Let’s say you've mentally prepared yourself to pay full whack– $42,185– for the new Dodge Charger Super Bee. In other words, you're looking to "invest" an additional $2760 (over the normal SRT/8) version to get some gaudy matte paint, suede seat inserts and “Super Bee” badges. In that case, you’d better hope you don’t live in Oklahoma. Closely examining the window sticker on said Bee, I noticed the presence of an additional half sheet of paper next to the window sticker, crudely copied from a handwritten note used on who knows how many other cars. This “limited availability charge" (a.k.a. “screw you sticker”) detailed a $10,500 hike in the Bee's MSRP. So, want to drive it? Not a chance. My salesman explains that the Bee's a “very expensive car” A sizable deposit (10 percent or more) would be required to take it off the lot. To Bee or not to Bee? Not. Unless you're looking for a garage queen for life, anyone who pays full whack for a new Chrysler– any new Chrysler– is staring down the barrel of epic depreciation. Will "collectible" gas guzzlers escape this curse? We'll tell you in twenty years. Meanwhile, you might want to consider the fact that base and SXT Chargers get $1,500 rebate or low APR financing. RT models get $2,500 rebate or low APR. Both models qualify for gas plan, as well. (Story Courtesy of Capt Justin Crenshaw)
So the real world cost of this POS will be $53K? An M3 is $55K. And the M3 is made by a company that will actually be around for the duration of the warranty. That “limited availability charge” is really the cost of an IQ test.
Give it time. When they get tired of dusting it they will remove the “limited availability charge” and sell it cheap. I can’t believe anyone would pay that premium.
Ooooh, the Super Bee is available in blue this year.
But seriously, if I was in the market for one of these, I’d buy the regular SRT8 and spend the extra money on performance goodies instead. Or more appropriately, I’d wait a bit and buy a low-mileage used SRT8 or one collecting dust on the dealer’s lot.
However, I doubt I’d ever be “in the market” for one of these. If the car would sit in my garage most of the time anyhow, I’d much rather have a 1970 SuperBee or Coronet R/T.
You can polish a turd but under that shiny blue paint ……..it’s still a turd!
This car has to be one of Chryslers’ biggest styling blunders of all time.
I owned a ’70 Super Bee back in the day……would never consider owning one as ugly as the “new” Superbee.
Hey, if you gotta have it now, pay the markup. Dumbass. In a yr or 2, you can pick one up 1/2 price or less.
The original Bee was just a tad over $3,000 (1968). Now they want north of $50K for the new Bee? No thanks.
I have a friend that paid a $7,000 markup on the new 2005 “limited edition” standard Mustang GT Convertible, with racing stripes. The bill was over $40,000. That probably wasn’t the smartest move.
I got to drive an SRT8 Charger a while back at a road course – ya know R/T in in that word means road track. Although it has decent acceleration and can be steered via throttle with some accuracy – the weight of the car really slows down all the inputs, turn in, braking, etc. I was amazed at how the car felt so heavy all the time. Compared to an M5 which is of similar weight and power the BMW didn’t seem as heavy and was more responsive to all inputs. I’ve yet to drive a G8 but I’m hoping that GM doesn’t dumb down the Holden Monaro (quite famous for it’s tossability and nimbleness for such a big car).
The dealers strike again. I guess they figure they should gouge while they have vehicles in the showroom to gouge with. Chrysler’s relevance in today’s market continues to drift away.
nothing wrong with that…
if somebody wants to pay it, that’s their problem…
though, why somebody would put down 5k for a test drive is beyond me… – just test drive the srt-8 sitting beside it…
Why is it such a surprise that dealers take an opportunity to get some extra profit? Do customers pass up chances to get an extra discount? Car buying is a game no matter how to look at it. Dealers try to maximize profit and so to the customers. How many of you have disguised your trade’s flaw to get a few extra bucks? Or bargained with a dealer using phony offers from another “dealer?”
If someone pays that surcharge, that’s their problem. They were too lazy to shop around.
On the flip side, Honda of McKinney, whoes slogan is, “All we do is discount Hondas!” was charging an astounding $3,000 “market adjustment” on all new Fits. This PLUS $500 floor mats, $500 window tint, $500 cargo tray, and more brought the Fit Sport to almost $23,000!!!
dwford:
If someone pays that surcharge, that’s their problem. They were too lazy to shop around.
You call those guys “suckers”.
I’d rather get the SRT8….or even the R/T for that matter and spend the savings on engine upgrades. Then again will Chrysler be around after 2010? Definitely something to think about before walking into one of their showrooms.
Throw in some 2.99 gasoline and you’ve got yourself the bargain of 2008!
TEXN3, don’t forget, the $2.99 does not combine with other offers! So, you can pay a huge premium on the Super Bee but can’t get the fuel discount…gee, isn’t that lovely?
Hey, different strokes for different folks. If ChryCo can actually get people to pay that much of a premium for what is mostly a styling package more power to them. Honestly, can anyone really call this their biggest “styling blunder”? I think it’s a pretty good looking car (although I have reservations about how in your face this model is). Sure, it might be polarizing but good design usually does that. And, crikey, look at the Sebring. Can anyone really think this is worse?
Dealers mark-up popular or desirable cars, where’s the news?
TriShield
Dealers mark-up popular or desirable cars, where’s the news?
Given Chrysler’s recent sales performance and the fuel mileage these things get, I don’t know that either “popular” or “desirable” would describe these cars.
Reminds me of walking into a Chevy dealer a few years back and seeing an SSR setting behind ropes with a $5k “market price adjustment” sticker in the window. Six months later they were offering the same SSR at invoice.
“pman: That “limited availability charge” is really the cost of an IQ test.”
Couln’t have said it better myself. Anyone who pays MSRP for a Dodge deserves to get screwed, much less a markup.
I have family that sold an original ’69 Dodge Super Bee 440 Six-Pack, that drove fine and it’s paint even still looked good for $60,000 to a guy over the phone that didn’t even take it for a test drive.
Also, the ’69 Charger Daytona (a winged car) was also marked up at dealers at first, and then turned out to be hard to sell, so some dealers chopped off the wing and nose! Anyone have an idea of how much an unmolested Daytona is selling for today? A lot!
I bet the Challengers (especially the SRT) and maybe this Charger Super Bee will be collectable as well for a number of reasons, one of which is that we are probably seeing the last of the American muscle cars.
Well Frank, considering Chargers are practically everywhere in my city including the bright green, purple, and orange ones as well as Super Bee editions I wouldn’t exactly say they are unpopular.
The car itself sells considerable numbers and though I’m not a big fan of most of Chrysler’s current stuff I would take one in a heartbeat.
I believe Chrysler has sold more SRT8 cars than GM has foisted of the entire Cadillac V-Series as well.
If dealers are charging over invoice it’s because they are moving vehicles at that price. It’s called Supply and Demand. I believe it’s still legal in the U.S. to make a profit on a product. I think. Well, I’m not sure, I’ll have to double check that.
Might be a fun weekend car in about 3 years when you can buy it for $12k used.
TEXN3, don’t forget, the $2.99 does not combine with other offers! So, you can pay a huge premium on the Super Bee but can’t get the fuel discount…gee, isn’t that lovely?
We have a dealership that’s offering to combine both the $2.99 gas and the discounts. Can’t remember which dealership it is, I see it all the time when I’m watching baseball.
Reminds me of walking into a Chevy dealer a few years back and seeing an SSR setting behind ropes with a $5k “market price adjustment” sticker in the window. Six months later they were offering the same SSR at invoice.
Then the problem is solved. If you really want this Superbee, just wait six months for it to come down to invoice, and wait six more to shoot for a discount.
Dealers have always marked up the hot car du jour. Most Toyota stores are asking ~$5k+ over sticker for Prii.
The role of a car dealer is to price discriminate. Those with poor negotiation skills or who really want the car that day get hosed. Others who are willing to do a bit of homework and spend a bit of time will pay less.
Saturn tried to change the rules of the game with their “No-haggle” rule and lost a lot of sales and the smart folks who could play the game went elsewhere.
$2.99 promotion does not apply to anything over 87 octane.
Most cars don’t need anything better than 87 octane. The vehicles that require something better are not eligible for the $2.99 promotion (namely SRT vehicles).
This reminds me of a visit to a Dodge dealer probably around 1990 or so. They had a Shelby Shadow CSX at the back of the lot. Remember these? It was red with the gold Fiberide composite rims. Just hideous looking. The salesman walked up to me and asked if I was interested. I said I was and he said to make an offer. I made a ridiculous lowball offer and he walked away after asking me “do you know what this IS?”
It’s probably still sitting at the back of the lot. Oh wait, the dealership is gone!
The markup doesn’t appear to have lasted long, just purchased a 2008 Dodge Super Bee in Texas for below MSRP in July 2008.