Now, I'd say price and bang for the buck is the big attraction for these cars. If you strip the stickers and emblems off, they both have the same chassis hardware EXCEPT the new A8 for the same base price. These models were for the guys that didn't want or need all the extras that the SRTs came standard with. So why is the Scat Pack such a hit? Is it because you can load them up with all the goodies (which you couldn't do with the Core)? Then its easy to break the bank and defeat the purpose. Is it the refresh with the new interior and A8 that is driving the sales up? Is it the retro throwback with the Bee?
Not trying to start any controversy, just curious why all the SP owners by-passed the Core.
The two things that come to my mind are the 2015 model refresh and the release of the Hellcat. All the media hype brought a lot of people into showrooms to look/inquire about the Hellcat only to end up realizing that the Scat Pack was the best bang for the buck (don't get me wrong I would still love a Hellcat any day).
All of the above: You can get the Scat Pack with leather interior, and other upgrades.
If you do it wisely you're still a good bit under the price of an SRT8.
The refresh and A8 helped, but to be honest it's the price point and ability to choose options that made the Scat Pack a sales hit.
Scat Pack was priced a little cheaper and the SP is a Dodge and an R/T which had more universal appeal and recognition than an SRT which at the time was it's own brand and more exclusive since they were not sold at all dealerships, so just harder to get and many buyers had never even seen one much less been able to get one. Also no rebates on SRT products so even at the same sticker, Core would cost more. Then add in all the cool marketing done by Dodge for the Scat which SRT never did and all the extra available options and sure the Scat Pack would outsell the Core.
Big reason for me was the "SHAKER" option. Core never had a Shaker and like YLWJKT mentioned you have the ability to not just accept a stripped version of an SRT as you can actually add some nice option packages to the Scat Pack to make it comfy and your own without getting up into SRT price territory.
I previously owned a 2012 SRT Challenger and definitely love SRT`s but just didn't want to go the 50 Grand or more route again.
SPS with NAV, DCG, and 8spd. auto for 44,300.00
The base SP had more std. features over what the SRT Core had.
The SRT Core had limited:
-choices of colors offered (white / black / plum crazy / torred / header orange - depending on year)
-no interior options (black cloth only)
-audio options
-choice of wheels
IMO, I wouldn't want a model that expensive that had seats that looked like the base SXT / R/T interior (they still had the larger SRT bolsters)
The SP models offer the buyer from minimal options to fully loading up = more choices for the buyer.
By the latter years, the SRT models weren't selling in as much quantity. Most of those buyers tending to seek a loaded up model, especially in that price range.
I'd suspect the SP models probably probably sell more volume optioned over a base SP (WRT wheels, SPAG, Nav, etc)
Tough call the SP bare bones is a great car but once you throw the better brakes,tires,wheels,leather seats and that great hood on a 15 SRT that is the deal. just don't throw the options on the SRT.I almost went that way but the little women had other ideas for that 5k.But if you look at the upgrades I have done in the last year I spent more then that 5k.just don't have that darn hood.LOL
I am talking just the auto option on both cars no other options.
Better looking interior, better transmission, more horsepower, and one year newer. The cores were costing more money than the Scat Packs and didn't make sense to me anyway when I was shopping.
Are those numbers in the US only? Or overall total? Thought I'd add that the Core wasn't available in Canada. I think it's a shame that the Core didn't do so great. I believed It solved the problem that cars on lots were getting too loaded up and too expensive. It answered the formula that a muscle car should be cheap, simple, fast and basic. The same formula that made the Roadrunner a huge sales success in '68.
We know that potential buyers knew a new model update was coming, so they decided to wait until the '15s with new interiors and 8 speeds came along. My other theory is that having a "High end" R/T is more appealing than having a base model SRT, from an average buyer's point of view. Admittedly, those of us who want simple basic muscle cars are too few and far between.
I thought they nailed it with the '14 Core Satin Vapor Edition, but it came out too late. It was a good pre-curser to the Scat Pack. But by the time it came out, everyone knew about the changes for '15 so the sales were limited. I bet they will hold their value well, they must be quite rare.
for me it was mainly a simple matter of timing. If I had bought a 2014 it would of been the core. However, I do also like that the scat pack was able to be optioned up pretty much however you wanted.
There is no one answer but insurance costing does play an impact.
The SRT (anything) = increased insurance, across all market segments.
The SP initially did not have the same insurance impact, but it is creeping up in some markets.
If your insurance is based on the srt scat pack difference you need to change companies.Same car= same insurance..Now if your insurance company see srt hellcat that has different engine code in the vin then + more money to them.Simple math