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402 Miles, should I drive it?

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1.2K views 59 replies 30 participants last post by  moparX2  
#1 ·
Just had my 2020 Scat Pack Challenger, 50th Anniversary delivered and now that I’ve had a whiff of the new car smell still in it, I no longer want to drive it. I want to give it to my son in 15 years with 450 miles on it.
Have I lost my mind?
 
owns 2020 Dodge R/T Challenger Scat Pack
50th Anniversary

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#2 ·
Unfortunately that would not work out well. You should drive it at least monthly. I would drive it at a minimum of 25 miles a week.... 25 miles weekly x 4 = 100 miles a month. (= 1200 miles a year x 15 years = 18,000 miles total). No matter what you do, you would still need to put on new tires as they only last about 7 years max. They would be dangerous to drive if older than that. Check the expiration date stamp on your tires. See the attachment...

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#6 ·
That's a unique and difficult position to be in. I bought my 50th T/A 392 to drive, and it eventually was totalled in a rear end collision so the risk is real. However, 450 miles is as close to new as you're going to find and that's not something to throw away lightly. Especially if you can afford to keep it basically undriven and the miles low for 10 or 20 years.

Beautiful car, btw
 
#9 ·
At least drive it a little each month, for the reasons stated above, but mostly because it will put a smile on your face! My 23 has 4500 miles on it over the last 2.5 years and still looks and smells new. Take her out once in a while and let her rip!

If you prefer not to , at least use a battery tender and gas additive to protect the battery and fuel system while in storage.

One more thing; no disrespect, and without knowing you or your son, will him getting the car in 15 years with only 450 miles on it stop him from driving it like most teenagers with a 485 hp muscle car under their foot? Probably not.

Something to consider I suppose.
 
#19 ·
To add to all the excellent reasons above not to just let it sit for 15 years, what if the one car you've bought turns out to be a lemon.

Also you've bought a car with a known issue that has failed with as little as 500 miles on it, and that is the center support rubber of the 2 piece OEM driveshaft.

Engine oils, transmission fluid, and engine coolant all have a shelf life, and none last even 10 years.

If the car was stored for 15 years it would be best to store in a hermetically sealed building to avoid dry rot, wheels off the car and the car in a lifted position, so there is not 15 solid years of pressure on the wheel bearings.

Have you even thought of the vehicles 15 years from now and that your son may not have the same thoughts as your seeming devotion to this car. Or that in 15 years gasoline burning cars are still on the road.
 
#20 ·
RyzRT said:
Engine oils, transmission fluid, and engine coolant all have a shelf life, and none last even 10 years.

If the car was stored for 15 years it would be best to store in a hermetically sealed building to avoid dry rot, wheels off the car and the car in a lifted position, so there is not 15 solid years of pressure on the wheel bearings.
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You'd need to drain ALL the fluids. And buy ALL new rubber (engine seals, trans seals, body seals) when you want to bring it out. Rubber dries out and gets brittle.

I understand wanting to preserve it, but having the car sit really isn't doing any good for the car. The paint will look pretty but everything else is deteriorating from non-use.

Drive it at least once a month to get all the fluids moving and put on a battery tender. The electrical system is very sensitive to low voltage. If doing this, put in fuel stabilizer.

If only driven once a month for 15 years, the fuel will never be fresh so plan on fuel system replacement at some point unless you drive it enough to go through a few tanks of gas.
 
#21 ·
Drive it. In 15 years when you give it to your son whatever value added by not driving it isn't going to buy you a Time Machine and a second shot at that experience. Unless your son is 1 let him drive it too before the 15 years is up. Take the money you think are giving up and buy and ladder index funds based on what you think each years driving cost you...then if he wants your son might be able to buy a 2020 Scat Pack with 500 miles on it. ( If someone left one in a garage for 20 years that is...)
 
#30 ·
Bear in mind that most people don't have the luxury of taking a $60k car and parking it for 15 years, so we may not be the best group of people to answer your question. If you are indeed serious, then why not contact a true collector and ask their advice? Or, perhaps someone from Barret Jackson or Mecum would be willing to speak with you about this.

Just my 2c.
 
R
#34 ·
I get it - people enjoy their things differently than others. Some people buy expensive clothes to only wear on special occasions while some people will wear them at every possible opportunity. Same with driving cars. I think cars should be enjoyed on the road rather than stored unless it is something that is better suited in a museum where people can still enjoy it... which none of our cars warrant:
 

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#35 ·
Yes,
Yes, people that buy these cars and don't drive them are insane. Why pay all that money and just look at it everyday. I know plenty of people that have nice cars, just sit in a garage and look at it. To hell with that BS. I make payments, I bought my car to drive and enjoy it. My kids want a car, they can buy their own and pay for it. Or get mine when Im dead. But it will be high mileage. Haha.
 
#40 ·
chapleau39 said:
Yes,
Yes, people that buy these cars and don't drive them are insane. Why pay all that money and just look at it everyday. I know plenty of people that have nice cars, just sit in a garage and look at it. To hell with that BS. I make payments, I bought my car to drive and enjoy it. My kids want a car, they can buy their own and pay for it. Or get mine when Im dead. But it will be high mileage. Haha.
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We plan on getting a car hauler trailer and just towing it to shows, dude, it’s hard to win a car show without something flawless and that’s what I’m going for…
 
#44 ·
Yes, you have absolutely lost your mind. Drive it and enjoy it. Make memories with your son in it. i have a1970 Plymouth 'cuda that I bought new in 1969 and just hit 100,000 miles last weekend. I have had this car for almost 56 years, and when I pass, my son will get to enjoy her just as much as I have.

Think of it this way, if you have a woman, are you going to enjoy her, or are you going to save her for the next guy?
 
#45 ·
Cars are meant to be driven. It will remain in better shape if driven regularly on nice days than if it just sits.

I haven't put a lot of miles on my car recently over the past several years, but it still gets driven. When cars, bikes, tractors, mowers, or anything with an engine sit too long, they end up with problems. Carb issues, fuel system issues, dry rotting tires, flat spots, moisture and condensation get on things, batteries die, brakes get sticky, gaskets dry up and start to leak, etc.
 
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