How does a SRT-8 get allocated to dealership?

[WhiteDiamond]

Okay, guys/gals, I have found a local dealership that will go MSRP on an SRT-8, but they are fairly confident they will not get one(maybe why they will go MSRP). Does anyone understand how the SRT-8s will be divided up among the dealerships? I am still hoping to get on locally, but I am starting to look north at a recommended dealership now.

Todd

[rt4]

The 2005s were divided up one per district. If your dealership doesn't already have allocation, you're not getting an '05.
The 2006s will be most likely (conjecture here) based on past 300 sales, in addition to factory "deals", where the dealership takes crap cars (Durangos, Sebrings) in exchange for an SRT-8.
RT

[WhiteDiamond]

Thank you....So, basically, there are no dealerships getting more than 1 2005 SRT-8? When will it actually come out as a 2006 model?

Todd

[rt4]

As far as I know..... no dealership will get 2 2005 SRT-8s. The total number of 2005 SRT-8s made will be in the low hundreds. Job 1 is mid April for 2006 SRT-8s. So 2006 SRT-8s will hit the ground in May at the very earliest.
RT

[CITADELGRAD87]

Originally Posted by rt4

As far as I know..... no dealership will get 2 2005 SRT-8s. The total number of 2005 SRT-8s made will be in the low hundreds. Job 1 is mid April for 2006 SRT-8s. So 2006 SRT-8s will hit the ground in May at the very earliest.
RT

Motor trend recently reported 5,000, still a small number, but vastly better than the low hundreds.

[harrysam]

I just spent seeral hours today on the phone wiht a number of different dealerships. rt4 basically has it right, but here's a little more color based on what I was told.

First, for those interested, you need to find and SRT dealer, not just a regular chrysler or dodge dealer. If they're not an SRT dealer they won't have any allocation of srt-8s at all.

Second, even the big dealers are unsure of how many vehicles they will get. They are counting their inventory not just by what they get allocated, however, but as rt4 said, by what they can trade/swap with other dealerships. The numbers I've heard form the big movers are from 10-20 vehicles max at best. Keep in mind though, these are for the largest shops that move plenty of SRT product.

The big guys also said that the real game is not about 05, but about 06 allocation. The more product you move in 05, the more allocation you get in 06. That's whay they are interested in higher volume lower margin transactions today, and don't intend to ask customers for big premiums over MSRP. A number that I talked to basically said that "only the idiot dealers" would try and stick a customer with a 5-10k mark up over MSRP. "It will make buyers unhappy and the car will sit on the lot longer. Again, the longer it sits, the less allocation you get for 06 cause you can't move product out the door.

What was interesting is the uncertainty over 05 volume. The issue I was told relates to two things. One, the shortage of existing 300c product today. Two the fact that the srt-8 will be made on the same production line as the 300c. As it was explained to me, this means the line will have to stop for the changeover to srt-8. So, the more srt-8s made, the less available 300c volume. Given the shortage of 300cs, the 05 run of srt-8s is thus likely to be short. Concensus seems to be around an April run. Switchover back to Cs in May, plants shut for retooling for 06es in July, Another August/September run of Srt-8s. I have no idea if this will be the case, but it seemed to be the current thinking.

So what does that mean for the likelihood of our vehicles actually showing up? My guess is some lucky few might actually see their vehicles in May/June timeframe. The rest of us will have to wait our place in line and hope for a car before the end of the year. General concensus again, was around September for a "sure thing", if you're in the queue now. I've put my deposit down. Will have to just hold on for the ride.

[davequick]

Originally Posted by harrysam

10-20 vehicles max at best. Keep in mind though, these are for the largest shops that move plenty of SRT product.

My fingers are crossed since I'm in that portion of the list at a big shop!

Thanks for the info - anyone else heard similar or different?

[DennisG]

Hey Dave,

Thanks for the info on your dealer. I now have an official order in for a black SRT-8. I noticed you said you were #15 on another post. I mentioned that to the dealer and he said he only had 6 confirmed orders that he knew of?? I saved about $17,000 dollars by buying at the dealership up north (avoiding the $15,000 markup). I will put my C up for sale very soon.

[davequick]

Originally Posted by DennisG

Hey Dave,

Thanks for the info on your dealer. I now have an official order in for a black SRT-8. I noticed you said you were #15 on another post. I mentioned that to the dealer and he said he only had 6 confirmed orders that he knew of?? I saved about $17,000 dollars by buying at the dealership up north (avoiding the $15,000 markup). I will put my C up for sale very soon.

Awesome - he had mentioned that some of the folks in front of me might have dropped out - SWEET.

[rogue]

It was hard enough buying a 300c for many. Money talks, everything else is BS to the dealer. Those of you interested in the SRT-8 are going to have a hard time I forsee unfortunately. Its much like thw 2005 Saleen Mustangs. There aren't enough to go around, and the dealers are going to play hardball... Get all deposits and promises down in writing...

Holy crap. $15k markup? For the cost of an SRT-8 at that rate, you could buy a 300c and have a custom Turbo System built from scratch that would eat an SRT-8 for breakfast. Or just be even wiser and buy an Mercedes E55.