It might be tempting to buy a used car with over 700 horsepower and a soundtrack like a superpowered banshee. Even the earliest Dodge SRT Hellcats are still performance bargains by today’s standards. Still, a couple of factors warrant your consideration before you find that screaming deal on a used Dodge Hellcat. So, should you buy a used Hellcat or opt for a more sensible muscle car?

What is the cheapest Dodge Hellcat?

If you want the cheapest Dodge Hellcat possible, you’re looking at the 2015 model year. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat with around 87,199 miles has a fair purchase price of $39,760. If you want four doors, the 2015 Charger Hellcat with similar miles has a fair price of $40,566. However, finding one with a clean title for that price will be tricky. 

Hellcats are somewhat collectible, so low mileage examples demand a premium even higher than MSRP. Most Dodge Challenger Hellcats from 2015 and 2016 with less than 45,000 miles will still cost you $50,000 or more.  

How long do used Hellcats last?

A used Dodge Hellcat should last a long time with proper care and maintenance. According to Edmunds, customer satisfaction is very high for the muscle car, and there are few reports of catastrophic failures. Still, the vehicles have some components that operate under a lot of stress and could fail, like the 2.4L supercharger.

It should also be noted that social media is inundated with videos of Dodge Hellcats performing smoky burnouts and bouncing off the rev limiter. Many of these cars have had hard lives, and a thorough pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is warranted. 

Do Dodge Hellcats hold their value?

Due to consistent popularity, used Hellcats have held their value well. When the car first went on sale in 2015, it had an MSRP of $60,990. Since then, lower mileage examples have held their value pretty well, in many cases at or above MSRP. 

The news hasn’t changed for newer models, either. For instance, KBB says that a low-mileage 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat demands $81,091 for a “fair” purchase price. However, the big cat started at $73,590, suggesting that the used car is worth around $7,500 more than it was new. 

Why do people want these cars?

People want used Hellcats because they still constitute a performance bargain in a big, usable,  American package. Even today, years after the original supercharged muscle cars went up for sale, 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque is simply stratospheric. Also, even with its solid resale value, it is one of the cheapest stock cars you can buy that will sprint from 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds. 

Should you buy one?

If you want one, buy one. However, make sure you perform a title check through a reputable entity. Also, having a professional complete a good PPI could reveal any undocumented problems and save you lots of money in the long run. Scroll down to the following article to read more about the Dodge Challenger!

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