Which Roars Harder: Dodge Challenger Scat Pack or Hellcat?

Over the past year, I have had the great pleasure of putting miles on all of the 2015 Dodge Challenger models, but my two favorite have been the R/T Scat Pack and the mighty SRT Hellcat. The consumer market has also found these two to be the best of the 2015 offerings, as both the Scat Pack and the Hellcat sold out during the 2015 model year. Each of these high performance muscle cars has a unique exhaust system that allows them to roar like few other new cars sold in the USA, but with 707 horsepower, you would expect the Hellcat to be the louder of the two, right?

Maybe not.

Scat Pack VS Hellcat Exhaust
While there is no question that at full throttle, the supercharged Hellcat Hemi is louder than the 392 cubic inch Hemi in the R/T Scat Pack, it has been discussed which sounds better at lower RPM. With both cars using a free flowing exhaust system and the Hellcat using a special valved setup, you might expect that the Hellcat just plain sounds nastier in every situation, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

I took two short videos – one of the 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack and one of the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. In each video, the cars fire to life, idle for a while, rev a few times and shut down while sitting in my driveway. I used the same camera situated roughly the same distance from the cars, sitting on the ground in the same way for the Scat Pack and the Hellcat. Remarkably, it seems as though at idle and when revving in park, the 485hp Hemi definitely roars louder than the 707hp Hellcat Hemi.

When watching the videos below, keep in mind that both of these cars have systems in place that prevent you from revving the engine hard in park or neutral, so I was only able to spike the RPMs up to around 4,000rpm, but that is true for both the 392 Hemi in the Scat Pack and the 6.2L supercharged Hemi in the Hellcat Challenger. If I was able to rev both engines to their redline (or at least closer to the redline), I imagine that the Hellcat might be the louder of the two Mopar engines, but at idle and under light load while parked, it certainly seems that the Scat Pack exhaust is louder and raspier than the tubes attached to the mighty Hellcat.

The first video below shows the Scat Pack in the dark while the second video shows the Hellcat during the day, both starting, idling and revving a few times. I also ease into the throttle of the Hellcat a touch, showing how easily the beast smokes the tires – but check out the videos and focus on the roar of the Hemi, as the less powerful model seems to pack more bark than the Hellcat.

Crank up your speakers and enjoy!

This Corvette-Powered Dodge Is the Real Power Wagon

The Power Wagon has been around in various forms going back 60 years, but never has Dodge made one quite like this 1949 Power Wagon.

The original Dodge Power Wagon was introduced in 1945 as a civilian version of Dodge’s military WC series of trucks. Designed as a utility truck, it came standard with four-wheel drive and was powered by a 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine.

This truck, however, was handed over to Legacy Classic Trucks in 2012 and turned into the ultimate rock-crawler. As such, it received a dizzying array of suspension modifications, which are all tied into the truck’s bed and roll cage. The original inline-six has been replaced with a modified Chevy LS3 V-8 that’s bolted to heavy-duty running gear. The cab has been chopped two inches, and the truck’s bed is a custom unit.

The truck’s eye-watering $80K asking price is matched only by its awesomeness. Although it was built for hard-core off-roading, we have to assume that the majority of its life will be spent pounding pavement—unless its next owner is as crazy as the wizards who built it.

Source: http://blog.caranddriver.com/

Jeep will show new Grand Wagoneer to dealers this summer

It's generally accepted that the Jeep Cherokee was the first real midsize sport utility vehicle to make headway into the hearts, minds and driveways of American consumers in 1984. While that SUV was aimed at the mainstream, it could be argued that the vehicle that made the idea of a luxury SUV possible was the seminal Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

We've been hearing rumblings of a revived Grand Wagoneer for years, but if a report from Automotive News is accurate (despite the fact that it seemingly contradicts an earlier report from the same outlet), the wait may nearly be over. Jeep plans to show off its new Grand Wagoneer at the upcoming dealer show in Las Vegas in August, and while that doesn't give any real indication of when such a vehicle may make it into the hands of consumers, such news probably at least means the automaker has a finalized design.

Charger to Show New Colors

The popular Dodge Charger is scheduled to get new colors late this year, with Electric Blue Pearl returning over the summer, a new Midnight Blue Pearl showing at about the same time, and White Gold coming at the very end of the year,

Charger and Challenger buyers, according to company sources, are more likely to accept and desire different colors; hence the company produces a much wider range of color choices for the cars.

2015 Dodge Durango Looks Awesome With The Challenger's Red Interior

The 2015 Dodge Durango R/T adds the option of "Radar Red Nappa leather seats" from the Challenger and Charger. Not the kind of news I normally care about, but the Durango rules and this new interior actually looks pretty sweet.

I love the Durango R/T so much because it asserts all your needs for the ridiculousness of a noisy "sport SUV" without costing a fortune. This new interior swatch (which costs about $1,200) squeezes a little more muscle car vibe out of the thing while preserving its moderate exterior appearance.

Dodge Hellcat orders on hold due to 'unprecedented demand'

Want to get your hands on a 707-horsepower Dodge Challenger or Charger Hellcat to call your very own? We don't blame you, and you're not alone.

According to Motor Authority and confirmed by a spokesperson from Chrysler, Dodge has gotten so many orders for its stable of Hellcats that it simply cannot keep up with demand: "Due to unprecedented demand for the 2015 Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcats, we are temporarily restricting orders while we validate current orders that are in the system."

Put another way, if you're waiting for a Hellcat, your wait is likely to be a lot longer than you'd like.

Learn More About Us! | Allend Samuels Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Our team at Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM Port Arthur would like to thank you for visiting our blog!

We have a skilled and knowledgable sales staff with many years of experience satisfying our customers' needs. Located in North Richland Hills, Texas, the staff at Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep will help you find the Chrysler, Jeep, or Dodge vehicle you want. At Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep we offer a searchable online inventory of new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge & RAM cars in North Richland Hills, along with well-maintainedused cars by today's top manufacturers. Come on in and take a test drive! Our sales staff will help you find that new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or quality used car that you have been searching for.

For years, the financial staff at Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep has offered expert advice for those seeking an affordable Chrysler, Jeep, or Dodge car loan or lease. Our service doesn't just stop there. North Richland Hills customers can come in and take advantage of our knowledgeable Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge car repair technicians and a fully-stocked inventory of Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge auto parts.

Whether you are looking for a Chrysler, Jeep, or Dodge, or a pre-owned car or truck, Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep is here to help. If you don't see what you are looking for, click on CarFinder and simply fill out the form. We will let you know when vehicles arrive that match your search! If you would rather discuss your options with our friendly sales staff, click on Directions for interactive driving directions. We are conveniently located at 7740 NE Loop 820. You can also reach Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep any time by filling out our contact form or calling us. The entire staff at Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep looks forward to serving you! If you are in the market for aChrysler, Dodge, Jeep or RAM in Fort Worth, Grapevine, or Bedford, we are your destination.

Proudly serving customers from Grapevine, Bedford, Plano and beyond with new and used Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Vehicles

Owning a Used Car: How Much Can You Expect to Pay Each Month? | Allen Samuels Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

If you are tempted to cut corners on the purchase of your next used vehicle to save money, you may want to reconsider. Even though you can often find deals to save money up front, it usually comes back to bite you.

Simply put, getting a good deal on a used car spans beyond the purchase price. You also must consider the little things that accompany the monthly payment such as insurance, gas, maintenance and repairs. This may seem like a lot to afford, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to afford the used car of your dreams.

The costs of owning your ride is decreasing as time goes on. On average, the monthly operating and ownership costs associated with owning a sedan is $739.67 (or $8,876 per year), according to a recent report released by AAA. Operating costs include gas, maintenance and tires whereas ownership costs include full-coverage insurance, license, registration, taxes, depreciation and finance charges.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of their findings by vehicle type, based on a 15,000 annual mileage:

If you are blown away by these figures, don’t start worrying yet. Here are some things to consider when shopping that can help you save later on down the line:

Gas

Wouldn’t it be grand if all cars could run off of oxygen? Unfortunately, cars need gas, and gas is expensive. Even hybrids require gas to function. Bummer.

So, when you’re shopping, you’ll need to pay attention to the fuel economy ratings, both on the highway and in the city. Put this expense into your car budget, and see how often you can afford to fill your tank. Even though you can’t control gas prices, you can control how much you spend to fill up your tank each week.

Maintenance

Extended warranties are great, but they typically only cover major repairs. That means you’re on your own with the day-to-day maintenance. It’s probably not a good idea to pick out the shiniest model on the lot without first taking a moment to figure out the anticipated maintenance costs. 

Generally speaking, the older the model and the higher the mileage, the more costly the maintenance. You also might want to get the maintenance records to see if the vehicle was properly cared for by its prior owner.

Tires

Don’t forget to take a peek at the tires. If they are extremely worn, they will need to be replaced, which can set you back hundreds of dollars out the gate.

Insurance

Besides the cost of the monthly payment, car insurance is a top expense for your car. Unfortunately, it’s illegal not to carry coverage if you live in any state except for New Hampshire, so insurance is an expense you can’t avoid. But, the year, make and model of your car can affect the cost of your insurance. 

Depreciation

Unless you seriously intend to drive the vehicle until the wheels fall off, you’ll want to purchase something that holds value. Otherwise, be prepared to fork over the difference between the sales price and what you owe when you want to sell or trade it in for a new set of wheels. Don’t let bargains on the purchase price fool you. Before putting any money down, look at the current asking price compared to older models to gain some insight on depreciation. And, steer clear of rebuilt or salvaged vehicles if you intend to earn any equity in your vehicle.

Bottom line, there is more to owning a car than just the car payments. You need to set a budget that includes all of the costs so you can see what you can reasonably afford.

What to look for in a Car for your Teen Driver | Allen Samuels Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

If you ask any teenager what they are looking forward to doing the most as they get older, at the top of most lists is probably being able to drive. After all, being licensed to drive gives teens a great sense of freedom – they can now come and go as they please; they are no longer dependent on mom and dad to get them where they need to go.

However, the time when teens begin to drive can potentially be the most deadly. Every dayseven teens ages 16 to 19 die from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash. And the crash rate is 3.7 times higher for 16 year old drivers compared to drivers all of all ages, and 2.7 higher for drivers aged 16 to 19.

For parents that are conducting a used cars search for appropriate vehicle options for their teen drivers, how can they help them stay as safe as possible? Here’s a look at five in-car options to look for during their used cars search.

Side Airbags

Although everybody knows about airbags as a safety component in vehicles, some may not realize the importance of side airbags. A study conducted in 2006 conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found side airbags that protected driver’s heads helped reduce deaths in cars that were hit on the driver side by about 37 percent.

Electronic Stability Control

ESC works through speed sensors that are placed on all wheels and the steering wheel to help drivers when on roads that are slippery or very curved.

If the ESC system notices the vehicle is about to go in an opposite direction from where the steering wheel is pointed, is will break the necessary wheels to help keep the car under control. ESC can be found vehicles from 2012, and even earlier.

Crash Avoidance Technology

Over the past few years, vehicle manufacturers have unveiled a crop of new applications to help drivers avoid car accidents. These crash avoidance technologies work by providing the driver with warnings, or in some instances even automatically putting on the brakes. Examples of these technologies to look for in a used cars search include blind spot detection, adaptive headlights, lane departure warning, and front crash prevention.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

An ABS is another safeguard against slippery roads, as well as inexperienced young drives that may find themselves “panic braking” in certain situations. The ABS helps ensure the brakes on a car do not lock up, which could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. ABS on the rear wheels allows the vehicle to keep moving in a straight line, while ABS on all wheels allows the driver to maintain steering capabilities.

Seat Belt Reminder System

Although the “ding, ding, ding” that reminds you to buckle up every time you’re in the car can be rather annoying, studies show they do save lives. For instance, a study published in 2008 found 97.5 percent of passengers put on a seat belt when in a vehicle with a reminder system, while only about 86 percent did in cars without a reminder. And teens need all the reminders they can — a 2002 study found that only 69 percent of teens ages 16 to 24 wear their seat belts, and more than two-thirds of teens killed in car crashes were not wearing seat belts.