According to Automotive News, Dodge’s new Challenger SRT8 may not be doing as many smoky burnouts off of showroom floors as originally thought. Last spring, Chrysler officials indicated that 2008’s short-run of around 6400 cars was all but sold out, but AN is noting that plenty of cars are available, including more than 750 Challengers on AutoTrader.com right now.

This news may be the result of rising gas prices and/or heightening consumer fears, but it may also be interpreted as a sign that buyers are shying away from paying hefty dealer markups. With the Challenger being so hotly anticipated, many dealers have been seen listing the cars for thousands of dollars above the car’s $37,995 MSRP.

 

The markups are killing them, and most real players want the manual.

 

Not surprised, that car does abolutely nothing for me.

 

Saw one in NYC on the road, caught my attention only for a few seconds.

 

It's definitely an eye catcher, but looks like a brick on 4 wheels.

Probably handles like it too.

 

i think this car is reaching out to a weird market. it's high-priced in a mid-level market. these people can afford the car, but not the cost of maintenance and insurance. if you're driving a $100k+ pcar, you probably don't care much about gas prices and such. i'd bet that a lot of challenger owners are also pcar or exotic owners just wanting a toy to beat on.

 

dealer markups are getting out of control these days

 

What maintenance? It has a large warranty and the R/T an base cars will have a lifetime powertrain warranty. The car will list from 22K to 38K, that's not expensive. The only thing killing them is the only model out now is a auto SRT8 with a big markup. Wait until next year.

 

i'm speaking only of the srt8 model. also 38k is not expensive to many of us, but for this market, i'd bet that it's on the high end of the spectrum. i doubt that these people are cross shopping for more expensive euro brands. in regards to maintenance, i used the wrong word. i'm talking about gas expediture in particular. it's kind of tough when your gas bill exceeds your monthly payment for the car. in any case, this is MY speculation.

 

Not surprised...Dealer markups = weak!