Comments on: $10.5k Markup on Dodge Superbee OK for Some

By: leafnwind

leafnwind — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:22:22 +0000

The markup doesn’t appear to have lasted long, just purchased a 2008 Dodge Super Bee in Texas for below MSRP in July 2008.

By: pb35

pb35 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:22:32 +0000

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!

By: quasimondo

quasimondo — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:26:27 +0000

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).

By: Skooter

Skooter — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:49:48 +0000

$2.99 promotion does not apply to anything over 87 octane.

By: RedStapler

RedStapler — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:13:51 +0000

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.

By: quasimondo

quasimondo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:40:16 +0000

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.

By: quasimondo

quasimondo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:38:04 +0000

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.

By: Rix

Rix — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:21:38 +0000

Might be a fun weekend car in about 3 years when you can buy it for $12k used.

By: Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:00:56 +0000

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.

By: TriShield

TriShield — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:44:01 +0000

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.

By: AJ

AJ — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:42:26 +0000

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.

By: TeeKay

TeeKay — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:35:01 +0000

“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.

By: Frank Williams

Frank Williams — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:31:02 +0000

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.

By: TriShield

TriShield — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:13:54 +0000

Dealers mark-up popular or desirable cars, where’s the news?

By: beetlebug

beetlebug — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:53:19 +0000

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?

By: threeer

threeer — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:39:45 +0000

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?

By: TEXN3

TEXN3 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:27:37 +0000

Throw in some 2.99 gasoline and you’ve got yourself the bargain of 2008!

By: SupaMan

SupaMan — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:21:50 +0000

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.

By: red5

red5 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:21:24 +0000

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!!!

By: dwford

dwford — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:06:53 +0000

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.

By: improvement_needed

improvement_needed — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:53:58 +0000

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…

By: lewissalem

lewissalem — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:45:41 +0000

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.

By: jaje

jaje — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:30:53 +0000

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).

By: plunk10

plunk10 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:28:22 +0000

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.

By: WildBill

WildBill — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:26:30 +0000

The original Bee was just a tad over $3,000 (1968). Now they want north of $50K for the new Bee? No thanks.