What's Going On With the Steep Decline in Hellcat Prices?

I was looking for a Challenger Hellcat a year ago and the prices were insane. Many dealers were asking well over MSRP for new ones and many used ones were priced over original MSRP. So I went a different direction and bought a different performance vehicle. Now it seems the dealers are offering steep discounts off MSRP on new 23's and you can find nice low mileage late model used ones for $50 to $60K. Not sure how to explain the difference a year makes.

Screw buying a new hot rod when you can build one that is faster and better looking for half their asking prices

I think it has to do with the economy / peoples pocket books, combined with the supply chain problems. For a time there were a limited line of supplies like chips. To make money the car companies used what they had to make high dollar cars with high profit. The people who could afford them have bought them and now the remaining population can't afford them.

At least that is my perception.

I agree with CAB

I just bought two new Kenworth's and 1 new Peterbilt. .. needed them for at least last 2 1/2-3 years but, couldn't get anything and when you did they held prices high .. these were all discounted between 25-30k each

I believe it may have to do with higher interest rates and much less easily obtainable financing. Drove by a 'bargain lot' on my way to work today that's closing. Up until a few months ago I saw probably 2 car haulers per week dropping off inventory.

I think that's it. Then you add in that they were pushing them hard and everything came to a stand still when they stopped Charger production that they're falling off peoples radars now,

I'd love to have one but they're still out of my price range and I have other things to spend my car budget on.

faster, maybe, better looking maybe... but more comfortable, quieter, a/c for the summer, radio that works.... for 1/2 the price... i doubt it

Correct. I have one old one left and bought two '23 Hellcats. Why not. I'm not going to live forever. They are quiet, ridiculously quick and ride way better than anything else I own.

When times are good, people spend money on toys. When times get hard, they sell the toys, and only spend money on what they need.

Its not just Hellcats. Lots of people are only buying what they really need. Lots of places have hard inventory they couldn't get 2 years ago, but the customer count has really dropped off. Lots of stuff has come to nearly a complete stop around here in about the last 4 months. Nearly all the stores, businesses, and restaurants have very few customers. If it hasn't yet where you are at, you better get ready for it. The slow down is coming soon to your area as well.

Hellcat was a 58K car back in 2015. Its the same car. Covid hit, supply issues - that are no longer. You should still be able to get one for 58,000. Anyone that paid more is a fool and a sucker

It’s like dodge killed the demand by giving up on the cars. After the initial frenzy to get the 170s and super stockers, the buyers dried up. I’ve considered one, but just couldn’t justify the cost. Now cars are piled up all over and the discounts only kicked in a few weeks ago. One I’d take is holding firm at sticker. Screw those guys. I don’t think they like my commentary about inventory having a birthday, etc. or ads I’ve sent for cheaper cars with same msrp, even saying price match. They won’t price match. Why would I bother with them then?

One dealer has something like 50 hellcats, another has a dozen scats.

Currently when prices appear to be dropping its that the dealer has reduced their tacked on "Market Adjustments" which is just a greed fee slapped on because many were willing to pay it two years ago. The "Lowered" prices as seen now are really just more closer to MSRP. TKs Garage is a Youtuber that- after legal research goes after new car dealerships for flat out screwing customers with illegal tactics. Dodge dealers make up most of his video line up. State attorney generals have gotten involved as a result of him (and others on YT) shedding light on these dealers criminality.

When the Hellcats were introduced, I watched them closely thinking I might just pull the trigger on a good used one. After Dodge started building all they could sell, the depreciation on them was averaging over $550 a month. At one point, the original owner of a red one with 8,000 miles offered me the car for $42k. I thought hard about it, but thought why not wait a couple more months and get one for under $40k. So I offered $39.5k. He declined. And at about the same time, they started regaining value.

What will happen to Hellcat values in the near term seems to indicate another round of steep depreciation. How deep, how long? Who knows? And that will vary between certain models and even certain colors.

The moral of this story is typical of all cars. They are a volatile commodity. Just look at our Mopar muscle cars. They went from near worthless to total market value setters. Who knew?

So right now, buying a Hellcat is for those that can afford to risk losing a good amount of their purchase price. At least in the short term. And since miles are such a big deal, the more a buyer would enjoy driving their car, the more dollars that are flying out the window, too. Not a good situation for a lot of buyers.

Inflation and higher interest rates mean fewer would-be buyers have the means to pay for a Hellcat than five years ago.

Since the cars are now out of production, the MSRP no longer means anything.

They're worth whatever someone will pay for them.

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quote=ackpht]
They're worth whatever someone will pay for them.

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isn't that true with just about anything you buy????

So, you offered 94% of the original owner's price? $39.5k vs $42k. And, he declined. Wonder what he sold it for?

I'm not buying a new Hellcat worrying about the value. I'm buying new so there's no unknown history that comes along with a used car and I can enjoy driving it, with a full extended warranty.

My advice, next time a good deal falls in your lap, don't insult the owner.

If you can't afford one, don't try insulting those that can.

FFS, predicting anything has long been a joke.

Anybidy wanting a hellcat at about ten percent under sticker Google up Dan Cummins in KY.

Good dealers to work with. We have bought two cars from their group and will likely buy our next one there.

You really prove your member title is well earned.

All my best.

A difference of opinion accompanied with insults. That is the Mopart's way.

true true...it never happens on a ford site

Come on big Joe told me the economy is booming!!!

Nobody has covered the real issues with Hellcat ownership.

Insurance cost.

Theft.

These things are so ridiculously easy to steal its not even funny. Thieves popped the lock on the dealership lot gate, moved the GM block vehicle, fired up the HC, and was gone in under 6 minutes.

If you ever turn your back on a 392 or HC and it's not in your locked garage don't plan on it being there when you turn back around.

But will never do all a hellcat does