Here's my 2 cents on this situation, and sorry if I offend anyone. I want a hellcat just as much as the next guy.
Just like the first edition challengers I suspect they will make these hellcats with a badge number from 0-3000, and just like the 08 models for sale on ebay or any other place, including, on the "z" noone cares if your car is number 2 or 2999. No real value will be added to your car provided it's not the first or last one off the assembly line. Limiting production is just a play at making more money...selling to those exclusive few who will pay more than what the car is worth just to have the "exclusivity" of owning a hellcat. The dealers love the idea as well because they're not just going to order a car for you unless you're willing to pay them extra as well. Dodge wins. Dealer wins. Mopar fanatic loses. In model year 2016 we will have unlimited production without a # badge just as we did in '09. With current lackluster sales of a non convertible viper, whose main competition is the z06, and the new internal competition of the hellcat I suspect "Dodge" is trying to find the more lucrative model to produce. Either that or they are using the supposed profits of the "hellcat" to continue to fund the "flagship" viper.
In my circle of mopar enthusiasts there's already been a turn from the viper, as I have talked to a friend whose customer has several vipers (over ten), but is now looking at the "hellcat" for the next purchase. Regardless of the price, Dodge/Fiat/SRT is playing a waiting game with consumers, stringing us along, to try and find a direction for the company that produces the most.profit. They have the production figures (probably 60-65000), but my guess is they are feeling the market and these forums to try and see just how willing some people are to pay for this thing. If we say "i'd buy it for 80k or 90k" that's what they'll charge. It's the same thing they were doing with the hp numbers. Sure, I saw the "easter egg" as well that people were talking about with hp of 707 but there's speculation about the price being $70's7's00 or something like that. I would guess more likely the $10:10 00 instead of thinking its the 1/4 mile time.
However, back down to earth, If they can produce a streetable muscle car and make more money doing so, it wouldn't surprise me if they started selling order only vipers and unlimited hellcats. The problem I think lies in that SRT stuff has and probably always will be overpriced. I think my 09 loaded srt was around 45-47000 when new. I could have bought a loaded camaro for several thousand less. I'm guess the same will happen here. Srt's are not cheap and truthfully will not be surprised to see this car go for 80000. That's more than a z28/zl1/gt500 by several thousand, but that's also the business plan of dodge for several years. They have a mopar following, me included, and despite their price gouging I suspect they are counting on the enthusiasts to "fork" over more and more money for 707hp, and potentially bring some camaro and stang guys over for the notoriety of owning the "top dog" on the street. Unfortunately, for the rest of us who are looking at paying off our mortgages before the government decides to turn our country into a socialist dictatorship, buying a "hellcat" will be out of the question. Besides Ralph even stated that its not for "everyone"..."overpriced" I think is what he meant to say.
I'd love to own one of these "hellcats" but after actually convincing my wife that it could be and "investment" I've decided against one. Whether it's 70-100000 we are talking way to much money to spend on something that wont appreciate for another 25-30 years. Additionally, we will see in about 4 years a group of "first edition" hellcats on ebay for about 2/3 the price of a new one with very few miles on them. Case and point look on there now for the 08 first edition srts and see how much value they have kept. Maybe, I'll look into one then.
Also, the people that can afford these cars don't normally make them daily drivers or track cars. Look at your typical viper owner...retirement age and well to do. It probably wont be there primary mode of transportation. Probably a lexus or something.... Besides I'm also guessing the streetability of this car with 707hp will be horrible even with the suspension upgrades. That's why there's a black key. People won't want to drive it normally with the red key. That's what SRT is even trying to tell you. The street manners of this car stink. However, if you are the 1 percent of people who can afford it, and the 1 percent of those people who can actually drive a car safely with that much power and 1 percent of those people who will use that much power...then I salute you. I envy your situation, because I've only got about 500hp now and I have problems finding a place to safely display it's prowess, but I can't imagine tearing up a brand new car at the dragstrip, but that's just me.
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