Agent00J
Agent00J
Life is too short to drive boring cars...
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Dodge Challenger SRT-8 -$30k Dealer Markup - How Much Is Too Much?
As I was driving past a local Dodge dealer this morning, I caught sight of the Dodge Challenger SRT-8.  I know a few of these are already out on the roads, but for the most part this is still a pretty elusive vehicle given its limited production nature.

I have to tell you that I really like this car, the proportions are great, and the stance and road presence certainly suggest a performance car.  Sadly I was denied a test drive as this particular Challenger was already sold and awaiting delivery to its new owner.

In talking at another dealer yesterday (not the same dealer as these pictures were taken at), the Challenger they had was sold with a $30,000 mark-up.  I asked sarcastically how they slept at night, to which he replied quite well considering the commission made on that mark-up.

Of course limited production and highly sought after vehicles always seem to bring out those who are willing to sell at a substantial premium, the question I would ask is, how much would you be willing to pay over sticker to get an exclusive car?

When I got my M3 a couple of months ago, I paid sticker price for it without a mark-up, and yet I know in other parts of the country $5k-$10k mark-ups were the norm.  Does the Challenger justify a large mark-up, and how long do you have to hold onto the car until you can actually see a return on that investment.  While I do believe the Challengers sold in 2008 will probably one day be a highly sought after item, would one ever recoup that $30k hit they take on the front end not to mention the immediate drop in value the moment you leave the dealer lot.

I guess the question boils down to this, how much is too much and what car(s) would you be willing to pay a large mark-up on to be one of the first to own?

(a special thanks to Dan Moseley (615-426-2496) at Alexander Dodge for letting get these pic's)
Dodge Challenger SRT-8 -$30k Dealer Markup - How Much Is Too Much?



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thisismynamethisismyname - 6/27/2008 8:18:42 AM
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30 grand mark up is pure robbery..

The car will be a classic, if you don't drive it and park it for the next 30 years..you'll get your money back... but you still have to pay for insurance and storage for 30 years...

and at the end of the day, it is still a dodge, and not a viper their arguably future classic.

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Need4SpeedNeed4Speed - 6/27/2008 8:52:12 AM
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When it's sitting on their lot for the next 12 months.

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ShredmoShredmo - 6/27/2008 9:08:19 AM
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Precisely why this company will go out of business. Flood the market with cars no one wants, then build just a few cars people are actually interested in.

At least GM and Ford offer moderate performing versions of their limited production cars for the general public to purchase at a reasonable price, NOW.

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EL34EL34 - 6/27/2008 9:51:19 AM
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Car collectors will buy the first Dodge Challenger SRT-8 and put them away.

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bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 6/27/2008 10:31:28 AM
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I dont get why people pay markups for these cars at all...30,000 plus the amount of markup that is in the car at full sticker Deales are crooks....thats like the R8 I saw an R8 for $250,000...are you kidding me, why in the world would someone pay that much for a car that is nowhere near that price. It its the same with many othe cars like the GTR that costs 100,000 thats crazy....all it does in my opinion is hurt the companys image for not stepping in, law of supply and demand or not charging almost 100% of a car in markup is crazy...at full sticker the dealer is still making a good mount of money on these type cars....why go overboard with it

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BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 6/27/2008 11:05:32 AMView My AgentSpace
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think of it like this though- How many times have you actually bought a car for the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price? I havent and why not. That is due to the market saying otherwise. So, if on these limited cars, the market dictates that they should sell for more, then why not. Fair is fair in love and war


LexSucksLexSucks - 6/27/2008 9:29:22 PM
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You pay Manufactures Suggested Retail price or more? LOL!

If so, then only a fool pays sticker price.


Agent00JAgent00J - 6/27/2008 10:33:54 AMView My AgentSpace
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The part of this equation that resonates over and over again is despite the fact you may end up with a highly desirable car, paying $30k mark-up on a $40k car I would think leaves a mighty nasty taste in ones mouth.

How likely are you to give that dealer more business, especially if you are already an established customer?

-00J

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AMiodynskiAMiodynski - 6/27/2008 12:42:31 PM
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I agree 100% with BMW4me4ever !!! If the market dictates a certain price, then pay up, or shut up !!

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LexSucksLexSucks - 6/27/2008 9:27:23 PM
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It make sense. Rape the first few folks that are willing to over pay for the first few months. Then the price will go down in a few months because there are only a limited amount of retards available that will overpay.

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mx5seriesmx5series - 7/3/2008 3:36:00 PM
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They will be selling these at invoice if they have another 30% down sales month.

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