September 14, 2026
Used Hellcat Buyer's Guide: What 717 Horsepower Really Costs
A used Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat for around $49,700 might be the wildest horsepower-per-dollar deal in America. 717 supercharged horsepower for the price of a well-optioned family SUV. But the purchase price is just the cover charge. Here is what five years of Hellcat ownership actually costs, and the two line items that catch buyers off guard.
New vs used: the real numbers
| New Hellcat | Used Hellcat | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $70,035 | $49,700 |
| Horsepower | 717 | 717 |
| 5-year true cost | $119,792 | $97,016 |
| Monthly true cost | $1,997 | $1,617 |
| Insurance range | $2,500-$5,000/yr | |
| Maintenance | $1,200/yr | |
| Fuel economy | 16 mpg | |
Buying used saves $22,776 over five years, about $380 a month. Same 717 hp, same supercharger whine, twenty grand less out of your pocket. The coolest stat on the car: at $167 per horsepower, the Hellcat is the cheapest horsepower on our entire bang-for-buck board. Nothing else is close.
The two budget killers
First, insurance. The range is $2,500 to $5,000 a year, and where you land in it depends hugely on your age, record, and state. A 25-year-old in a no-fault state can easily see the top of that range, which alone adds over $400 a month. Get a real quote before you fall in love with the car. Our insurance breakdown shows how wildly this varies by car.
Second, fuel. Sixteen mpg combined means the supercharged 6.2L drinks premium at a serious rate. At 12,000 miles a year, you are looking at roughly 750 gallons annually. When gas spikes, Hellcat owners feel it first.
What to watch on a used one
Hellcats span two generations: 2015-2018 and 2019-2023, with the later cars getting the widebody option and small refinements. These engines are famously tough, but check the tires and brakes closely, because 717 hp eats both and neither is cheap. A pre-purchase inspection at a shop that knows supercharged Mopars is money well spent. Also verify the car has a clean title and stock tune if you want warranty-friendly peace of mind, since pulley swaps and tunes are the most common mods.
The bottom line
A used Hellcat at $1,617 a month all-in is genuinely attainable exotic-level speed money. Just budget for the insurance quote first and the gas station second. If both of those fit, nothing else delivers 717 hp for the money, and the math says buying used is the smart way to do it.
Hellcat full breakdown What a performance car really costs
More from the blog
- 5 Performance Cars That Are Cheap to Insure
- What a Performance Car Really Costs, Explained Like a Friend
- Mustang GT Cheap Horsepower: Stage-by-Stage Build Guide
Figures are estimates based on national averages and our standard assumptions (10% down, 60-month loan at 7% APR, 12,000 miles/year). Data last updated September 2026.