It is simple supply and demand. More Vette owners out there, so more demand for the Vette and the ZR-1 is king in that particular Vette kingdom right now. It commands a premium, even at the ridiculous ZR-1 prices due to simple supply and demand.
Viper ACR, well they all seemed to be pushed out of the factory at the end of the year, when the snow is on the ground for most of the Northern States so demand is way up, on a car that has a smaller demand in general due to less Viper afficiodos out there.
Greater supply and less demand, equals poor selling position for the dealer as what do you expect them to do? They buy these from Dodge so Dodge makes out great, but dealer is left holding the bag, with all the risk. So cut the losses and discount. I don't blame them.
Finally, when someone finally figures out that it IS about looks too, not all about the numbers, then we can move on and sell more. The ACR, as great as it performs, just looks like a GT2 Race car, which for some is great, but for others is NOT what they want to drive on the street. A car with black wheels (biggest mistake in my opinion), big wing and carbon fiber flaps stapled on everwhere, may be great for some, that want that look or to go racing, but for the majority of the people on the street, it lacks class. THAT is why it is not seling. It is just too race car looking for most, despite it's awesome performance.
While I absolutely applaud Dodge for their efforts in making it a track record setting beast, I simply would never own an ACR because I just don't like the way it looks for the street. The race track, is a totally different situation though and if I was a racer, I would be all over it or the ACR or ACRX.
The ACR, it lacks the street classy look of a Ferrari or Lambo or even the ZR-1, who all do this with nice looking non-colored rims, no HUGE add on wings and with an interior of luxury to a degree. There is street comfort in those models I just mentioned that is NOT there with the ACR. It is okay with the ACR because that is not what it was designed for, but that is why it is different and needs to be judged differently becuase it is a totally different crowd. A lot of racers are taking time off from racing now and trying to save money, which is why demand for a racecar is down. Street cars, while demand is down, there are more potential buyers.
When economy kicks and people want to go racing again, those ACRs made now, will be worth a premium while the ZR-1s will drop in price slightly, just as the Ford GTs will drop in price slightly, as newer better modesl come out. Pain now for gain later with the ACR, it is that simple.
Exposure has a lot to do with it as well and the current Viper's have little to none. That does affect things and prices. GEN IIs seem to be holding their own. There is a reason for that. Looks and exposure at the time did a lot for that model. It is down 150 HP from the current model, but to a lot of people on the street, they don't care.
Different buyers for both the ZR-1 versus the ACR, so it is NOT a fair comparison.
Just my take.
...I think alot has to do with the fact that Woodhouse put more thought into its ordering process and other dealers bought in large volume thinking the end was here for the Viper and guessed wrong.
