All very good reasoning, but all very off. The Gen V Viper will undoubtedly be very similar in price to the current Viper (maybe a tick or two higher) and it
absolutely will be a street car, most likely with a track variation (ACR/Comp Coupe). Don't have time to write my usual novel, but here are a couple reasons why:
- Of the reasons Chrysler is considering that sale, one of the most prominent is that a smaller manufacturer isn't held to the same federal regulations that a major manufacturer is. Thus they could be more creative and have less cost involved to build the car. Not a guess - a fact stated by several people here in Detroit.
- SRT very much wants to stay involved with this car. Many people know, and Ralph Gilles himself stated the other night, that they had already been doing a lot of R&D on the next generation Viper. Certainly any potential buyer would demand that they receive as much of that work as possible.
- A potential sales does NOT mean that it is a "stand alone" arrangement. The intent, if at all possible, would be to continue to utilize Chrysler/SRT personnel on contract basis - likewise with a "authorized dealer network" comprised of various Chrysler/Dodge dealers. Don't be surprised if you continue to see the Dodge brand on the Viper for many years to come.
- Most importantly and as noted in a previous analogy, why would you buy a nameplate just to change everything? They want what the Viper is and what the current ownership population represents. Like buying a McDonalds and then changing everything on the menu and selling $30 steaks instead. It makes absolutely no sense at all - you would be better off starting a new brand for that kind of money ($150M).
Bottom line? The Viper is here to stay and it will continue to be targeted at the people buying them today, and possibly expand that market a bit if they can. I am not buying a $180K car no matter what the brand, nor will a lot of current Viper owners. Any potential buyer knows the customer demographics inside and out. They will make sure they continue to buy the Viper for many years down the road. Exciting stuff!
Chris,
Respectfully I believe that you are wrong. Here is the truth of the matter.......
VOI was recently used by Dodge to not showcase the Viper, but to actually showcase the people who buy the car to the respective buyers. Undoubtedly, the organizations who wish to purchase the line were there. They realized that people were willing to spend their own cash for a marketing pitch by the company. It is an unusual position for a company to have.
With this in mind, the new company would want to take all of the money that potential buyers would be willing to leave. Cars that compete against Viper are much more expensive......(P cars, ZR1, Lambo, Ferrari). There is potential there.
Of course, any company would want to be the "good guy" and not raise prices as soon as they complete the purchase. One year later, however, here comes the price increase. I believe that $180,000 is too much, however. I price increase to $110,000 is not out of the question. $135,000 for an ACR. It stays within the Demographics.
From the information available, the idea of providing "financing" means that the purchasing entity does not have much money to do this. It is a small entity. I agree with you that the deal would most likely involve purchase of Dodge engines and other Dodge parts, therefore maximizing the production capabilities of the organization.
A price increase, in my opinion, is inevitable. There is room there.
" over the years. A tuner and I will probably just buy an older graphite RT/10 to fill the hunger if I get it. Loving my 06' Coupe too much right now, but then again, I do love my 95' S351R Speedster too.
