Maryland YouTuber buys cheapest Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye for $19K, but fears he’s just taken an L
- Maryland man buys cheapest Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye
- It sent him back just $19,000
- It was also the most damaged Hellcat he’d seen
Published on Jan 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Jan 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A Maryland-based automotive content creator just bought the cheapest Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye he could find.
It sent him back just $19,000.
His ultimate goal was to strip enough good parts from it to build a 6.2l Supercharged Redeye engine for ‘free.99’.
However, as well as the cheapest, it’s also the most damaged.
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Cheapest Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye
ScrapLifeLee, aka Lee Carter, is perhaps best known for ‘turning automotive nightmares into dreams’ – although he admits that he occasionally does the opposite.
But because this cheap example of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye is already so damaged – he thought the only way was up.
“It’s one of the worst wrecks we’ve ever tackled,” Carter said.
He bought it to provide enough working parts to help him build a 6.2l Supercharged Redeye engine without spending more.
His plan was to reuse and resell other parts.
The damage
Aside from his $19,000 expenditure, the damage included a side with a bent frame and other structural issues.
“This car is totaled beyond repair,” he said – although cars like these can occasionally be brought back from the brink.
This teen who purchased a totaled Tesla for $13,000 gave a full cost breakdown on how much it cost to restore.
Back to the Dodgem and thankfully, despite the damage, many valuable parts remained intact.
These parts included the gauge cluster, brake components, and other miscellaneous parts.
Carter did the math and estimated he could recover a significant portion of the purchase cost from selling them.
“The gauge cluster alone is worth over $1,000, and with the engine and brakes, we’ll easily recoup our investment,” he said.
Fortunately for ScrapLifeLee, the all-important Redeye engine and drivetrain appeared to be in excellent condition.
He had initial concerns over minimal damage but on further inspection, he found that it could be repaired in a cost-effective way – unlike the cost of repairing a Bugatti.
His experience is testament to both the risks and rewards of buying salvage cars.
“Buying salvage cars is a gamble, but when the parts are this valuable, it can really pay off,” he said.
Experience tells us that even a totaled Boss 302 Mustang bought for ‘pennies on the dollar’ can come with unexpected positives.
London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
