Dodge Challenger

Author
Discussion

velocitas

Original Poster:

225 posts

158 months

Friday 26th September 2014
quotequote all
3 weeks until I land in Dubai....

After going through various ways to get a V8 I've settled on a 2012 - 2013 Challenger R/T or SRT8. Does anyone here know or have 2nd experience of buying and running one in the UAE. GCC specs on some seem misleading as they all appear to be US imports. Does that mean the aircon won't be up to the summer desert heat?


Onetrackmind

813 posts

212 months

Friday 26th September 2014
quotequote all
Lots of the US spec Challengers may be write-off's that have been repaired here and put back on the road. Not all of them but proceed with caution and get a carfax check of any US car. I think the Challenger shape is due a refresh soo and the new Mustang is meant to be pretty good so these may affect prices. I've not driven one but love the look of them. A mate in work has a 6.4 SRT and they most definitely go well, although he does complain that it feels a bit heavy. Most car mags and YouTube reviews state the current 5.0 Mustang and Camaro SS handle better, probably due to less weight and I think the Camaro has IRS. I've also read the Interior isn't great if that matters to you. I think there are a few on here that own them so I'm sure they'll be along to advise shortly but I honestly can't imagine running costs to be too bad. I'd buy one just for that front end! Good luck.

Psychobert

6,316 posts

255 months

Saturday 27th September 2014
quotequote all
Onetrackmind said:
Lots of the US spec Challengers may be write-off's that have been repaired here and put back on the road. Not all of them but proceed with caution and get a carfax check of any US car.
This is a must. I helped a mate buy a Challenger about a year ago and we saw a couple that had been write offs and then bought and shipped here. the dash lights on one were lit up like a Christmas tree which the dealer said was purely because the GPS was confused with being a US spec car that was imported here, (it had been written off by driving into a lake), one had a visible crease in the roof after what I assume was a fairly significant impact and I'd have thought would never pass the RTA.

At the very least get the VIN and run it through google as a US write off it should be listed.

I like the Challenger though its a bit basic inside compared to a European spec car. That said, bang for buck, there is not much that will beat it..

rickybouy

266 posts

215 months

Saturday 27th September 2014
quotequote all
Hey Velocitas,

I own a 2013 GCC Spec SRT8 and am happy to help with any advice etc, I think they suit the roads here perfectly, i have had alot better handling cars but the noise and overall muscle of these cars can't be beat for the cash in my opinion! i dove the camaro and it felt to sensible! muscle cars should be about muscle not cornering or anything else! or buy a new cayman! what you should do is get an order in for the hellcat!


velocitas

Original Poster:

225 posts

158 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks guys, will definitely do a carfax on it.

@ricky good to hear from someone running one. Have you had any issues with it, how's the build quality holding up? Anything specific to GCC cars that I should be worried about that I won't get from the US Dodge forums.

In terms of bang for buck, I think it's a bargain. There's a great one in Orange with Black strips for sale on dubizzle at the moments it looks epic!

rickybouy

266 posts

215 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
It's got it's 10,000km service on Sunday and not one issue, it still causes a larger smile than other cars i have owned, the only thing at the moment is because if the new model for 2015 there are probably going to used price dips but that can also be seen as a plus! the hellcat is going to be very expensive 250k plus i have been told!

Fats25

6,260 posts

228 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
Am also looking for a SRT8 Challenger as well in approx 6 weeks.

Lets make sure we do not end up in a bidding war with each other!

dxbtiger

4,389 posts

172 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Fats25 said:
Am also looking for a SRT8 Challenger as well in approx 6 weeks.

Lets make sure we do not end up in a bidding war with each other!
You got the Raptor now?

velocitas

Original Poster:

225 posts

158 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Fats25 said:
Am also looking for a SRT8 Challenger as well in approx 6 weeks.

Lets make sure we do not end up in a bidding war with each other!
Ha, I'll be shopping on the last week of the month (26th- 2nd) so if you could avoid buying up any nice cars during that period it would be much appreciated smile

Fats25

6,260 posts

228 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
dxbtiger said:
You got the Raptor now?
Not yet. I was in AD all week, and the seller has been in Saudi and not back until Sunday.

RTA reopens on Tuesday, so hope to get all sorted then.

velocitas said:
Ha, I'll be shopping on the last week of the month (26th- 2nd) so if you could avoid buying up any nice cars during that period it would be much appreciated smile
We should be ok as car is for my wife and she is not here until 25th, and is going to take her approx 3 weeks to get her licence.

I assume you have a Dubai licence already?

Remember legally, from time your visa application is applied for you cannot drive on an international licence here. You need visa and ID before you can get licence. Will take approximately 2-3 weeks from start to finish.

velocitas

Original Poster:

225 posts

158 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
Fats25 said:
I assume you have a Dubai licence already?

Remember legally, from time your visa application is applied for you cannot drive on an international licence here. You need visa and ID before you can get licence. Will take approximately 2-3 weeks from start to finish.
Thanks Fats25 - just started another thread and headache on that. I thought I could get this sorted in the RTA after a day or two but not even remotely straight forward!

At this rate I'll buy a second hand barge, hire a driver and just get pissed in the backseat on the trek from JBR to AD every day.