Disappointed with the SRT staff at the NY auto show...

[wiseasp]

I spoke to a SRT product rep at the NY auto show in great length. I asked him A LOT of questions about the new Viper and told him I was a VCA member for 12 years and have owned several Vipers. I asked him about special certificates for the VCA members like in 2003, special colors like the Blue and White of 1996/1997 and 2006 and VCA editions, etc. He said that they know that the VCA members are strong supporters, but they want to make the Viper available for everyone and no plans for special treatment for VCA members. I could not believe what he was saying. i went to a different SRT rep and asked the same questions. I also got pretty much the same response. When I went to look at the GTR the Nissan rep was VERY helpful and saw my VCA shirt and was treating me better then the SRT reps. I have a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Long Horn Dually, 2012 SRT8 Jeep, 2012 Dodge Durango R/T and a 2012 Jeep Wrangler 4DR Rubicon and of course my Vipers.

I hope these guys were wrong and they do something special for the VCA group. I called my dealer and asked about putting me on the list for a 2013 and they said that they will be happy to put me on the list with a $25,000 dealer mark up. I laughed and hung up. Called another dealer and they are putting a $15,000 mark up.

I SURE HOPE THE SRT STAFF READS OUR FORUM!!!! I will not be a new owner of a 2013 with non sense like this, I will be looking at another car for sure.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

They are after a different market today than they were after in 1992. Time will tell if current direction was the correct decision. I have my doubts.

 

[Moundir]

Call Bill Pemberton!!

 

[Paul Hawker]

If the word gets back to SRT that the dealers are jacking up prices to take advantage of their most loyal supporters, I am sure they will try to come up with something.

The the VOI introduction in Salt Lake City they gave attendees some Friends and Family discounts. I used mine to purchase a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, and appreciate their offer.

Many of the Presidents of the ViperClub regions will want to be some of the first in their regions with the new car. These are some of the most influential members of the ViperNation, and I would suspect they would not like their customers to be bent over by the dealers with such an important to the future of Viper new car Launch.

Believe there will be a rush to the dealerships to get these high demand cars, with many just buying in order to flip them for a quick profit.

It may be difficult to come up with something that the dealers can accept, but will give us a fair shake.

Perhaps they could come out with a special VCA edition that only members could purchase. Dealers would need to be competitive to get these orders, but still able to get market price for other production.

SRT has always supported the ViperNation, who supported them during the dark days.

In the past, only those dealerships that had registered ViperTechs and previously sold larger volumes of Vipers got the significant allocations.

Imagine by VOI time any special deals will be released.

The more I learn about this new Viper the more excited I get about owning one.

The car makes me WANT it. The price will make me BUY it.

 

[patgilm]

I called my dealer and asked about putting me on the list for a 2013 and they said that they will be happy to put me on the list with a $25,000 dealer mark up. I laughed and hung up. Called another dealer and they are putting a $15,000 mark up.

I figured that dealers would mark them up given the likely high initial demand. Hopefully things slow down in a couple of years when I am ready to buy so I can at least buy one for MSRP. Did you buy all of your Vipers from the same dealer? If you bought them from the same dealer I would hope they would take care of you.

I also visited a local Nissan dealer with a Black Edition GTR and like you they treated me very well. Of course now that I have seen the new Viper the GTR is not on my radar anymore.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

I'm not surprised you got that reaction from a local Maryland dealer, it's unfortunate we do not have any Viper friendly dealers in the state. I would echo the suggestion to call Bill Pemberton at Woodhouse, I would be very surprised if they are marking them up.
And you won't need a certificate to get one of these cars at MSRP as long as you get on a list at one of the Viper friendly dealers you read about here like Woodhouse.

 

[lmcgrew79]

Haha chuck we agree I remember distinctly the ultimate factories video, saying and i quote " When the viper first came out dodge marketing folks thought they would all be bought by millionaires, the marketing guys were wrong." Ralph even says it was he factory guys, and the guys that worked and saved a penny or two are the people that purchased the car. I think they may have forgetten this. There is usually specific traits of an owner, that go along with the type of car they purchase. Ferrari, porsche, corvette, ownes are a few that come to mind that buy those cars over and over, call it heritage, loyalty, status, there fathers loved those cars when they was young, who knows but the trait in those owners are usually in the same ballpark. Im not sure ive ever meet a porsche guy that dont own or has owned an audi. Ferrari guy that isnt a a-hole, just kidding, or a corvette owner who has the club jacket and loves the american icon no matter what. There are always people that buy the best thing out at the time and go thru bushels of cars. I agree with the video that the viper owner is usually a hard working middle to upper class owner that has worked hard to own a viper. I think viper owners are older guys that loved muscle cars, and want the modern model of one, or kinda like myself im 32 and have worked hard enough to be able to fullfill a childhood dream. I think of the lamborghini as a comparable type car as a viper but just a bit more out of reach than the viper, which part of the appeal is the ability to obtain one. I think the new car looks good and the interior is nice, but that being said i think they have gone away from the base. As you said chuck time will tell if it works, but i dont think any porsche or ferrari owner is gonna buy one unless it is to sit along side there current porsche or ferrari.

 

[DodgeViper01]

It is amazing how some dealers can be f***ing idiots. How on earth can you think you can charge a markup before you know the demand or MSRP of the vehicle? It never ceases to amaze me what some dealers will try these days, especially given the economy and price point of a vehicle that has a limited demographic.

 

[stranger355]

My .02.....I've had nothing but fantastic experiences with the corporate SRT groups including the SRT track experience team. However, the same cannot be said for the dealers. Some are better than others, which I guess is true for every car manufacturer. As it is, SRT owners already have a pretty unique relationship with the corporation that builds the car and I'm sure they will do what they can to ensure that it stays that way.

 

[ferraritoviper]

Call Bill Pemberton!!

Bet his phone is ringing off the hook...the cream always rises to the top.

 

[steve911]

They are after a different market today than they were after in 1992. Time will tell if current direction was the correct decision. I have my doubts.

What I am being to get a sense of is that SRT maybe doing the same thing that Chrysler is doing with the Fiat. They put up a very few boutique small fanchises and expect people to flock to them. People arent going there... Too few too far away, a big failure in my mind.

On another note, maybe you dealer won't be selected (read pay) to be an SRT dealer and won't get any Vipers to sell. That's what my dealer is being told. There won't be many SRT dealers out there....

 

[SylvanSRT]

Never pay over MSRP for a car that is still in current production, unless you have so much money it doesnt matter and you really want to be the first on you block to own one. They are going to make more of them

 

[Mopar Boy]

To the OP, what day did you speak with the rep? Do be aware many times the floor people on public days are locals hired for the event. They are NOT employed by Chrysler. They are contracted to them for the event. That being the case they do not know anything other than the info they were told to memorize a few weeks before. I have run into this issue before at many auto shows, Canada and US.

I have been fortunate to get to know many of the SRT folks.....They seem a lot friendlier than what you described.

In a nutshell, have faith in SRT. They know, and get it.

 

[ViperGeorge]

Heck there is a local dealer here in Colorado that has an SRT8 Grand Cherokee sitting in his showroom with a $15K market adjustment. And that's for a Jeep. Can only imagine the rediculous prices that local dealers might try to get for the Gen 5. Stick with Woodhouse, Roanoke, or Tomball. Problem is though where do you take it for service? Too few Viper techs already.

 

[TowDawg]

I thought they were going to offer it to VCA members first? At least that is what I had heard.
I think current VCA members should get first crack at it and AT MSRP. If they are concerned about VCA members buying them at MSRP and flipping them, that is a legitimate concern, as it would mean the dealers couldn't make their $20k mark-up on others bc they could be undercut by members who bought them to flip. One way to fix this is to have the member who is paying MSRP, sign a contract that states the car will not be sold within 1 year from original purchase date. If something happens that forces a sale, I guess you could put a clause that it could not be sold for higher than their original price paid.

 

[ViperGeorge]

I thought they were going to offer it to VCA members first? At least that is what I had heard.
I think current VCA members should get first crack at it and AT MSRP. If they are concerned about VCA members buying them at MSRP and flipping them, that is a legitimate concern, as it would mean the dealers couldn't make their $20k mark-up on others bc they could be undercut by members who bought them to flip. One way to fix this is to have the member who is paying MSRP, sign a contract that states the car will not be sold within 1 year from original purchase date. If something happens that forces a sale, I guess you could put a clause that it could not be sold for higher than their original price paid.

I have a friend at SRT and he categorically has said that dealers adding a Market Adjustment is BS. It was very clear that he did not believe the car should be sold above MSRP so I can't imagine that SRT would not be upset if the dealer didn't make their $20K markeup.

 

[georgethedog]

I spoke to a SRT product rep at the NY auto show in great length. I asked him A LOT of questions about the new Viper and told him I was a VCA member for 12 years and have owned several Vipers. I asked him about special certificates for the VCA members like in 2003, special colors like the Blue and White of 1996/1997 and 2006 and VCA editions, etc. He said that they know that the VCA members are strong supporters, but they want to make the Viper available for everyone and no plans for special treatment for VCA members. I could not believe what he was saying. i went to a different SRT rep and asked the same questions. I also got pretty much the same response. When I went to look at the GTR the Nissan rep was VERY helpful and saw my VCA shirt and was treating me better then the SRT reps. I have a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Long Horn Dually, 2012 SRT8 Jeep, 2012 Dodge Durango R/T and a 2012 Jeep Wrangler 4DR Rubicon and of course my Vipers.

I hope these guys were wrong and they do something special for the VCA group. I called my dealer and asked about putting me on the list for a 2013 and they said that they will be happy to put me on the list with a $25,000 dealer mark up. I laughed and hung up. Called another dealer and they are putting a $15,000 mark up.

I SURE HOPE THE SRT STAFF READS OUR FORUM!!!! I will not be a new owner of a 2013 with non sense like this, I will be looking at another car for sure.

You have to many cars already...

 

[EllowViper]

Flash back to 1992 in San Juan Capistrano/Dana Point California. Dodge dealer had the RT/10 on the showrood for $125K. MSRP was $55K. Just saying.

 

[Dom426h]

I spoke to a SRT product rep at the NY auto show in great length. I asked him A LOT of questions about the new Viper and told him I was a VCA member for 12 years and have owned several Vipers. I asked him about special certificates for the VCA members like in 2003, special colors like the Blue and White of 1996/1997 and 2006 and VCA editions, etc. He said that they know that the VCA members are strong supporters, but they want to make the Viper available for everyone and no plans for special treatment for VCA members. I could not believe what he was saying. i went to a different SRT rep and asked the same questions. I also got pretty much the same response. When I went to look at the GTR the Nissan rep was VERY helpful and saw my VCA shirt and was treating me better then the SRT reps. I have a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 Long Horn Dually, 2012 SRT8 Jeep, 2012 Dodge Durango R/T and a 2012 Jeep Wrangler 4DR Rubicon and of course my Vipers.

I hope these guys were wrong and they do something special for the VCA group. I called my dealer and asked about putting me on the list for a 2013 and they said that they will be happy to put me on the list with a $25,000 dealer mark up. I laughed and hung up. Called another dealer and they are putting a $15,000 mark up.

I SURE HOPE THE SRT STAFF READS OUR FORUM!!!! I will not be a new owner of a 2013 with non sense like this, I will be looking at another car for sure.

Give it time. Your not even going to see the G5 on the road for another 8 months and your already demanding special treatment for VCA members. Let everyone make some decent money these first couple years. Freemarket supply/demand will work. The cars will sell and No special editions & GIMMIKS will be needed for the first couple years.

They are after a different market today than they were after in 1992. Time will tell if current direction was the correct decision. I have my doubts.

As you said chuck time will tell if it works, but i dont think any porsche or ferrari owner is gonna buy one unless it is to sit along side there current porsche or ferrari.

I dont think those who bought G1 Vipers Brand new are are too far off from the clients that will be after a G5. People with the cash like to have the latest and greatest. The G5 is just that.

If i was a porsche / ferrari / lambo guy i could not see myself sitting in a G1-4 Viper interior. Yuk! An insult to my $900 slacks. This amongst other items that are considered outdated for a high-end car like headlamps&brakelights have ALL been fixed in the G5. i have NO doubt that several porsche / ferrari / lambo guys are drooling over the new Viper. Some of these might be the guys that are more than willing to pay any extra premium.

Chuck, the G5 will be a sucess.
and it will smoke your & my ass on the track

Perhaps they could come out with a special VCA edition that only members could purchase. Dealers would need to be competitive to get these orders, but still able to get market price for other production.

I dont see the need for special treatment for VCA members. A non-member could have more passion&loyalty for the Viper than a member. All it takes to be a VCA member is a hundred bucks a year Picture a guy who worked his ass off dreaming about someday buying his first Viper. He is a total Viper NUT. He is now ready to buy. Give him his shot.

I also visited a local Nissan dealer with a Black Edition GTR and like you they treated me very well. Of course now that I have seen the new Viper the GTR is not on my radar anymore.

Nice. You and many others....

Haha chuck we agree I remember distinctly the ultimate factories video, saying and i quote " When the viper first came out dodge marketing folks thought they would all be bought by millionaires, the marketing guys were wrong." Ralph even says it was he factory guys, and the guys that worked and saved a penny or two are the people that purchased the car. I think they may have forgetten this. .

This is partly true and partly marketing Ra-Ra-Ra BS. Sure it made me and most Viper owners feal good when we watched it but in reality how many plant workers have purchased new Vipers? How many people making over $250K purchase new vipers. The truth is that the middleclass like me and alot of the Viper owners i know purchased USED Vipers. These stats should not be confused with purchasing a new vehicle.

It is amazing how some dealers can be f***ing idiots. How on earth can you think you can charge a markup before you know the demand or MSRP of the vehicle? It never ceases to amaze me what some dealers will try these days, especially given the economy and price point of a vehicle that has a limited demographic.

wow. how ignorant can someone be about business The cars will sell for whatever people are willing to pay for em. period
When you go to a ballgame or out for a movie do you complain about the $10popcorn and $5soda

 

[viper067]

wow. how ignorant can someone be about business The cars will sell for whatever people are willing to pay for em. period
When you go to a ballgame or out for a movie do you complain about the $10popcorn and $5soda

Yes .... but you buy it anyway

 

[mad0953]

People really pay $900 for a pair of pants?????? Send em my way.

 

[Dom426h]

lol, glad some of you got a laugh...

actually, i wear cargo pants($20 khols) and put some candy in one pocket and a waterbottle in the other. Im serious

but yes, on the chance that i am in the mood for popcorn i buy it and enjoy. I do always have to fight the temptation to purchase the various stuff that can be dipped in nachochees sauce

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Keep the faith guys, and just put it into perspective. The reveal was for VCA members , so regardless of what the SRT Rep may have done to upset you, some things are already being done ( the special gala just for VCA members is a clear indicator ). Not everything may be to your satisfaction, as they need to meet the needs of many , but feel certain they have heard your plea for qualified techs loud and clear.

Respectfully,
Bill Pemberton
Woodhouse

 

[Vic]

Wiseasp, You have a lot of Chrysler products, you have been a Venom VCA member for some time. In your perception, this makes you an important person to Chrysler, and you certainly are.

It is your expectation that leads to your dissapointment.

Wait a while, talk to the best representative members of the SRT team. They value you!

 

[46hemi]

Yeah, I am sure the lack of a cappuccino maker, wifi and Italian leather clad waiting rooms in South Salem would never have flown with the new crowd. Just as well, I guess because it can be really annoying to wait in that dirty, dusty shop just to get your car fixed right.

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

Never always know... sometimes with small town dealers, they may rarely get a Viper and mark it up just to have it sit in the showroom to bring people into the Dodge / Chrysler / Fiat dealership, it is a halo car, nothing wrong with that if they can afford to let it sit to help them market their dealership.

 

[johniew398]

I wouldn't blame the dealers. It's hard enough to make any profit selling cars any more as it is.

And, it's not unusual with first run cars. I had always owned Vettes and was on line to get a new ZR1 when they first came out. The dealer I had bought my 2006 from called and said he had one in-bound and would take $65k over list. I told him no thanks, and that was great because it made me look at Vipers for the first time and I got my ACR.

A year later I still wanted a ZR1 as well and I found one in Ohio. The dealer quoted me a price and I told him no, thanks. The next day he called back and had dropped the price $14k and I bought it.

I'm going to wait for the new Viper; but, then again I have to anyway since I will wait for the ACR.

 

[DMan]

Not sure what's surprising about this at all ... especially in Maryland, our dealers are the worst. In 2003 Ford dealers marked up mustang cobras $15-30K, coupe and verts. That's on mustangs for Pete's sake, almost 10 yrs ago. All of my Vipers have been bought out of state, my last 3 mustangs as well as my BMWs, etc., Maryland dealers smoke crack & huff airplane glue. There are others out there too, but man our state is bad.

I'd follow the poster above advice, go to a reputable dealer sponsor regardless of location & ship the car. The markups won't last and good dealers out there will work fair deals, as always.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Regarding the need for SRT Certified Viper Techs.

I have recently spoken to several ViperTechs that have set up independent Viper service facilities.

They already have all the training, experience, and specialized tools necessary to provide VIP service to the Viper Community.

Most of us perfer to go to these guys after the warranty expires due to their professional nature, and their convenience.

To a man, they all have indicated a desire to be able to do warranty work on Vipers, but for that we are now forced to the much less pleasant dealership experience.

Hope that in some way SRT can reach out to these independent ViperTech shops to offer them the ability to do specialized warranty service on the SRT line of vehicles.

Maybe we could invite some of them to VOI, where the SRT guys could talk to them directly, and perhaps work out a servicing plan.

 

[georgethedog]

Should there also be special treatment for Viper Alley people?

How about if I add up all the Chrysler products my family has bought over the years, should that put me at the top of the list?

I don't understand why some VCA members feel they are entitled to things??? I have been a member in the past, but have not joined this year; so should I be on an auxiliary list--after VCA members, but before others???

Get over yourself people. So, if you don't get preferential treatment you will buy a Nissan? This thread makes me laugh out loud. And, if the SRT staff has read this forum I bet they are laughing too...