Dodge’s HEMI V8 muscle automotive icons will quickly be resigned to the historical past books, however you possibly can nonetheless nab a brand-new one
by Brad Anderson
10 hours in the past
- Dodge has over 3,000 V8-powered Challengers and Chargers nonetheless out there at dealerships.
- Prices for 2023 Challenger R/T fashions begin round $45,000, however Hellcats can exceed $100,000.
- Once Dodge’s dealership stock is gone, the used market will likely be your solely alternative.
While some would possibly settle for Dodge’s determination to switch the getting old however fashionable Challenger and Charger duo with a single mannequin providing electrical and six-cylinder powertrains in each coupe and sedan codecs, most fanatics are probably disillusioned by the transfer because of the lack of the HEMI V8. This is particularly arduous to swallow for diehard Mopar followers in a world the place Ford continues to push its Mustang ahead.
But for these nonetheless holding out for one final style of that V8 growl, there’s a silver lining. Despite the truth that the ultimate V8-powered Challengers and Chargers rolled off the manufacturing line on December 22, 2023, at Stellantis’ Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, a fast scan of Dodge’s stock reveals a wholesome provide of those muscle automobiles nonetheless sitting on dealership tons.
To be exact, after shopping by way of Dodge’s stock, we discovered that there are presently 1,839 V8-powered Challengers and 1,183 V8-powered Chargers out there at dealerships throughout the US. Sure, there are a whole bunch of V6 fashions floating round, however let’s be trustworthy, these don’t precisely set the guts racing. If you’re after the throaty growl of a real American muscle automotive, the V8 remains to be the best way to go.
Challenger V8s: From Budget to Hellcat
Starting with the Challenger, Dodge’s stock web site exhibits a spread of V8 choices, together with the 392 HEMI, the 5.7-liter HEMI, and the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI present in all Hellcat fashions. For these on a funds, the 2023 Challenger R/T is essentially the most inexpensive, sometimes priced round $45,000. If you’re in search of a bit extra efficiency, the R/T Scat Pack with the bigger 6.4-liter/392 HEMI V8 is a stable alternative, normally hovering round $51,000.
Then, after all, there are the Hellcats. The entry-level 2023 SRT Hellcat Jailbreak is priced at $74,519, with costs for the Hellcat Jailbreak Widebody fashions climbing to as excessive as $102,116. For these chasing the head of Dodge efficiency, there are not any fewer than 94 Hellcat Redeye Widebody fashions out there, with costs starting from $100,865 to $162,836. Just be certain to not overpay, as some sellers would possibly nonetheless be pricing prefer it’s the peak of the pandemic-era.
The Charger: A V8 for Every Taste
It’s a lot the identical story with the Charger stock on Dodge’s web site. The Hellcat Jailbreak Widebody fashions are commanding costs within the $95,000 to $100,000 vary. That’s much more than what we count on the new-age Charger Sixpack will command, however the Hellcat simply outmuscles it, and the presence of a large-capacity V8 makes it rather more fascinating.
Read: Just 3,361 New Dodge Challengers And 98 Chevy Camaros Left On Dealer Lots
Not fairly able to splurge on a Hellcat? Don’t fear; there are nonetheless loads of Charger R/T fashions with the 5.7-liter V8 out there for underneath $50,000. Alternatively, if you would like one thing that sits squarely between the bottom V8 and the Hellcat, the Charger Scat Pack, with its 6.4-liter V8, is a stable possibility and there are lots to select from.
The Final Drive
Whether you’re eyeing a Challenger or a Charger, there are nonetheless loads of choices out there. Plus, you would possibly be capable to rating a candy deal if you happen to store round and haggle as sellers are all the time seeking to transfer stock, particularly since many of those fashions have been sitting on tons for a 12 months or extra.
Have you managed to attain a HEMI at a reduction? How a lot did you pay? Share your story with fellow readers and tell us the way you snagged your Mopar V8 earlier than they’re all gone.
