GT350 vs Hellcat: different class or competitors?

[Caballus]

Picture below is of a buddy's gauges after a brief run on the Autobahn. my GT350 is on the way, but I've gotta give credit where credit's due. Don't worry, I'll take him to the Alps and the track and put him back in his place...

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[rahtid]

Yawn @hellcat. It can only go straight and comes automatic only.

 

[lemers]

Yawn @hellcat. It can only go straight and comes automatic only.

The Challenger Hellcat MT comes standard 6-SPEED MANUAL TREMEC TRANSMISSION



2016 GT350 Magnetic w/Black Stripes / Black Roof /Tech Package Build January, ETA March (US Port), Germany Apr, under MSRP

 

[Rogue]

Yawn @hellcat. It can only go straight and comes automatic only.

Yup - no interest here either. I will say I think it's cool that 700hp production cars are being rolled off the line out of Detroit - but definitely not making any space in my garage for overweight straight line boats.

And has anyone ever seen a Challenger on a racetrack? It's the only car out of all the American sports/muscle cars that never makes an appearance.

 

[Caballus]

Again--just giving credit where due--stock vehicle (purchased under MSRP), driven by normal driver, doing 192mph on the Autobahn (legally). That's something none of us can do when we're back home in the States, no matter what car we're driving. Also have a picture of that car taking 1.2g on the Nurburing--non-straight line driving. Another friend with a 2015 M3 (also less than MSRP and personally driven out of the factory in Munich) performs some equally impressive feats with HER car. I've been a Mustang guy all my life and don't intend to change. My 350 build date is next week. The GT350 surpassed everyone's expectations and is appropriately at the top of the pack, but there are also other worthwhile cars (and moments) out there. Life on the road and track would be boring otherwise...

 

[Rogue]

Again--just giving credit where due--stock vehicle (purchased under MSRP), driven by normal driver, doing 192mph on the Autobahn (legally). That's something none of us can do when we're back home in the States, no matter what car we're driving. Also have a picture of that car taking 1.2g on the Nurburing--non-straight line driving. Another friend with a 2015 M3 (also less than MSRP and personally driven out of the factory in Munich) performs some equally impressive feats with HER car. I've been a Mustang guy all my life and don't intend to change. My 350 build date is next week. The GT350 surpassed everyone's expectations and is appropriately at the top of the pack, but there are also of other worthwhile cars (and moments). Life on the road and track would be boring otherwise...

Agreed - but that still doesn't negate the fact that the Challenger is an obese pig of a car. Imagine hitting an apex with that boat - full threshold braking, heel/toe downshift and then trying to turn. I don't want to even imagine the wobble. And i'm not a Mustang guy - just a car guy that has good taste.

 

[Caballus]

Agreed - but that still doesn't negate the fact that the Challenger is an obese pig of a car. Imagine hitting an apex with that boat - full threshold braking, heel/toe downshift and then trying to turn. I don't want to even imagine the wobble. And i'm not a Mustang guy - just a car guy that has good taste.

Don't disagree, and not trying to oversell what it can do. My other cars are a 330I and a S60 (and a '67 Mustang)--with a GT350 on the way. I appreciate cars made to handle, though the S60 is a bit of a wobbler . The picture is actually a Hellcat Charger vice Challenger--so an even bigger boat. But, by him having it over here where it can actually be put to tests that are impossible to come by back home, he found out that it does much more than it gets credit for. It proved itself on consecutive runs around the Ring (one with a pro behind the wheel) without a bunch of wobble. Ain't selling em; ain't even buying em, but being able to jump in the car and be at 193mph a few minutes later...

 

[Caballus]

As others have already pointed out; the hellcat is boring and is aimed at dragstrip and spec sheet racers.

On another note, why does everyone who buys a sportscar through MAS have to mention they bought it for less than MSRP? Is that a requirement?

The M3, 330I and Volvo were not through MAS. Mentioned MSRP because dealer markups are mentioned throughout the site. Point is, a "boring" car is less boring when you buy it at a discount and can push it to its limits regularly. Nonetheless, it was fun starting the conversation.

 

[macinehead]

Wow! I'm not a ford, Chevy, Chrysler, BMW, or whatever guy. I have a gt350 on order. Have owned 6 vettes, an M3, a gt500, other BMWs , Audis, etc. Anyone who says a Hellcat is boring hasn't driven one. Guaranteed.

 

[crazyfish]

Don't discount the Hellcat. I have driven both auto and stick. The auto is faster but more civilized. The stick actually is a much better car especially for track driving. Even though this car is big it actually handles confident. The stock tires are good at best. If you can get some 325s in back I think this car would jump into the next level. Out of a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest here is my opinion on handling of cars I have either owned or have driven. Best handling track car period is the new Viper 10. My 2006 Enzo was a 10. Shelby gt350 8.5. 2014 corvette z51 8. 2014 ZL1 Camaro 7.25. My 99 Viper was a 8.5. Hellcat wMT 7.75. My 2014 Mustang GT track car 8. Solstice GXP 7.5. 2014 Subaru STi 8. 2014 BMW M3 auto 7.25. 1996 Porsche 996 Turbo 7. 2014 Porsche turbo 8.

Again these are my opinion based on my size. I'm a bigger guy and need more room for driver operation. The best overall car for the money is the New Viper. Waiting to order the last of the run ACR for 17. A tad tight but operational.

The best fit for me believe is my 14 track car then the Shelby. These cars got great big man ergos. Then Porsche.

The worst for big men are the new corvette. I am shoehorned and if I had to drive a stick it could not be done.

Don't discount the Hellcat. A great all around car and I already have money down oh the Jeep version.

 

[dgc333]

Not sure why everyone dumps on the Challenger as a road course car.
If you go look at the fastest street car lap times around Willow Springs a Scat Pak Challenger (the one with a 475HP Hemi) turned in faster times than a Mustang GT, Boss 302 Laguna Seca, Shelby GT500, Audi R8 v8, BMW M3, Porsche Cayman, C6 Corvette. All these cars were driven by Randy Pobst but not on the same day, but the point is the Challenger is a very capable road course car. The Hell Cat besides the engine adds much better brakes, tires and magnetic ride suspension that can only improve its performance.

Dave

 

[eric n]

The Charger Hellcat is a car I considered when shopping for this car, as a back seat is a something that would occasionally be nice. It's an amazing car. Ultimately I voted with my wallet for the gt350 as it is the car that makes me happy.

In my world it's kind of like
Charlotte McKinney
is hotter than Lucy Liu
But, I could think of more than a few ways to enjoy either given the opportunity.

I'm just saying....

 

[Hack]

Yup - no interest here either. I will say I think it's cool that 700hp production cars are being rolled off the line out of Detroit - but definitely not making any space in my garage for overweight straight line boats.

And has anyone ever seen a Challenger on a racetrack? It's the only car out of all the American sports/muscle cars that never makes an appearance.

I saw a test with the Hellcat Challenger vs. a regular Mustang GT PP. The GT PP was faster around the track and the reviewer selected the Mustang GT PP over the Hellcat.

Not sure why everyone dumps on the Challenger as a road course car.
If you go look at the fastest street car lap times around Willow Springs a Scat Pak Challenger (the one with a 475HP Hemi) turned in faster times than a Mustang GT, Boss 302 Laguna Seca, Shelby GT500, Audi R8 v8, BMW M3, Porsche Cayman, C6 Corvette. All these cars were driven by Randy Pobst but not on the same day, but the point is the Challenger is a very capable road course car. The Hell Cat besides the engine adds much better brakes, tires and magnetic ride suspension that can only improve its performance.

Dave

People dump on it because it's a pig (heavy). However, I've been at a track day at a road course and the non-Hellcat Challenger didn't seem excessively slow. The problem comes in when you introduce such a torquey and high HP engine (the Hellcat engine is also significantly heavier); you will have trouble putting the power down - guaranteed.

You are saying that the tires on the Hellcat are good? 20x9.5 wheels with 275 section tires? For 707 HP? I saw a video where a bunch of people (including engineers from Chrysler) tried 0-60 runs with the hellcat challenger over and over and their best time was 4.7 seconds. And this was on a very nice surface with the rear tires aired down (and the front tires aired up!) to get the best 0-60 times. Odds are good the GT350 or even a regular GT will walk the Challenger Hellcat 0-60 on any given day on the street (if they are all in stock form).

 

[MikeD1]

Not sure why everyone dumps on the Challenger as a road course car.
If you go look at the fastest street car lap times around Willow Springs a Scat Pak Challenger (the one with a 475HP Hemi) turned in faster times than a Mustang GT, Boss 302 Laguna Seca, Shelby GT500, Audi R8 v8, BMW M3, Porsche Cayman, C6 Corvette. All these cars were driven by Randy Pobst but not on the same day, but the point is the Challenger is a very capable road course car. The Hell Cat besides the engine adds much better brakes, tires and magnetic ride suspension that can only improve its performance.

Dave

It is a very capable car, but she's a BIG beastie to toss around. I spent a long time looking at them last year, prob. would have bought one if it wasn't for all the dealer games & ADM nonsense. The A8 is an awesome trans, Ford should be taking notes ! Ditto their track app, adjustable exhaust & the mag, ride suspension. But, you do feel the weight when you get into the twisties. I would guess the 'stang is easier for most to drive fast, with a pro at the helm the Cat will have the edge.

Like the GT, they are under tired. Just go to any of the Hellcat forums and they are in the same boat as we are - all looking for more meat out back to effectively put the power to the ground. Also many complaints about fit & finish, especially the exterior. Many cars showing up with serious paint defects, some needing total repaints.

 

[DrumReaper]

Honestly, a Hellcat is no joke! It is a brute. That is one badass cruiser. Turn left or right at speed and it will likely be the same brute... Doesn't remover my respect for the car. It just is not in any way a competitor for a 350 and was never intended to be.

I would rather have a Challenger scat pack, if I were to get a Dodge.

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