-70k is too much to spend for a daily driver...$40-45k is still too much, but will get you 75%+ of the fun and 99% of the same looks

i learned 1st hand it doesnt drive well on snow/ice.....almost immobile.....(i went into a ditch on ice, couldnt drive in my cul de sac on 2" of snow, had to plow the whole cul de sac)

id get the RSA tires on the RT....i had them on my 2011 SRT and found them great...i was able to get very low 0-60 times and never saw a reason to get summer tires...in the rain you still need to be careful with a 392..

 

[Tantaus]

So, are you buying a Vette?

Heck no!

 

[MrBigKid]

I agree with everyone, including the fact that it's a bit over kill for a daily driver. I just don't care. Mine is literaly a daily driver. Work grocery store, anywhere i can take it.
I did have to get used to the big toe style of driving. This things has Gobs of power just sitting under the pedal but you quickly get used to barely pressing it to move.
When you add in the reduced power modes, the eco mode and such, you can force yourself to drive like a Sunday school teacher or a stunt driver. Up to you. ..

Go for it!

 

[Shake&Bake]

I agree with everyone, including the fact that it's a bit over kill for a daily driver. I just don't care. Mine is literaly a daily driver. Work grocery store, anywhere i can take it.
I did have to get used to the big toe style of driving. This things has Gobs of power just sitting under the pedal but you quickly get used to barely pressing it to move.
When you add in the reduced power modes, the eco mode and such, you can force yourself to drive like a Sunday school teacher or a stunt driver. Up to you. ..

Go for it!

For some reason ever since I got mine to 500 miles, I have been in continuos stunt driver mode. It's getting so bad, I almost feel guilty.

 

[MrBigKid]

Haven't you heard? The Hellcat is 100% calorie free and therefore 100% guilt free!

When the wife rides I have to go all street...

So 98% sport isn't so bad!

 

[superbeegugs]

I use my Hellcat Charger for my daily drive to work. My commute is only a 1/2 mile on side streets and on Saturday, I take it on a 5 mile trip to the golf course. I am averaging 10 mpg - on 3rd tank of gas and only have 250 miles on the car. No issues using it for every day usage - I don't like getting it caught in the rain. The hood vents let rain into the engine area and gets it dirty.

 

[hellcat1]

Yeah, rain in the engine compartment is a full day of cleaning,, add in the wheels, and you can count your weekend gone...

 

[Lilla]

Mine is a daily driver in Orlando..the land of foreigners and older (than me) drivers. I love it!! In traffic I try to drive in eco mode but it is way too much fun to drive to let it sit in a garage. I do try to take it out and blow some of the carbon out.......LOL!!! But as a daily it is a nice ride! You will get a lot of people that will stalk you around from light to light to see the car...can't miss the sublime green! I don't have snow, but we get a lot of rain...so far so good and it does stop on a dime. Cars behind me have problems when I have to hit the brake quickly...so be careful of that. I love my BEAST!!

 

[7777.775]

I have a 54 mile roundtrip commute on mostly the freeways of L.A. and have to deal with afternoon traffic, the thing with the cat is most of the time in traffic, your foot will be pretty much off the accelerator and coasting. (you might get the dreaded foot cramp from NOT pressing the accelerator too much...LOL) I do not drive her every day, mostly Thursdays and Fridays and the weekend, because I don't want to wear out my warranty in 1 1/2 years from daily driving. That being said, it is a fine vehicle, if you decide to drive it daily, very comfortable, and handles well in almost any situation. I have found that when I am cruising on the freeway in traffic, I put her in Eco mode, cause I'm not doing rapid acceleration, when I hit the streets, it is back to default. Not that you have to do that, but whatever works.
You will get a lot of attention with this vehicle....I've had her since Dec 18th and still to this day have not seen another one in the wild. So basically right now, your King of the Road.

 

[april77]

Dante is my "Grocery Getter", as was my 2013 392 before him. Both cars are completely overpowered and ridiculous for my purposes and needs, and I do not give a damn, at all! Driving around town Dante is completely behaved, but only if I feel like behaving. I like what I like, and I wanted the car. My husband and I are not rich, but we are blessed enough to be able to afford the car. Life is short, enjoy it while you can!


April

 

[RoRo]

Just get the Hellcat man!!!!!! With all the drive modes and custom configurations this will deliver any type of ride you need at the touch of one button. It's really surprising how soft and comfy you can make the ride it reminds me of my caddys. The 392 is great but you lose that supercar performance and the way this thing makes you feel like you're shaking hands with Superman

 

[Carolyn]

I drive mine everyday(unless it's raining...stored in the winter)...a big whopping 5 mins down the road to work. We bought it to drive it not stare at in the garage..lol