2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
Discussion
Always been a fan of American cars and loved the look of the Challenger ever since they were reintroduced. I was fortunate enough to be sent out to our Florida office at the end of January 2020 and also had permission for a hire car...work didn't mind me paying the difference between a Focus and Hertz's muscle car group, so I made the booking and asked if they could hold a Challenger for me. Sure enough, there was one (the only one in the car park!) waiting for me on arrival. I really enjoyed driving it around for the 10 days I was there and I'd flown out early to have a weekend in which I could visit family a little further south so got a proper feel of the car. Needless to say that car has a lot to answer for!
So having had a tentative look into import costs and some browsing of cars online I put it on the backburner. After all, I had the Monaro VXR which was a dream car for me growing up! Also it had the extra draw of being the rare 5.7 VXR variant, of which only 62 I believe were sold before being replaced by the 6.0 model with some styling and other changes. However, I kept going back to look at adverts online and eventually decided around August/September last year that I was going to replace the Monaro.
So after a bit more searching and a few enquiries at various dealers, I found a car in the right spec: Scat Pack, B5 Blue, manual, convenience group. The dealer was excellent from start to finish and in early October I put a deposit down on the car. A couple of weeks later everything was sorted for transport and payment, with the car heading out to New Jersey for shipment.
Of course not everything went smoothly. Being an off-lease car, US customs required a document to confirm they no longer had any interest in the car. Unfortunately said lease company would not send it directly to the shipping agent and took the best part of 3 weeks to get this document out to the dealer (the first 2 occasions it went to the wrong place, could even see this on the fedex tracker they shared the 2nd time around!). A bit of a nightmare but again the dealer were really helpful in getting it resolved!
Finally the car was on the move in early December, only to be met with Brexit stockpiling and covid delays at UK ports. Overall it took about a week longer to get here than expected, going to Bremen and then Antwerp before arriving at Felixstowe on Boxing Day. By New Year's Eve it was safely in the hands of shipmycar who dealt with the import process and light conversion/IVA work for me. Once the IVA and MOT tests had been completed, we had one final minor delay owing to DVLA having a covid outbreak! Fortunately registration took less time than expected and I had a nice surprise just under 2 weeks ago when the V5 arrived in the post. Transport was then sorted with SMC, with the Monaro going on the empty single transporter to its new owner. Fast forward a few days and the car is now here
So having had a tentative look into import costs and some browsing of cars online I put it on the backburner. After all, I had the Monaro VXR which was a dream car for me growing up! Also it had the extra draw of being the rare 5.7 VXR variant, of which only 62 I believe were sold before being replaced by the 6.0 model with some styling and other changes. However, I kept going back to look at adverts online and eventually decided around August/September last year that I was going to replace the Monaro.
So after a bit more searching and a few enquiries at various dealers, I found a car in the right spec: Scat Pack, B5 Blue, manual, convenience group. The dealer was excellent from start to finish and in early October I put a deposit down on the car. A couple of weeks later everything was sorted for transport and payment, with the car heading out to New Jersey for shipment.
Of course not everything went smoothly. Being an off-lease car, US customs required a document to confirm they no longer had any interest in the car. Unfortunately said lease company would not send it directly to the shipping agent and took the best part of 3 weeks to get this document out to the dealer (the first 2 occasions it went to the wrong place, could even see this on the fedex tracker they shared the 2nd time around!). A bit of a nightmare but again the dealer were really helpful in getting it resolved!
Finally the car was on the move in early December, only to be met with Brexit stockpiling and covid delays at UK ports. Overall it took about a week longer to get here than expected, going to Bremen and then Antwerp before arriving at Felixstowe on Boxing Day. By New Year's Eve it was safely in the hands of shipmycar who dealt with the import process and light conversion/IVA work for me. Once the IVA and MOT tests had been completed, we had one final minor delay owing to DVLA having a covid outbreak! Fortunately registration took less time than expected and I had a nice surprise just under 2 weeks ago when the V5 arrived in the post. Transport was then sorted with SMC, with the Monaro going on the empty single transporter to its new owner. Fast forward a few days and the car is now here
Thanks for the positive comments all, really pleased with it!
Roboticarm - the hire car had the 5.7, whereas the Scat is a 6.4. The bonnets tend to get changed each model year so I think the 5.7 of 2016 had the same bonnet.
Sturdy - it was a tough decision to let go of the Monaro, ended up passing 9 years of ownership before the handover. They really do get under your skin and I never thought I would sell it but things change. I think it has gone to a good home which is the main thing. I look forward to seeing an orange Challenger on your thread soon
Roboticarm - the hire car had the 5.7, whereas the Scat is a 6.4. The bonnets tend to get changed each model year so I think the 5.7 of 2016 had the same bonnet.
Sturdy - it was a tough decision to let go of the Monaro, ended up passing 9 years of ownership before the handover. They really do get under your skin and I never thought I would sell it but things change. I think it has gone to a good home which is the main thing. I look forward to seeing an orange Challenger on your thread soon
Not Ideal - not sure really, I reckon it may have been slightly cheaper doing it myself but no comparable vehicles were advertised to determine the cost of one in the UK already. Clive Sutton always have some lovely hellcats in! I had seen a few Challengers advertised through other dealers/private individuals online but a lot seem to have been wrecked in the USA, plus I managed to go for specific colour and trim when options are a bit more limited over here
supacool1 - I am considering it, I fitted a 'sto n sho' bracket as it can be removed easily to keep the US look for photos etc and saves drilling in to the bumper. It does catch on the drive entrance so having to take it on/off each time. Been fine on all speedbumps bar those single ones in the lane rather than across the road...so alternative thinking required!
CaptainSensib1e - thanks, first noticeable thing is the size of it really, can't push quite as much through the bends as in the Monaro although I expect once I get used to it that might change! Has around 100bhp more too so the extra grunt is definitely felt and the gear changes feel a bit more positive.
supacool1 - I am considering it, I fitted a 'sto n sho' bracket as it can be removed easily to keep the US look for photos etc and saves drilling in to the bumper. It does catch on the drive entrance so having to take it on/off each time. Been fine on all speedbumps bar those single ones in the lane rather than across the road...so alternative thinking required!
CaptainSensib1e - thanks, first noticeable thing is the size of it really, can't push quite as much through the bends as in the Monaro although I expect once I get used to it that might change! Has around 100bhp more too so the extra grunt is definitely felt and the gear changes feel a bit more positive.
Took the Challenger in for an oil and diff oil change yesterday at a local American specialist. They took a couple of nice photos on their page too which I have added below.
Also got the skip shift eliminator fitted at the same time, so a thanks for sorting me out with the part to fellow PHer Matt Harper
No longer does the car want to lock out 2nd and go straight into 4th!
Also got the skip shift eliminator fitted at the same time, so a thanks for sorting me out with the part to fellow PHer Matt Harper
No longer does the car want to lock out 2nd and go straight into 4th!DodgyGeezer said:
Seems like you missed an opportunity to take a photo of the underside
Funnily enough that might well appear on here as it is going in to Pro-tect next month for undersealing and foam removal.jamieduff1981 said:
That's a cool car. I like these a lot!
Cheers LanceRS said:
Me too and that number plate looks much better.
agreed! I was never sure of the look and the constant scraping sealed the deal in the end.Matt Harper said:
Looking sharp, Dom - I'm pleased I could be of help.
Haven't done much in the way of cosmetic mods - most of mine concern the dirty bits - but I was never a massive fan of the factory exhaust tips.
really like those Matt, think they suit the car. Will have a think down the line!Haven't done much in the way of cosmetic mods - most of mine concern the dirty bits - but I was never a massive fan of the factory exhaust tips.
Took the Challenger in to Pro-Tect services who have performed an extensive rust proofing service. Dodge in their infinite wisdom also filled the sills with foam on these cars for sound deadening purposes, only for the foam to trap moisture which can then rot the car from the inside out. So they removed all of that too!
As you can see there's some discolouration of the foam which highlights the moisture problem, though the vast majority of it was thankfully clean as seen on the floor of their workshop! Fortunately got mine at the right time. Pro-Tect said the car was is good condition underneath which I am delighted with given it came from Michigan!
Subframes rustproofed in black and the floors in clear. Really pleased with the results and thoroughly recommend them!
As you can see there's some discolouration of the foam which highlights the moisture problem, though the vast majority of it was thankfully clean as seen on the floor of their workshop! Fortunately got mine at the right time. Pro-Tect said the car was is good condition underneath which I am delighted with given it came from Michigan!
Subframes rustproofed in black and the floors in clear. Really pleased with the results and thoroughly recommend them!
No problem at all! Happy to answer your questions.
I still love the thing and will have had the keys for a year at the start of March. You get used to the size of it after a while although really it is fine on the majority of our roads given the size of SUVs these days. Understandably gets quite a lot of attention out and about, you'll see lots of pedestrians or other motorists checking it out.
Anyway, some new photos from a trip to Fuel Coffee House which is about half an hour from me. Might help persuade you even more
I still love the thing and will have had the keys for a year at the start of March. You get used to the size of it after a while although really it is fine on the majority of our roads given the size of SUVs these days. Understandably gets quite a lot of attention out and about, you'll see lots of pedestrians or other motorists checking it out.
Anyway, some new photos from a trip to Fuel Coffee House which is about half an hour from me. Might help persuade you even more
1. Yes they do fold down but not sure how long a pair of skis are!
2. I have to be sensible on the throttle if it is damp or a bit greasy! It is my only car but if it's icy or snow then I'm not going to use it (I'm in Horsham, West Sussex). You can get a wider tyre on the existing rims to help with grip. That or look at a widebody which has the wider wheels and tyres as standard.
3. Trip has it just shy of 20mpg over 4000 miles. Mine is the 6.4 and a manual - Dodgy's might be an auto going by his numbers. Autos have the MDS cylinder deactivation system so will run on 4 at times
2. I have to be sensible on the throttle if it is damp or a bit greasy! It is my only car but if it's icy or snow then I'm not going to use it (I'm in Horsham, West Sussex). You can get a wider tyre on the existing rims to help with grip. That or look at a widebody which has the wider wheels and tyres as standard.
3. Trip has it just shy of 20mpg over 4000 miles. Mine is the 6.4 and a manual - Dodgy's might be an auto going by his numbers. Autos have the MDS cylinder deactivation system so will run on 4 at times
Edited by hemidom on Monday 17th January 14:59
lemmingjames said:
1. Pends on the ski but lets say 2m, im looking to replace my Forester and at an angle it can take 3m long lengths bit of wood but i guess thats the joys of an 'estate' vs a saloon
2. Thanks, i did think my mates just being a pussy as i used to take my gt3 out in minus temps
3. Yeah, id be looking at an auto and pretty sure id go with a Scat. I do love the idea of a hellcat though because...
Though not going to lie, quite looking forward to the EV muscle car they are going to bring out in 2 years time
Done a quick check and if they were in dead straight they'd rest on the rear of the armrest, diagonally probably go in ok. 2. Thanks, i did think my mates just being a pussy as i used to take my gt3 out in minus temps
3. Yeah, id be looking at an auto and pretty sure id go with a Scat. I do love the idea of a hellcat though because...
Though not going to lie, quite looking forward to the EV muscle car they are going to bring out in 2 years time
Agree with Dodgy on the sound! No doubt Dodge will make the EV car look the part but to me it needs the soundtrack to be a muscle car.
I'm not sure where in the UK you are but happy for you to have a look around mine if it helps.
damoP6B said:
Love this car! perfect colour choice in B5 met Blue :-) and also being the facelift model in the R/t scat pack version.
Be my first choice for a modern classic over the new Camaros and Mustangs which are indeed nice cars but the Dodge still screams Muscle car, Mopar rules ;-)
Thanks, sounds like you have good taste! Glad I went for one in B5 Blue although I do think these look fantastic in any colour. Be my first choice for a modern classic over the new Camaros and Mustangs which are indeed nice cars but the Dodge still screams Muscle car, Mopar rules ;-)
The Scats can be seen as the sweet spot of the range in terms of power and usability of that power. More so with the widebody package having the wider tyres and better grip compared to mine, correct me if I am wrong on that, Matt.
Both lovely examples that Matt & Andy have. I would love a Hellcat at some point!
Both lovely examples that Matt & Andy have. I would love a Hellcat at some point!
Killer2005 said:
This thread has potentially changed my mind about my next car. Have some inheritance and a Caterham was on the list, but now changed over to a Challenger or maybe a Charger.
You should definitely do it 
If you are down this way happy for you to check it out. Bit of a trek though! I was up in Hull last summer with it but not sure I'll be up in Yorkshire again for a while.
Just picked it up from Pilgrim Motorsports / Muscle Car UK following a service and MOT. Excellent service and some seriously nice cars down there so I think I'll be back again.
It has been a while since the last update but there is not much to report other than I have finally had the wheels refurbished. Had enough of the lacquer peel, so diamond cut replaced by satin black!
I've also been to the odd show - really enjoyed American Speedfest but not many Challenger owners when I arrived! The Dodge is off commuting duty too with the arrival of a 2010 1.1 Panda. There are enough threads on those though
I've also been to the odd show - really enjoyed American Speedfest but not many Challenger owners when I arrived! The Dodge is off commuting duty too with the arrival of a 2010 1.1 Panda. There are enough threads on those though
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