7 Reasons Why You Should Buy a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 For Sale
If you're a fan of classic muscle cars with modern twists you've probably heard about the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 by now. It's one of those rare beasts that makes your heart race just thinking about it. This is Dodge going all-out — 1,025 horsepower (yes, you read that right) capable of launching you from 0 to 60 in just 1.66 seconds if you're brave enough to handle it. Now imagine having that in your garage. Intrigued? Let’s dig into why you need to find a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 for sale and what makes it so dang special. But hang tight cause we’re also gonna cover what might be not-so-great about owning one too.
Meet the Demon 170: An Evolution of Savage Power
The 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170 isn’t your everyday muscle car. This car is the culmination of Dodge’s blood sweat and octane-infused tears pushing the limits of engineering to produce one of the most powerful factory-made vehicles ever to grace the streets.
What Makes the Demon 170 Different?
The original Dodge Demon was already a monster. The 2018 SRT Demon had 840 horsepower and was built for drag racing. But Dodge thought "Hey that's not enough" and decided to go even further with the Demon 170. The 170 stands for the proof of alcohol in the car’s high-ethanol E85 fuel. If you run the Demon 170 on premium gasoline you get around 900 horsepower (no biggie). However put E85 ethanol in and you get the full 1025 hp.
- Engine: Supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8
- Horsepower: 1,025 hp (on E85)
- Torque: 945 lb-ft
- Top Speed: ~200 mph
- Price range: $96,666 MSRP + insane markup potential
And let’s not forget that carbon fiber wheels reduce the overall weight and help with speed. They look darn good too.
Fun Fact:
They even tested this beast on a drag strip. Dodge claims it’s faster than any production car out there on the quarter-mile with a time of 8.91 seconds. That’s faster than some supercars that cost five times as much!
Performance: What Driving This Demon Feels Like
There’s no sugarcoating it: driving the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 feels like piloting a rocket ship. But instead of space you’re tearing up asphalt. With its incredibly powerful supercharged V8 under the hood you have to be careful with your right foot. One wrong move and you could go from a smooth start to a smoking burnout faster than you can say "whoops."
But that’s part of the charm right? The Demon 170 is a dragstrip-ready monster meaning it excels in straight lines. Corners? Eh not its forte. But honestly who needs corners when you can leave them in your rearview at the speed of sound?
How Fast Is Fast Enough?
- 0 to 60 mph: 1.66 seconds (on sticky drag tires)
- Quarter-mile: 8.91 seconds
- Top speed: around 200 mph
Alex Collantes a longtime Dodge enthusiast and owner of an original Challenger SRT Hellcat says: “This thing is pure insanity. I mean I knew my Hellcat was fast but the Demon 170 makes it feel like a minivan! If you’ve got a lead foot this is the car for you but man oh man be careful. It’ll bite.”
Possible Drawback?
It’s terrifying. Like for real. If you’re used to a regular car and you hop into this you might want to strap in extra tight cause the acceleration can catch even experienced drivers off guard. That said the Launch Control system does help keep it from becoming too much of a handful...most of the time.
Interior: A Surprisingly Livable Cabin (Sort of)
Don’t expect leather-wrapped luxury like you’d find in a BMW or Mercedes. The Demon 170 is all about performance so the interior is more Spartan than swanky. It’s got Alcantara and Nappa leather seats but there’s no back seat unless you pay extra for it.
Features You Get
- Alcantara Performance Seats (a nice balance between comfort and grip)
- Optional Rear Seat (yes optional)
- Uconnect 4C NAV system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
You’re not buying this car for heated seats and a massaging function though. This is a pure-blooded drag strip machine. The cabin is functional not fancy but who cares when you're pulling 1.66 seconds to 60 mph?
What Could Be Better?
Well let’s be honest if you’re more into creature comforts than raw speed you might find the interior lacking. Also maybe skip the optional rear seat unless you really really dislike your backseat passengers.
The Design: Old-School Charm with a Modern Edge
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 still carries the retro charm of the 1970s Challengers but with modern aerodynamic tweaks. It’s wide mean and ready to intimidate anyone who pulls up next to it at a stoplight.
- Widebody stance: The fenders flare out dramatically giving it a bulky aggressive look that says “Don’t mess with me.”
- Carbon Fiber wheels: Lightweight and designed to shave precious seconds off your times
- Air-grabbing hood scoop: For optimal cooling and performance
The Demon 170 looks just as brutal as it performs. In fact the only drawback to its design might be the fact that it doesn’t look that different from other Challengers unless you really know what you’re looking at.
Is It Practical for Daily Driving?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: You could technically daily drive the Demon 170 but you’re gonna have to deal with a few things:
- Fuel consumption is laughably bad. Even on premium gasoline this thing guzzles gas like it’s going out of style.
- Visibility: The Challenger’s thick rear pillars and small windows mean visibility isn’t great. But hey who needs to look behind them when everything’s already behind them?
- Tires: Good luck keeping a set of tires on this car for long especially if you like to exercise the full 1,025 horsepower.
Why the Price Tag Isn’t as Crazy as You Think
With an MSRP starting at $96,666 (a cheeky nod to the devilish theme) the Demon 170 might seem out of reach. But let’s put that into perspective. You’re getting a 1,025-horsepower drag-strip-ready car that can smoke most supercars at a fraction of their price.
Plus let’s be real — these cars are going to appreciate in value. Dodge only plans to build 3,000 units for the U.S. so finding a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 for sale is going to get harder and harder as time goes on. Grab one while you can cause it’s an instant collector’s item.
But Be Ready for Markups
Dealerships know they’ve got something special here and don’t be surprised if they try to tack on some heavy markups. Some buyers have reported prices well over $150,000. Yeah that’s steep but it’s the price of exclusivity and unrivaled power.
Maintenance: Owning a Demon 170 Ain’t Cheap
Let’s not sugarcoat it. Owning a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is going to cost you. The upfront price is just the start. You’ve got to consider:
- Fuel costs: This baby is thirsty
- Tires: The sticky drag tires wear out fast
- Brakes: With great speed comes great need for brakes — and you’ll need to replace them often if you drive hard
And don’t forget insurance. With a car this fast you’re going to pay for it in premiums.
Alex’s Take:
“Look I won’t sugarcoat it. If you buy this car expect to spend some serious cash keeping it running. But if you’ve got the means and the passion there’s really nothing like it on the road.”
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170?
If you’re looking for a fast insane and totally impractical car the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is calling your name. This car is a thrill ride in every sense. It’s not perfect — the interior is sparse it guzzles gas and the price can get high with dealer markups. But if you’ve got the cash and the guts to handle it nothing else on the road comes close.
At the end of the day the Demon 170 is a car for enthusiasts by enthusiasts. If that’s you then it’s time to find one for sale before they’re all gone.
Pros:
- Insane horsepower (1,025 hp)
- Record-breaking acceleration
- Instant collector’s item
- Classic Challenger looks
Cons (with a smile):
- You’ll burn through tires and gas like crazy
- Optional back seat — because who needs friends anyway?
- Visibility is poor (but who cares when you’re that fast?)
So if you're up for the challenge go find a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 for sale and join the ranks of the lucky few who can say they own one of the baddest machines on the planet.