2009 Dodge Challanger SRT8

[Pherris]

Has anybody seen this car? I saw it at the State Fair and I am thinking of getting one.

I do not think the dealers have them yet but wondered if anyone has seen one and what they think about the car. I think this may be a car that wont lose value the second you drive it off the lot like most cars and in 10-20 years could be worth more then it is today. Look at what a 1970 Dodge Hemi goes for, an origional with matching #'s will fetch 100K+ From what I have read they are only going to make 5K of them,anyboby know when the dealers will get them? All input appriciated. Thanks

[Valv]

They are already made and all sold out. Each dealer had the chance of buying one and they did.

[Pherris]

Looks like there are quite a few 2008 SRT's for sale on hsolist.

(Relative to production # of 6400) Only a couple 2009's and neither have been delivered to the dealer. I think I will call a dealer. I also have read that in the 2010 model will offer a convertable. May want to see if I can get on the list. This is something I want for "Sunday drives" and I had been looking for a 1965 Ford Falcon Convertable but with a v-8 and there are not many around. I figured that if I am going to spend $$ may as well get something new that I think will appriciate over time. Lot easier to get work done on a new car. Thanks for the info and if anyone has more please keep it coming.

[Macgyver55]

I just rode in an 08 last night! A friend of mine got one of the first ones out. Impressive car!

[LMITOUT]

There was a Challenger sitting on the lot here in town for a while but noticed last week that it's gone. Orange. Not sure what model it was though (R/T, SRT).

Right now the dealers have the price jacked up over and above the sticker price which is typical for these new cars. They did the same thing when the new Mustang came out, and I remember they did it for the PT Cruiser too because everyone thought they were neat and wanted one. Expect to pay extra for one if you find it.

[Pherris]

Thanks for the input. I did go to a dealer today that has one and there are a total of 6 that I could find in MN at dealers. I have not called them all. The dealer I went to wanted 2K over sticker but I am confident that I could get it at or very near sticker. The sales person told me that I could order a 2009 but they would not be able to provide a build date but that it's sticker would be 1% over the 2008 but could not provide much guideance to price over sticker if any.

I think that for the resons I am considering the purchase it may make sence to go with the 2008 for the "First Edition" tag.

Now one nagging question I have is if the car is so popular why are there 6 available at the end of the production year with the next years model coming out.

Is it because the economy is tough and with rising gas costs the demand is slow and it is becomming a buyers market making the car a good value because of the current enviorment?

or

Or is it because there just is not the demand for the vehicle?

[Shack]

I would say what you have said is part of the issue. I would also say Dodge models of the resent years are very slowly winning over car collectors and wealthy people who buy low number production cars as investments or for a hobby. I would has a little do to with Dodge being out of the game many years and starting back in. The Ford guys have had the Mustang ever since as well as the Chevy guys have had the Corvette. I have know some Ford guys spending the last of their pennies to get a low production number GT500 and a couple who paid what ever the dealer asked for 2008 GT500 King Of The Road, as long as the production numbers where low. Then other die hards just want to own them no matter what the case and buy the last of them up.

If your looking to get a Challenger as an investment, you will have to look at is a long term investment. With the 2008 you will have the first year back in production bonus, with a cheaper price tag. If you opt to go for the 2009, I would try to get the lowest production number as possible and get it with as many bells and whistles as you can. Either way, then hope for limited future product of these models. That was the winning recipe for Dodges back in the late 60's and early 70's and the prices they sell for today.

That being said, I think the new Dodge Challenger is a very cool and awesome car. I would be buying one in a heart beat if I had the drive to do so. I had a 1971 Challenger in High School and it was the funniest car to drive that I have owned next to my 36' Coupe. I wished I had not sold it (as everyone says), but still have allot of interior parts (dash, moldings and trim) and still have a hood from it which I proudly display in my garage to this day:

I guess in the end it would come down to what you want. I would go for it if you can and keep the miles as low as possible and keep it out of cub or wal-fart parking lots

Good luck!