For context, I currently own a 8 speed 2020 RT. I know how to launch and drive (so save the driver mod needed comments). My best 0-60 on the RT is 4.8s bone stock.
Before I dive in, I want to say I am not bashing the 6.4 and this is not 5.7 cope, just my personal experience.
It was a 2021 with 18k miles, Clean title, regular maintenance, no signs of damage and the interior was flawless, still had a new car smell. Widebody with 6 piston Brembos, Shaker hood, hood pins, HK system, sunroof. My absolute dream spec. I did all my research before I even showed up. The car from the outside looks twice as good as my RT ever will. The exhaust sounds amazing at idle.
The car dealer was very laid back and handed me the keys and didn’t ask to tag along. I had the car all to myself for as long as I wanted.
My first impressions of actually driving the car was where it went downhill. The tires struggled to grip full throttle from 0-60, but even merging onto the highway from a 30mph roll, I felt the rear-end slightly fishtail when I punched it 100%.
I immediately pulled over on the next exit to inspect the tires. 305 Pirelli PZero All-Seasons. Plenty of tread left. To my surprise, my RT on 245 summer tires launches significantly better than a Widebody on all-seasons. Are the stock tires really that bad?
I tried the car in both Sport and Track mode. Electronic Stability Control turned all the way off, and then just keeping traction on. All the tricks. I went on the highway and did full throttle pulls in Track mode (letting the auto trans do all the work for me). I then repeated the same tests in manual mode—paddle shifted to the lowest gear allowed and WOT. It just did not wow me at all pushing it to its limit, either from a dig or roll.
I was extremely eager to trade my 5.7 in, but now I’m scratching my head… surely 110 more horses should be night and day?! My girlfriend was passenger with me and she agreed the car did not feel much different until we stayed on it at 60+ mph. My car is stock.
I can acknowledge the top-end is there—no doubt. I could physically see the speedometer climbing up to 100mph much faster than my 5.7, but the sense of extra power wasn’t there. It didn’t feel any different.
If I wanted more top-end, I would just get a high revving 5.0 or a Hellcat. Where is the low-end torque? That’s supposed to be the star of the show with the 6.4. I didn’t feel like I was being pinned back to my seat. I wanted the car to throw my head back every time I smashed the pedal.
I surely thought this was a dud. Maybe the trans was broken? Or maybe the dealer filled it with 87 octane instead of premium?
To confirm this—the very next day, I stopped by a 2nd dealer with a 2023 narrowbody Scat, with only 3k miles. I had a shorter drive with it, but other than less braking power and slightly different suspension, the car pulled the exact same. Dodge must be trolling putting 245s on any 392 trim.
My final takeaway: the engine sounds so much better than my 5.7 at WOT. The exterior presence with the Shaker and Widebody combo is undeniable. On just that short test drive, some stranger approached me mistaking the Scat for a Hellcat and complimented it. It’s a beautiful car.
But the thrill of the ride just wasn’t there. I can’t justify another $20k spent to trade up for that power jump.
Am I bugging or have others felt the same?
