Hellcat-- Manual trans vs Auto

[ws23rt]

I've made up my mind about getting a Hellcat challenger but one question is left for me to move on.  I'm at 95% on choosing the 6sp manual but it seems the chatter is all about the 8sp auto. Little info on testing the 6sp with this car seems to be out there.

Does my sales pitch radar pick up something?

As we older folks recall Mopar added the dana rear end and a few other items when a hemi or 440 was ordered with manual trans.

I think they know their is much interest in the 6sp but sure are pushing the 8sp auto.

I've tossed the idea of future value as being a consideration for me. When that time comes I won't care and I'm buying the car for me today just like I bought them in the 60s/70s.

Has anyone heard about possible warranty differences?   Or other?

[Aero426]

Auto will be faster, but the manual will be more funner.   With a car like that, you want the man's transmission anyway.  

A couple other purchase considerations I have not seen mentioned are:

What will the car cost to insure?   

What will the running costs of the car be?    There is going to a bunch of proprietary parts on that car that will not be cheap to replace.   

[Finoke]

My gut feel is the manual will be more collectible. they are pushing the automatic so I'm guessing the number of manual cars will be lower.

Young people today don't even know how to drive a stick and most manufacturers are phasing out manual transmissions. I'm not sure how that will affect the collectibility. Could go either way.

[Indygenerallee]

On that car I would go Automatic all the way... Have you ever driven a 500 HP stick car?? It's hairy for sure I could only imagine a 707 HP stick car..

[ws23rt]

On that car I would go Automatic all the way... Have you ever driven a 500 HP stick car?? It's hairy for sure I could only imagine a 707 HP stick car..

I have driven high hp stick cars.  The horsepower in my cars is under my control as is the transmission.
My 09 srt8 (6sp)has less than 500hp but not alot. My 69 hemi 4sp coronet the same but different.
My motorcycle has 500hp and that is under my control as well.

The 707hp of the hellcat is not automatic. One has to make it do that.

These are toys to be played with not animals to be tamed.

[Hessian]

I'm glad someone is asking this question... I'm also seriously considering ordering a Hellcat and the thought of 707/650lb under manual shift sounds like you'll need your full bag of nerves... and some clean shorts.

I've had an 08 SRT Challenger which I didn't like (the auto trans that is). I now have a '14 challenger R/T with 6spd and while not as fast as my '08 it's more fun to drive.

While i like my '14 Challenger that will get traded back in but my main decision is... do I sell my '69 Charger to make this happen...?   

One is already a timeless classic, the other is destined to be.  My dealer said they expect the allocation to be sold out the first day....

[SRT-440]

If u wanna be as fast as possible buy the auto...if u like a manual then buy the 6sp.

Either way it's a win win.

[Aero426]

While i like my '14 Challenger that will get traded back in but my main decision is... do I sell my '69 Charger to make this happen...?   

As I see it, you have the best of both worlds right now with your new car which already has all the performance you really need.   There is no way would I give up the real deal '69. 

There is a lot of assumption that these new cars will be collectible.   But anyone who saved an '08 Challenger new in the wrapper is upside down now.     Because there has been a succession of newer, faster, better cars each year.   How far is the horsepower insanity going to go?   It can't go much farther than 707 HP.   But it's hard to predict exactly when the music is going to stop.

[Indygenerallee]

If u wanna be as fast as possible buy the auto...if u like a manual then buy the 6sp.

plus with the paddle shifters you still get to manually shift without the leg action....

[Aero426]

plus with the paddle shifters you still get to manually shift without the leg action....

There is something about the manual transmission that engages you as the driver.   I know the paddles will beat it every time on the race track, but it's just not the same. 

[myk]

plus with the paddle shifters you still get to manually shift without the leg action....

There is something about the manual transmission that engages you as the driver.   I know the paddles will beat it every time on the race track, but it's just not the same. 

I would wager that the "connection" between man and machine is much more visceral with an old-school manual transmission.  Auto's and paddle shifters may be faster and more consistent, but the sensation of rowing your own gears and cogs has no equal; that other stuff is too "clean" IMO...

[chargerman69]

I'm glad someone is asking this question... I'm also seriously considering ordering a Hellcat and the thought of 707/650lb under manual shift sounds like you'll need your full bag of nerves... and some clean shorts.

I've had an 08 SRT Challenger which I didn't like (the auto trans that is). I now have a '14 challenger R/T with 6spd and while not as fast as my '08 it's more fun to drive.

While i like my '14 Challenger that will get traded back in but my main decision is... do I sell my '69 Charger to make this happen...?   

One is already a timeless classic, the other is destined to be.  My dealer said they expect the allocation to be sold out the first day....

If you side to sell the 69 letme know, if it was me i woodet

[Mytur Binsdirti]

The problem with the 8 speed auto is thatthere are so many gears that it will be shifting up and down all the time. Yes, it will be faster, but I still ordered mine with a stick for the fun factor. 

[Hessian]

The problem with the 8 speed auto is thatthere are so many gears that it will be shifting up and down all the time. Yes, it will be faster, but I still ordered mine with a stick for the fun factor. 

Were you actually able to physically place the order?  Our local dealer says Aug 10 is the earliest date I can.

[myk]

Man....lotta ballers up in this place...

[War wagon]

I've ordered the stick as well and can expect delivery in time for spring. Ordered the upgraded Laguna leather seats which are on restriction ATM so I have too wait for the car.

Gives me time too sell my 69 in the meanwhile. My car is posted in the for sale section with a half serious ad which I will soon add to. I wasn't sure IF I could even get a hellcat when I made the post. Since my order has been accepted and I've traded my truck. Only have room for one toy the charger will have to go to a new home

FYI up here in the great white north the car COMES STANDARD WITH AUTOMATIC TRANS, and it costs you 1k too upgrade to stick.

Just something to think about here but dodge has rated the new 8spd for the Hellcat as having a MAX torque rating of 663tq yet the car comes with 650tq.... What happens to trans after repeated abuse with Slicks? Torque would be multiplied with slicks and I think you'd be fixing trans or buying a new one in no time...
Imagine the replacement/ repair cost VS stick car and a clutch LOL just my opinion!

I traded my 2013 ram sport 4x4 8spd in as a deposit and while the 8spd has proven to be an amazing transmission in the truck application for me personally the stick was the ONLY way to go.
The stick cars ALSO have launch control LMAO . Having run a 6spd 9 sec car down the track many times I'm VERY excited to try and get a 10.99 out of this beast with some decent rubber.
Fastest time I've found for a stick car is 11.8 and the driver had to start in 2nd LOL.
They did the 10.85 pass on Nitto 555 drag RADIALS 305 35 20 , just imagine a set of sticky Hoosiers /:D LOL
Either way it's going to be epic trying and a whole lot more fun than flappy paddles IMHO

[Mytur Binsdirti]

The problem with the 8 speed auto is thatthere are so many gears that it will be shifting up and down all the time. Yes, it will be faster, but I still ordered mine with a stick for the fun factor. 

Were you actually able to physically place the order?  Our local dealer says Aug 10 is the earliest date I can.

I pre-ordered the car with a dealer who in turn will immediately place the order (and many others) the moment the order banks open.

[Arkgl01]

Could you imagine a hurst pistol grip in that car!! 

[Ghoste]

Yes, yes I can. 

[War wagon]

That's what I ordered 
I know you guys love pics LOL
I have 2 sets of personalized plates already that could be used but am still debating others if anything at all.
One set is CNU LTR. And the other is currently on my truck which leaves today DRIIVN either one might look good on the Hellcat?
Opinions? Thoughts?!

NastyCat, BADPUSSY, SCRATCHES, BADKITTY lol not hard to think of cool plates for that car

[wingcar]

While i like my '14 Challenger that will get traded back in but my main decision is... do I sell my '69 Charger to make this happen...?   

As I see it, you have the best of both worlds right now with your new car which already has all the performance you really need.   There is no way would I give up the real deal '69. 

There is a lot of assumption that these new cars will be collectible.   But anyone who saved an '08 Challenger new in the wrapper is upside down now.     Because there has been a succession of newer, faster, better cars each year.   How far is the horsepower insanity going to go?   It can't go much farther than 707 HP.   But it's hard to predict exactly when the music is going to stop.

I purchased my '08 Challenger to enjoy, not because I thought it would be an investment (it may or may not be).  Buy the car to enjoy and drive, not because of it's possible future valve...the true valve of any muscle or collectble car is it's enjoyment factor.....

[Aero426]

Just something to think about here but dodge has rated the new 8spd for the Hellcat as having a MAX torque rating of 663tq yet the car comes with 650tq.... What happens to trans after repeated abuse with Slicks? Torque would be multiplied with slicks and I think you'd be fixing trans or buying a new one in no time...
Imagine the replacement/ repair cost VS stick car and a clutch LOL just my opinion!

The repair cost is probably going to be high no matter what, but the 8-spd would scare me a little bit.    I wonder if the dealer will be able to look at the last data in the computer and determine what you were doing when the trans failed?   "Sorry, 27 seconds at wide open throttle.   That's not covered under your warranty, sir."      They must have a lot of faith in the powertrain to be able to put it out there.  

[War wagon]

While i like my '14 Challenger that will get traded back in but my main decision is... do I sell my '69 Charger to make this happen...?   

As I see it, you have the best of both worlds right now with your new car which already has all the performance you really need.   There is no way would I give up the real deal '69. 

There is a lot of assumption that these new cars will be collectible.   But anyone who saved an '08 Challenger new in the wrapper is upside down now.     Because there has been a succession of newer, faster, better cars each year.   How far is the horsepower insanity going to go?   It can't go much farther than 707 HP.   But it's hard to predict exactly when the music is going to stop.

I purchased my '08 Challenger to enjoy, not because I thought it would be an investment (it may or may not be).  Buy the car to enjoy and drive, not because of it's possible future valve...the true valve of any muscle or collectble car is it's enjoyment factor.....

Well said!! I told the dealer I will have the highest mileage hellcat in Ontario LOL.... If it's sunny it will be on the road, just like my 69 is now!!! Life is wayyyy too short, enjoy everyday!

[War wagon]

The automatics finish the 1/4 in 5th gear and the stick finishes in 3rd. BUT!!!! The best times so far for a stick car have come from a second gear start, that means one shift Lmao to third and you're done...
On Real slicks I think it will be interesting... Especially with Launch control on the stick!!!!!!!!!!
To each their own but just the thought of a 10K Bill for a new trans from Dodge should the automatic go BOOM is enough to scare me away. Maybe in a few years but even the trucks and other cars with 8spds have already had serious issues. 6cyl versions had input shaft snapping off , just imagine that happens at the track while you're testing some slicks....
Either way you can't lose if your interested in the car as a TOY. Think of it as an investment and i think you end up disappointed.
Personally I have been waiting for this car my whole life.... Always wished I could have ordered a 71 HEMI Cuda NEW but I was only born in 69
This car is MY 71 Cuda, and I will cherish every moment

[Ghoste]

Either way you can't lose if your interested in the car as a TOY. Think of it as an investment and i think you end up disappointed.
Personally I have been waiting for this car my whole life.... Always wished I could have ordered a 71 HEMI Cuda NEW but I was only born in 69
This car is MY 71 Cuda, and I will cherish every moment

Good advice all around.