A Dodge dealer in Maryland wants you to pay over $300,000 for its white Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, and here’s why.
In the niche market of muscle cars, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 has been causing quite a stir. Not just for its jaw-dropping performance but also the eye-watering dealer markups that have left Mopar fans and potential buyers in a frenzy. Known for its devilish speed and monstrous power, the Demon 170, with its 1,025 horsepower capable of hitting 60 mph in a mere 1.6 seconds, is every bit the street-legal drag racer it promises to be. Dodge set the stage with an almost too-good-to-be-true MSRP under $100,000, a price that screams “bargain” in the supercar realm. However, getting your hands on one for that price is more fantasy than reality, thanks to dealer markups.
Take, for instance, the Ourisman Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Ram in Bowie, Maryland, where a white Challenger SRT Demon 170 sits in a glass case like a museum exhibit, but with a price tag that’s anything but historic. They’ve slapped an additional $200,000 on top of the already premium price, pushing the total to a stratospheric $334,036 — arguably the most expensive Dodge Challenger ever to hit the market.
The practice of jacking up prices far beyond the MSRP is nothing new in the car world, but the extent to which it’s happening with the Demon 170 has sparked a wave of discontent among Mopar enthusiasts. Some fans, pushed to their limits, have even started tipping their hats to Chevrolet for how it manages special releases like the Corvette Z06, which has a policy aimed at deterring quick flips for profit. Despite Chevy’s approach not being foolproof, it’s seen as a step in the right direction compared to Dodge’s seemingly laissez-faire stance.
Interestingly, not everyone is up in arms over these markups. For a select few looking to turn their garage into a treasure chest, these inflated prices might spell “investment.” However, the market seems to be correcting itself, with some dealerships now “only” asking for $65,000 over MSRP, a bargain compared to the $250,000 markups seen not too long ago. This adjustment is a telling sign, especially as some Demon 170s have started going under the hammer for less than $200,000 at auction.
The reaction from the Mopar community has been a mix of outrage and resignation. Social media and online forums are ablaze with comments slamming dealers for their greed, with some enthusiasts declaring that these prized possessions have fallen into the wrong hands. Meanwhile, listings on platforms like Autotrader show a range of asking prices, from slightly over $200,000 to the utterly ludicrous $321,341, highlighting the vast disparities in how dealers value this iconic muscle car.
As the dust settles and more of these demonic speedsters find their homes, whether in collectors’ garages or tearing up the drag strip, it seems the love for the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is as undying as ever. But for many die-hard fans, the dream remains just out of reach, locked behind glass cases and absurd price tags. It’s even more ironic given this would be the last of the great V8 Challengers; as we all know the next one is turning electric.
In the meantime, the debate over dealer markups rages on, with no end in sight. Whether Dodge will step in to play referee or continue to watch from the sidelines is anyone’s guess. For now, the Demon 170 remains an elusive beast, coveted by many but tamed by few.
