A Car Called a Hellcat?

[MissElizabeth]

So I'm about to enter into a new grey hair inducing, nerve wrecking, find new curse words parental phase called "He wants to drive". Minion wants to buy a car, which apparently he can without a license. In his teenage wisdom he wants to get a used Hellcat. I'm assuming this is considered a sports car so insurance will be astronomical (add in that he is diabetic and we may be looking into the next galaxy.

So I have a few questions if possible.
1) What does one look for in a used car so we have a standing chance of not going broke with fixing it? I know to look for rust and floor issues and to get a car accident report thing but that's about all I know. Yes he will be taking auto mechanics in school, I made that mandatory.
2) Is a Hellcat a good starter car for a 16 yr old? I have checked out the prices of used ones and he can afford one (sadly). The mom side of me wants him to start with a little 4 door compact or a tiny tank works well too.
3) If he buys off a used car lot am I allowed to take the car to a mechanic or should I take the mechanic to the lot?

I don't drive, so I'm a little lost with purchasing a used car and when I did drive, the less said is better. Did you know the power steering fluid dipstick actually has a "do not fill above this line" warning on it? I didn't but I do recommend getting a real good turkey baster to fix that oh-oh if you didn't.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[oakvilleguy]

Ummm a 700hp Hellcat is definitely NOT a car for a 16 yr old.

2023 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Review, Pricing, and Specs

If you’re lusting for the ultimate V-8 muscle car but need a sedan with room for the kids, the outrageous 2023 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is your ride.

www.caranddriver.com

I’d go with a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic as they are usually quite reliable and will last many years.

 

[HungSowel]

I think you mean the dodge challenger, Hellcat refers to the trim of challenger.

Look into insurance rates first, to me that is the biggest hurdle. The insurance rate for a year could likely exceed the cost of the vehicle.

 

[contact]

yup check insurance FIRST nothing like buying a car and then finding out you cant insure it esp at under 25 male

 

[Goodoer]

A car with that much power is borderline unsafe to drive for most. He should get a 2000 Corolla and count himself lucky.

 

[MONTYY]

Drag racing is the principal reason why your son wants the Hellcat.

 

[Indiana]

A Hellcat is okay as a starter vehicle.

 

[james t kirk]

Technically, a hellcat is not a sportscar, it is a muscle car.

And yeah, no 16 year old should be driving a hellcat.

FUBAR.

 

[HEYHEY]

If this post isnt a troll, make sure you buy your son a matching casket with that hellcat. Very few people can drive a car with that kind of power without killing themselves

 

[Jenesis]

As others have said, put your foot down and say no. If you really don’t know much about cars, then he is playing on that as only teenagers can do.

It is not a car for a boy. Hell, it ain’t even a car some men should have. LOL

 

[curr3n_c1000]

2) Is a Hellcat a good starter car for a 16 yr old?

Does the word hellcat sound like something a 16yo should start off with?

I don't think this is a good idea. Plus neither of you are experienced with cars.

Responsibility should be the top focus.

 

[MissElizabeth]

I'm not sure how to multiple quote so I'll do it this way.

Oakville Guy: Honda civic was the way to go apparently. After an hour and a half talking to an insurance agent.

HungSowel: insurance quote was astronomical. HellCat was quoted at $15547 per yr Honda Civic 4 door was quoted at $9165/yr. Insurance agent was awesome to talk to after he stopped laughing lol.

Contact: same as above. But I'm happy I made an insurance agent laugh lol.

Jimidean2011: the theory of basically "not on your life" was important for me to hear. I knew it was a bad idea but as I don't know cars hearing it confirmed was needed.

Goodoer: the Corolla is a good second option that we will be looking into .

MONTYY: That video was visible confirmation that made me really question the Minion as to why and hopefully I'll stop saying "seriously" everytime I see him.

Indiana: I can see your point if you are a race car driver

James t Kirk: FUBAR is a good word...

HeyHey: I'm not a troll... But see your logic.

Jenesis: gotta love teens. Hopefully by the time he's done with his lesson Minion will learn to 100% honest with his logic. Or maybe get some logic.

curr3n_c1000: I'll never understand teen logic sadly. As to the word hellcat, sometimes the most docile of things have the most dangerous name

Thanks for answering though guys n gal . As I told Curr I don't understand teen logic let alone male teen logic. And if any are wondering how he can afford it... Only grandchild syndrome which I find impossible to stop. Off to celebrate my new job now with my first haircut in over a year yay !!

Hugs n kisses

 

[richaceg]

It looks like you'd do anything for the 16 yr old...including spoil him with what he want even though there's a huge risk of shelling 300% on insurance...my 17 year old is buying his first car (used) he wanted it last year but I told him, save up ang buy it cash, he finally got enough $$$ to buy an 2010 acura csx for daily commute...$9k i will help him out with insurance. First thing you need is a good mechanic that will take a look at the car. You also need to look closely on the warranties attached to the vehicle...these used car salesman can be tricky at times...I wouldn't give a 16 yr old a sports car....if it was me...it's like giving a 16 yr old a gun...

 

[Tomoreno]

If you trully want a compromise between safety and reliability, but something cool and fun to drive - consider Subaru Impreza.

It won't break your bank to buy, maintain or to insure.

Depending on a trim level, car will look awesome and very sporty. It's full time AWD with low center of gravity so it's glued to the road.

If I was a teenager again - I'd love for it to be my first ride.

 

[rhuarc29]

Would insurance even bother covering that at all?

 

[oakvilleguy]

HungSowel: insurance quote was astronomical. HellCat was quoted at $15547 per yr Honda Civic 4 door was quoted at $9165/yr. Insurance agent was awesome to talk to after he stopped laughing

9k is an insane amount of money to pay for insurance. In 3 years, you would have paid more in insurance than the cost a new Civic.

I paid around $25k for a new civic for my daughter when she turned 17 a few years ago. She was listed as secondary driver on my other 3 cars for a year prior and when we got her the Civic, the insurance with her as the principal driver was $3300/yr

if at all possible, you may want to defer the purchase and have your son set up as a secondary driver on someone else’s insurance policy to establish a history before buying a car. This will likely reduce the premium amount. I’m not suggesting you lie, but do this in a legit manner such as a grandparent or another relative.

Another avenue is to try a product such as what CAA has where you pay for the amount of distance driven - https://www.caasco.com/insurance/auto/caa-mypace. I believe some other companies may also have this type of coverage and may save you some money.

 

[Spunky1]

Hellcat you say ! First off , I'm always happy to hear when youth of today show interest in muscle cars modern or classics . I'm not sure he's got the model he's referring to correct though. Hellcat is the top of the line package Dodge Challenger pumping out over 700hp. Rear wheel drive . It's an experienced drivers car in my opinion and not the best winter driver.
Brand new,the cars go for over 100,000 . This is the cheapest used one I found.

 

[xmontrealer]

I just saw a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat ommercial on TV, featuring young kids who look like they're no more than 13 or so driving Hellcats.

Gee, I wonder if the OP's son saw the commercial too, and if it had any influence lol...

 

[surferboy]

Def not a first car! Drove one a few years ago when they came out & in the middle of summer with hot rubber it was like driving on ice when you got on it...for 2wd it's effin impressive off the line & will scare the shit out of anybody in the passenger seat when you punch it at any speed...doesn't handle worth a shit on curvy roads

 

[Archer2012]

Let him buy it - you won’t have to worry about him driving at all as he will never be able to afford the insurance if he can get any.

Seriously though without you being a driver - you won’t be able to start him off as an “occasional” - so he will overpay no matter what he buys.
Do the economics for him - he could Uber everywhere he wanted to go and it would be less than annual insurance - never mind cost of car / maintenance. Get him to get his license but wait a few years to buy a vehicle . That would be a big ask for sure but he will be “car poor” otherwise.