Before You Buy: Dodge Challenger Pros & Cons

Dodge has a proven history of making beastly muscle cars that dates back to the early 1960s. Fast forward to 2023, and the pony cars segment has transformed considerably. Despite all the challenges, Dodge’s muscle car offerings namely the Challenger and the Charger have done well. However, this article focuses exclusively on the Dodge challenger pros and cons. Buying a pre-owned or a used Challenger is always a very exciting prospect for any enthusiast, though, there is always more to the story.

Regardless of its age, a modern Dodge Challenger is always ready to burn some rubber, whether on a plain road or a drag strip. This fact alone is attractive for any seasoned car guy but here we will indulge you in some key considerations that must be kept in mind when buying a performance-packed car like the Challenger.

So, without further ado let’s dig right into the key factors to consider when buying a used Dodge Challenger, including performance, reliability, cost, and more.

Related: Dodge Demon vs. Hellcat: Which Muscle Car is Best?

Pros of Owning a Dodge Challenger

1. Muscle Car V8 Performance:

The Dodge Challenger is known for its impressive performance. The base variant’s 305 hp V6 might be a bit underwhelming but you can always go for the punchy Hemi V8, which delivers plenty of power and torque. This makes for a thrilling driving experience and plenty of speed whenever you want it.

Traditionally, American muscle cars have been thought of as straight-line speed monsters, but the newer iterations of the Challenger have improved significantly when it comes to handling tricky bends and corners. The manual transmission offered provides complete control and the AWD on some variants further enhances the control on tricky situations.

2. Retro Muscular Styling:

The design of the Challenger has been around for almost a decade and is still functional. If you like the muscle car look, you’ll like everything from the long nose hanging over a broad grille to the vintage quad headlights. The Dodge Challenger epitomizes “retro-cool,” with its low, long, and wide muscular body ensuring you don’t mistake it for anything other than an American muscle vehicle.

The Challenger has a distinct and aggressive design that turns heads. The wide stance, long hood, and sleek lines have been made more prominent over the years which has added to the appeal of the mighty Challenger. The pronounced creases and the distinct front and rear end draw attention from a mile away, something for which older muscle car owners invest considerable time and money.

3. Roomy & Comfy Interior:

For a 2-door muscle car, the Dodge Challenger is surprisingly roomy with ample legroom and headroom for the front occupants. The rear seats may not be roomy enough for an adult but they can easily accommodate a young child or a baby seat if you are a new parent.

There are good chances that you may come across a Challenger owner using his pony car as a family car which may seem a bit odd but it goes in favor of the Challenger as being friendly for new parents. Lastly, there is the option of taking your beloved Challenger on a long ride and enjoying the V8 grunt in all its glory.

4 Great Tech Options:

The Challenger may have an old-school look, but it features a sophisticated and feature-packed infotainment system. Dodge could have gotten away with providing us the absolute minimum with a vehicle like the Challenger, but glancing at the infotainment, you’ll see where the money went – and it was well-spent.

The list of variants for the latest Challenger is essentially endless. You can choose from up to seven different Challenger models and some other trims as well that offer some minor add-ons.

From the entry-level V6 SXT and AWD Challenger GT to the Supercharged V8 high-performance SRT Hellcat, you can experience the thrill of pure American muscle power in a variety of formats. This also translates into the fact that you can find a Challenger that fits your other particular needs like longevity, fuel consumption, and other creature comforts.

5. The Mopar & Challenger Community:

One often ignored benefit of owning a Challenger is the various communities and dedicated forums that make you feel like a member of the Challenger family. Enthusiasts in such forums discuss various meetups, tips and techniques for getting the best out of your performance-packed pony car. Once you join such communities, it is hard to let go as there is an attachment that one develops over time.

Related: How To Buy a Dodge Demon 170: What You Need To Know

Cons of Owning Dodge Challenger

1. Cost of Ownership is Really High:

The Challenger is not precisely known for its low running costs and owning a Challenger can be expensive with high insurance rates, repair costs and fuel consumption. The high fuel consumption is a no-brainer but the tire replacements can be quite frequent and heavy on your wallet. Performance tires deliver exceptional grip but their tread also wears off quickly.

2. Not good beginner driver car:

Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but the Challenger is not for everyone, particularly beginners and those searching for their first car. The Challenger is a no-holds-barred burnout machine that is far faster than conventional cars. So think twice before purchasing the Challenger as your first car or giving it to a giddy teen.

3. Reliability is Not Great:

While the Challenger is generally considered a reliable car, older models may have more issues. Dodge has traditionally scored lower on reliability ratings but the brand has improved considerably in recent times. As with any used car purchase, it’s important to have a good mechanic inspect the vehicle before buying to check for any potential problems.

4. Poor to Awful fuel economy:

As muscle cars go, the Challenger doesn’t have the best fuel economy, which can add up over time. With a V8 engine, the Challenger can get 12-15 mpg in the city, and 18-25 mpg on the highway, which is lower compared to other cars such as the Ecoboost Mustang and base model Camaro. You’d be lucky to get a combined fuel average of 15-18 mpg, though the figure can always rise higher provided you are willing to go easy on the gas pedal (but who wants to do that?).

5. Limited Everyday Utility:

The Challenger’s sporty design makes it less practical than other cars on the market. It is not an ideal choice for carrying cargo and hauling large items. Furthermore, the Challenger isn’t the best choice as a daily commuter since it has two doors, more road noise and a firmer ride.

Related: Dodge Challenger Hellcat vs. Scat Pack. Which is Best?

Why this might be the best time to buy a used or a new Challenger:

The era of electrification is upon us and every automaker is racing to electrify its lineup. Dodge is no different in this regard and it has now officially confirmed that the ongoing generation of both the Challenger and the Charger are the last ones to feature are pure gas-powered powertrains. Keeping this news in mind, it is probably the best time for Challenger fans to get their hands on their beloved muscle car.

The used car market is currently rather hot but the prices are gradually cooling down. With the Challenger facing a certain axe, the current sellers are already demanding a higher-than-usual ask for their pony car. The likelihood of Challenger becoming a collector’s item is also quite imminent, especially the ones with V8 engines. Thus, it might be best to act now then get price shocks in the future.

Related: 5 Reasons Why The Dodge Challenger GT AWD Is Actually Amazing

Owning a Dodge Challenger Final Verdict

Making a buying decision is, at times, quite tricky and confusing. With numerous muscle cars available in the market, it isn’t as straightforward to pick one as it may seem. A preowned Dodge Challenger ticks all the important boxes but there are still some aspects that aren’t to everyone’s liking. Nevertheless, a Dodge Challenger with its screaming V8 engine is a joy worth owning and experiencing.

The imminent discontinuation of the Challenger is making its fans rush through the whole buying process. It is true that the days of the gasoline Dodge muscle cars are numbered, but it is crucial to take your time and review all the facts before finalizing the decision to buy any car, let alone a muscle car that is different in nature to other mainstream vehicles.