Dodge Durango owner wants to trade it in at New Jersey dealer because one thing petrifies him
Published on Jul 31, 2025 at 5:38 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Jul 31, 2025 at 1:45 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The owner of a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat took his car to a dealership ‘to get rid of it’ because one aspect of the vehicle left him scared.
The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat was introduced in 2021 and was initially intended to be a one-year-only model.
However, due to its popularity, production was extended from 2021 through to 2025 model year.
But despite the car’s popularity, the owner of this one headed to a luxury dealership in New Jersey, desperate to get rid for one specific reason.
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What was it the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat the owner found scary?
Gearheads were delighted when Stellantis announced it would be extending production of the Hemi-powered Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat into the model year 2025.
However, it seems that one aspect of owning a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat proved to much for one guy who visited George J. Saliba’s dealership keen to get rid of it.
The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat had been given a wide-body kit, with a new front spoiler lip and fender flares, as well as some new wheels, at the cost of around $1,800.
He kept the engine stock, because let’s face it, there’s not much room for improvement on a 710-horsepower Hemi that can do 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds.
Negotiations at the dealership started at $70,000, but it was clear the owner had a higher figure in mind.
After some back and forth, he was offered $74,000, but the owner’s wife didn’t seem to be impressed, suggesting that the dealership would sell it for $95,000.
Saliba told her that the car will be sold for $79,000, meaning he’d only make a $5,000 profit if he bought at $74,000.
At this point, the owner turned to his wife and made it clear he was keen to sell.
“I say we do $74,000 and run,” he said.
“We want to get rid of it anyway.”
He then revealed the one thing that put him off owning the car.
“The theft on it scares me,” he admitted, before shaking on a deal for $74,000.
His fear isn’t misplaced, high-performance versions of Dodge cars, such as Hellcats, are some of the most stolen vehicles in the United States.
Dodge came up with a clever solution to stop its older vehicles being stolen
Due to their desirability, Dodge vehicles are all too often an unfortunate target for thieves.
In a bid to prevent thefts of some of its older – and most iconic models – Dodge introduced its Start Defender, which works with 2018 to 2023 model-year Charger and Challenger vehicles.
The clever system works alongside existing safety features and basically works like two-factor authentication but for your car.
Start Defender, which was created by Dodge’s performance parts brand Direct Connection, works by allowing the owner to set up a secure code that they can input using the buttons on the steering wheel.
Unless the correct code is entered, the car won’t start – even if you have the key.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
