Chrysler sees niche for Challenger concept as it mulls production options

[Legion681]

Originally Posted by rcaponong

I e-mailed this to Dodge:

If 160,000 redesigned Mustangs were driven off dealer lots in 2005, what message does that send? I think it's loud and clear that Americans have never lost their love affair with original muscle. It took 30 years to get a car to not only have a decent powertrain, but to back it up with the right look.
Now I hear this sexy, new Challenger will be build in limited production. Have you guys been reading all the comments that have been circulating on the Internet superhighway? People are salivating all over themselves over this concept. What else can we do to prove to you that there are thousands upon thousands of every day working men and women (the heart and soul of our economy) who are willing to part with hard earned cash for a car like this, but only if it's within a reasonable price range. Making it a limited run will put it out of that range for most of us.
By the way, I own one of those 160,000 Mustangs. I was hoping to have a Challenger parked right next to it.

Nice email !
I am one of those people that bought the new S197 Mustang as well (and it took some effort...Ford was only making 1 GT every 4 S197s, most of them were V6s...I had to check in three different states for a month before I found my car...talk about really wanting a car, uh ?)...and I am not even American (I am Swiss)...ALL people loved/love that car !!! It's definitely an eye opener for DCX, they ought to learn from that and forget about that "limited production", "niche car" crap for the Challenger...

[Legion681]

Originally Posted by JeepnReb

It very well might cost that much, as we are talking 2008-2009 for the release. Since the inception of the CTS-V the price has only fluctated a couple of thousand $$$. They were competing with the 400HP M3, which just upgraded itself to 500HP. So the LS7 is the next logical choice right now. They cannot increase the cost too much, because then the BMW, Mercedes and Audis are not being undercut.

If a niche Challenger, with a 6.1 L (425hp), is being sold at the dealer for $45,000 - $50,000 and a CTS-V, with a 427ci (505hp), is being sold for $60,000 - I am going with the Cadillac. I cannot see them making the CTS a $65-$70k car, but I have been wrong before. I just know the CTS-V is quite the car in performance and handling and I doubt the Challenger is going to be tuned at the Nurburgring for left and right turns.

To put it another way - The Challenger will be similar to the Charger, 300 and Magnum. None of those cars are worth $45,000 - $50,000, so if the Challenger is priced that way - forget it.

My preference would be a fully loaded SRT Challenger for around $40,000. If they want to drop in a 500+hp 389 engine, then I will retract everything I said and entertain $50K for a DCX product.

The M3 right now has a 3.2L with 333 hp, the next one ought to be around 400-420 hp (with a 4.0L V8) from what I hear. I just hope they won't sell it around the same price the new Audi RS4 goes (starts at 66k + 2.1k gas guzzler tax= start price 68.1k), because this Audi pocket rocket is very overpriced if you ask me.
PS: I think you were thinking of the M5, instead of the M3...

If Cadillac would sell a CTS-V with the LS7 (505 hp) for 60k, I think it would be the ultra high performance bargain and honestly, I would look into it myself too.
Though I honestly don't see how they would sell such a vehicle at that price, considered their STS-V with 469 hp goes for 77k. I mean, who would want to buy an STS-V if a CTS-V would be more powerful and cost 17k less ?
When I said 65-70k, I was already being generous...

As far as the Challenger goes, my upward limit for a fully loaded SRT with the 6.1 would be 45/48k. With any engine bringing some 500 hp to the table, 50/55k: more than that and I am sorry but I will bring my biz elsewhere...

[ErikM3]

Originally Posted by Legion681

The M3 right now has a 3.2L with 333 hp, the next one ought to be around 400-420 hp (with a 4.0L V8) from what I hear. I just hope they won't sell it around the same price the new Audi RS4 goes (starts at 66k + 2.1k gas guzzler tax= start price 68.1k), because this Audi pocket rocket is very overpriced if you ask me.
PS: I think you were thinking of the M5, instead of the M3...

.

The M3 has 400 hp damn mine must be busted cuz its only 333 haha.

The RS4 is gonna be a nice ride but it has been bested already in 2 seperate tests in EuroCar mags by the E46M woo hoo. I think it will end up in the low $70 range which is too much for a hopped up A4 IMO

[Legion681]

Originally Posted by ErikM3

The M3 has 400 hp damn mine must be busted cuz its only 333 haha.

The RS4 is gonna be a nice ride but it has been bested already in 2 seperate tests in EuroCar mags by the E46M woo hoo. I think it will end up in the low $70 range which is too much for a hopped up A4 IMO

Official RS4 pricing:

- 6sp manual w/quattro --> $66,000

Optionals:

- Sprint Blue pearl effect (<-- exterior color of course) --> $750
- Premium Package (includes: Audi navigation Plus, Homelink, auto dimming ext. and int. mirrors (interior w/compass), memory for driver's side seat adjustment and mirror positions, rain and light sensor with "coming home", Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio, Bose premium sound system with AudioPilot, glovebox 6-cd changer, heated rear seat, power rear and manual rear side sunshades) --> $4,700
- Rear side airbags --> $350

Other expenses:
- Destination charge --> $720
- Gas guzzler tax --> $2,100

What can I say, she is not cheap...

[Challenged]

This is truelly disappionting to read. I'm submitting my long email to DCX now. Its going to have to wait as I go out and smoke a damn cigarette for the stress this Challenger news has brought me