Click on image above for his-res gallery of the SRT8
As expected, the entire first-year production run of 6,400 Dodge Challenger SRT8 models has sold out. The purchase slots for 2008 models were in short supply two months ago when we reported that more than 10,000 orders had been placed for the 425-hp muscle car. You can still give your dealer all the coins in your piggy bank, but the money goes on the hood of 2009 model, scheduled to arrive this fall.
If the thought of missing out on one of these rare 2008-model HEMI-powered beasts is keeping you up at night and you just can't wait for next year, there's always eBay. Although Chrysler tried to dissuade dealers from gouging, more than two dozen of the $37,995 (base MSRP) cars have been put on the auction site -- mostly by speculating dealers with prices in the mid-$50,000 range. Ah, the joys of a free market...
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[Source: KickingTires]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
TriShield @ Apr 24th 2008 2:03PM
No surprises here, Chrysler created a bonafide knockout with the Challenger and is giving consumers exactly what they wanted with it.
When production begins on the affordably priced SE and R/T models this summer we will probably see quite a few of them on the roads and the Mustang will have it's first real competition since GM gave up on the F-bodies.
I wouldn't mind seeing a Challenger SRT10 model packing the Viper's 600hp V10 to answer the GT500KR and the supercharged ZL1 Camaro GM is working on.
Travis @ Apr 24th 2008 2:50PM
The F-bodies weren't much competition to the Mustangs either.... at least sales-wise, anyway. There's definitely a reason why the Mustang has kept going, while the rest of the competition just faded away.
For some reason, I just can't get excited over this car. Muscle cars are (were) supposed to be attainable, and 40, 50k+ just sort of loses it for me. Anything from the $22-27k range seems affordable, and there's a ton of performance vehicles in that range. $25k for a 300hp mustang that's reasonably lightweight is one thing, $40k+ for bigger, heavier, and just more powerful really doesn't do it for me anymore. My uncle bought a Mustang right out of HS. Another member of my family bought a Camaro as a graduation from college present to herself.
It's almost as if the new crop of "muscle cars" are not targeting the same age bracket, they're targeting THE SAME PEOPLE. If you had a Camaro back in 1973 when you just graduated HS, now you're 53, have money to spare, and want to relive the glory by buying a $40k muscle car.
Any "affordable, powerful car" today is going to be a hot-hatch, or *maybe* a mustang if the budget is stretched a bit. For $24k, a Mazdaspeed3 in a 6sp is going to DESTROY the Challenger SE (in everything except maybe 0-60).
Dunno, just think that they're aiming for the wrong demographic with these cars...
The Other Bob @ Apr 24th 2008 3:50PM
"For $24k, a Mazdaspeed3 in a 6sp is going to DESTROY the Challenger SE (in everything except maybe 0-60). "
If by Destroy, you mean handling, I doubt it. The 3 might handle well, but only for a fwd car.
Travis @ Apr 24th 2008 5:59PM
for handling I'm talking road course. same hp, 5-600lbs lighter weight, and a 6sp manual vs a 4sp slushbox. I wouldn't be surprised if the MS3 beat it on the 1/4, the skid pad and the slalom as well, but that's just paper-tests at their worst. we'll have to wait until mags start getting them to test.
Torrent @ Apr 24th 2008 2:05PM
I still can't wait for the Camaro.
Mr. Oak @ Apr 24th 2008 2:06PM
To all of the IDIOTs/naysayers who said this car would fail.
In Yer FACE.
tankd0g @ Apr 24th 2008 2:17PM
6400 units is a fail business wise. Unless you're Ferrari. They obviously weren't looking to turn a profit on these.
jg @ Apr 24th 2008 2:26PM
No one said the top model wouldn't sell out. Frankly to me it's the only one worth owning. Let's see how the lesser models do before lining all those idiots up against the wall. And shooting them.
Jared @ Apr 24th 2008 2:33PM
If you go back and actually read some of the criticism, you'll see that folks like me said that they would sell a bunch early on to the fading baby boomers who can afford a gas guzzler as a third car. So they've sold 6400 cars. Big deal. Toyota sells about 10,000 Camry's every single week.
Give it a year and by then the boomers will have gotten theirs. Demand for this gas guzzling pig will then drop like a rock and Chryslerbus will be putting cash on the hood to move the cars.
Bryan @ Apr 24th 2008 2:46PM
tankd0g
"6400 units is a fail business wise. Unless you're Ferrari. They obviously weren't looking to turn a profit on these."
I'm sorry but your completely wrong. SRT-8 versions are just an indicator of how well this car will do. If the highest priced version will sell out this fast how do you think the others are going to sell. You will eat your words, its a beautiful car and just what the consumers asked for.
Todd @ Apr 24th 2008 3:17PM
Ummm making 7000 something of them IS a failure. We'll have to wait until the next stock holder meeting to see all the costs, tooling, people, overhead that are involved in making such a tiny specialized run....oh wait, they're private now. Sounds like production of the SRT8 has gone the way of the SSR.
...up next? Bob Lutz announces the Camaro will only be available with a four cylinder.
Frank @ Apr 24th 2008 4:50PM
"Ummm making 7000 something of them IS a failure. We'll have to wait until the next stock holder meeting to see all the costs, tooling, people, overhead that are involved in making such a tiny specialized run....oh wait, they're private now. "
Ummm, you're wrong. All you have to do is go to Allpar.com to get an idea of what the "costs, tooling, people, overhead that are involved", but I'll make it easy for you. I have to repeat myself again but here goes: The Challenger is made at a flex manufacturing plant, the one that makes the 300 and Charger (and previously the Magnum). The Challenger is based off the 300/Charger platform so a lot of $ was saved right there. Because it's a flex plant, they can build as many or as little as they need to, they can run any mix of 300's, Chargers, and Challengers down the line. Because of this they don't have to devote an entire factory and all it's overhead to the Challenger. The business case for the car was to build at least 35000 a year to make a profit and they will have NO PROBLEM doing that. When the cars run is over (new CAFE regs) they will stop building it, but the factory will hum right along building something else, unless they want to create a new gen with much better mpg's. As for the SRT's they made money on each one because it's a fully optioned model and they got a hell of a lot of publicity from it.
TriShield @ Apr 24th 2008 2:06PM
Richard Hammond also wrote an exceptional piece about the new Challenger and American muscle cars in general for the latest issue of Top Gear magazine.
http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2008/04/stories/06/1.html
"There are those who don't like muscle cars, who can't understand their appeal and frown at them in confusion and bewilderment. They will not like the new Challenger. And we should pity these people - pity them, but not fear them, because they are spineless and have no soul.
If a car is a dynamic creature, if it's about taking you from where you are to where you need to be and making your hair tingle in the process, then a muscle car is the ultimate expression of that form."
I suggest everyone check it out. He does a great job of explaining the appeal this distinctly American type of car has had for people here and around the world.
Rocketboy @ Apr 24th 2008 3:15PM
If someone does not understand the appeal of a muscle car, yes, we should pity them. But that's different than not being drawn to a muscle car. That's not something that should be pitied at all. Some of us put the emphasis on handling and adding lightness to a car.
Chad @ Apr 24th 2008 3:19PM
Incredible article. I grew up on American muscle. My first car was a 1970 340 Plymouth. I'm actually ashamed that a Brit "gets it" and so many Americans don't. American's aren't exotic supercars, we're forward charging brutes.
Mr. Oak @ Apr 24th 2008 2:09PM
I wouldn't mind seeing a Challenger SRT10 model packing the Viper's 600hp V10.
----------------------------------------------------
Hey you stole my secret, and blabbed about it on the INTERNET?
Mine will be either no-gloss primer grey of flat black. Shhh, we can't let this get out.
tankd0g @ Apr 24th 2008 2:11PM
Bought by customers or bought by dealers? If they were all bought by dealers, BFD, you'll still be able to get one. A dealer with a couple of these could ransom them off for GTR money.
Benfolio @ Apr 24th 2008 2:11PM
My (former) General Manager was PISSED. He wanted to be able to buy one of the SRT-8's our Dodge store was supposed to be getting, just to drive it for a year while it appreciated in value, but the head honcho at the corporate office shot him down.
Too bad, so sad.
Randy @ Apr 24th 2008 2:49PM
"PISSED" you must be from New England too! ;)
Benfolio @ Apr 24th 2008 2:57PM
Worse, Wisconsin.