Well my fellow Hellcat family, it's been an interesting past 5 days. As most probably know, I've had a B5 Challenger on order for almost 6 months now from a dealer who is fairly decent in size and can usually get any vehicle, I've bought many other vehicles/SRTs there. The wife really wanted to partake in the fun and since she cannot drive stick she wanted a Challenger Hellcat. Plus her Dad is a Mopar guy. Not being totally in love with the GT500, and this being a rare occurrence where the wife wanted a specific car, I obliged and sold the 2013 Shelby.
Last weekend, due to the onslaught of news about people getting calls about the A8 not being available, I emailed my salesman to ask for him to verify my potential build future. I heard nothing for a couple days and was getting very irritated with no communication. Out of the blue (pun intended) on Wed. I got an email stating that they received a reply from the region rep and in fact the info we all heard was true, and my car would not be built unless I switch to a manual. I told the wife that night when she got home from work and we were both frustrated and irritated with the whole thing. We also agreed this Shit Show will probably go on in 2016 as well. I explained to her I see Chargers pop up often that are available and it could be an idea, we both agreed we weren't paying $10k+ over for a Challenger. Later that night I got a lead from alexbarrett here on a B5 Challenger in Michigan and immediately texted the salesman, Vinnie.
First thing in the morning the salesman gave me the VIN and price of the B5 Challenger that was available. $8k markup. I figured I'd run the numbers, even asked if they could put the $8k somewhere else so I wouldn't pay MD tax on it but he said they couldn't. After calling the MVA and running numbers it was going to be near $80k...too much for me to swallow over MSRP. I thanked Vinnie (who was great, and even texted me later at night congratulating me on the Charger he heard about) and told him I was out. I immediately went to Dodge.com and ran the Charger Hellcat inventory. What pops up? A B5 Blue Charger Hellcat about 1hr 20min away from me at Fred Beans CDJR in Doylestown, PA! Laguna Leather, HK Radio, NAV, Summer Tires, and Brass Monkey wheels. I fired off a request for more info and the salesman, Ted Scholl, got back to me very quickly with only a $1860 markup and that it was available for sale. I had to do a double take, even replied to Ted double checking the price and that there were no other costs than tax/title/reg/dealer fee. He assured me there wasn't so I sent it to the wife and she said she liked it. I asked if she wanted to go see it that night (Thurs) since the kids were at her parents, even though it would be a late night. She said yes so I contacted Ted and he set up an appt for 6:30pm, I told him to MAKE SURE no one sells it by then and he said he'd hold it with no deposit.
Didn't get up to the dealer until 7:30pm, much further than I thought plus there was an accident on the turnpike. I felt bad but Ted was understanding and glad we made it. I even found out he was doing all of this on his day off! We walked inside and it was right in the showroom by his desk. I told my wife to look it over, I want her to be completely satisfied, it's her call. Ted told my wife to fire it up, she pushed the button and wow did it sound great, the wife even giggled with joy. I told Ted not to worry about me, I'm just going to be anal and check all around. He immediately informed me two wheels came with scratches and the warranty claim was already in. So I walked around the car, popped the hood, and all looked good aside from a tiny dimple in the right quarter, not enough to touch though IMO. I was happy, so I told the wife it's her call because she wanted the Challenger and I want her to be sure she'd like this....she smiled and said yes. So I looked at Ted and said, let's sit down and do the money part.
I know what you all are waiting for.........nope, didn't happen. Exactly as Ted promised, MSRP + $1860 markup +tax/title/reg +134 doc fee. Like I said, Ted was not only truthful, but a great guy to talk with and answer questions (his formal training is as a Chef, and he use to own a restaurant but the 2008 economy sank it, so he knows about customer service!). I've bought a lot of cars, have had family in the business in multiple roles, and I always get the deal I'm seeking because I know the numbers before them. This was one of the easiest deals ever. It was as stated, didn't have to negotiate or argue any BS costs later. Ted didn't even have to go talk to teh Sales Manager. We did meet him before leaving and he was very nice and genuine as well. Congratulated us on buying their first Hellcat and we set pickup for 2 days later on Sat.
Got her yesterday, long day. Here are the picks I got from the night we viewed it, then outside for delivery.
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Both of us still aren't a fan of the Brass Monkey wheels. Thinking we want to go to the black ones, have to wait for the 2 warranty wheels though. I can't provide much on performance as I drove like a grandpa home, the wife wanted me to do the proper break in. I must say I found the car to ride very nice and was comfortable. It even crossed my mind that it was very much like my Jeep SRT, just sitting lower. I can sense the pissed off Cat under the hood though as I blipped the throttle a couple times
Wife still hasn't driven it yet, she's nervous. I told her nothing to be nervous about for another 350 miles LOL.
Big shout out to Fred Beans CDJR in Doylestown and Ted Scholl. Aside from buying from my brother-in-law back in the day, this was literally one of the best salesman and buying experiences I have had. I will say that they circumvented the rules to get the car, it was a "false" sold order under the name of a customer who buys many cars there, I politely let Ted know they should think twice in the future about doing that. However, it is the only Hellcat they have received and they only have 1 other that was picked up during the "1000 more cars VIN frenzy." They had 6 other Challenger orders not filled. Ted was very professional, yet not uptight. No BS car sales lines or anything. He knew I was a guy that knows cars and let the vehicle do the talking. Alex, the finance guy at delivery was also great. Lots of side chit chat, and no pressure on any warranties or anything. We initially declined the wheel and tire, but he got it so low that it wouldn't even be as much as the cost of 1/3 a wheel (which BTW, are $1900 a piece, I have the warranty invoice!!). We were so pleased that we agreed to have them do the two wheel changes when they came in even though it would be a bit of a drive.
If you are wondering about our Challenger order.......we're keeping it Not handing it over to the dealer to switch to a manual and sell on the lot We also want to see just how long it will take for it to be filled in 2016. We'll probably change the color, and when it comes in we'll decide if we want to go back to a 2-door toy car. Not worried about the $1000 if they fight us on not giving it back. IMO that money is long gone.
Last weekend, due to the onslaught of news about people getting calls about the A8 not being available, I emailed my salesman to ask for him to verify my potential build future. I heard nothing for a couple days and was getting very irritated with no communication. Out of the blue (pun intended) on Wed. I got an email stating that they received a reply from the region rep and in fact the info we all heard was true, and my car would not be built unless I switch to a manual. I told the wife that night when she got home from work and we were both frustrated and irritated with the whole thing. We also agreed this Shit Show will probably go on in 2016 as well. I explained to her I see Chargers pop up often that are available and it could be an idea, we both agreed we weren't paying $10k+ over for a Challenger. Later that night I got a lead from alexbarrett here on a B5 Challenger in Michigan and immediately texted the salesman, Vinnie.
First thing in the morning the salesman gave me the VIN and price of the B5 Challenger that was available. $8k markup. I figured I'd run the numbers, even asked if they could put the $8k somewhere else so I wouldn't pay MD tax on it but he said they couldn't. After calling the MVA and running numbers it was going to be near $80k...too much for me to swallow over MSRP. I thanked Vinnie (who was great, and even texted me later at night congratulating me on the Charger he heard about) and told him I was out. I immediately went to Dodge.com and ran the Charger Hellcat inventory. What pops up? A B5 Blue Charger Hellcat about 1hr 20min away from me at Fred Beans CDJR in Doylestown, PA! Laguna Leather, HK Radio, NAV, Summer Tires, and Brass Monkey wheels. I fired off a request for more info and the salesman, Ted Scholl, got back to me very quickly with only a $1860 markup and that it was available for sale. I had to do a double take, even replied to Ted double checking the price and that there were no other costs than tax/title/reg/dealer fee. He assured me there wasn't so I sent it to the wife and she said she liked it. I asked if she wanted to go see it that night (Thurs) since the kids were at her parents, even though it would be a late night. She said yes so I contacted Ted and he set up an appt for 6:30pm, I told him to MAKE SURE no one sells it by then and he said he'd hold it with no deposit.
Didn't get up to the dealer until 7:30pm, much further than I thought plus there was an accident on the turnpike. I felt bad but Ted was understanding and glad we made it. I even found out he was doing all of this on his day off! We walked inside and it was right in the showroom by his desk. I told my wife to look it over, I want her to be completely satisfied, it's her call. Ted told my wife to fire it up, she pushed the button and wow did it sound great, the wife even giggled with joy. I told Ted not to worry about me, I'm just going to be anal and check all around. He immediately informed me two wheels came with scratches and the warranty claim was already in. So I walked around the car, popped the hood, and all looked good aside from a tiny dimple in the right quarter, not enough to touch though IMO. I was happy, so I told the wife it's her call because she wanted the Challenger and I want her to be sure she'd like this....she smiled and said yes. So I looked at Ted and said, let's sit down and do the money part.
I know what you all are waiting for.........nope, didn't happen. Exactly as Ted promised, MSRP + $1860 markup +tax/title/reg +134 doc fee. Like I said, Ted was not only truthful, but a great guy to talk with and answer questions (his formal training is as a Chef, and he use to own a restaurant but the 2008 economy sank it, so he knows about customer service!). I've bought a lot of cars, have had family in the business in multiple roles, and I always get the deal I'm seeking because I know the numbers before them. This was one of the easiest deals ever. It was as stated, didn't have to negotiate or argue any BS costs later. Ted didn't even have to go talk to teh Sales Manager. We did meet him before leaving and he was very nice and genuine as well. Congratulated us on buying their first Hellcat and we set pickup for 2 days later on Sat.
Got her yesterday, long day. Here are the picks I got from the night we viewed it, then outside for delivery.
Both of us still aren't a fan of the Brass Monkey wheels. Thinking we want to go to the black ones, have to wait for the 2 warranty wheels though. I can't provide much on performance as I drove like a grandpa home, the wife wanted me to do the proper break in. I must say I found the car to ride very nice and was comfortable. It even crossed my mind that it was very much like my Jeep SRT, just sitting lower. I can sense the pissed off Cat under the hood though as I blipped the throttle a couple times
Wife still hasn't driven it yet, she's nervous. I told her nothing to be nervous about for another 350 miles LOL.Big shout out to Fred Beans CDJR in Doylestown and Ted Scholl. Aside from buying from my brother-in-law back in the day, this was literally one of the best salesman and buying experiences I have had. I will say that they circumvented the rules to get the car, it was a "false" sold order under the name of a customer who buys many cars there, I politely let Ted know they should think twice in the future about doing that. However, it is the only Hellcat they have received and they only have 1 other that was picked up during the "1000 more cars VIN frenzy." They had 6 other Challenger orders not filled. Ted was very professional, yet not uptight. No BS car sales lines or anything. He knew I was a guy that knows cars and let the vehicle do the talking. Alex, the finance guy at delivery was also great. Lots of side chit chat, and no pressure on any warranties or anything. We initially declined the wheel and tire, but he got it so low that it wouldn't even be as much as the cost of 1/3 a wheel (which BTW, are $1900 a piece, I have the warranty invoice!!). We were so pleased that we agreed to have them do the two wheel changes when they came in even though it would be a bit of a drive.
If you are wondering about our Challenger order.......we're keeping it
Not handing it over to the dealer to switch to a manual and sell on the lot We also want to see just how long it will take for it to be filled in 2016. We'll probably change the color, and when it comes in we'll decide if we want to go back to a 2-door toy car. Not worried about the $1000 if they fight us on not giving it back. IMO that money is long gone.
